Day 64 - March 12th - Last Resort RV Park, Rockport, TX

Up early this AM as it is the day for a boat tour of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge and hopefully view some Whooping Cranes. Looking out when we got up, it was obvious that there had been weather a change, as it is rather cold, overcast, and damp, with threatening rain. We had some ham and toast before we left, and then took a thermos of coffee with us. Thankyou grand-daughter Caitlin, for that thermos and cups that you gave us for last years Christmas. It came in very useful once again. Hot coffee sounded like a welcome addition for a mid-morning break. We did dress more warmly than had been the norm for the last few days, with jeans and jackets. We arrived at the departure point by 8:30AM to be prepared for a 9:00AM departure. We had weighed the decision as to delaying in favor of a warmer day, but in the end decided to proceed. The boat we were scheduled on was the "Skimmer", a 35 ft cabin cruiser powered by twin 4 stroke Honda 225 HP outboards. Once out of the protected marina, Captain Tommy Moore, poured on the power, and we did "Skim" across the waves at a fair rate of speed toward the Wildlife Refuge. I found it strange, the detail Tom gave us of the Aransas Bay being 16 miles by 8 miles wide, but only from 2 1/2 feet to 12 feet deep. Once nearing the Refuge we slowed and started to see many types of waterfowl. I cannot even attempt to relate what ones we did see, as Rob was rattling of so many names unfamiliar to me. We continued on up the inland waterway constructed by the Corp of Engineers from Corpus Christi all the way to New York City, during the second world war to prevent submarine attack. Soon we came apon the first Whooper, a young female. She was not the least bit afraid and we drifted to within about 25 meters of her. That completed after much picture taking, we went further along, photoing birds as we went, then came apon 3 whoopers together. Could not get as close as the water was too shallow, but did get some more shots. Time for a welcome coffee, as it definitely is cold and windy, only about 52 °F, I believe. Wish we had put on more clothes! Most people spent most of the time in the cabin where there were supplied blankets to wrap up in. The windows opened for camera access when needed, or the more eager (

Denice) could go out on the front deck or on the upper deck. After coffee it was about time to turn around and head back, although we really had been making a large circle, but I had lost all bearing with the overcast. More birds, more photos, and then some bottle-nosed dolphins to try and take pictures of, we tried! Then a fast trip across the Bay to the mooring. Glad to be back and into the Jeep and a heater. Seems strange after the hot and humid temps of the last few days. Returned home and heated Big Fisherman leftovers for lunch. Turned on ELTORO's furnace and turned it up to 70°F. Still couldn't get the chill off and ended with a hot shower that did the trick.

Day 61 - March 9th - Last Resort RV Resort

Finally we see the Gulf of Mexico.
After breakfast and domestic cleaning up around ELTORO went on a little familiarization tour of our surroundings. Headed east along the Gulf on the access immediately along the water. Stopped frequently to take snaps of the water, the seabirds, the piers ( everyone seems to have one 1/4 mile out into the Gulf), and just generally wandered along taking in the sites. Went by one area where some seafood restaurants were conveniently placed adjacent to the street. Now you know Denice's nose for food. Well it smelled so darn good that we had to stop and have lunch. The place was called "Moon Dog". We chose to eat outside as the weather is HOT and HUMID here. It was a little breezy, but OK. Took a while for our food to come, but that was OK as we were right on the beach and found the movement of the boats, and the seabirds interesting to us "Landlubbers". Denice even lucked out and got a great shot of a dolphin, that we are sharing here. After lunch of Blackened Tuna, and a fillet of some kind of other fish (I'm not sure what it was as the menu didn't say, but it was the special of the day, and it was good) we continued down the coast and over the Causeway over Copano Bay to Lamar. This is about a two mile long causeway with an elevated bridge in the center to allow boat passage. From there we turned right, toward Goose Island State Park. It was getting on in the day so we decided to leave the state park for another day, and just go and see the "Big Tree". We had been advised that we had to go and see it, and it is truly remarkable.
The Big Tree of Lamar is one of the most famous in the world.The giant live oak is a charter member of the Live Oak Society of America, and has been the subject of one of Ripley's "Believe It or Not" cartoons.
It is measured to be more than 35 feet in circumference, 44 feet in height and has a crown spread of 89 feet. The Texas Forest Service estimates the tree to be over 1,000 years old.
The Big Tree is also known as the Lamar Oak, Bishop's Oak and the Goose Island Oak. It is recognized as the State Champion Coastal live oak. It is said to have been a council tree for the Carancahua Indians and for the white men who came after them.

We had originally planned on buying some groceries today, but tomorrow is another day. We just bought a loaf of bread at the Shell Service Station Convenience Store and went home a cooked some wennies on the Barbie and had "Hot Dogs" for supper. Some times the simple easy meal just hits the spot!! After supper met our next door neighbors. They are what we would call locals as they are only from Houston, and come this direction quite often for a week or so. They are a good source of info for Texas, so will grill them a little more as time goes on to find the interest spots in Texas. They did tell me that if going on to Florida, we should not spent too much time in Mississippi and Lousianna, as in those states they still seem to think the Civil War is still going on. In Florida the state park in Destin is a must. It is an all service state park, maybe a little expensive at about $35/night, but in a beautiful forest with a 3 mile long beach!!! Checking on themap I find that Destin is on the Gulf, but up near the top of Florida. Did a quick calculation on "Streets and Trips" and find it only 788 miles from here. It would sure be nice, buy since we are committed here for a month, I guess will have to wait for another year.

Day 48 - Feb 24th - Organ Pipe National Monument

Denice rolled me out of the sack at 5:30AM this morning to walk to the edge of the desert and take sunrise photos. I grumbled a lot, but of course went anyway. I guess I was rewarded, because the sunrise was great and the photos turned out well. Returned to ELTORO and had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Then prepared for a drive to Alamo Canyon. Once in the jeep and on the road there was a warning indicator telling that the left front tire of the jeep was low on air - only 23 lbs. This is the same tire that I had fixed in Quartzsite. However at 23 lbs decided it was OK for the drive. Alamo Canyon is back down the highway toward Why for about 10 miles, and then to the right on a dir raod for an additional 3 miles to a remote campground and parking area. By the time we reached there it was hot (80 ̊F). We debated whether we should go on the 1 mile walk to the old Ranch buildings or if we should just bypass it. After reading the signs indicating a fairly level trail, we decided to walk a little ways. We took a jug of water and set off. It was a nice walk and in the end we walked all the way to an old adobe brick ranch house. That was far enough. There was supposed to be more to see farther up the canyon, but by then we had walked enog so we turned back and returned to the jeep.Back at the RV Park I started my little air compressor and pumped the tire back up to 40 lbs. We'll see what it is in tomorrow morning. Just lazed around the rerst of the day, enjoying the heat and trying to find shade. Toward evening Tom Neal & Linda phoned just to check in and let us know that they were over in Casa Grande.Later after supper of Pork chops and salad we decided to call them back and let them know that we would change our route over the where they are camped and spend a day or two with them again, as our paths would not likely pass again on this trip. They were happy to here that, so will see them tomorrow.Elwin Eddy and Marleen never did show up back here. Indications are that they are in Picacho, that is only 10 miles from where we will be going to see Tom and Linda, so maybe we will catch them as well. More sunset pics and then to bed.

Day 47 - Feb 23 - Organ Pipe National Monument

Started the day with some good sunrise photos.

Then got on with the morning with good old Oatmeal Porridge. That is usually reserved for Sundays, but since we missed yesterday, decided to have this morn. Anyway needed a health start to the day as we are going on the loop road tour today. Denice packed a big lunch, leftover chicken, potato salad, fruit and other goodies. The Loop Road is a 21 mile loop east of Organ Pipe and circles around a Diablo Mountain. It is just dirt a good share of the way, but when it gets to steeper terrain is paved. Great desert scenery is observed every mile of the route. They, at the park headquarters, recommend allowing at least 2 hours for the whole route. I don't know how you would be able to do it that fast. We left at 9:00AM, and weren't home until 4:00PM. We did stop for 1/2 hour for our lunch at a Ramada ( a picnic table covered with Octillo branches for shade). We just moseyed along at about 5 - 10 MPH, and stopped when ever something interested us. Lots of photos!! It is a "one way" road so you can stop most anywhere you desire. During the whole day we really only saw about 15-20 other cars on the entire route. Just another great day. But we were beat when we got back to ELTORO. It was hot, around 80 degrees F.