Cold front for the work week.

a cold front came in at 7:35am on Monday. we actually seen it..  the temp was 72 and very high humidity, when the cold front came in the wind was blowing from the north, the temp dropped to 55 and the humidity was gone.. 

it was actually a good day to clear some brush..

a self made knot..

Luckily the weather is cool ( 44-55) we made a lot more progress on Tuesday:

we need to widen it a bit.  hope we can get it done on Wed. because as soon as they turn the water on this area will flood and we won't be able to get back in here.

while we took a little rest we seen 6 Javalina's (not close enough to get a picture) and a bobcat!

bushes are still blooming..

we also seen a Gray Hawk (he took off before I could focus the camera).  maybe tomorrow!

Wed: did not see the Gray Hawk but did get a pic of the Harris' Hawk

we think we finished our project of clearing out the low area.. 

we think it looks pretty good, but it is not up to us..  will wait to see what Drew says.

Chacalaca:

A pack of Javalina's

their leader...

great work week and we were able to see a bit of wildlife.. 

MX & SPI

Thursday we went over the border to Mexico.  Looked for a few things and purchased a few things. Beautiful day for a stroll down the street.  They did raise the entrance price to the US side of the bridge from 25 cents to 50 cents!  The Mexican side is still 25 cents.

It will be crazy on Friday.. glad we went on Thursday.

was so hungry that we forgot to take a picture of our delicious lunch.  side order of wonderful guacamole, enchiladas, tamale and taco..  of course there was rice and beans..

Next time we will try the seafood. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday:  South Padre Island!  finally a warm weekend to enjoy the beach..

arrived at about noon, just in time for lunch..

smoked prime rib..

and of course shrimp...

got settled into our hotel..

time for a cocktail..

appetizers on the balcony..

we sat at our hotel bar after dinner listening to Jack and Carla.  Jack is originally from Wisconsin.  He sang songs while Carla ran the computer music.  We had a fun time singing and listening.

Saturday is pretty much the same as Friday..  Shrimp and Oysters for lunch.  beach and pool time and also a visit to the world birding center (right across the street from us).

Tri colored Heron:

a drive up the road..

lots of wind blown sand.. 

dinner at a local shrimp house:  (pretty good but not a repeat)

Eric had the flounder (incredible)

I had the trio shrimp (fried, pecan crusted and coconut) all were yummy

went back for drinks on the beach, no one there but us two..  a little windy but very nice and peaceful, listening to the waves hit the beach. 

Sunday time to wrap up our vacation weekend.  Although it seems like we been on vacation for a month!  Eric reminded me that we spent 6 nights in Dallas/Fort Worth, 5 nights in Palm Springs a very relaxing weekend here then this weekend..  I am not complaining  just saying..

this bench is on our boardwalk to the beach..  too cute..

After an hour walk on the beach we had to pack up for our 75 mile trip back home..  but first we stopped in Port Isabel for a little shopping. 

going across the bridge to and from SPI/Port Isabel

Lunch was at

Eric had fried shrimp..

I had Oysters Rockerfeller..

both were delightful and repeatable..

did stop at the market connected to the restaurant to pick up a pound of boiled shrimp to take back.
had some of it for dinner... really good..  can not get enough good seafood.

time to do laundry and get ready for our work week.. 

cold front to come in tonight.  it was 85 today, tomorrow at least 20 deg cooler and falling!  but we have lots of warm clothes!

first work week.

Our new spot..

Monday we got aquainted with the refuge.  Seen lots of birds, met some old friends, met a few new ones too. Seen a Harris' Hawk getting lunch.  think it was a mouse!  the weather is pretty warm and humid, but no complaints here.. loving it and are so glad to be back in South Texas.


Tuesday: this trail needs grooming..

our first stab at grooming..

we felt the need to water the butterfly garden that we put in last year..

hopefully by Feb we will have lots of flowers and a better picture!

Wednesday: a bit cooler and less humid today. 

Green Jay's and Red Squirrel share a meal.

More Green Jay's are still in the tree waiting their turn.

We picked up garbage today, found a pair of non matching shoes..

we also found a lot of clothes too.

Most of the dead trees are down but there are still a few left for us to take care of..

we had a very good first week of work,  it was like we never left..  it is so beautiful and green. 

Tomorrow we are heading to Mexico for lunch and to get a few items.  This weekend it is suppose to be warm.  We have reservations for South Padre Island for Fri and Sat. 

computer problems etc..

I ran out of space for pictures...  need to continue to figure out my next move.  I have had some issues with getting connected and other internet issues.  maybe time to get a new computer..

If I compress the pictures I can get them to post.  will keep trying to figure this out but for now...

Eric had to back the RV into this tiny spot at the hotel in Grapevine, Tx..

Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of North Texas:

We had a wonderful time in Palm Springs, CA with friends Roberta and John Gaskill and Kathy and John Castro. the weather was so co-operative.. sunny and low 80's for the entire weekend.

Of course we had lots of very good food, tons of laughs and a bunch of hugs and kisses. 

Roberta gave the girls pink watches and bracelets:

Of course we had to visit with Marilyn:

she is still gorgeous and bigger than life..

we went the the Follies:  fabulous show, fun time, very energetic older entertainers.

Went on a Covered Wagon trail ride too!

it was a very hot day, but we all loved the entertainment, food, tour and ambiance.

Sunrise in Palm Springs:

Sunset in Choke Canyon, Three Rivers, Texas.  Our final night on the road before arriving in South Texas!

had a wonderful dinner in Three Rivers.  we actually had to join the club in order to get drinks!  so the next time you are in Three Rivers, stop by our club for a wonderful dinner and a few cocktails!

Arrived in Alamo at about 1:00 pm on Friday November 30th.  It will take us a few days to get the laundry done, clean and get set up for the next few months. 

We had a really wonderful trip down. much more relaxing than the last two years.