There's actually a website for this oldest section of Beaumont at http://oakshistoricdistrict.org/ which gives a few details about it. These pics were taken with my Dimage Z2, which I haven't used in quite some time. In fact, I haven't done much photography in a good while; so I'm really out of practice. However, it was a gorgeous day, brisk and cool and had a hankering for taking pictures. Here are just a very few of the homes. Some are now used as offices or other commercial uses. And of course, some are residences. The Oak Trees I'm sure are at least as old if not much older than the homes.

After a long drab, gray winter, finally spring is bursting forth. All of these, with the exception of the azaleas were taken in Jasper, Texas, about an hour's drive north of Beaumont. As usual, any comments are most welcomed.

These pictures of the historical markers in Sabine Pass are of interest to me because the Thomas Court mentioned on the memorial is my ancestor. They had a settlement there before Texas even won independence from Mexico. So, I guess my roots are pretty deep in this part of Texas!
Sea Rim - pretty self-explanatory, I suppose; and the last two are an example of the industry along Highway 87.
(digital)

FIRST GROUP: Just took a little drive around through Woodville for some fall colors and circled around Lake Livingston; but I had trouble finding public access spots to the lake. At least the sky was gorgeous! (all files with name HPIM - taken with HP 812 digital)
NEXT GROUP Most were taken in Lumberton, TX, on Keith Road with 100 ISO film in the Minolta, using the Rokinon and a new polorizing filter. I obviously didn't have it adjusted properly since there is darkness rounding the corners in most of the pictures! I finished off the roll back at Tyrrell with the 72-200 lens and only a sky filter (last four pictures).

Somehow even though I've lived in Beaumont all my life, I had never visited these gardens. Looks like a good place to practice with my cameras.
The first half of these (named 700-R) were taken with my Minolta and a Rokinon 28-80 lens that I picked up at a pawn shop to replace the other one that was bad.
The remaining half (named 812-) with the exception of the sunset, were taken by my mom with my digital.

It shouldn't be too hard to tell the Digital from the film shots in this group (files name HP* are digital; files named R* are Roll of film). After getting this film developed, I'm finally coming to the conclusion that my lens is bad. Photo editing has helped the SLR collections, but it looks like maybe their poor quality isn't all my fault! But since I'm documenting my learning curve, they're out here for scrutiny, too.
By the way, I totally fell in love with the little dog! She was so very sweet. It was extremely hard not to bring her home. But since there are houses nearby, I'm hoping and praying she has a home.

This was a little show at our local county airport; so I used it as an opportunity to practice with the Minolta. Well, I still don't have a handle on the f-stop/aperture setting combos. So, this group was a good challenge with Photoshop.

This group was taken with an old Minolta X700 that I pulled out of retirement, had repaired, and am using to learn manual controls.
(jpgs provided on CD with the developed film)
R1 set: Neches Park in Downtown Beaumont on 11/24.
R2 set: Port Neches Park 11/1.
Birds (digital): Port Neches Park

DEC 3 - Port Neches Park - group with names ending in "55" were taken with a 55 mm lens on the Minolta. The names "HP" are digital.
Any comments, suggestions would be appreciated.

9/28/03 - These were taken around Anahuac, TX, and at Smith Point and Church Point.
The cows were quite interested in what I was doing until they got apprehensive and moved over to their 'man' for security!

Sometimes you just want to take pictures and you just have to use what's available for your subjects. These are my sweet little companions who don't complain too much about the camera in their faces.

As the title implies, hopefully this will just be a hodgepodge of snapshots on "casual outings," with no specific theme in mind.
FIRST GROUP: First nine images were taken on a ride up about 30 miles north of Silsbee, TX, on Highway 92. The horses (mules?) just caught my eye; so I stopped and walked up to the fence. I made a new friend that day!
SECOND GROUP: Gilchrist and Boliver are en route to Galveston, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. When these were taken - Labor Day Weekend - Tropical Storm Grace was out in the Gulf; so the weather was a little stormy.
3RD GROUP: Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah, TX - visited on 9/7/03.

There are several interesting old buildings around the city, mostly in the old downtown area. Many are still in use, some are not. Since I've decided to take up digital photography as a hobby interest, I thought perhaps these "hidden treasures" would provide both good practice subjects and an opportunity to at least attempt documenting these structures. Unfortunately, it became quickly apparent that developing photo editing skills would be quite necessary in order to bring these old buildings out from behind all the utility wires and poles, street signs and traffic lights, pedistrian signs, garbage cans and dumpsters before even an attempt to reveal their charm would be possible.

Thank you for viewing, and I hope you enjoy the gallery. Your comments are absolutely welcomed!
Sherry