Family Time

I've been silent for the past two weeks, ok I did write about the Gem and Mineral show. but its been good silent as we have had company. Pam and Roy had had enough of the Iowa winter and headed south for their yearly visit and while it was crowded in the fifth wheel, the two weeks actually worked out fine.
The weeks were filled with so much and most importantly filled with sister time. I don't think the girls passed up visiting a single store in the Coastal Bend, ok maybe a few, :), luckily Roy and I were able to skip the prolonged shopping and spend some quality time fishing.

We did of course go for the picnic on the PINS, beach,(Padre Island National Seashore). A day there is always well spent with shelling and fishing and walking. The fishing was poor as the seaweed weighed down our lines and made it impossible to hold in place, but it was still fishing. The water had warmed enough so that you didn't need waders and of course the resident Great Blue Heron had to visit us begging for a fish lunch.
Of course we talked rock and lapidary. Roy is also new to the obsession, and he showed us his work, all done with an inland lap and a tumbler for polishing. He really does amazing work, I envy his free form heart shapes and he was kind enough to share his techniques as we did ours. We both came away with new ideas for cabochons.

Another day Roy and I went to the North Jetty at Port Aransas. We didn't make the first boat but we did take the eight o'clock ride and the jetty was still uncrowded as most people fish the free south jetty. Roy caught a 22 inch sheepshead and we ended up with another fine fresh fish dinner.
A second day of fishing was at the Packery Channel jetties. There the sheepshead were also biting and Roy caught a nice flounder. I added a 26 inch red fish to the grill and it doesn't get any better than fresh grilled fish on a half shell.

Of course we had to go see the whoopers in Lamar, stopping at Big Tree. The Ault family obliged with their ususal show and the Big Tree, well its a big live oak tree. It is so amazing to see a famly of whoopers taking possession of a pasture in a subdivision.
Our friend Dick had invited them to his house, where he showed them his work and rock and of course they were as amazed with his displays as we have been. There are so many talented artists here. Dick is in the process of sorting his collection of rough. He has been getting rid of all but the top pieces and so Roy and I left with a lot of Rio Grande Agate cobbles.
The two weeks went so quickly and as they left, with blessed tears of course,  hitch itch set in us both and we look forward to our own travels. A wedding in Conneticut, and new states to join the ones we have already visited. The road beckons and we have satyed here too long. Clear skies.