Views of the Neighborhood – A Halloween Tour

It is Halloween, so it is only fitting that we tour the neighborhood and check out the decorations. We are being catered by Torchy’s of Lakeway. Our entertainment is Bobby Pickett singing The Monster Mash.

Menu.

Expand it if you would like to read it in detail

I had the bus decorated for Halloween so let’s go.

Our first stop is an old friend. The home of the Flamingos.

Great gate.

Captured skeleton.

Glowing ghouls.

Some monsters and a little library.

Webs, trampoline, and skeleton.

Biggest spider ever.

Happy couple.

Monster house.

Giant web.

Halloween dance.

The ultimate.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Have some tacos and listen to Bobby Pickett

101 comments

  1. shoreacres's avatar

    The best part of all was your “Halloween bus”!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Linda. 😁

      Like

    2. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

      Such a realistic decorating job on that bus!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. John W. Howell's avatar

        It was hard getting it to look like a derelict yet still move. Thanks, Liz.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

          I can only imagine!

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Klausbernd's avatar

    Dear John,
    it’s like a glimpse into another world. Halloween is not important here. There is no Halloween-stuff to be seen here. When we lived in Germany many years ago Halloween was unknown. In catholic regions it was All Saints Day.
    Keep well
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think being close (relatively) to the South American cultures is what has caused the celebration to develop here. Just a guess. Thanks, Klausbernd. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Klausbernd's avatar

        That could well be. Such a symbolic is quite common there.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. rabirius's avatar

    Excellent. I really like all the Halloween decorations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Rabirius.

      Like

  4. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    LOL! I love what you did to the bus, John! I hope you’ve got AAA. 🙂 Thanks for the tour!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you , Jill. 🤣

      Like

  5. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Nice to see the decorations. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Tim. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  6. GP's avatar

    What fun when the whole neighborhood gets into the act!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Hahaha. Good one, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Nice displays. Haven’t seen as many around here as last year, so I really enjoyed this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you did. 😁

      Like

  8. Joan Hall's avatar

    Enjoyed the tour, the menu, and the entertainment. I’ve heard “Monster Mash” almost all my life, but I think this was the first time I ever knew what BobbyPickett looked like. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought he did a great job. Thanks, Joan.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Love your updated bus. You have some creative folks in your area.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We do. So much fun to see.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Dan Antion's avatar

    Great job on the bus, John.

    I like the minimalist ones the best, like the ghost on the gate. Good see the little library decked out. I’d be rude if I didn’t mention the happy couple.

    Happy Halloween!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Dan. I’m glad you came along. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dan Antion's avatar

        Oh, I almost forgot – breakfast taco, please.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          They have the best.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    “The Monster Mash” never goes out of style! What a contrast between the last two yards! I much prefer the more staid “Halloween dance.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, quite dignified. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Darlene's avatar

    I love all the decorations in your neighbourhood. What a fun time! Love the Monster Mash!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Darlene. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  13. John Hric's avatar

    That bus almost made it back to the station. Maybe it did not survive the trick ?

    Liked by 1 person

  14. noelleg44's avatar

    Baja shrimp and a Modelo, please! What fun for the kids in your neighborhood! I’d love to be trick or treating there!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes indeed. I think they like it for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Dale's avatar

    What an amazing job on the Bus!! And your town is the coolest. I love how so many get into the holiday. Perfect tune, of course!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It seems most houses have some kind of display. Thanks, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        That’s wonderful. Do you decorate?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          No, we do not decorate. With Twiggy’s bark profile we lay low.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Dale's avatar

          I sorta figured… 😊

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Olympic barker here.

          Liked by 1 person

  16. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Frightfully good work on the bus, John. Torchy’s is such a cool name for a hot food place. I got a kick out of some of the menu item names. I loved all the devilishly delightful decorations, but the Halloween Dance is my favorite — so unique. Thanks for the tour. Have a spook-tacular Halloween. Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You as well. Teagan. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Debbie's avatar

    That’s one HUGE spider, John, and the poor skeleton is already missing a leg! Great tour — on a good and creepy bus — your neighbors know how to do up Halloween decorations, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is amazing how many decorate their homes. Thank you and Happy Halloween, Debbie 🦇

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Writer Lori's avatar

    Your neighborhood *never* disappoints, John, particularly that purple house…whoa! Happy Halloween!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They have gone all out this year. That skeleton is ten feet tall. Thanks, Lori.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. kethuprofumo's avatar

    Impressive, dear John. I should notice that the couple teaches us a good moral lesson of a happy family life, while the rest participants of the Halloween party make us ponder upon life as it is. I’m glad to see no masks on them. At least, skeletons can breathe. 🙂 Happy Samhain, my dear friend! 🎃🎃🎃🥠🥠🥠🌭🌭🍻😊😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Happy Samhain, Dear Maria. We need a bonfire and some hot mulled cider to celebrate the harvest. 🍶 🔥

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar

    What a fun tour, John, and that bus is classic! I wanna live in your neighborhood! Happy Halloween!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You are more than welcome to move in, Lauren. I think you would be an asset.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    I’m always impressed by how your neighborhood goes all out for the holidays. I especially love the bus — terrific job on decorating, John. 😂 And I love the menu. There couldn’t be a better Halloween celebration post!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you so much, Gwen. Glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Willow Croft's avatar

    Thanks for the Halloween Tour, the Fried Avocado Tacos (good tacos are hard to find in Kansas!). and the “Monster Mash”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFPI9b9N6CQ&t=4s

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I njoyed the clip. Thank you, Willow.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Willow Croft's avatar

        *laugh* not as classic as “Monster Mash” but it’s getting there…Ha! It was one of my fav coffin classics!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I think the key word is classic.

          Liked by 1 person

  23. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Love the Halloween bus! I think my favorite is the witches’ circle. 🙂 Great tour! Your neighborhood goes all out!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan.

      Like

  24. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    The bus was a surprise but very appropriate. Great tour – you have very creative neighbors. The Monster Mash topped it off. Great tacos!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jo. Glad you liked it.

      Like

  25. Mae Clair's avatar

    I always loved the Monster Mash. That song is timeless!

    Thanks for redoing the bus in honor of the holiday. Great job, John!

    This was such a fun tour. I took lots of pictures and gawked more than usual. I especially loved the monsters at the mini-library and that ginormous spider!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for going long, Mae. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Fictionophile's avatar

    My favorite? The Halloween dance with the coven of witches. Fab post John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I like that one as well, Lynne. Thanks. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  27. srbottch's avatar

    Great spirit in your hood. I’ll have some nookie, or A Little Nookies and the lovely couple gets my vote. Happy Halloween, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thak you, Steve. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Staci Troilo's avatar

    Looks like your neighborhood really embraced the holiday. What fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes they did. I would estimate 50% of the homes had some kind of tie in to Halloween. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Jennie's avatar

    Lots of scary skeletons in the trees. You even have a Little Free Library!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. Gotta be brave to approach it though.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Teri Polen's avatar

    So many good ones, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’m partial to the little library. Thanks for the tour, John!

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for coming along, Teri. 😊

      Like

  31. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    A fun tour, I never tire of seeing the decorations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Denise.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    Great decorations, John. What a fun day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes indeed. Thanks, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Sorryless's avatar

    Creepy and spooky, and altogether kooky. That couple took the “till death to us part” thing seriously.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think they did, Marc. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Michael.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

    Sorry, i am late for this. But its never to late getting some inspirations useful for other occasions too. 😉 I like all of them. You are definitely having a very creative neighborhood. Thanks for sharing, John! xx Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, they are creative for sure. Thank you, Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  35. circadianreflections's avatar

    LOL! Even the bus was changed for Halloween!! Great fun, John!

    Like

  36. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    Looks like quite the spirit in the neighborhood. LOVE the bus!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes these folks do go all out.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Marcia Meara's avatar

    I’m running even farther behind than usual, John, and I apologize for not getting here sooner. BUT, I’m still glad I came by. I’ve said it before and I’ll no doubt say it again: your neighborhood amazes me! What a fun trip. LOVE the redecorated bus and the skeleton flamingo most of all, I think! Hard to choose, though.

    Thanks so much for sharing. One of these days, I’m going to catch up again and not run so far behind on my blog visits. Probably. Maybe. Oh, who knows?! I move a LOT slower these days, thanks to Covid Brain and an ongoing lack of energy. But just because I’m slower doesn’t mean I’m done! So I’ll keep trying to visit more often. It’s ALWAYS worth a trip to see how Twiggy & Lucy are doing, and to go on your Sunday tours. Thanks for another good one! 😀 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Don’t you worry missing my stuff is not as important as getting fully recovered. Take it slow, Marcia. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marcia Meara's avatar

        I’m afraid that’s pretty much the ONLY way I can take it right now, John. As they say, my get up and go got up and went. BUT. I do think I’m doing a wee bit better each day, thanks! And I will NOT give up! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Here. Have some bourbon. It won’t help but you will be okay with that. 🥃

          Liked by 1 person

  38. Marcia Meara's avatar

    Thanks, John! Nothing better than virtual bourbon. (The real kind would likely knock me off my feet.😁😁😁)

    Liked by 1 person