Back on the road for a quick two week jaunt through east and south Texas. I was taken aback to see that it has been six months since I last posted. It seems that I have let other things distract me from exploring an amazing country. When I started this journey in October 2021 I said, “Perhaps a change of scenery will bring a new point of view. And with time, new views may bring a new perspective? TBD.” Time to get back at it.
I’m not sure “Mamma Tried”, will mean much to most people. Janelle loved Merle Haggard. This is a short, sad, outlaw country song. There have been several signs that J approves of the travel. Each one draws a sad smile. But a smile.
I landed in Houston (check that one off), and headed for the first planned stop, Matagorda. The plan didn’t survive first contact. Matagorda is beach houses and a state park. A state park that was closed for paving. I did get a late lunch at Snapper’s, under a tent on the side of the road.
A quick look at the map and an hour or so down the road got me to Port Lavaca. At least there was a hotel. And a place to get some dinner. And a Fresca.
Headed towards Corpus Christi in the morning. Planning on a few nights there. In transit I passed a turn-off for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Stopped on a whim, backed up, headed for the refuge with low expectations but moderate curiosity. So glad I did.
The refuge was almost empty of people. When I checked in, the ranger asked if I brought my binoculars. At which point I confessed that they were sitting at home where they had been meant to be packed (I am finding that I am out of travel practice). The ranger reached under the counter and pulled out a small backpack equipped with binoculars, bird book, bird sighting checklist, and magnifying loupes for insects. Free loaner. And proceeded to tell me, in detail, what birds had been seen, and where, over the past 24 hours. So friendly.
The refuge is the wintering home of the last wild flock of Whooping Cranes in the world. I almost missed them – most have already headed north. But I did get to see one, along with Great Blue Heron, Egrets, Ibis, Spoonbills, and J’s Cardinals.
And I got great info on pollinator gardens, a current interest. There were more books on pollinator and bird attractive gardens in the bookstore than I have seen anywhere else. In a bit of serendipity, all of the Aransas t-shirts were printed by Liberty Graphics in Maine.
Once I got to Corpus Christi, I tried to employ J’s technique for dining/drinking options. I started at Nueces Brewing for another late lunch and asked the bartender where they went for dinner or drinks. That brought me to the Oyster Bar for Happy Hour and bivalves, to Dokyo Dauntaun for a later Happy Hour and shrimp ceviche, finishing at Executive Surf Club for live music.
That’s all for now. More on Corpus Christi and follow-on sights soon.
The Journey 