The Big Tree

We got up on Wednesday morning and went for a short walk after breakfast. We wanted to see the whooping cranes who winter in this small area on the coast. We were talking to a couple from Charlevoix, Mi who told us where they were located but told us we would have to drive there (is that a challenge?!) So, we decided to walk instead to "The Big Tree".  It is a 1000 year old coastal live oak which is 36 feet in diameter. Well, it was a little farther than we thought, but we made it. And, the bonus was we walked by the whooping cranes on the way back! But, next time we head out for a short walk after breakfast, we WILL take water, as it ended up being a little over 5 miles!

Male and female whooping cranes

We left our beautiful gulf coast spot on Wednesday,

View out the front of our condo on wheels. Yes, our campsite was right on the gulf!

stopping at Aransas Wildlife Refuge on the way. Our senior federal park passes are sure paying off! Next stop, Brazos Bend State Park.  In one word, gorgeous, one of our favorite parks yet! Now if they would just stop putting those signs up everywhere that say " Alligators exist in this park" and Venomous snakes live in this park", it would be even better. The park has six small lakes, miles of trails, and uncountable water birds. We have been busy snapping pictures of them and then trying to identify them using our bird book when we get back to the RV. So far, we have seen about 20-30 alligators. They tell you to stay 30 feet away. There has only been one time when we had to turn back because there was no way to continue down the path AND give them 30 feet. There were 2 big ones lying alongside the trail and we decided they could have it ! We may try to finish that trail today and hope they have moved elsewhere!

American Bittern

The alligators that stopped our walk.

These buzzards were roosting in the trees outside our campsite for the last two nights. Hope they don't know something that we don't know!

I won't bore you with our thousands of bird and wildlife pictures but does anyone know who this duck like bird, with a beak that looks like a piece of candy corn, is? Not the clearest picture, click to enlarge.

I know I have forgotten to give the blog address to some people, so those of you who have it, can give it to anyone we know who might wonder where we are or what we are up to.

Yesterday was our prettiest day yet, 77 degrees, sunny, small breeze, lovely! Although it was beautiful, my day was sad as we had to make the decision to have our old cat put down. We got her when my mom moved into a nursing home in 2003. She had a great 12 years with us but at 17 with failing kidneys we had to let her go. Woke up at 4:50 this morning thinking about it :(
We are at a park called Goose Island and have seen pelicans, ducks, gulls and sandpipers....but no geese. Hmmm....., maybe it is named for the shape rather than the inhabitants! We had to take a ferry across a small channel to get here. They put us on and off last, fun! I love ferries!
Today is supposed to be beautiful again. More beach walking and bird viewing in store and perhaps a nap due to my early awakening!

A palm tree wearing a muumuu

We have had two lovely days here on the gulf coast. Yesterday we walked 3 miles in the morning and then 4 after lunch, and 1 more in the early evening. Seven of these were on the beach (so, we get extra points for that, right?) which is hard packed sand that you can drive on. We saw a great blue heron, a million gulls and flocks of small Sanderling (I think) sandpipers. The latter make us laugh with their super fast movements, sort of the hummingbird of the shore bird world! We will be moving on up the coast a short ways this morning... as soon as the dense fog lifts. I can only see about 40 feet!

Testing the waters, about the same temperature as Lake Michigan in June, cold!

Which one doesn't belong?

Denny captured this blue heron at just the right moment!

On the road again, on the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again (sung like Willie Nelson).  We left the RV park this morning after a nice breakfast out with Sue and Randy and headed east to the gulf coast of Texas. We made a stop at North Padre Island National Seashore (NOT South Padre Island where all the spring breakers go.) It was beautiful but all the camping there was rustic so we headed up the coast a bit to Mustang Island State Park. It is also on the gulf but we have water and electricity. We got here in the afternoon so still had time for a walk on the beach after hooking up the RV.

If you double click and enlarge the picture, you can see the off shore drilling platforms. We counted 16 !

You can drive and camp on the beach (primitive tent camping only).

Denny found a blob of foam washed in by the waves. They were all over the beach.

After going to a quilt class here at the RV park yesterday, we went to a giant flea market with friends,  Sue and Randy. Since they are hauling a 2 seater Smart Car and we have no car, we all went in their giant semi that pulls their fifth wheel. Sue and I rode in the sleeper. So, 2 firsts for me, riding in a semi and going to a flea market. (Denny says we went to one a long time ago but since I don't remember it, I'm considering this my first!) We bought a few RV items and a few non-necessities. A large part of the fun was parking that beast!
This morning a power walk class is on the agenda. There is a line dancing class later, but I'm pretty sure I can't talk Denny into that!

This 55+ RV park is like a small city with non-stop activities. Today we went to a taco lunch after doing laundry in the laundromat. After lunch there was a rock and roll jam. All of the band members were from the RV park, so all were at least 55, and most looked much older. Nevertheless, we had 3 men on electric guitar, a great drummer and an awesome woman on keyboards. They played everything from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger, and Stray Cats to Stevie Ray Vaughn. The playing was great, the voices passable but probably better when they were younger. And, they were sure having fun, as was the crowd of probably 150+ people, It was cold and rainy today but the entertainment made it an enjoyable day!

There are lots of planned activities at this RV village. So far today I have done yoga and zumba with my friend Sue. I have to say we looked good! We were also some of the youngest people at both activities:)
It is chilly and rainy so Denny felt the best use of his time was napping :) Surprisingly, he refused to do yoga or zumba with us! I also got out my sewing machine to work on the quilt I brought with me. I may have to do that again tomorrow since another chilly, rainy day is in the forecast. I wish this front would move back north! I just watched a golf cart zip by with a rain cover. There are many of those in this park.