After spending time exploring the east Texas area near Tyler, we headed to McKinney, north of Dallas, where we spent a wonderful holiday season with family.
Very interesting area - - lots of growth going on. Got to see a Texas Longhorn cattle drive down a street in Fort Worth, had some great eats (yeah, my Texas kids are foodies!!!) and did lots of exploring. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed the sites around Dallas and my kids did a great job of showing us around . . .
Next stop was along the Guadalupe River outside of San Antonio. I actually lived there when I was a young whipper snapper, but can't say I remember much! (Heck, sometimes I can't remember much about yesterday!) The River Walk is great, as was the Alamo and the historic Mexican Marketplace. Weather was FAB!
After keeping a keen eye out, as we were exploring the River Walk, I finally spied the famous 'new breed of cowboy'! Yep, things have changed . . . never did see his horse though.
Since leaving San Antonio, we've been hanging out along the Texas Gulf coast, near Corpus Christi. I was stunned to find myself enjoying an OUTDOOR pool on the afternoon of January 28th!
Right after we arrived we drove to North Padre Island beach to watch volunteers place about 300 rescued adult Green Sea Turtles back into the Gulf waters. Quite a sight! When the water drops to 50 degrees, these turtles are stunned and float to the surface. They rescue them and take them to a rehab center on the Island, then put them back into the surf when the water temperatures gets back to 60 degrees. I was hoping for some better photo opportunities, but the area was roped off so the 500+ onlookers were not in the way. Rather than putting the turtles on the sand to go into the water, the 100+ volunteers hand-carried each one into about two feet of water and let them go. Really enjoyed the whole experience and we did get a few good images.
The trees in this part of Texas are pretty amazing. Much greener than I expected. One day we were out exploring and we saw this stand of leafless trees in an area that could only be described as a plain. For a moment there, I thought I had been spirited off to an African safari, but then I saw it . . . a sign that said "Belt Sander Races this Saturday", and then I knew . . . yep, we're still in Texas! (Hey folks, I'm not smart enough to make this stuff up!)
Wildlife in this neck of the woods is plentiful . . . had to stop and photograph this pelican picnic, Texas style.🐜
Then there was the 'gator' that was napping on the bank of a pond - - yes, he is real and in the wild!
This area is known for its blue crab, so had to show this one off . . .
And, I FINALLY got to see my first Armadillo walking along the side of the road, but he refused to stop to have his portrait done. Also saw some wild boar and lots of birds, among them a pink spoonbill.
Had some recent sadness - - my brother just lost his wife to lung cancer after being diagnosed only two weeks before, and my wonderful daughter-in-law just lost a brother as a result of several medical issues. Thinking of them, and thinking enough, already!!!
Next stop - - further east, but still on the Gulf, near Galveston, TX. Then it's off to Louisiana for some bayou treks (as long as it is still winter, maybe the snakes won't be out yet - - hoping that is so!) and good eats and sights. Planning to visit Washington in May and look forward to seeing some of you when we're in town. After that - - turning north!
More later . . . Lynne and Jerry, direct from 'Kodi and Kermit', the "rig".
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