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OCTOBER 2025
ADVENTURES IN AMERICA’S GREATEST CANYON FROM RIM TO RIVER AND BACK
October is one of the best months to explore America’s national parks. The weather is cooler, the crowds are smaller, and the scenery is at its most dramatic. When I thought about which park stands out most, the answer was easy: the Grand Canyon. Standing at the rim is incredible, but I’ve been lucky to learn firsthand that the best views are from the bottom looking up. I discovered this while floating down the Colorado River on multiday rafting trips, leaving me with memories I will never forget. My first rafting trip was on the upper half of the canyon. We started at Lee’s Ferry and spent six days on the water, camping along the shore at night. The sound of the river rushing became the background music for the entire trip, and the rapids were unlike anything I had experienced. Most rivers rate rapids on a Roman numeral scale from I to IV, but the Grand Canyon uses a 1–10 system. There are plenty of calm spots, but some rapids produce waves up to 20 feet high. On the last day of the trip, we hiked out on the Bright Angel Trail. It climbs nearly a mile in elevation over 6–8 miles, and the heat can make it even harder. That hike was one of the
most challenging physical things I have done, but reaching the top was an incredible feeling. The view from the rim felt different after seeing the canyon walls rise above me for days. On another rafting trip, I took on the lower half of the canyon. This began with hiking down Bright Angel Trail, which I thought would be easier than hiking up. I was very wrong. About halfway down, my knee started to swell and throb. Within 30 minutes, every step was painful. I slowed to a crawl, and it took me far longer than expected to make it to camp. After a couple of days on the river, the pain was so bad I could barely get around, and I was slowing the group down. It was enough of an issue that we had to call for help, but because of the canyon’s depth, that’s a bit tricky. The guides had to radio a message to a jetliner flying overhead, which then contacted park headquarters to send a helicopter. When I reached the park clinic, I was half-convinced the damage would be impressive. But the X-ray showed nothing was broken — just a bad bruise. It was a relief, but part of me wished for a better story after all that trouble.
I eventually went back for another lower-half run. I avoided a second knee injury this time by taking a mule down the trail, which was its own adventure. It ended up being another memorable trip. We spent the night at Phantom Ranch, a historic lodge at the canyon’s base, and then started an eight-day rafting trip that ended near Havasu Falls. I have visited other beautiful parks over the years, including Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, and hope to see Yellowstone someday. However, the Grand Canyon will always stand out to me. There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the river or sitting by a campfire as shadows dance on the canyon walls. Those are experiences you carry with you. And when you’re standing there surrounded by rock and river carved over millions of years, it’s
easy to see why the Grand Canyon is considered one of the world’s great natural wonders.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Think Your Speakers Are Loud? These Sounds Put That to Shame
Most of us think we’ve experienced “loud”: a front row seat at a rock concert, a jetliner taking off, or a fire alarm blaring in a small room. But those everyday rumbles don’t come close to the Earth’s loudest sounds that have shattered records, and in some cases, been heard across entire oceans. Krakatoa’s Earth-Shattering Blast In 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa in Indonesia exploded in a detonation so violent that it obliterated most of the island and generated tsunamis that killed more than 36,000 people. People heard the sound from over 3,000 miles away, as far as Mauritius and Australia. At an estimated 310 decibels (dB), Krakatoa’s roar remains the loudest sound human ears and instruments have ever recorded. To put that in
perspective, even 150 dB can rupture eardrums. Krakatoa more than doubled that.
detected over 3,000 miles away. At first, the unexplained noise caused people to speculate about unknown sea monsters. But scientists later attributed it to an icequake, or giant icebergs cracking and shifting in the ocean. Even so, its eerie origin and intensity are fascinating. Cosmic Vibrations Beyond Earth Although sound can’t travel in space’s vacuum, cosmic events still generate wave-like disturbances. In 2003, scientists discovered a black hole in the Perseus galaxy cluster that was emitting pressure waves in space gas — the waves translated into an incredibly deep B-flat, 57 octaves below middle C. If we could “hear” it, it would be an impossibly deep, booming rumble across millions of light-years.
Tsar Bomba: The Loudest Human-Made Explosion
Tsar Bomba was almost as intense as Krakatoa, but humans created this one. Detonated by the Soviet Union in 1961, this hydrogen bomb released the energy of 50 megatons of TNT. The blast was measured around 224 dB, enough to flatten buildings hundreds of miles away and break windows across Northern Europe. The mushroom cloud rose to over 40 miles high. The Mysterious Oceanic ‘Bloop’ In 1997, underwater microphones in the South Pacific picked up an ultra-low-frequency sound dubbed the “Bloop.” It was so loud it could be
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN ARREST? THE FIRST 48 HOURS
An arrest can throw your world into chaos, and those first days after are when the most important steps happen. We’ve seen how quickly things can move in the initial 48 hours. They can shape the rest of your case, but knowing what’s coming can make it easier to keep your bearings. Everything starts the moment you’re taken into custody. Officers transport you to a local jail, where the booking takes place. That means fingerprints, a mugshot, logging your personal property, and sometimes a quick health check. From the start, you have two critical rights: to remain silent and ask for an attorney. We always tell people to use them. Texas law says you must see a magistrate without unnecessary delay, usually within 48 hours, but it can happen much sooner. You often stand before the magistrate within the first day. They tell you the charges, review your rights, and decide bail. In Texas, bail can be cash, a bond through a bondsman, or personal recognizance, which doesn’t require payment upfront. Judges look at how serious the charges
are, whether you’ve been in legal trouble before, and if you’re likely to show up for court. Sometimes, the number is manageable. Other times, it’s high enough to keep you in custody unless family or friends step in. Even if you’re released, the clock doesn’t stop. As your attorney, we start reviewing the evidence, reaching out to witnesses, and looking for weaknesses in the case. If you’re still in custody, we do the same work from there while also exploring ways to reduce bail. This is also when you should avoid talking to the police about the case. Even casual comments can come back to haunt you. In some situations, if charges aren’t filed quickly enough, Texas state rules allow for release to prevent unnecessary delays. No matter how those details unfold, the first 48 hours are when key decisions are made and opportunities can be lost. The sooner you get an experienced lawyer involved, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong defense. If you or someone close to you is arrested, call The Medlin Law Firm immediately.
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Carry Laws Every Texan Should Know Where Firearms Are Off-Limits
In Texas, our laws are friendly to gun owners. Most adults 21 and older can carry a handgun without a license, but that right has limits. Our “permitless carry” laws don’t mean you’re legally allowed to bring a gun anywhere you choose. Knowing when and where it is prohibited can help you avoid serious trouble. Some places are always off-limits for firearms. That includes schools and school-sponsored events, polling places on election day, courtrooms and court offices, racetracks, and the secured areas of an airport. It’s also against the law to carry a firearm into a business that earns more than half its income from alcohol sales. Carrying in these locations can lead to a felony charge. And now that it’s football season, remember that high school stadiums and certain event venues fall under these rules. Private property owners can also prohibit firearms on their property. Under the Texas Penal Code, they may post legally compliant signs or give verbal notice. You often see these signs at businesses, churches, and event spaces. Even if you think the posting is unnecessary, you’re required by law to comply. Ignoring the notice can result in a criminal trespass charge.
There are also situational restrictions to keep in mind. It’s a criminal offense to carry a firearm while intoxicated. That means if you’re tailgating before a game and have been drinking, carrying a firearm could get you arrested, even if you’re otherwise legally allowed to carry. Also, if you have a handgun in your vehicle, it must be
concealed or kept in a holster on your person. And certain protective orders or prior felony convictions make it illegal to possess a gun at all.
Overlooking any of these rules could leave you facing a criminal charge. If you are unsure whether a location or situation allows you to carry legally, leaving your firearm secured elsewhere is best. Understanding the limits of Texas carry laws will help you avoid mistakes, but working with an experienced attorney is the best way to protect yourself if you’re ever accused of breaking them.
Creamy Braised Short Ribs
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a large braiser, season short ribs with black pepper. Scatter onion, garlic, and thyme over ribs. Pour in white wine or broth and 1/2 cup water. 3. Cover the braiser with a lid and roast for 2 1/2–3 hours. 4. Increase temperature to 400 F. Remove the lid, skim excess fat, and stir in heavy cream, kale, and 2 tbsp butter. Roast uncovered for 10–20 minutes. 5. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Melt remaining butter and fry sage leaves until crisp. 6. Serve ribs hot with creamy sauce, garnished with sage.
Ingredients • 5 lbs bone-in short ribs • Ground black pepper • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • 6 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 1 cup white wine or broth • 1/2 cup water • 1 cup heavy cream • 1 cup chopped kale (optional) • 4 tbsp salted butter, divided • 8 fresh sage leaves
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. My Favorite National Park
2. Earth’s Most Deafening Moments
Inside the First Hours After an Arrest
3. Staying Legal With Texas Carry Laws
Creamy Braised Short Ribs
4. Easy Halloween Fun for Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
FUN, NOT FUSSY Nail Halloween With Minimal Effort
Halloween has a way of sneaking up on you. One day, it’s back to school, and the next, you’re knee-deep in costume negotiations and candy debates. But here’s the good news: You don’t need an over-the-top haunted house or a monthlong Pinterest board to make the holiday memorable. With a few simple ideas, you can turn Halloween into a tradition your kids look forward to without totally exhausting yourself! Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt Who says egg hunts are just for spring? Fill plastic eggs with small candies, stickers, or tiny trinkets, toss in a glow stick bracelet or glow-in- the-dark sticker, and scatter them in the yard or house. With the lights off and flashlights on, it’s like Halloween hide and seek! Costume Creation Station You can forget the overpriced store-bought outfits that tear before dinner on Halloween
night. Set up a costume creation corner with old clothes, cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, and safe accessories. Let the kids go wild designing their own characters. These can be superheroes, TV characters, animals, or fun foods. Pumpkin Painting Party Carving can be fun, but it’s not always kid-friendly. Painting pumpkins is safer, cleaner, and just as festive. Grab some nontoxic paints, markers, and stickers, and let your kids transform their pumpkins into silly, spooky, or sparkly works of Halloween art. Haunted Story Walk Set up a path around your backyard or hallway with hidden story pages or flashlight stations. Each stop reveals part of a spooky (but age-appropriate) tale. For an extra-special touch, have an older sibling or adult dress up and narrate along the way.
Spooky Snack Lab Host a kitchen “lab” where your little monsters whip up their own creepy creations. Think monster trail mix, pretzel broomsticks, mummy- wrapped hot dogs, or bubbling punch with dry ice. The process is half the fun, and the mess is part of the Halloween magic.
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