Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

What year is that?

I've got a 2008 and now a 2016.

Thanks HB.  It's got some issues but I'll price it to go.  The motor and drivetrain are in great shape and that's the key.

We have a series of dam-created lakes through Central Texas called "the Highland lakes."  There two largest are reservoir lakes named Lake Travis and Lake Buchannan.  The closest to town is constant-level but much smaller, the aptly named Lake Austin.

We tend to hit some combination of those throughout the year, depending on where our friends are.  Some keep theirs trailered as we do, some keep them in slips on the water on either Lake Austin or Lake Travis.  I can be at the nearest boat ramp to Lake Travis in about 10 minutes from my house, we're quite close to the lake.

https://laketravislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC1161-e1463784862369.jpg

damn- that’s beautiful!

https://laketravislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC1161-e1463784862369.jpg

damn- that’s beautiful!

Yeah that picture is taken from one of the numerous decks at a local restaurant named "The Oasis" which is famous for its views and strong drinks, and notorious for its crappy food.   Not unlike a lot of other touristy type places around the world, I suppose.

been there many times

don't usually eat anything

The food is actually not THAT bad.  It's just one of those things that someone says, and everyone goes along with to sound like they're "in the know."

It's not great but works just fine if you stick to the basics-- nachos, tacos, maybe a burger.  

But you're definitely paying for the atmosphere.

I was talking with my brother last night, and the Ukraine topic came up. He doesn't believe Russia will invade (nor do I) but we both think it's possible, and it is.

That led to a discussion of what the US would do if China and/or Russia, Iran, North Korea started planting troops and bases in our back yard.

Places like Mexico (China could own that country in a minute), Cuba, Venezuela.

That would be the equivalent of NATO admitting the Ukraine, on Russia's doorstep.

The US would be outraged. Just like Russia is outraged.

Our border is wide open.

It would be pretty easy to infiltrate, and frankly, it's 99.9 percent likely that it's already started.

It's not really an accurate analogy, because NATO already includes the Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia that directly border Russia, and several others that are plenty close enough to stage missiles should NATO ever desire to do so.

It would be somewhat more accurate to say that it would be like Russia or another potential enemy already having military access to Canada, and then also threatening to push for access in Mexico.  Certainly a threatening feeling, but not at all the same picture as what you're painting.

And the fact is that despite NATO members Latvia and Estonia sharing borders directly with Russia, the US and other NATO allies have NOT piled troops and missiles into those states.

"We'd like it if you didn't invade that country."
"Oh?  I had no idea!  Apologies."  
"Thanks, Vladdy."
"You bet, Joe."

Done.

Nope, there is really nothing to be said to change any of this.