Texas 2011 - Days 25, 26, 27 and 28

We’ll make our final Texas 2011 post an amalgamation of the events and sights from our long (four day) drive home.

Day 25

After hugs to Jerry and Gigi, we headed out of the canyon (confirmed our campsite was 612 feet down). Sunny day for travelling.

Saw lots of cattle (more than on whole trip) then a GIANT cross (and Stations of the Cross and numerous RVs and big trucks stopped) in Groom…leaving Texas.

Immediate change from empty plains to lush agriculture as we crossed in to Oklahoma (this by the way was the cat’s 7^th of 10 states on this trip).

Saw first Route 66 sign in Elk City. Other things:

-Cordell, OK (I was going to be called Cordell if I had been a boy)

-Wind farm in WEATHERford

-Oklahoma toll highways (worth the $)

-sang MANY Oklahoma songs

-stayed in Mingo RV Park, very much a trailer park, know what I mean?

Day 26

After emptying water tanks and a stop at a good RV store, today’s sights:

-two tires burning under a bridge on highway; huh?

-“Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Convicts”

-“Do Not Drive Into Smoke” (especially after tires!)

-cars approaching covered in snow…what???

Stopped in Rolla, Missouri when we saw snowy cars; good plan. Major blizzard in St. Louis, our original destination. David did final winterizing of trailer. Mexican dinner and hotel sleep.

Day 27

Cold, clear and sunny. Good day to travel. Sights:

-emus in a field

-lots of Route 66 signs and memorabilia shops

-near Bourbon, Missouri, store sign “Firearms, Ice Cream, Beer and Liquor”

Day 28

Good hotel sleep (king sized bed); sunny start…

-“Prairie Rehab” (or don’t mow this ditch)

-road signs side-by-side: “Conservation Area” and “Shooting Range”

-Oil Wells pumping near St. Elmo

-another Big Cross (turns out to be “World’s Largest Cross” http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/4116)

-Greenup, Illinois

-four running whitetails

-mini oil wells

-scary GPS tour of Indianapolis

-three buildings side-by-side: IVF, Plastic Surgery, Senior Living

More driving in to Birch Run, Michigan for an outlet mall. Two tshirts and a belt after 90 minutes.

Quick border crossing. LONG drive from Sarnia to home (10:45 PM)

All seemed well except for smell; yep, freezer died while we were away. Much stinky cleanup then bed sometime after 1:00.

Final Words

A marvelous trip filled with warmth (from people and nature), incredible sights, adventure and lots of love between us.

Pat, our sister-in-law, said the new mantra will now be “Where to next and how soon can we get away”. Maybe after we buy a new freezer.

Enjoy the last photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TripHome?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLIxqme57SlRw#

Our photo gallery is here:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 24

Day 24

Kind of a cloudy start to the day, but decided to stay one more day.

Off to the Office to check in and heard that the sheep we saw yesterday were from some farmer who set them free (dang) and that yes, we HAD seen a meteorite last night. Yippeee...

Visited the Interpretive Centre and the Souvenir shop, behind which was a bird blind and we saw a Towhee, a couple of warblers, a morph White-crowned Sparrow and a gaggle of birds!

Back for lunch and then a walk along the creek/river. Saw the five deer and David was within 5 or 6 feet. Evidence of beaver (a stand of chewed trees) but imagined the dams or the beaver themselves have been blown.

Got back and Jerry and Gigi offered a bike ride and we declined. I read, David sorted pictures and all was well.

They returned and we had our Happy Hour (our last with Jerry and Gigi and our last in Texas for this year anyway). Now THEY had heard that we DID see some kind of wild sheep yesterday. Like that story better.

In for spaghetti, then, as I was writing this entry, David called me out. The deer were in our campsite, a turkey or two was being laid and the rest were high in the trees near by (we wondered how they survived the coyotes and now we know).

We went off to view once more that “the stars at night are big and bright...” with J and G. Saw great stars, Milky Way and FIVE satellites!

Boohoo, will miss J and G as we missed Linda, Denny, Marilyn, Brad, Nancy and Allan! Love Texas!

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 23

Day 23

Best Day EVER! Okay, there have been great days with family and friends for sure, but this was unbelievable.

Up early...it was only 38 degrees F! Yikes! But the sun came out and the sky was blue.

Were convinced to tackle the Lighthouse Trail with Gigi and Jerry, VERY seasoned bikers who, I think, thought we were more seasoned (and fit and young and and and) than we are!

They shuttled us to the trailhead and we took off about 10:45.

Now, I'm not good at aiming my tires on small paths OR going down hills, so I was worried. David, of course, is fearless. But Gigi taught me and coached me and all three of them were kind in waiting for me when I needed to walk and not ride.

We reached the foot of the “Lighthouse”, about 3 miles in, relatively unscathed.

Then a fairly arduous climb straight up to a plateau that, when reached, took our breath away. You'll have to see the photos...I don't have the words.

I felt exhilarated and very proud of us. The foot climb down was treacherous, especially for me, and we went down backwards (no photos of that thankfully).

The return ride was faster and I was much braver and we made it. I didn't want it to end, so we rode the extra mile back to the campsite.

Lots of cold beer and stuffed jalapenos were our rewards. As were the 20-30 wild turkeys who were everywhere on the campground along with a deer.

Some resting, photo uploading, a visit with Arkansas neighbours who wanted to tour the MH, good dinner and the aches are starting.

Took a drive with Gigi and Jerry to see some stars at the furthest campground and saw a shooting star and what appeared to be a meteor (long shiny stram and ten bright green burst at end! Really. Just what I needed to end this best day ever (sadly David stayed with Cassie). Jerry and Gigi are the kindest most generous people with their time, treats and encouragement. Lucky us.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 22

Day 22

VERY windy day so tough drive to Palo Duro Canyon SP. There were tumbleweeds and dust storms everywhere. It's very flat here.

In Tulia, saw the evidence of a thriving wheat industry once with many cement silos near rail tracks. Now the fields are filled with cotton.

Got supplies in Canyon but it's a dry country, so we had to find our way to a Buffalo Chips shop tucked beneath the interstate. Phew.

A short drive to Palo Duro SP and an amazing new set of views...this time we were heading to the bottom of the canyon for the campsites (Caprock Canyons SP was on the rim).

Part of the State Longhorn Cattle herd were feeding right by the entrance and posed for us.

Drove through the whole park to scope out views before pulling in to site 18. Jerry and Gigi were right next door! Had a beer and lunch. David snoozed and I went on a 2 mile hike to work off some energy. Visited with Ken Springer from West VA who is finishing a road trip to find his future “wintering over” place (has chosen Truth or Consequences, NM). He's also writing about Tamales for an Ohio newspaper column, and has visited 63 places so far. Will Google him when I can.

Have resident Cardinals and Golden-chested Woodpeckers (loud!) on the site. Dinner and NCIS and Good Wife. Good day!

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 21

Day 21

Started the day with a Roadrunner sighting on the way to the garbage dump. Cute little birds! It was overcast and windy with a few sunny breaks.

We rode to the Visitors Centre to see more buffalo (the Texas State Herd) but no luck today.

Took a 5 KM hike on a trail with beautiful vistas at every bend (the OMG continues). Then spotted a HUGE orange and black feral sow down below us in the grasses. Her six piglets were following. Heard that Texans raised pigs for meat during WWII then couldn't afford to keep them after the war and let them go. In these few decades, they've become completely wild. It was amazing to watch them walking, feeding and Mama wallowing in a water hole. Great moment.

Jerry and Gigi from Dallas picked us up at 6:00 and drove us down in to the canyon for a different perspective. Had some wine together then dinner. Met with Joe from Ottawa tenting nearby. He came in for a chat about cameras and astronomy.

This was a real “people” day. Good!

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Texas 2011-Day 20

Day 20

Time to start heading north. We got groceries (boohoo, they can't SELL alcohol until AFTER noon on Sundays).

We headed on to the Texas Forts Route to Fort Chadbourne. Amazing. A family had purchased the abandoned fort several generations ago, and in 1998 decided to get funding to restore and show the site to others.

The husband and wife team do most of the work, gather all of the donations and grants and even conduct tours (as the wife did with us). It's so lovingly restored and shown with pride. We visited the graveyard as well. I'm so glad we stopped.

Up north we headed through the Wind Farms of Sweetwater (as far as the eye can see in ALL directions...but nothing else there!).

The soil was redder than that in PEI. We saw huge, commercial cotton fileds (David got me a cottonball and it IS very soft). We saw an old Cotton Gin. Then a dead feral pig (yep!).

We're now very aware of all the Mesquite in the fields. The story we heard was that, when there were cattle drives, the cattle ate the Mesquite pods/berries that are there for very little time. Then they pooped the seeds out all the way across Texas. Now, Mesquite is a scrub tree and there are many controlled burns to rid the land of them.

The further north we went, the flatter the land and you can see for miles.

We got to Caprock Canyons SP around 4:00 and have been saying “Oh my God” since.

There's a huge canyon with buffalo roaming free outside the Visitors' Centre. More evidence of controlled burn here (was in December, we've learned) and things are black, sooty and a little stinky.

We walked near our campsite and viewed the canyon there (OMG).

We saw a Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Curve-billed Thrasher across from our campsite (OMG).

We took a bike ride and saw 2, 3 then 6 muledeer (OMG).

We waited for the sun to set over the canyon (OMG).

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Texas 2011-Day 19

Day 19

A bit overcast this morning, but a good one for a bike ride.

TWENTY-TWO kilometers later, we'd taken a couple of the laid-out trails no rattlers!), got lost a few times, paid for another night, seen a penned-in buffalo (here's a video) saw ONE (and only one) Prairie Dog in its own town and viewed the almost O.C. Fisher Lake we were were on.

Oh yeah, and a flat tire for me. Not too far from home, but had to pump up twice. It was likely the Mesquite or cactus thorns, I'm sure.

Back to change the tire and a late lunch. Pam and Steve from San Angelo pulled in next door. They had just bought and were trying out a MH similar to ours. David helped them set up. We then relaxed in the sun and joined them later for a drink, more talk, and more info about Texas. They are true Texans with THE cutest accents.

Another awesome day though cloudy and a bit cooler (okay, it WAS in the 70's), but it cleared and there was another beautiful sunset.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas 2011-Day 18

Day 18

Up and away at 9:30 for a drive (recommended by Andy) on the Miller Creek Loop to Johnson City. It was through a real working ranch and we saw a Tom turkey strutting his stuff, cattle on the road, Pecan groves, and goats with a watch-Llama.

Off to a too long drive through some pretty bleak countryside (like the prairies on a way). People kept saying there should be wildflowers, but there has been almost no rain in two years. There were more lupins but no Bluebonnets, which should be out now.

We saw some of the first cultivated fields we've seen in days. Some prong-forned Antelopes (escapees from a ranch?) and cotton fields in Wall.

We found San Angelo SP and there was a Roadrunner at the gate to greet us. Really.

It's very hot and dry but beautiful. We're overlooking meadows and an almost-dry reservoir, but there are pelicans in the water! We've seen Meadowlarks, a Golden-breasted Woodpecker, and a Curve-billed Thrasher (last two new to us).

Met Marj and Ross next door (from Owen Sound) and talked birds and ideas. Lovely people.

The sunset was amazing and there is heat lightening in the sky. It's so beautiful.

We'll likely stay another day and ride our bikes and look for the promised armadillos, prairies dogs, rattlers (eeks), buffalo and long-horns.

Another wonderful day. AND we're now in the Texas Panhandle Plains Region.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas 2011-Day 17

Day 17

Got up to our beautiful view and went to the Bird Blind beside us. Saw Lincoln's Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Goldfinch, Hummingbirds and cardinals. Lovely start to the day.

More of a nice drive. Saw many deer (three live!) and some black vultures munching.

Came upon high fences and the Faulkner Ranch, one of many who are stocking exotic animals for all those rich boys who want to come and shoot themselves some “game”. We learned later that the rule is you must be 150 yards away. Wow!

Interest things were signs for “Dip”, scores of cowboy boots on fenceposts, Pecan Orchards and very grand retirement and summer homes on the Guadalupe River.

In Ingram, in the Texas Hunt Club truck next to us at a gas station, we saw a gian t dead Wild Boar (headless of course).

In Fredericksburg, we saw peach trees in bloom and lots of vineyards. We stopped at the LBJ Ranch (strange memories of Viet Nam War days). Up to Pedernales SP and they were full and no coaxing would let us in.

We ended up at Miller Creek RV Park, a little crowded but water, electricity, and sewer for $28. We had air con (it is hot) and cold beer and American Idol and Bones. Wow. We also met Andy, Linda and Eden from Minnesota for wine and a chat. Ah....

Only problem, someone was playing the bagpipes. Who have thought this could happen to us in a campground TWICE in our lives????

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas 2011-Day 16

On to the Hill Country and a scenic drive day (our first, really). Got some supplies and headed to a completely different Texas landscape.

We went NW to Bandera, “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. It has had Comanches, Mormons and Poles (should it have been called Bandura???? Helen???) in its day. It has been updated a bit but maintains a Wild West kind of look.

Onward through the real Ranch country, in fact via “Ranch Roads”. Some very interesting gate names: Freedom Springs, Caribbean Cowboy Resort, 5 Mile Creek Saloon (our first), Thy Word is Truth Ranch and Big Scuffle Ranch.

On to Utopia (yep) for lunch. We passed a lot of bicyclists on this road including 8-10 with Canadian flag jerseys.

Interesting “Watch for Water on Road” signs everywhere (there are rivers and creeks but so little rain that everything is now dry) and “Flood Gauge” signs, so it's Hill AND Flood country.

Apparently there have been many motorcycle deaths on this stretch as well (passed many and few wearing helmets despite “Steep Hills, Sharp Turns, Falling Rocks” signs everywhere. But so beautiful. High elevations and deep valleys. You can imagine and actually see remnants of homesteads from more than 100 years ago.

We headed to Lost Maples SP and no room but I begged my way in to overflow and we were in a huge parking lot overlooking limestone cliffs. Most of the cars were there for the campers who hiked in to THEIR campsites (no thanks).

Saw a small woodpecker (maybe Ladder-backed) but no pics.

Gorgeous day. Lucky us.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas 2011-Day 15

A particularly good sleep (though we overlook a very busy street!).

On to our first city bus ride in ages. It's a great way to get around San Antonio.

We headed first for The Alamo. Lovely in its way, but VERY busy with kids and families and lineups, so we didn't stay too long. Better was The Riverwalk, sort of before the masses arrived. It's beautiful and quite ingenious of the city to have commerce and “culture” and beauty in a contained place. Better yet were the people everywhere asking if they could help us tourists.

We made our way to the Market Plaza, an open centre near San Fernando Cathedral. We noticed all the office workers lining up for lunch under some tents, and we were lucky enough to be there Tuesday for the SA Food Bank's $5.00 lunch that supports their services. It was delicious and we enjoyed it at a table with the most elegant San Antonio 94-year-old gentleman who told stories of his life. A special moment.

We walked to El Mercado, a series of restaurants and open-air and other stores that are very like a market anywhere in Mexico. We were in time for a dance performance and some souvenir shopping.

Back to the cathedral and some more photos then another city bus back to Travelers World.

After a beer, a nap, some blogging and photo uploading, we did take-out from the Mexican restaurant across the road. A full and touristy but lovely day again! Off the The Hill Country tomorrow.

Here are our Texas Coast, Texas Birds and now San Antonio photos.

Texas 2011-Day 14

Easy pack up to leave the beach, though the papertowels were black when David cleaned the windows.

Good byes to good people.

Happily had called about reservations in San Antonio because got one of the few remaining sites!

On the way out of the park, we saw flashing lights and two Park Ranger trucks having pulled over a beat-up van. Three Hispanic kids were roadside with their hands behind their backs as a search was going on. Reminder that we're in the States...we're in Texas.

Stopped at Harbor Freight (a Canadian Tire/Princess Auto store) and a Dollar Store then headed onto the highway to start our journey north.

The highway ditches are lined with pink Morning Glories, purple mini Lupins and a bright orange bloom called Devil's something or other. Lovely.

Farmland starting now (corn and hay) and oil refining. Then fancy gates for BIG ranches. Longhorn and Brahma cattle. This is a different Texas now.

Stopped at Van's BBQ for lunch...so yummy we got some takeout for dinner later.

Noticed and took a picture of Hurricane escape route signs. Hm....

Pulled in to Traveler's World in San Antonio and I RAN to the laundry and David to the computer. We back on to a couple from Peterborough. Finally!

Next phase begins. Riverwalk and Alamo tomorrow.

Here are our People and Places photos and Texas Birds.

Texas 2011-Day 13

Time change to Daylight Savings, so a bit of a strange day.

Spent the morning trying to tag all the bird pictures (we have a ? category for two pesky shorebirds).

After lunch we went on a beach walk and FINALLY found a “bean” (no shells here). A Candlenut from far away.

Came back and Linda, Nancy and I took another beachwalk with Nancy's two Standard Poodles.. Good talk and walk with these lovely ladies.

Tent sites next door filled with young people from nearby Binn College Marine Biology students. Met one on the beach who was collecting jellyfish. Yikes! She swore they barely stung and she was used to it anyway.

Shorter Happy Hour...getting sad to leave these times.

Here are our People and Places photos and Texas Birds.

Texas 2011-Day 12

A good post Tour de Padre Island sleep though the waves sound like a storm at night. Glad we're not in one of the three tents next door.

Up and off to town to restock. Great bargains at “1,000 Swimsuits for $25” store then to HEB for groceries and wine )three bottles of VERY passable Cabernet for $10). Back for lunch and long beachwalk.

Happy Hour here again (we six plus Joanna and Ivan from New Mexico). Loads of fun-the one evening where we ALL over-indulged and laughed a lot and loudly. Soup and grilled cheese for dinner ;-)

Last day on the beach tomorrow. Feeling a bit sad already. MUST catch a good photo of migration White Ibis flocks tomorrow!

Here are our People and Places photos and Texas Birds.

Texas 2011-Day 11

Yet another beautiful sunrise, so we decided we will stay until Monday. Why not? Great spot, great people.

Walked the beach after breakfast; less wind and fewer waves so lots of people fishing. There was a bulldozer there cleaning the seaweed from the beach (we later found out it was in anticipation of the weekend and the start of Spring Break).

Went up for the Beach Walk led by a sweet Park Ranger, Chelsea (a kayaker!). Not a lot to see on the beach but we DID see a Piping Plover and were excited after our experiences with the sweet bird in Newfoundland!

Lunch then a 15 km (yep..15 KILOMETERS!!!) bike ride to Bird Island Basin to watch the windsurfers (thought they'd all be young people but were mostly old farts like us!). Pooped and sore bums but wow.

Dinner and a quiet evening and early bedtime. We're amazed at the skies filled with hundreds of White Ibises. Beautiful.

We have really settled in to this place. We love the people, the beach and the sun (though my ears are burnt...my hair's too short!).

Here are our People and Places photos and Texas Birds.

Texas 2011-Day 10

A THREE EVENT day! This seems to be a trend.

It was a beautiful sunrise over the dunes just outside our dinette widow. Complete with heron on a beach hut. What a start to the day.

For Event 1, we took the free birdwatching tour with George and Mary, 75ish volunteers with great expertise. We saw 37 different birds in three hours; it was amazing.

Back for lunch and Event 2, a bike ride on the beach.

The six of us (we're now hard and fast friends) had happy hour and Nancy and Allan from New York State also joined us (they will be ten months on the road this year...heading to Alaska soon!).

After dinner, we headed up the beach for Event 3, a campfire. This was fun...great fire, lots of laughs and chatting including two “rounds” of questions:

1. If you could return to any time in your past life, when would it be?
2. If you could have lunch with anyone from your life who had died, who would it be?

Touching answers...a great evening...a great day!

Here are our People and Places photos and Texas Birds.

Texas 2011-Day 9

It was a short drive down the coast to the Padre Island National Seashore. We pulled into the only campground (other than those ON the beach) just as a 5^th wheel was leaving. SO we got THE best site and plan to be here for three nights. It's right on the beach...just some low sand dunes separate us from the beach and crashing waves. Amazing.

Denny from Ohio next door came over and introduced himself.

We had lunch and headed to the beach. Southward we saw many gulls and shorebirds. Northward, a gorgeous (but nasty, stinging) Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish (turquoise...would make great but painful earrings).

Back at the site and Denny and his wife, Linda, had returned from shopping and we sat and chatted and had a beer. Brad and Marilyn from Hamilton next came over and friendships were developing! Lots of laughs and swapping of ideas (Denny and Linda have been on the road for about two months; Brad and Marilyn for about four).

A wonderful day on the beach!


Here are our People and Places and Texas Bird pictures.

Texas 2011-Day 8

Good sleep in a very quiet plce. You can hear the ocean beyond the dunes and see a small highway, but it's quiet and nice.


Up fairly early (will NEVER tell you how early we go to bed and how late we get up!) and breakfast. Love that we're on hydro so everything works, including the microwave. We're NOT boondocking (see there is an RV language) these days.


We went for a walk on the beach...great crashing waves. It was overcast and a little cool (okay, it was like 65 degrees) and we tried out the video camera (may try to embed that later).


Back and David did photo stuff while I lounged on our "gravity" recliner (we got two free from the RV place we bought from first and love them!). There are SO many pipers and gulls that we'll have to spend a lot of tme with the books identifying, so you may get un-named birds in our phot albums.


After lunch and a rest (yes, you rest when you're retired), we decided to ride the bikes on the beach. It was now about 80 degrees and It was so much fun. Would love to camp on the beach (there were a few tents) but not with the MH. We headed south first and saw more pipers and gulls and a heron posing just for us. Then north to a man-made jetty. Found THE best shell and saw two young guys surfing (there are som BIG waves here). Saw a good ole boy and gal poking around between the rocks on the jetty. When we asked what they were looking for, and after three or four requests for repetition (between drawl, missing teeth and cigarette between the lips), we discovered they were looking for shark's teeth.


I have the first winter tan I've had in about 30 years. We feel good and really love this part of the state. We're either staying here another day or moving further south on Padre Island to the National Seashore. 


Great day (especially after David had chatted with Kirk and learned that is was like 0 degrees in Peterborough)!

Texas 2011-Day 7

We woke to another glorious morning...sun, blue skies, pelicans flying overhead. Ahhh....


We packed up and headed south to Mustang Island. First was a stop in Rockport for supplies. Very much an RV Park and condo town on the coast. Lots of people around. Among other things, we bought several big fat steaks at HEB, as recommended yesterday. Further down the road to a ferry to Port Aransas. Looked like a VERY touristy and populated coastal town we avoided.


The last leg of the drive to Mustang Island State Park took us by many large homes, condos and resorts. Sadly, thanks to the economy here, I guess, not a HUGE population.


We're in a water and electrical site here with just the sand dunes between us and the Gulf. You can hear it and it's wonderful. Once settled, we headed for a walk on the beach (I got soaked!) and we look forward to more walks over the next couple of days. Nice to have electrical since we have a microwave AND air conditioning!


Big fat steaks for dinner and maybe another walk.


Pictures will have to wait; wireless is at the Park office and is a bit irregular. Hang in there.


PS to Heather and Ann, don't come here! First sign we saw was "Watch Out For Snakes"!

Texas 2011-Day 6

A perfect day: 64 degrees and sunny (not a cloud in the sky) and THREE events. Wow.


Our little Overflow Lot campers have stayed the same for these three days. One lovely couple is from Kansas and they say this is likely their last of many, many trips (she's turning 80 and he's 84 so I anticipate MANY more years for us!). The other is likely in their 70's and from Wisconsin and are like us in the sense that they prefer the less-travelled road with fewer RV parks and more adventure.


Anyway, Event 1 was when we discovered a hidden trail right beside our MH and took it this morning. It's along the seashore and we came upon a Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, some herons and too many shorebirds to identify yet. Amazing. The path led to a Millionaire's Row type waterfront subdivision that we learned is way over-priced and someone is likely to lose on his or her speculation.


After lunch was Event 2 when we took the bikes towards Big Tree, about two miles away. We heard that Whooping Cranes had been spotted there and we saw three. Maybe a once in a lifetime viewing. More birds followed then a visit to Big Tree: the oldest tree in Texas, a Live Oak, that is more than 1,000 years old and a gnarly mess.


On this ride, we met Catherine and James from Oklahoma who have land here and will come here full-time soon. They gave great advice on camping, steak buying, BBQ eating and other things. I love people.


Back to the campground, and I took a ride to where the "Kwit" (don't know the spelling yet) was seen. This is a rare bird sighting of a small Warbler- like bird from Belize. Birders eveywhere. The bird has been seen on the campsite of an eccentric guy from Mississauga we met yesterday. Sure enough, I saw the little birdy, visited the guy and he gave me a book. Nice.


Event 3 (for me; David was sorting photos) was a walk out to the end of the VERY long fishing pier. Loads fishing AND catching.


I am nicely sun and wind burned and very happy. We hear it's 30 degrees and snowing in Peterborough. Tee hee.


We will upload pictures tomorrow. David is making a new Texas Birds album so we can send both trip and bird picures soon.