Leaving Goose Is. St. Pk.(Rockport, TX) 4-30-10

Well my birding at Aransas NWR was a bust. The whooping cranes migrated earlier in the month and the last migration fallout from the strong wind had also passed on north except for the mosquitoes. I remember being here when Jeremy graduated from Air Force basic in San Antonio and Bob took me there to bird. The mosquitoes were horrendous. I think this will be my last trip to this refuge unless it is in Feb. or Mar. some year.
I spent the rest of our visit here birding in the State Park and it was productive. I saw some shorebirds I hadn't seen and a few songbirds. Went on a couple of bird walks and also enjoyed the people.
We leave today and just drive about 20+ miles down the road to Aransas Pass and Port Aransas.

Goose Is. State Park--Rockport,TX 4-26-2010

This is a small state park. We are parked right on Aransas Bay. San Jose Is. is just across the bay from us. We are sitting facing the bay. The wildflowers here in Texas are beautiful. Thank you Lady Bird. Tomorrow I am going to Aransas NWR to do some more birding. It is one of the premier sites in the nation. Since birds have been migrating I hope to see some more new ones although a lot have already been thru.
We stopped on the way here and I had my first Whataburger. It was good.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) & Houston Audobon Bird Sanctuary 4-24&25-2010

Bob stayed at the coach and washed and polished the front end and windows to get rid of the bugs and then went on to clean and polish the wheel rims, nap, read and watch tv.
The first day I went to Anahuac NWR walked a trail and drove their other trails thru mostly prarie. Added several life birds to my list and got lots of sun. Hurricane Ike hit there and the whole area was covered by 20 foot of salt water. The second day I went back specifically for a organized walk to scare up some birds called rails; however, when I started the walk it was evident I wasn't going to make it. We were in large prarie grass clumps up to my knees or above, very uneven and I couldn't keep up the pace so another lady and I turned around and went back.
Since I had already covered the refuge the day before I headed off to High Island down the road near the gulf to several Audubon Bird Sanctuaries. There again I added several birds to my "never seen before" list. That is always exciting. The bad part was that it was a Sunday and there society was having a big birding day and there were lots of people out in mass. Most people are very nice, I just like to bird quietly with less people.
I also drove down the gulf along the beach all the way to the ferry leading to Galveston, TX to see how it was coming back from Hurricane Ike. From Crystal Beach to Port Bolivar on the Bolivar Penisula there are a lot of houses being built right on the beach--up high on pilings, but a lot of people still living on empty lots in old rv's, fifth wheels and small campers. Businesses coming back and a new elementary and middle school. I guess we are an optimistic people.

Anahuac, TX 4-23-10

It is pronounced "Anawac", go figure. The Anahuac NWR is on the coast near here so that is my goal for tomorrow. This is just south and west of Beaumont, TX. It is only about 100 miles from where we were. We are staying in Trinity Bay RV Park. The town is only 2200 people. It is supposed to be the alligator capital of Texas. It is a small park that they are trying to rebuild after Hurrican Ike came thru. It tore down there bath house so there are no showers or bathrooms, but we've got electric and sewer and they have washers and dryers so there you go.

Birding in Louisana 4-20 & 22-10

The first day I went to Sabine National Wildlife Refuge which is marsh. There were two large trails to walk and then just a pull off between them. I thought I was in birder heaven. I took both binoculars and my birding scope 20-30 birds and many of those I either have never seen or seldom. Brilliant colors--they were having a field day eating the mulberries. It was nice to talk with other birders along the way. The pull off saw others I had not seen and then I went to the third area and it was an even longer walk. I love my foldable 3 legged stool. The next day I had to rest because my back was so tired. On the 22nd I went looking for another area-did not find it but found Peveto Woods Sanctuary and saw other new birds--just took my time. Drove along the beach for a long way looking for the other place. Maybe next time.

Travel Day 4-19-10

We stopped outside of Sulfur, LA. We are camping right on the bank of the Intracostal Waterway at a county park. There is a very tall draw bridge and we've already seen probably at least 6 big barges go by. It is on Hwy 27 south--after going over the Ellendon Bridge shortly there is a road on the right that will take you to the Park. For $12/night you get 50amp, water, a dump station and a grill and picnic table. There is large turn around, a boat launch and a large play area for kids.

Visit with Rosemary 4-18-10

We spent the day in Gulfport with Rosemary Loe, my Aunt Frankie's sister. She will be living in Frankie's house for the time being while she settles Frankie's estate. Spent most of the time setting on the front porch enjoying the company, birds and the beautiful day. We left Monday morning early for southwester Louisiana.

On to Reese-4-17-10

We drove up to Crestview, FL and our daughter in law drove up from Ft. Walton Beach to see us and have lunch with us. It was good to see her. Or son is deployed to Kandehar, Afghanistan so we will see him next time. We drove on to D'Iberville,MS for the night.

Day at Epcot--4-15-10

Epcot was great. It was not as crowded even though there were rides and things for kids to do also. The IU grads we met at Lazydays campground work there on the Soarin ride. They told us to go there first because it is one of the most popular and it was worth it. We went on around the circle from country to country-China had three girls on large drums,Japan has young boys jumping rope and doing acrobatics, France had two men who did a balancing act and the U.S. had fife and drums outside and then inside the building they had about 10 or 11 men and women singing, but nothing special at Mexico, Germany, Norway or Italy. Of course there was food to buy at each country. Then we went back to the beginning and went to the GM Test Track ride-wonderful! On to Mission-Space ride. It was also a good one. It was a longer day than Animal Kingdom, but worth it.

Animal Kingdom

The weather was sunny and breazy which made it real pleasant. I really enjoyed the park because I am a nature lover and bird watcher. It got crowded fairly quickly but not miserable. Afterward we went south on Hwy 27 to Haines City to a local restaurant called Manny's and ate. Either call ahead or come early because it is real popular--good reason. The food and service was wonderful. Great day.

We're going to Disney

We're going to Animal Kingdom today. We had a 4day pass for Florida residents and we spent two of them in the areas where our grandkids could ride on the first two days a month or so ago so now we hit the other two so we don't waste our money. We want to see and do it all. Our backyard neighbors have worked or still work at Disney and the lady at the check in for the park worked there for 2 years. We also met people at the Lazydays Campground that had graduated from IU who had worked at Disney. We may check that out. Let you know how the day goes.

We're off

We left Hudson, FL on Tues. Apr.13. Had to take care of necessities like fuel and dumping our tanks then on to Lazydays or Lazydaisy as our grandson calls it. Had free lunch and had the car washed and some things Bob needed to do. Then to Orlando to Florida Camp Inn right down the road from Disney. Nice place 500 sites but off season it was only $25/night. Fun Virginia lady at front desk and nice backyard neighbors. We met a nice couple by the name of Cheryl and Richard Stieben at lunch at Lazydays. They were from McPherson, Kan. We will be here at the Inn for 3 nights.