Another Big Fish by Karen

Well Easter Sunday was very dreary. In our hearts and the weather. We were invited to the park managers home, Juan, for a cook out. All of the Park employees and volunteers were invited. It was very nice. Lots of real good mexican food. Our favorite was jalospino (can't spell) stuffed with cream cheese wrapped in bacon then grilled. Folks these are to die for. Afterwards we took a ride on the beach. It was overcast, peaceful and we were the only fouls on the beach.
We took bird pictures and found over 70 Olive shells. We also watched pelicans sitting in the water fishing - gulls would land on them then fly off when they would dive after fish.
Washed and waxed the trailer on Monday and tuesday (getting ready to leave the 31st). Today, wed, we went for a run in the morning, looked for shells. Fooled around at the trailer then decided to go kayaking and fishing. Old "lucky" caught another Big Red, 25 1/2 inches. You need to be on the receiving end of a large fish pulling you around in a kayak. Fun stuff.
Take Care Love Tom and Karen

Still In Texas

Hi Folks. We are still in Texas and still at Mustang State Park. We do like it here, as you can tell. So what has happened since the last post. We met some folks from Canada - we had them over for a fish dinner. They ( Karen & Rob) introduced us to a new wine. Its called "Fat Bastard". Good stuff. Her and Karen went horse back riding on the beach one day. My Karen is still complaining about being stiff. We had Jerry and Ann over for a roast chicken dinner. Then one day we went to their home and I cooked them a venison dinner. Jerry said it was the best deer he has ever eaten. We also took them wading at our best shell place. We found 4 more Horse conchs. Yesterday they took us fishing again. Karen caught the biggest again. A 23 1/2 inch Red. I lost a big trout - catch and release :). This morning while having our coffee I spied our gopher digging a new hole. I took his picture through the door. By the way, its another beautiful day. We ran 6 + miles this morning on the beach. You should try running and picking up shells. I forgot a few things. While fishing a fish jumped into the boat. And while cleaning one of the big conchs a live fish fell out of it. It scared the crap out of me. Thats all for now. We love and miss all of you. Tom & Karen

Another big adventure

Hi Folks. Theres a lot to tell this time. We went to a Oyster Festival in Rockport Tx, Emmm Good. A day or so later we decided to do the Whooping Crane tour again with Jerry and Ann. We saw even more this time. The weather was perfect. The next day Karen and I went Kayaking in Aransas Pass, lighthouse trails. Strictly none motorized vessels, a wildlife viewing area. We saw lots of beautiful birds. We also saw oysters that were spitting. They were partially out of the water and when they filtered water thru them it would squirt into the air. Sort of like dancing fountains. While we were there a huge storm brewed. The storm was to our right and the wind was coming from our left . I thought we were OK. I was wrong. If we had not left when we did we would have got caught in a large boat channel that we had to cross. We "just" made it to shore. I had to stuff the kayaks under the truck. I could not handle them in the wind. Heck I couldn't stand. We found out later that a tornado touched down not far from us. The winds were 68 MPH at our location. And of course our trailer was open...the storm beat us home. We had a wet mess.
We have been finding lots of shells, one was a large horse conch. Then lots of lightning welks. One day we found 6 blow fish while running on the beach.
Today, Karen caught a huge Red Fish...25 inches. I held onto her pants and she held on to the fish. I caught a 22 incher from my kayak. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Love you guys Tom and Karen

Whooping Crane Adventure

On Tuesday we drove to Port Arransas. From there we signed up for a boat tour that took us to see the Whooping Cranes. At one time there were only 16 left on this planet Today there are approximately 500. 266 of them are currently staying at National Wildlife Refuge in Aransas Pass, Outside of Rockport Tx. These birds stand 5 foot tall when they are fll grown. Anyway the boat trip was very nice and we saw lots of birds. We left at 0950 and arrived back at 1500.
Take Care Love Tom and Karen

Fish Story

We finally caught a few fish on Saturday. I got a 23" Red and several keeper Trout. Karen caught a 16" Red, they need to be 20". She caught several legal Trout, 1 was 18"s. (A nice fish).
Jerry took us out on his boat. Nice folks.
Just outside the park a person was murdered and their body was dumped some 20 miles away.
Of course Karen and I bumped into the investigation ( on our way fishing). Crime scene vehicles, police truck with a boat, divers in the water etc.
Right now the wind is howling, 30mph sustained winds. Being in this trailer with that kind of wind is like being on the high seas.
Tomorrow we are going on a boat trip to see the Whooping Cranes off the coast of Rockport. Pictures to follow.
We Love and Miss everyone
Tom and Karen