Low Tide Bottom Viewing

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 11, 2024

We had a great start of the day with very low tides this morning. It was a great time to study the bottom contours to determine the best areas to fish from the pier.

Along with knowing the location of low and high points in the bottom it is important to also know where there is vegetation. The vegetation can be giving parts of the food chain a place to hide or a reason to gather in a certain area and that is also a good location to be very aware of for finding fish to eat.

It is all part of being a successful fisherman.

As we were coming off the Market Street pier we managed to meet Eric a very personable fellow and we talked fishing until a bit after dark.

ERIC

We plan to meet up again tomorrow for more fun fishing and touring the area. That should be lots more fun.

Cold Wind Today

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 10, 2024

The day was brisk from the start and damp windy. But we ventured out to the beach area just to check out what was going on. NOTHING was going on. Not even fresh foot prints near the water were showing up.

The north wind was vicious and very strong most of the day so we went to the only protected place we know for some fishing. The spot is right south behind a two story building. It was doable for about a half hour of casting practice until we had to give up and get warm in Sierra. Here is a picture from the little finger pier we fished from.

Since nothing seemed to be happening we headed home and just before we turned into the campground this sky event happened. It was spectacular.

And that was our exciting day here in Rockport Texas. Good night.

Beautiful Weather Today

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 9, 2024

Today was a very busy day yet a bit special with the great weather that we had starting around noon.

The OFM started the day with Christmas present wrapping for folks back in Alabama. The wrapping went well except for getting a picture of the excellent results. They went into the shipping system and are on the way to the Grand kids and family. We will shorten the misadventures a bit and just say we did get three pair of Wrangler long pants to replace the last two pair of wade fishing pants the OFM has been wearing for a few years.

While we were at Walmart the OFM picked up two new lures guaranteed to catch fish if the fish bite them. Naturally we had to try the lures out and caught nothing.

However we did get to get a few nice pictures since the weather got really beautiful around noon time with warm sunshine and gentle winds.

This next pic was taken of a sailboat approaching the harbor entrance from the open bay. That blue sky and water is great to see finally.

This next scene is inside the harbor where we frequently catch nice spotted weakfish to eat. It struck me as a nice scene so here it is in all its glory.

It stayed a busy day with visiting friends, making new friends while fishing and NOT catching fish, But we enjoyed the great weather.

Tonight we finish the blog entry with a sunset picture we shot over the ski basin and thought it was pretty nice,

Good Night.

Backside Of The Castle

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 8, 2024

Today was the start of Christmas tasks to be done and we went at it with vigor. All of the present wrapping for Christmas has been done and we are excited for that. Tomorrow we plan to get on down to the shipping place and get them all into the pipeline to the recipients of the presents. It is nice to have that finished.

For some reason the OFM snapped a pic of the Castle from the back today and here it is. Just another view of the campsite to ooh and aww over.

The OFM did take a quick trip by the area of the music and crowds last night and all of the stuff is gone today. The wind was a bit strong but nobody was left meandering. So you can see it was not a big day today. Nobody was out fishing or playing on the beach. Whataburger had only a few customers at lunch so we got in and out quickly. We got the last little bit of Christmas mess done about 2000 pm tonight. So now we are relaxing writing a blog entry for fun and loss. Good night.

Cold Day

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 7, 2024

This morning the chilled wet wind made things here not fun, but we took a nice walk at the Rockport Memorial Park but shivered all along the walk. It will be less wind tomorrow supposedly and we hope for better chances for photos.

Over at the beach park the place was crawling with hundreds of folks out to participate in what ever it was about. Once again the wet cold wind made it pretty miserable in the OFM opinion.

Then after dark for an hour or so a live band performed and since we are only a couple of miles away we got to hear the music inside our home here at the campground. It was actually kinda nice in our opinion. And definitely a relaxing day.

Big Party Coming

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 6, 2024

This morning the OFM noticed a storm out out in the far bay so we decided to meander around a bit and see what developed. The dark clouds intensified and the clouds moved from the shore waters back into the dark clouds area. That gave us this nice pretty bright white area near shore.

From that point we waited a few minutes for things to develop into something exciting. Nothing seemed to be happening so we eventually moved on into the Beach Park. The storm clouds were gone when we came back into the area later.

As we moved into the Beach Park we noticed LOTS if new decorations being installed all over the place. We finally stopped and took a picture of a partially finished scene.

There was already a fireworks show being set up for the events whenever they were supposed to happen. Lots of the decorations looked like professional businesses had produced them, not local folks. After meandering where they would let us go we moved on out to leave.

But we got a surprise about a half mile back to the entrance. Two vehicles were un packing kites and balloons to fly today. This one monster was the first one we saw air born and it was a sight to see for sure, especially this close to the roadway.

Now all we need is to find out when the event will be so we can join the fun.

In the meantime we plan on trying to have tooooo much fun. Good night.

 

Christmas Shopping

 ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 5, 2024

Home Work Today

Today was a shopping and fixing day. Our first chore was to find printer ink for our printer. So at Walmart we found the model printer ink module we needed but Walmart did not carry it. So we went on to other items to find. Lo and behold it was another item Walmart did not carry. Well that settles that for here so it was grocery buying day and Walmart actually had all the items we needed for filling our kitchen cabinets and refrigerator with food. After unloading the food and putting it away it was lunch time and the chicken sandwich from Whataburger was pretty good.

Next we stopped at a friends location and spent over two hours visiting with them. It was a very nice time.

Back at the Castle we gave part of the Castle a light washing using a soft brush and the light rain. A lot of dirt came away from the rig but there is a lot of grime still there. If we washed the Castle with a good bath, the campground would have to rent a bulldozer to get the lot level again from all the new dirt piles.

My OFM's new friend Joe with the van we toured yesterday, headed on to Houston today to visit in that area for a few days before heading out to new adventures boondocking eastward.

And that is about all the excitement we have for now. Right now the travel plan is to roll out a couple of days after Christmas heading west to the Rio Grande River for a month or so. We have not been there in about three years we think and it is time to roam some more. Good night.

Dreaming

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 4, 2024

The OFM declared himself well this morning before even getting going very well. Mostly we paid bills and just goofed around the rig being careful. The OFM got the last repairs to Sierra paid in full today so the new tranny is finished and clears the checkbook. That was really expensive. But it is behind us now. Just so you will know the tranny repair with motor mounts and new bushings hit us for $6000. Still a lot less than a new truck. The three year or 100000 mile full warranty should get us to the next vehicle We hope.

Speaking of new vehicles, today we finally saw a small 24 foot motor home that seemed to fit our thoughts. The owner and the OFM hit it off really well and we got all the good info on it.

The unit is exactly like the OFM would have lay-ed out the interior. Joe, the owner, has put 80000 miles on it now and runs the country just like the OFM does. What a find to see this is. And the itch to own is even worse than I already had. And to make it worse Joe is a big time boondocker.

So there we have it, bills paid, new dream home in our head and the kpen road calling again. We wonder what will be next hee hee. 

Rockport City Park Improvements

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 3, 2024

The OFM is about 90% well today and hopeful tomorrow will be full recovery day. This morning we got in a full 1.5 mile fast walk and the OFM could tell he had been missing important walks for a couple of weeks. We have GOT to get back on the walking schedule or it is going to be miserable really soon.

On the walk at the city park today we found a new sign explaining things that are being done at the City Park with the natural area and ponds to attempt to have better results with the natural areas.

They are trying different things to help the area do better. The goal is to get good things doing better for the more natural plants and critters. So far it seems they are doing a decent job of the effort.

They are doing a good job of getting folks to come to the park for outdoor fun with their families of all ages. The off leash fenced dog parks are definitely a big hit with the dogs nad dog owners. The OFM is glad this park is being developed in the style it is being developed.

Pelicans Lead The Way

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 2, 2024

The OFM is back but still recovering. The bitter cold this morning took some dressing for it. It was 63F when the OFM stepped out into the 20 mph wet winds and he went back inside for more clothing. Once he was properly attired for the conditions we got busy doing things.

Our first picture was of some of the white pelicans waiting for their food fish to come up into the shallows to be breakfast. White pelicans do a good job of showing us where the bait fish are so we can fish the correct area. We saw a few fish caught today but it was a slow chilly day.

The OFM is still in recovery mode but is a lot better than last night and the very high fever.

So we estimate we should be about well by tomorrow night.

In the afternoon with the right clothing on, we dropped by the Rockport Harbor pier to check out that area. We had one nice hit and run bite that dropped the lure before the hook could be set. The way it acted we figure it was a small speckled trout.

Then to close out the miserable cold damp day the sky got screaming beautiful.

We can really enjoy getting these great skies for awhile.

A small slip on some wet jetty rocks left the OFM with a slightly painful left shoulder joint. He plans to be a lot more careful until he gets his billy goat abilities back again.

That's about it for tonight. Please sleep well and have fun tomorrow.

Yesterdays Blog

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 1, 2024

The OFM is back but is not well. But we have some story from yesterday.

The OFM is such a notorious person in Rockport Tx. that lots of folks remember him from one year to the next. Hillbilly was fishing and the OFM happened to walk by and recognized that he has met that fisherman in the past. Hillbilly recognized the OFM immediately and the discussion went on for an hour or more. He is an interesting fellow for sure. If you get a chance to visit him it will be a memorable time.

Our neighbor in the campground and his kids decorate his truck for Christmas.

It is a neat vehicle to see running around town. If you get a chance he is another nice visit waiting to happen.

Some folks seem to feel sorry for the OFM since he is stuck with shore and pier fishing. The OFM did many decades of boat based fishing during his life. However he still catches plenty of fish to fill his wants and does not have the expense of a boat rig. Here is one of his more productive spots at the Rockport harbor. We guarantee that fishing from shore can be very productive. Those pelicans in the picture are not skinny.

.

Now on to the subject of camping. The Rockport beach park opens early in the morning and closes about midnight. Overnight camping is not allowed. However there are folks that enjoy camping free during the day here and then in the evening leave the park and overnight camp at the free spots like store parking lots.

The OFM high fever has abated for the most part but he is still feeling lousy. Every one have a great day.

Sick

 ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

December 1, 2024

  The OFM will be back when he gets well. Right now high fever and not functioning well. See you when I get well.  Good night.

Big Black Drum

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

The morning started slowly and much piddling around went on. Then the OFM gave up on house work and went to the public park at Little Bay to fish or fool around. It turned out to be a wonderful day.

While there we got to help two kids learn about fishing and fishing gear. The OFM spent a couple of hours teaching fishing rod handling to a young girl and her older brother. Both of them were quick learners and soon were doing well.

We were fishing along the boat channel out into the bay and the children were quickly learning about rod handling. But they wanted to catch a fish. As you can see the boy got lucky on that issue. The girl was quickly learning some of the techniques of casting and doing really well at it, But her brother happened to put his shrimp in front of a black drum near the bulkhead and the fight was on.

We got lucky in that a very nice young man (21yo.) was nearby and came over to help when the fight began. The OFM was not able to do the needed quick responses needed to land the fish under slippery conditions. The nice young man stepped in helped the boy with the fight and land the black drum.

Then came all kinds of picture taking and hi fives etc. It was a wonderful time. Finally a good shot of size comparisons was made.

The young fisherman was really impressed with the catch especially since it was first big fish to catch. We think everyone went home smiling. Yes the fish went back into the water to fight again on another day.

For the OFM it was a wonderful day of helping two children learn the fun of the outdoors and fishing. Good Night.

YO HO HO MATEYS

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT BEACH, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

It was a bit nasty and definitely cold for this area today. Not many folks were roaming around. The lack of precipitation led the OFM to do a bit of picture taking of a part of the Rockport Beach facilities near the far end of the facilities entrance. Along the the road we got a nice picture of the kids climbing structure shaped like a pirate ship. It gets a lot of use usually but not on this nasty day.

Across the street from the pirate ship is the boat launch and launch parking area. This fellow as getting ready to launch from the appearance of his equipment. It is a very good ramp and located well for the area water access.

Near the far end of the park is a pair of gazebo shaped buildings with other facilities for folks to have events. One of the buildings has an enclosed glass wall room with AC and Heat for renting for events. The other side has the restrooms for this end of the park and some maintenance rooms at ground level. The second level is a big covered patio type of deck.

This patio area can be rented to have private events up there. However the rest of the time it is open to fools like the OFM. He has spent many nice periods with his art things trying to sketch worth while scenes from up there.

On the backside of this part of the building is a ramp for wheelchairs to make it up to the two public areas.

The OFM uses the ramp for going up and down making laps to build his leg strength for his western escapades in stupidity. He found out last year jogging up it is no longer in his ability. But it is really worth while for his general aerobic health just walking up and down it.

On the way to the exit we noticed that the cloud cover we had most of the day was finally starting to break up and that is a big YIPPPEEE.

That is it for tonight but we think tomorrow may be a nice day again. Good Night.

New Full Timers Learning How

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 28, 2024

Good grief what a nice day this was. Lisa and Dave got to our meeting location for lunch and

we jumped right into full time Rving conversation. It was amazing all the information they were absorbing. Many questions filled the air and most were answered. We started about noon and quit around 5pm. They are a nice couple and seem to be candidates for a few years of full timing in their new motorhome.

The OFM went over with them to view the new motorhome they have purchased and the OFM thought they purchased an appropriate unit for their future travels. It seemed that they had a decent plan for when they quit work and start full timing worked up. In the mean time they plan to do some shorter trips to get used to the concepts needed, Good Luck to you Dave and Lisa. 

Cleaning The Inside

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Today was household chores day. Yep even the OFM has to do laundry now and then. We are located near the campground laundry building which is very nice. So in went the laundry and money and we walked right back to the vacuum cleaner and got to work. It had been way to long since the last vacuuming and it took a bit longer than normal to get the job done.

The plan worked out well and the laundry was ready for the dryer when the vacuuming was finished. So the dryer was put to work and the OFM finished the little nitty gritty chores while waiting for the dryer to finish. Then lickity split the clothing was folded and put away in the cabinets and closet. And that part of the cleaning was finished. Now we can relax for a bit before the next cleaning effort.

Tomorrow should be a fun day since we are going to meet with a new RVer to help them get started with enjoying their new motorhome. Sleep well every one.

Crooked Trees

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

After a bit of thinking about it we decided to show off the Rockport city park and some of its great features in tonight's blog entry. The OFM is not up to walking three miles yet but we messed around in the park for a couple of miles in the early day. Some of his leg and hip joints are a being grouchy but we will work it out of them.

This is where we and most folks normally start the walking trail right by one of the rest rooms and drinking fountain. There is another set of facilities at roughly the halfway point of the 1.5 mile loop inside the park. Here is the start of the trail.

Just a few feet along the trail is a large kids play area with all sorts of stuff for kidding around with lots of gleeful noise.

The OFM finds all the highly twisted and mangled and tortured tree limbs and trunks interesting to see. This is a hurricane comes inland area around here fairly too frequently but it does leave a lot of decorative oak trees to view. The leaves growing and falling off can cause the tree to look a lot different depending on the leaf patterns and colors.

Twisted oak goes here

The whole trail is 1.5 miles around the outside loop and paved with asphalt. Several cut across trails also let you choose to make the walking distance be whatever you choose. We really enjoy it there for walking.

Naturally if you get in some good walking your appetite will appreciate good food later.

Tonight we had flour tortillas with BBQ sauce drizzled on them. Then several pieces of thin sliced chicken meat laid on them. And finally chopped romaine lettuce, carrots and red cabbage added. Roll the tortilla and really enjoy with good root beer. Yummy yummy great for my tummy.

After a nice day like today we are looking forward to a great nights sleep. Nite nite.

Fishing Time Finally

 

ADVENTURE LOCATION:

ROCKPORT, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Well we got a good start this morning on the fishing locations check out. We picked up SFD (Super Fisherman Don) and headed for breakfast. Breakfast was good but a bit spicy for the OFM.

From there we hit up the fishing locations here in town to check them out.

The first location at the end of Market St. was a bust and we soon moved on.

The next location was the pier near the end of the road inside the Rockport Beach Park. When we parked at the pier a fellow was just leaving with a nice eating size trout.

SFD went and talked with him for a minute to see how things were out on the pier fishing wise. Then we both moved on out onto the pier.

Along the way the OFM noticed that the beach erosion was getting worse near the pier. The wooden arch in the next picture used to be a stairway over the sand dunes to get to the beach. As you can see now the dunes are gone and the waves wash well on inland farther than they did in the near history of the area.

On along the pier SFD and the OFM worked the water looking for fish to catch. When we reached the end of the pier the fishing was not really great but two speckled trout were caught. One was too short to be legal. The other was legal and here is a picture of SFD holding the trout that went home with him.

Shortly later the heat was building so we went on home to do other fun things.

The OFM started on cleaning the Castle from the trip down here but there is plenty to do yet.

So we will be inside cleaning or napping in the heat of the day and outside playing in the cooler part of the day. Yep this is a good place for kicking back as the saying goes.