Flapping Flags

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-11-2021

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The OFM insisted he was going to do a morning walk in spite of the cold and wind. So it was off to the Beach Park to let the fool (make that FOOL) have a go at a walk. As we pulled into the park the flags gave him a warning.

But he insisted. So it was down to the far end we went. He got all his cold weather stuff put on his body and away we went. BRRRRRR was our only thought. He made some good effort and finally gave up and went onto the pier to check the water level in the bay.

The water was way out from the vegetation line and a seagull was flying the beach checking for food. The cold chill finally convinced the OFM to head back to the Castle and thaw out.

At the Castle we got him to working on a painting and then reading about how to do what he was wanting to do on the Internet. It was a very educational time period. He is learning more about blending the pencil lines. Here is where he is at for now.

There is a big improvement in that flower from earlier today, but we have more work to do on it and the others before we will call it quits on this painting.

Late in the afternoon the OFM did listen to us a bit and we went to the Community Park where the walking path is mostly down in the trees somewhat sheltered from the wind. He made it for one loop and quit. That gave him about 2.5 miles for the day. Even with the strong winds and chill in the air, the painting effort did make it a great day for trying to have tooooo much fun.

Tree on Crutches

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-10-2021

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A quick early morning run to Walmart for some needed food items in the cold damp weather went very well until we got to the door to head across the parking lot to Sierra. It was now COLD RAIN. We got into Sierra without too much wetness and headed home. Here is what the rest of the day was like rain wise.

When we went into Walmart, Sierra was saying the temperature was 55F. By the time we got back to the Castle ( ten minutes) Sierra was reporting 46F. So the front arrived while we were gathering food inside Walmart.

Late in the afternoon the Castle's walls were imploding on the Teams so we went for a ride to the beach park just to get outside. We rode the park road all the way to the end. Along the way the wind started blowing heavily and rocking Sierra like it was a new baby. When we were near the fishing pier we pulled into the flooded parking area and grabbed this picture.

No people were on the beach, play ground, picnic area or fishing pier. Not a surprise considering the cold strong wet wind.

A little farther into the park we saw this cluster of several birds. Seagulls, pigeons, and Black Skimmers were some of the models of birds in the pack. The Black Skimmers usually arrive just about nesting time.

On the way back out we paused at the fish cleaning station. Check out the picture of the station.

Notice that there are no gulls or pelicans waiting. That means that no fish have been brought in and cleaned today. Maybe the weather has something to do with that, ya thunk.

And the OFM finally remembered to grab a picture of the old palm tree in the picnic area. It has seen a lot of years of weather and now has to have crutches to keep on standing.

The rain finally stopped in very late afternoon. But we still found a few ways during the day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Demolished It

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-9-2021

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A chilly damp day it has been for the Teams. The OFM has had a misery with the airborne allergies and the high winds. But one great accomplishment was done. The old computer was demolished with great vigor and the pieces placed violently in the dumpster just before the garbage truck showed up to empty it. It was a good old computer for most of the 14 years we used it.

Nope no pictures tonight. When the OFM went down to walk this afternoon, the cool wet chill was too much for him and his allergies difficulties. So we went to Walmart instead and picked up a couple of things and headed back to the Castle.

At the Castle the OFM got the wild idea it was time for him to draw a flower from scratch and then color it. Four hours later the results from the effort were ripped to shreds and stuffed into the kitchen trash can. There is still a lot of practice needed.

So out came the Cactus coloring book and the OFM spent a nice long time just being peaceful and putting up with allergy drainage. Good progress was made on the coloring book picture. As least the OFM has been learning more about blending and other art things while coloring in the book.

Even though it was a difficult day, getting to learn more new stuff is a wonderful way of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Evening Stroll

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-8-2021

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During the OFM health walk for old folks today we passed by the soon to be in use bird nesting area of the Rockport Beach Park. Apparently the caretakers have been busy grooming the area for the birds and their nests. It showed that grassy areas had been mowed and dead grass mounds were gone. Some of the sand areas had been dragged to smooth them out.

Here is a picture of one of the areas so you can see what a decently ready area looks like. In a few weeks this will be covered with mating birds and soon after baby birds all over the place.

People are asked to stay out of the area during nesting time. Most folks do as they should but there are occasional idiots in the area.

This is also the area where the Christmas decorations are displayed. There is a big loop through the area that had the decorations set up so you could stay in your vehicle to see the decorations. The little shack at the entry had some nice decorations but one of the decorations the OFM thought was a great idea.

A colorful plate wrapped in clear plastic like a hard candy was really cute. If it were real it would be a heck of a mouthful for sure.

We came back in the later evening for a good walk and was charmed by this long married couple out for an evening stroll on the beach. Maybe romance is not dead yet after all.

That certainly looks like a great way to finish a day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Laughing Gulls

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-7-2021

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The wet chilly wind kept the OFM Teams close to home today. By noon things were in better shape for running around. This morning included a short meander around the harbor to see what has been happening while we neglected it. Not a lot.

The little sand “beach” where the fishing pier heads out into the water looked inviting with all its junk laying around. The birds were having fun and convinced the OFM he needed to take the short little hike just for the fun of it. The clambering over the bulkhead even with the handrail to hold him was a bit difficult but he made it over and back over later.

We grabbed this picture right before he made the acrobatic clamber over the bulkhead. Those silly laughing gulls were giggling really loud while watching the OFM put on the “show”.

We soon headed back to the warm Castle to decide what was next. Next turned out to be some more colored pencil work on a painting in progress. It was so much fun, the OFM just kept on keeping on and later in the afternoon it was declared finished.

After a few minutes of considering, we decided that this painting would be framed and hung up in the Castle for the amusement of any visitors that happened by. It is hung on the wall between the “living room” and the “bedroom” for now.

Maybe more paintings will get hung in the Castle in the future. Colored pencil painting is known as the slowest art form on earth. Somehow that seems about the right style for an OFM trying to have tooooo much fun.

Bad Morning Great Day

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-6-2021

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This question popped up a few times during the holidays. How much time does writing the blog take? The answer is a minimum of two hours a day and frequently up to six hours a day. It definitely uses up all of the OFM's “spare” time, which is good since he gets in less trouble that way.

This morning was a not feeling well morning so The Teams had to take it easy. The good part is the OFM got well a bit after lunch and we are all flying high again. Look out seagull here we come.

The good part of the downtime is all the new art stuff had been delivered by yesterday afternoon. So the down time this morning was a time for trying out all the new toys and wonderful toys they turned out to be. About 1300 the Teams headed for our usual Whataburger lunch. As we were leaving the OFM glanced back at the dining table/ desk/work bench and saw this neat picture of our “recovery” efforts.

As it worked out by the time lunch was over the OFM was doing very well. So it was back to Memorial Park in Rockport for a little bit of walking. By the time we got there he was doing well and got in three miles. Yay him. It takes him about an hour and fifteen minutes to do the route.

We did notice that since yesterday morning several white lines had been drawn on the parts of the trail.

It looks like they are planning a bit of trail repair in the near future. It will be appreciated by the OFM Walking Team.

Back at the beach park late in the day we were messing around looking at the water that has returned to the bay. We guess about a foot of water depth is back. That is significant in these very shallow bays.

As we meandered around the park, we noticed the main “beach wedding” location had had some sand grooming as if a wedding is happening in the morning. They set out chairs and other wedding stuff for a memorable wedding.

Since we were at the beach area the OFM messed around trying to get some more good beach scenes and sunset photos. Well it did not work out as well as yesterday but the sunset is still pretty nice we think.

Then we headed for the Castle and stopped at the local BBQ place for a chopped beef sandwich to bring home. Yep it was good and disappeared in about three minutes. Yummity Yum Yum.

When it is all said and done, it was a pretty good day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Dew Catchers

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-5-2021

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The early morning air was just a mite of chill to it so the OFM decided just to shiver a little as he started the three miles at Memorial Park. Sure enough it soon was just right for a tee shirt and a brisk pace on the trail.

The air moisture was heavy and the spider webs were collecting it with vigor. Everywhere we looked there were suspended webs. Some were at grade level and others were way up in the trees above us. So the OFM decided that one easy to photograph would do just fine. This one was about five feet off the path and five feet high in the bushes.

The OFM made the whole three miles but was definitely slowed down from about two and a quarter miles onward. We finished the three miles in a few minutes over one hour, so it was a decent time for an old fat man. By the way on his weigh in last night he was actually back down to the Pre-holidays weight of 197 pounds. The goal is 160 pounds by next Christmas time.

The day was busy but nothing special happened until later afternoon. We went meandering down at the Beach Park just to get outside in the great warm weather and gentle breezes. When we cut over the dunes onto the beach, there were lots of small flowers waiting to greet us. Mostly they were shades of white and the plants were about 14 inches tall.

When we finished that part of the meander, we cut back to the road through the dormant grassy area. To our surprise the grass was already striving to start the spring growing effort. Here is a picture of a sprig of grass busy growing.

But the big trouble turned out to be all the mosquitoes in the grass that had hatched since early this morning's short meander out here. There were no mosquitoes this morning but it was a serious onslaught this afternoon. The OFM got a lot of extra exercise as we passed over the grass to the road.

Even with the mosquitoes we had a great day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Golden Sun

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-4-2021

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The morning got off to a great start with cool temperatures and little breeze. We made it to the Beach Park early to get in some walking. The morning sun was not totally in force yet when this picture was taken.

Before the OFM gave up we got in about 2.5 miles looping around inside the Beach Park. It was very nice this morning. From here we headed out and about to check out some areas for future stays. That proved to be valuable for our information bank to have. Around 1430 the temperature that Sierra reported was 77F. The cool breeze felt very nice on the OFM's skin.

Nothing exciting was happening but lots of pleasant scenery and thoughts.

Late in the afternoon/evening we hit the Beach Park again for more pictures. We got lucky and have more for your enjoyment.

While walking out on the pier we grabbed this picture of the footprints of Robinson Caruso crossing the small island coming back to shore. It is a very pretty golden picture we think.

On down the beach this couple was having a nice romantic walk for their evening enjoyment. The air was still warm and gentle so they surely was enjoying themselves.

To cap the day off the sun turned everything into gold so everyone could have wonderful memories of a day like today of trying to have tooooo much fun.

A Day of Happy

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-3-2021

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Morning came late today and it was after 0700 when the OFM got out of bed but we tried to make up for the laziness with extra effort the rest of the day. We even had to stop taking pictures late in the day due to the camera battery running out of ooomph.

The second effort today was to get some food used up. There was chicken breast, a pork chop and vegetables needing to be made into a meal or four. So it was stoup time. It came out excellent or better and tomorrow we will start getting busy on the eating part of this project.

But today was turning out incredibly beautiful, as you will see, with a high of about 70F and gentle breezes. One of the several things we did was “patrol” the beach park for blog material. The weather had the general population out in great happiness if the few folks the OFM talked to was an indication of the general humor of folks. Here is one of many older couples walking the beach. Kids and their families were in abundance also. Apparently the water was warm enough for lots of them to be playing in the “surf”.

When we got down to the wooden fishing pier, the sun was putting on a magnificent display for everyone. The way the water was reflecting off the waves was really pretty to the OFM. So he took a picture for the blog header.

Even the flowers around the pavilion across the parking lot were anxious to get spring going. Check out the blooms thinking winter was over.

The sunshine was very bright. While meandering among the plantings around the pavilion we noticed how the sunlight was penetrating lots of the plant leaves in the plantings. It was quite a spectacular show of greenery.

Then for a nice end to the park visit, the OFM went upstairs to the open air table he likes to use when doing art outdoors. The view is usually fairly nice and peaceful.

It is actually a favorite spot for him for other times also. Usually he has the whole deck area to himself so he can have a really peaceful rest. This spot today emphasized that the new art supplies that start to arrive tomorrow should be put to use very quickly when they do arrive.

Until we roll out in about three weeks, we have lots left to do for trying to have tooooo much fun.

Goose Island SP Walk

 

Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-2-2021

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This adventure was less than we thought it would be. It was a short walk at Goose Island State Park near Rockport, Texas. It was a nice walk on a nature trail and then around the camping areas. However, is not a great location for lots of adventures while camping. Fishing is the main attraction and the new pier makes it easy to get out to some decent fishing locations.

We started the nature trail and meandered around the trail for about a half hour when we came out the other end. We missed getting a picture of where we started but here is the other end. They are about equal for a starting location.

This is what the style of the trail is like. There were many old twisted live oak trees left from hurricanes ripping the area up in the past. The trees alone made it a decently interesting effort.

Identical signs are posted at each end of the trail to help orient you. Lots of benches were along the trail to keep you rested on this short trail. We know from experience that the camp sites are nearly all decent to use. Bicycling through the park is pleasant. The OFM was first here about 1972 as he recalls. Also Big Tree is only a couple of miles away along the St. Charles Bay shoreline.

We recommend it as a good place to have peaceful and pleasant times when you want some stress relief. Rockport and Fulton with the usual city services are only ten minutes away.

Tonight is the first night on only the new computer and new programs so please bear with us as we work out the kinks in new everything. It is a good thing the OFM likes learning new stuff because this has turned out to be a much bigger effort than we thought it would be. All the programs are new versions and much more complex than the fifteen year old ones we had been using during that time.

No matter the mess the OFM is encountering he is having a good run at having tooooo much fun.

Tule Creek Trail

 Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 1-1-2021

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Another nice walking place in Rockport Tx is the Tule Walking Trail. We parked at the parking lot next to Walmart to start our adventure.

After parking we went up onto the shaded deck to check out the features of the Trail. 

From this parking facility the trail runs two directions so you get to choose a direction. We chose off into the brush and trees.

UPSTREAM VIEW

This is an upstream view of Tule Creek that is the namesake for the Trail. The trail is about 12 feet wide and concrete paved for all of it we walked today. It was a very nice walk

At one point we saw a yellow panther flash out of the grasses and disappear into the brush alongside Tule Creek.  It did not seem to be afraid of us.

A little past the panther the OFM knee decided we were finished, so we headed back. It appears to be part of the network of paths that connect several of the city walking facilities. When you come here be sure to check the map at the parking lot to see how all the different parks interconnect with hike and bike trails.

This would be a great place to attempt trying to have tooooo much fun.

The End For This Year

 Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 12-31-2020

The wet and cold made a major impression on the OFM and Sierra when we went to Walmart first thing this morning. In fact Sierra hated it so badly that it let the wipers stop working during the rain storm.

We wrestled our way back to the Castle to figure out the next move. First we checked the nearest tire and repair shop and they did not do that sort of work. So we went to the shop they recommended, Rockport Auto Clinic, and they could get Sierra in for examination at 1300.  So we left Sierra to the tech and caught a ride home with a friend. 

After several hours of piddling around at the campground, we called and Sierra had a clean bill of health. The tech could not get the wipers to fail like in the rainstorm. So our ride and the OFM went back to the shop and picked Sierra up.  Sure enough everything worked just fine.

By now it was scaring 1800 so the OFM headed to a Mexican food place for chicken tacos. They were open and the tacos were well prepared. And the OFM belly is definitely rounder.

It is nice to have Sierra back home tonight. We cannot say that it was a great day of trying to have tooooo much fun either.  But, at least the OFM got some “move to the new computer system” things done and we are optimistic that we are nearly finished learning the new software and getting our efforts underway using the new much faster new computer.

We think once the OFM learns to drive the new computer he will be able to be trying to have tooooo much at a faster pace.

 

A Swinging Day

 Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 12-29-2020

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WOW another beautiful day, so the OFM put off the change of computes chore for big adventures. Sure enough he ran the area roads until dark today. 100+ pictures were taken and we had to at least segregate them first. After sorting and viewing we split them into groups that sort of went together. There is several blog story entries available from those piles. Tonight we get the short one. 

                     The Big Tree. 

Do a Google search “Texas Big Tree” and check out a couple of the articles about the Big Tree. It has a long history  with Indians, bombardment, kids swinging on it and lots more. Here is a picture of that live oak that has been part of the OFM’s life for over fifty years.

It is at a very non-de-script spot on St. Charles Bay but it is a long time, hundreds of years, land mark inthe Texas and before Texas history. One of the early encounters with it was when the OFM’s three year old son, he is 41 now, was swinging on a lower limb of the tree. That limb is now gone thanks to some idiots that tried to kill the tree. Here is a picture from the information sign of the popularity of the “swinging limbs” in years past.

We took this picture of the back side where the idiots did the damage and you can tell there were some huge old limb coming from that truck back in the old days. We are afraid the weathering will do more damage these days.

This visit the OFM noticed the huge tangle of roots at the base of the tree. Some of those roots are huge. Hopefully all the extra work the locals are doing will keep the Big Tree growing for a few more generations to enjoy.

But there was still another adventure awaiting the OFM at this location. We met a wonderful young couple from the upper Texas panhandle who were here on the coast for their first time. They made the mistake of pausing to say hi to the OFM. About an hour later they finally got to leave with enough new information and where to get more information just about the Texas coast to get them to come back. We could use a lot more decent folks like them in the area.

The action did not let up for the Teams until we went into the Castle at dark. It has been a very intense day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

 

What is it?

 Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 12-28-2020

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A few days ago the OFM Walking Team was meandering the Memorial Park Trails and happened to notice a limb stump where a limb had been removed long ago. There was nothing unusual except there was a hole going back into the tree.

So naturally a good Meanderer had to look inside. But it was too dark in there to see. So the OFM set the camera to flash and took a photo of the inside of the “tree cave”. When we got back to the Castle and brought the picture up on the computer screen we were really surprised to see an object inside the cave that we could not identify.

So now we have a Christmas mystery. What is it? We have no idea but if you do please tell us in a comment.

It was a calmer day today as we meandered along trying to have tooooo much fun.

 

The Day After

 Adventure Location: Rockport, Texas

Adventure Date: 12-27-2020

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It was a great day with warm sunshine to make folks happy to be alive. We forgot to grab the camera several times today and just enjoyed the moment for a change, so no pics tonight except the ones your mind paints from reading this wonderful piece of fantastic literature.

The morning grocery trip ($50) went very well including a few nice folks to talk with about Christmas events locally. The Walmart was in full swing early but the shelves in the grocery section were brimming full of good looking produce. A second trip in the late afternoon happened since the OFM got some hankerings during the day that absolutely had to be satisfied soon.

We had one of them for supper tonight. A Knorr packet with some freshly cooked chicken breast was prepared. Of course some OFM choices of seasoning had to be added, but it was great and too much for him to finish. 

So what does he do but get an idea so good it scared him.  Save the rest of the mix from tonight. Tomorrow grab a can of some type of soup to add to the mix for a luxurious supper meal tomorrow night. That FOOL is a food genius (yea right).

A visit to Cole Mansion (some friends 5th wheel in a nearby campground) proved to be a load of fun and laughter. The OFM left there with a new to him skillet of just the right size for OFM style cooking. WOW he got lucky that time.

Down at the fishing area and  beach park was hordes of really friendly folks, so we got in a lot of visiting and fun story telling and new puppy petting for several hours until the sun was starting to set.

The day was really great and peaceful but also BUSY like crazy. Of course we did not make any progress to swapping everything over to the new computer today but that can wait. We were way too busy having tooooo much fun.