Rockwall Heath vs. Frisco Wakeland football

Frisco Wakeland junior Brad Sicula (14) leaps past Rockwall-Heath junior Mario Henderson (4) during a high school football game at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium on Sept. 3, 2010 in Rockwall.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Frisco Wakeland battles Rockwall-Heath during a high school football game at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium in Rockwall.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Taylor Short, Tyler Kirkindoll, Austin Eddy, Devaughn Childress, Santino Shepard, Seth Nunnally, David Robason, Brad Sicula, Mario Henderson, Amaris Fields, Turner Smiley, Ross Hudson, Malcom Redmond, Kris Calvert, Paris Fallo and Sunil Charania.

Epic Roadtrip Recap

For optimal viewing/sound, please pause play to allow the slideshow to buffer some information before resuming play.


photos Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com 
music "Campesina" © Tekumbe / Tekumbe.com

See a larger version of this slideshow.

We toured Texas during the week of July 15 to 22, 2010.

We logged about 1,100 miles inside Texas during a five-day roadtrip. We drove a triangle from Dallas to San Antonio to Houston and back.

To see more of what she saw, please follow the links below.

In one week we hit these cities:
Addison - dinner at Magic Time Machine served by the Mad Hatter
Dallas – Dallas World Aquarium, Sixth Floor Museum (JFK), West End Marketplace
Mesquite – Mesquite Championship Rodeo along with an all-you-can-eat-and-drink BBQ
Waco – lunch at Collin Street Bakery
San Marcos – Wonder World caverns (a waste of time)
San Antonio – Sea World, The Alamo, walked and took a river barge tour on The Riverwalk, Mexican dinner on the river and late-night burgers at the Hard Rock Café, San Fernando Cathedral and plaza
Schulenburg – lunch and fresh cinnamon-glazed pecans for the road
Galveston – Moody Gardens Aquarium, dinner at the Rainforest Café, drove along the seawall, coffee on The Strand with a dear friend
Clear Lake – toured and dined at NASA's Space Center Houston
Kemah – dinner and shopping on the Kemah boardwalk
Plano – shopped at Willow Bend Mall, several meals

Kimball vs. Madison football

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Kimball's Austin Franklin (4) leaps over Madison's Jamal Johnson (24) during a high school football game at Sprague Stadium in Dallas on Sept. 2, 2010.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Kimball and Madison high schools battle during a football game at Sprague Stadium in Dallas.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Royal Lancers honor guard, Austin Franklin, Jamal Johnson, Derrick Edwards, Justin Edwards, Isiah Norton, Brandon Hines, Kenneth Lynn, Takadrick Williams, Michael Jones, Xzavier Alexander, Lapatrick Payne and Marcus Edwards.

Denton Guyer vs. Waxahachie football

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Denton Guyer junior Leo Garcia (45) runs backwards into Waxahachie junior Michael Veail (10) during a high school football game on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Denton Guyer and Waxahachie battle during a high school football game at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton. Guyer won the game 45-7.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp James Mann, J.W. Walsh, Robert Lowe, Jr., Quintavia Gardener, Don King III, Terrance Hawkings, Aaron Wright, Gideon Mazara, Kamrhan Jones, Brooks Teeter, Devin Chandler, Leo Garcia, Michael Veail, Cameron Hunter, Alec Willis and Corey Culton.

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum

Fayrouz Hancock poses for a portrait at the Dallas Arboretum on White Rock Lake in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010.

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
music "Suenos De Libertad" © Tekumbe / Tekumbe.com


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Flowers bloom at the Dallas Arboretum during a visit with Fayrouz on White Rock Lake in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010.

Please also see Fayrouz's photos.

Because I don't have time to tone or crop these images and Halloween is this weekend, I'm doing something I have never done before: I'm posting shots straight from my camera. I'll tone them when I come up for air later this year. So, for now, y'all get to see my actual framing and exposures.

Garland vs. Flower Mound Marcus football

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Flower Mound Marcus senior Dagan Newsome (27) looks at Garland senior Dale Anderson (20) and junior Kendre Bridges (7) during a high school football game on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Flower Mound Marcus and Garland high schools battle during a football game at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp James Allen, Morgan Nasser, Evan Williams, Dagan Newsome, Dale Anderson, Kendre Bridges, Dawson Hadnot, Joe Sikes, Tanner Watkins, Deion Sanders Jr., Harvey Giddens, Taylor Smith, Dylan Powers, David Beamon, Ty Ty Green, Rufus Mason, Todd Henderson, Cale Shriver and Sirderrious Caldwell.

Sync rally

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Mark Hart motivates youth to read the Bible during Sync, the Dallas Diocesan back-to-school kickoff rally, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson on Sunday, August 22, 2010.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Rally attendees participate during Sync, the Dallas Diocesan back-to-school kickoff rally, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson on Sunday, August 22, 2010.

So. Grand Prairie vs. Arl. Lamar football

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Arlington Lamar senior Tracy Smith (2) pulls down a touchdown pass in front of South Grand Prairie junior Reggie Davis (10) during a high school football game on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 at Cravens Field in Arlington.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Arlington Lamar and South Grand Prairie battle during a high school football game at Cravens Field in Arlington.

Named in this slideshow are:   Haley Westbrook, Jessie Sprinkle, Abraham Hall, Cameron Napoleon, Tracy Smith, Reggie Davis, Demetrius Ransom, Brad Bader, Ricky Pratt, Jared Johnson, Barry Ward, Cody Redrick, Nicholas Cooper, Will Boyette, head coach Trent Fuller and Marquintin Grant.

FC Dallas vs. Philadelphia soccer

Philadelphia's Danny Califf (4) deflects a header past FC Dallas' David Ferreira (10) during a Major League Soccer match at Pizza Hut Park on August 8, 2010 in Frisco.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


FC Dallas' Jeff Cunningham (9) controls the ball past Philadelphia defender Danny Califf (4) during a Major League Soccer match at Pizza Hut Park. Cunningham scored twice in the second half of the game.


FC Dallas' George John (14) gets a header as Philadelphia's Juan Diego Gonzalez Alzate (3) pulls on his jersey during a Major League Soccer match in Frisco.



FC Dallas' Jeff Cunningham (9) scores the his second goal against Philadelphia's Chris Seitz (1) during a Major League Soccer match at Pizza Hut Park. FC Dallas won the game 3-1.

True Romance high school sweethearts

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Belinda and William Hill pose for a portrait at Plano Senior High School in Plano on July 24, 2010.


Belinda and William Hill pose for a portrait at Plano Senior High School. The couple dated while attending the high school, lost touch and reunited last year.



Belinda and William Hill pose for a portrait at Plano Senior High School.

Mass for people with disabilities

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel anoints the hands of attendees after an annual mass for people with disabilities and their caregivers at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch on Saturday, June 26, 2010.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel celebrates mass during an annual mass for people with disabilities and their caregivers at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch. An Anointing of the Sick followed the mass.

Also named in this slideshow are:   Maria Ferrer-Miralles, Rafael Ferrer, Juanita Hoelscher, Roy Hoelscher, Dallas Diocese sign interpreter Don Jones and Deacon Michael Weston.

"Festung von Erinnerungen"

Lela Bell performs during "Festung von Erinnerungen" by Ewert & Company at the Studio Theatre in the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre on Friday, July 23, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Lela Bell performs with other dancers during "Festung von Erinnerungen" by Ewert & Company at the Studio Theatre in Addison.


Dancers perform during "Festung von Erinnerungen" by Ewert & Company at the Addison Studio Theatre.


Blair Lawrence, Jennifer Mabus Cook and Rebekah Caffey perform during "Festung von Erinnerungen" in the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre.



Ewert & Company artistic director Anna Marie Ewert-Pittman performs during "Festung von Erinnerungen" at the Studio Theatre in Addison.



Rebekah Caffey, left, and Rachel Cummings, right, perform during "Festung von Erinnerungen" by Ewert & Company at the Studio Theatre in the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre.

The festival of Corpus Christi

Fr. John Dick carries the monstrance holding the sacred host to begin the Corpus Christi processional in a tent near St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis on Sunday, June 6, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Fr. John Dick and Fr. Antonio Ormaza of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis celebrate the Corpus Christi in a tent and processional near the church. The festival of Corpus Christi celebrates the Eucharist as the actual body of Christ. The festival became an obligatory feast for Roman Catholics in 1311 at the Council of Vienne.

1950s-era Chambers stove

Van and Elsa Moushegian pose for a portrait with their 1950s-era Chambers stove at their home in Dallas on June 4, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News
Van and Elsa Moushegian's show their 1950s-era Chambers stove at their home in Dallas. The vintage, natural-gas stove features a top broiler and a deep-well slow cooker as well as innovative safety features.

Please read, "Homeowners cherish vintage kitchen appliances" By Jamie Knodel / The Dallas Morning News via The Seattle Times

Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Cleburne's Hector Juarez (13) dives safely back to first base as Rockwall-Heath's Kyle Allen (18) tries for the tag during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game at Cleburne High School in Cleburne on May 29, 2010.


Rockwall-Heath's Trevor Holland (9) tags Cleburne's Ty Taylor (3) at second base for the out during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game at Cleburne High School.


Cleburne's Ty Taylor (3) pitches against Rockwall-Heath during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game.



Rockwall-Heath's Jake Thompson (15) pitches against Cleburne during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game.


Cleburne's Dustin Torres (1) snatches a Rockwall-Heath hit from the top of the fence during a championship baseball game at Cleburne High School.



Cleburne's German Hernandez (22) sprints to first base as Rockwall-Heath's Jovan Hernandez (5) prepares to throw him out during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball game.


Cleburne players celebrate after winning game two during a Class 4A Region II semifinal baseball best-of-three at Cleburne High School. Cleburne won the game 4-3 and forced a playoff game, which they lost.

Southlake Carroll quarterbacks

Daxx Garman (14) looks for a receiver during the Southlake Carroll High School spring football game at Dawson Middle School in Southlake on May 27, 2010. Garman was ruled ineligable to play at Carroll this year.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Daxx Garman (14) looks for a receiver during the Southlake Carroll High School spring football game at Dawson Middle School. Garman is a move-in from Oklahoma. He has orally committed to Arizona.



Drew Ahmuty (3) takes the hike during the Southlake Carroll High School spring football game at Dawson Middle School in Southlake. Ahmuty played on the JV team last year.



Drew Ahmuty (3) looks for a receiver during the Southlake Carroll High School spring football game at Dawson Middle School.



Roman Namdar (4) looks for a pass during the Southlake Carroll High School spring football game at Dawson Middle School. Namdar was a JV quarterback last year.



Please read "Southlake Carroll Dragons' integrity at stake" by James Ragland.

Bishop Lynch High School graduation

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz delivers the Blessing of the Class of 2010 during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center in Garland on Sunday, May 23, 2010.


Larry Allen of Dallas makes photos with other parents as his daughter Natalie Allen enters in the processional during Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center.


Ashley C. Barraza gives the Commencement Address during Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010.


Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz presents a diploma to class valedictorian Victoria M. Ehlinger (center) during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010.


Daniel Robert Love celebrates his graduation during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center.



The Bishop Lynch Class of 2010 throws their caps at the conclusion of the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center in Garland.

Catholic Biblical School graduation mass

Graduates change locations before a graduation mass for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center at the University of Dallas in Irving on Saturday, May 15, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic


Bishop Kevin W. Vann of the Fort Worth Diocese (center) prepares the Eucharist during a graduation mass in the Maher Athletic Center in Irving.


Bishop Kevin W. Vann (left to right); Thomas W. Keefe, University of Dallas president, and Brian Schmisec, School of Ministry dean, congratulate Raymond Perez (right) upon his graduation from the Adult Faith Formation for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center.


Friends and family document the occasion as graduates surround Bishop Kevin W. Vann after a graduation mass for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center at the University of Dallas in Irving.

Independence Day Children's Parade

Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road on July 3, 2010 in Flower Mound.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road in Flower Mound.

Also named in this slideshow are:   Skylar Witte, Linley Phillips, Maggie Phillips, Amelia Ryan, Thomas Ryan, Aiden Morris, Genevieve Robins, Schadle Landry, Alex Alexandrov, Pat Alexandrov, Justin Alexandrov, Yohanna Garcia, Claire Henderson, Lindsay Henderson, Josh Bennett, Ella Bennett and Eve Bennett.

Kitchen Dog Theater rehearsal

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

(From left to right) Drew Wall (Chris), Bruce DuBose (Billy), Ivan Jasso (Nini) and Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" by Zayd Dohrn at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas on May 28, 2010.


Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary.



Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" in Dallas.



Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" by Zayd Dohrn at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas.