Bird’s Eye View
This Red-shouldered Hawk became our Campsite Bird near Brazos Bend State Park near Houston, Texas:
Day 1: February 10
It’s been a long, difficult year, two, in fact, since we didn’t have a winter trip last year. The last weeks were very hard, sad and touching as we helped my Dad die on his own terms in his own home on January 16. We both have colds, miss my Dad and are ready to start to heal.
So, through the snow we go, heading to Texas. We missed the winter storm from Tilbury to Detroit but saw lots of snow and cars in the ditch. We sailed through the border, though the cute guy boarded, we think, just to check out the Roadtrek. David drove and drove, and we spent the night at a Loves truck stop with no view from my chair!
Day 2: February 11
We left in the dark and drove south as the temperature began to climb. Here’s what we saw:
- our first Barn Quilt near Sparta, Kentucky
- “God Cures Depression, Drugs, Pornography” (that’s a lot!)
- “Liberalism is a Mental Disorder” (bumper sticker)
- Kenny Perry Golf Course with pins in, lots of water and no golfers
Got to the Tennessee River Mountain Getaway RV Park, meant to be Passport America. When we called, he said no PA (therefore $32), but we stayed, dewinterized, then paid only $20 (the Canadian Rate!). He lived near Hamilton, Ontario for years and used to play with the band The Diamonds (“Little Darlin’”).
Here’s the view from my chair:
Day 3: February 12
We had a great sleep (I haven’t slept well in two months!). Here’s what we saw on the road:
- our first Trump MAGA sign near Jackson, TN
- Cotton in the fields near Memphis
- first sun and blue skies in days (weeks?) outside Memphis
- Mississippi Welcome Centres, the best with coffee, free WIFI, displays, free RV Dump and water, and great accents (though they fly a Confederate-based flag)
- first Great Egret
- a stone chip in our windshield
- green grass on the Bo Didley Memorial Highway
We overnighted at a Sam’s Club near Baton Rouge (great place, so quiet) with this view:
Day 4: February 13
Another great sleep. And since it was Shrove Tuesday, a pancake breakfast:
We drove to Lafayette and hung out for the King Gabriel’s Mardi Gras Parade. it was so much fun:
On our way out, we had ANOTHER stonechip in the windshield, this one a big one. Dang.
We drove through torrential rains into Texas, got groceries then found our way to Brazos Bend State Park for a three night stay. Our first night was in site 131 ($20 E/W with Texas State Park Pass). No night time view, though we did hear owls all night!
Day 5: February 14
Oops, forgot it was Valentine’s Day until someone reminded us around 4:00!
We booked Site 234 (you get four half-priced coupons when you buy a pass), and headed for the 40 Acre Lake hike to view some nice birds and alligators. It was WARM, sunny and muggy:
After lunch, I hiked some more (total 5.3 miles and 11,500 steps!) and noted the high water lines everywhere. This place was devastated with Hurricane Harvey
We relaxed OUTSIDE and watched this great view of our Red-shouldered Hawk, just a few feet from my chair:
Day 6: February 15
We took the bikes down today and rode the Elm Lake Trail and saw more birds and gators:
After lunch, more riding (today 8.6 miles). We just wanted to soak up the sun and the heat and try to shake off these colds.
We met two young “Scouts”, in fact French Scouts. Their parents travel the world for the Oil Industry (one family lived in Calgary) and Houston has 3,000 to 5,000 French Nationals living there. Thus enough for a French Scout Troop! Such cuties.
The park is so nice and quiet, filled with birders and retirees. One couple we met thanked us for bringing the good weather! And it is meant to continue.
Here’s the view from my chair:
No comments:
Post a Comment