Palmetto Island State Park and a Tour of the Tabasco Factory

While passing through Abbeville we tried to get into our favorite rv park, but it was full and so we decided to stay at the nearby state park, Palmetto Island State Park. Checking in, the ranger gave us quite a few brochures, including one on how to identify poisonous snakes and plants. She also warned us to be bear and feral hog aware!

Setting up we had a beautiful spot that easily provided space for our fifth wheel and our truck. Surrounded by Palmetto palms and stately oak and cypress trees we settled in to rest and relax. The first night Renita heard noise around the camper but the park was quite full and so we didn’t really think it was a wildlife visit.

The second evening, as dusk approached Renita went outside, looking for a calling bird, only to be surprised by a sow and piglets. The sow and her litter were joined by a medium sized boar! We could also see that the palms were moving as more feral hogs pushed through the dense undergrowth. The wild hogs seemed unconcerned by our presence, a far cry from the heavily hunted pigs in Texas!

The second day we also drove to Avery Island to tour the Tabasco Factory. The tour has been expanded and includes visits to the barrel warehouse and eight other locations, far more than the old tour which involved a walk through the bottling plant.

The tour started with a history of the family and included a near perfect mastodon tooth found in the salt mine! From there we walked the path to the small greenhouse.

In the green house plants were displayed in all the stages of growth and at the store, you could buy the pepper plant seeds.

Next was the barrel warehouse, one of three huge buildings all filled with barrels full of aging pepper mash. Aging up to three years the smell of the future sauce was intense, to say the least.

Continuing the tour, we walked past bear warning signs and a tall bamboo forest. But no pandas peeked out of the bamboo as the bears are all black bears.

The blending building was next followed by the bottling plant. There the bottles were being filled with a green sauce destined for Germany. The Tabasco sauce is shipped to and enjoyed in most of the worlds countries.

Of course we bought some Tabasco products, including a special Reserve Sauce that is quite hot

! We never did see any black bears but that’s ok as we have reservations in Yellowstone next month. The stay in the beautiful state park provided just what we needed, and the tour of the Tabasco Factory was worth the cost, (5.50 for seniors) Clear skies

The High Island Birding Center, April 2017

Approaching the crest of the levee, we were assailed by the sounds of thousands of nesting birds. As soon as we reached the first opening in the trees, a rosette spoonbill flew across the opening just yards away from us! The beautiful sight of the bright pink bird, it was the reason we had returned to the High Island Rookery.

The wind had finally died down at Matagorda. It was the first day where the Gulf was finally fishable but we had reservations at High island. It was a relatively short pull, only one hundred and forty miles, but it still took almost four hours as the ferry crossing adds to the time, (but allows us to avoid pulling through Houston).

Setting up our fifth wheel we rested up and planned for the next day’s birding. The next morning, we took loaded our cameras and binoculars and drove to The Boy Scout Woods. It’s one of the five birding center tracts, purchased and maintained by the Houston Audubon Society.

A large group of about fifty birders had gathered for the morning tour, but knowing the narrow confines of the wooded area we decided to forgo the large group and headed out on our own. After paying the daily fee we were told that the migrants had just started to arrive.

Walking to the first opening, we saw several cardinals. A local volunteer birder near us said she heard the song of a summer tanager, a bird heard is a bird seen, but while Renita heard it I didn’t, (I really need to purchase hearing aids).

A few turkey vultures circled high overhead, and a catbird flitted in the trees. At the treatment ponds, we didn’t spot the listed indigo bunting or scissor-tailed kite, but at least the mosquitoes left us alone. Wandering along the birding trails we didn’t spot much of anything.

Returning to our fifth wheel camper, we ate lunch and rested a bit for the afternoon at Smiths Oak Woods and The Rookery. There were quite a few birders cars and we noted some new construction as the local society had built a new elevated walkway and a large leased private gazebo, There are plenty of other viewing areas, and so we didn’t have any difficulty finding a place to watch the bustle of the Rookery.

The island, only one hundred feet away, resembled a three-layer cake! The top layer of the tree canopy, was covered with black double crested cormorants.

Their chicks had hatched some time ago and the greedy chicks clamored for their parent’s attention and feeding. I laughed as it reminded me of raising our children, there has always been a similar demand for food and money!

The middle layer was composed of the white nesting great egrets, showy in their breeding plumage with wedding veils of white graceful feathers.

Most of their chicks had also hatched, although some parents still rotated the large bright blue unhatched eggs.  The male and female still took pause for additional breeding behavior as the chicks temporarily left them alone during this “date night”. Occasionally the males would pause to display their wedding veils.

The bottom layer of trees was almost covered in the bright pink color of the rosette’s interspersed with a few patches of snowy egrets.

On the bare ground. frantic unsuccessful juvenile rosy’s fought over branches as they attempted to dominate a small area, fighting over every loose stick.

While all this was going on tri-colored herons flew past headed for their own nests on another island.

Alligators waited in the surrounding water hoping for a fallen chick or an oblivious spoonbill. The other birders told us that one large gator had caught and eaten a careless rosy!

Another told us of how an unattended nest had had the chicks attacked by a male egret, who threw the young birds to the ground and then claimed the nest for its own.

Walking along the levee we descended the steps and circled Smith’s Pond. While several large gators rested on the banks we didn’t see the usual birds, but it was a nice walk nonetheless. Nearing a footbridge, I never noticed the resting alligator until it splashed in to the pond. I really need to move with more awareness of my surroundings!

The day ended and we returned to our home, talking of the beauty we had seen, and the joy we experienced from visiting the High Island Birding center. The Houston Audubon Society is to be commended for its outstanding birding center! Clear skies

The 2017 Cattle Drive Across The Colorado River, Matagorda Texas

With a resounding crack, as loud as a pistol shot, the cowboy snapped the bull whip. He was one of a dozen others trying to drive the lead cows into the Colorado River. The cows paused and froze before the yells and pistol like sounds of the whip finally induced the lead cow into the water. Another and another plunged in and started to swim across the muddy water.

We had waited most of the day for the tide to go slack. A strong incoming tide had prevented the drive across the river as it was too much of a challenge for the calves. Several times during the day the lead boat had tested the tide by throwing chunks of wood into the river. It wasn’t until after four pm that the tide finally went slack and the spring drive started.

With over a million dollars of cattle crossing the river, it had to be calm before such a gamble was possible. We watched from the campground shore as the cows swam the river and it was with baited breath the first one reached the shore.

Six hundred more cows were behind it and the lead cow froze unsure which way to go. More stacked up behind her before the pressure of the six hundred other cattle forced the leaders to make a choice. Heading toward a gap the herd followed.

The cowboys drove the last of the heard into the water. Several got disoriented and came ashore near us.

However, a bulkhead prevented them from climbing ashore and they seemed to look to us for guidance. Finally, they followed the herds path.

Meanwhile several calves were in trouble. A waiting boat moved quickly and physically grabbed one of the calf’s head, before dragging it safely to shore.

Returning to the middle of the channel the cowboy/deck hand bull dogged another calf and lifted it into the boat!

Now there was only one large cow, stuck in the mud.  Nearing it a cowboy swatted it with his rope and after several false starts it finally succeeded in getting unstuck and reaching dry land. The cattle had all made the crossing and were safely corralled in a large pen. From here they would be trucked to their summer range.

 If you ever get a chance to watch the cattle drive across the Colorado River, it happens twice a year, be sure to plan for several days stay. The tides and weather can change the drives actual date and the time is whenever the tides are slack. This year was the best one yet! Clear skies

Mustang Island State Park, 2017

Of course the truck needed some tender loving care, (translation a turn signal short that I couldn’t find), so we dropped it off at the Chevy dealer, before heading on to Mustang Island State Park. Eating lunch at Port Aransas it was a short drive to one of our favorite places.

Grabbing our cameras and hats, we headed down the beach and we were sure overdressed! Beach goers must have thought us crazy but it had been cold that morning so we were okay. The tide was coming in and it wasn’t a great time for shelling but it’s always a good time on the beach and so we strolled toward the jetties.

Laughing gulls begged for food, as willets and sanderlings ignored us in their own search for sustenance. Four jets took off at the nearby naval station and entertained us with their acrobatics. They were the Navy’s Blue Angels and were practicing for this weekend’s Air show.

Approaching the south jetty, I walked out and watched as two fishermen fought the strong surf. We hadn’t brought our own poles and it was a good thing as the fishing conditions were almost impossible. They never did catch anything but the surf had brought the local surfers and moving to the north jetty we watched them make their short runs.

What you do with your live depends a lot on where you were when you grew up, and I watched the surfers with a bit of jealousy. Still I had been in the right place and right time to learn to rock climb and you just don’t have enough time in life to do everything you want to.

Returning to the truck the dealership called and told us they had found the short in the side mirror. I have replaced the mirror already and so when they gave me the option of bypassing it and saving six hundred dollars, I chose the less expensive option.

It was a great day at the beach, isn’t it always, and we returned home. We are planning on heading north on Saturday, starting our slow journey back to our summer base camp. The reports are that the bears are out of their dens and we do have a camping trip to Yellowstone planned, now if the snow will hurry up and melt! Clear skies

The Sheep Head Run at the Fina Dock; 2017

The reports were that the sheepshead had moved in from the Gulf. That mean that the Fina dock bite was in full swing. So, when Captain John invited us for a day of catching one of the tastiest fish around we quickly accepted!

Launching the boat at the Port Aransas Harbor, dolphins entertained us as we headed out. It’s a very quick run to the Fina Dock and you can see it from the ferry. Crossing the channel, we saw many boats had taken almost all the spots. Still John noticed that one of the garages,( open places under the main dock), was empty and he expertly steered the boat into the space.

There was a strong incoming tide and we had some difficulty getting set up. However, it didn’t take long before we were fishing and had out first legal fish on the cooler. Other boats were catching fish but it was a slow bite for this time of year.

Then we all started to catch fish and three hours later we had filled our limit. Roy also added a mangrove snapper to the cooler. While they are a smaller fish they are a very tasty! The tides strength had increased and we had some difficulty extracting ourselves from the dock.

Once out,

it was an easy ride to the Harbor, and after loading up the boat we got in line for the ferry. The ferry line can be an ordeal as this is the second week of spring break. It wasn’t a long wait and crossing the channel we were on our way home. Clear skies

ps Roy and I have also been busy paddling the kayaks and we have been catching a few keeper redfish.

2017 The Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society: A Vendor's Perspective

One of the highlights of our show schedule is the Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral show, held each year in Robstown, Texas. It’s always a well-orchestrated show, drawing people knowledgeable about rocks, mineral and fossils, and a show where we get to meet new friends and catch up with past ones.

Volunteering for the setup, Renita and I arrived early Friday at the storage site. This year the club had decided to rent an enclosed trailer and the loading of the show supplies went easier then it ever has, at least in the eight years we have helped.

Arriving at the fairgrounds, we were greeted with quite a few other volunteers who unloaded the casework and put everything together in a very short time. After I helped with the display cases I could drive our truck inside and Renita and I unloaded our shop onto the four tables we had rented.

We bought new blue fitted sheets for our tables and it was obvious dark blue was a popular color for many of the vendor's. In fact, the club had also purchased the same exact sheets! Quickly setting up our displays we covered them with new off white sheets and we were done.

The next day we arrived a couple of hours early. This allowed us to finish our set up and gave us some time to walk around and purchase anything needed from the other vendor's. I found some beautiful blue lace agate, we can never get enough of it, and Renita located several items she just had to have.

The crowd seemed larger than last year, it was raining outside, and as the day wore on we had steady sales, about the same as last year. We didn’t sell any jade as it takes a sophisticated buyer, one who understands the rarity of our highest quality Wyoming nephrite jade.

Tired we returned home where Pam and Roy had already purchased dinner. Takeout pizza is always a treat for us as the nearest takeout place, where we live in Wyoming, is about twenty miles away, (so we usually don’t have pizza during the summer). Pam and Roy are also rock hounds and we shared stories of the day’s events.

Sunday morning usually starts slow and this year was no exception. Still it gave us time to purchase more items from other vendor's. This show is not just about selling as it provides us with the opportunity to purchase rock rough and tools without having to pay shipping charges.

Sales were slow until two of our best fans showed up! I had made an order for a Tiffany stone ring and had lost the lady’s address. Having finished the ring, I showed it to her and it was a perfect fit! Purchasing it and other pieces made our day.

As the afternoon wore on three jade buyers showed up and after demonstrating and discussing the history and quality of our jade they purchased two of our highest quality pieces. (In the Olympics, held in China the Chinese government decided to showcase nephrite jade, now over nine hundred tons of British Columbia jade are imported each year).

It’s always a confirmation of our work when we sell our rarest one of a kind cabochons and jewelry. This show was no exception and we look forward to returning to Wyoming for our summer show schedule. There we also concentrate on juried shows as they draw people searching for the best, not cheap imported and mass produced items. Clear skies

ps the display cases  pictured were made by other club members

Spanish Mackerel, Take Two

Renita’s sister and brother in law, (Pam and Roy), arrived and I couldn’t wait to take Roy fishing. I knew he had never caught a Spanish mackerel and so we bought a quart of shrimp and headed to the south jetty.

Arriving at the Port Aransas jetty people were already lined up along the Gulf side. Finding an empty space, we baited up our rigs and cast out into the feeding fish. The swells were large and we both broke off several rigs before I finally saw my bobber disappear! I set the hook as a mackerel ran with the bait and fighting it, I managed to land it. Next it was Roy’s turn.

I looked over to watch him fight his fish, as another hit mine. We had a double! The fishing changed as the fish seemed to become even more active and then I got bit off,(I had forgotten to bring my steel leaders). Finding several leaders in my tackle box, I caught two more before a fish hit the shiny new sinker and bit through my twenty-pound test fire line.

Running out of bait I put on a jig tipped with a coccoho plastic body and got slammed as a fish hit on the first cast. Now I had added two spit shot on and those also drew the fish’s attention. As I fought in another fish, one bit through my line right between the two split shot! Good grief!

I never did land anymore fish but what a blast as fish after fish ripped the plastic jigs apart! The fish were in a feeding frenzy and it reminded me of the wild time I had fishing on Grand Isle. That time my brother in law Gary had taken me red fishing and we had caught thirty-four inch average reds on every cast( one of the best fishing trips of my life).

We ended up landing seven Spanish mackerel. Our friends down the way had landed an additional thirteen, before they ran out of bait. It had been a blast, fishing the Spanish mackerel frenzy and I look forward to fishing it again. Next time I will bring more steel leaders!