Passing Time on The Gulf Coast of Texas

February 1 – March 14, 2021 Our time here in Port Aransas has drawn to a close. It’s been a very different winter season this year, with activities canceled here and around town, things have been much quieter. 

Dave has enjoyed fishing as much as possible, cold and windy weather has made for fewer fishing days than in years past. 

Beautiful sunrises. 

Sunsets weren't too bad either. 

On the subject of cold weather, we had no issues when Texas decided to have its lowest recorded temps in 100+ years. Being from the northeast we took the predictions of real cold temps seriously, we prepped accordingly. We made sure all of our propane tanks were full, giving us 100 pounds of propane. We filled our fresh water tank and emptied our black and grey tanks. We stocked up a little on some food items. In the end, we went 60+ hours without electricity, our water was out for a couple of days longer. Thank goodness for boondocking skills. The only issue we had was our gasoline can wasn’t big enough so we started running low on generator fuel. Dave ended up siphoning fuel out of a friend’s golf cart then the office opened up the park's fuel cube-used to fill the maintenance golf carts-for anyone who needed gasoline. Our temps here on the Gulf Coast bottomed out at 19 but the winds made the feel like temps much lower. 

Dave siphoning gas, hope the neighbors don't catch him

Many had to use their trucks to charge their RV batteries

                                                                                                             

                                        

                                            Right after the freeze, these plants have since died.

                                         

                                         

 

The fish in our park's ponds didn't survive the cold.
The hardheads (catfish) in the Gulf
didn't fare well either.

                                                                                 

During all of this, a retired veterinarian friend of ours put out a plea for lubrication and eye gel. The local wildlife rehabilitation center needed these supplies for all the cold-stunned sea turtles they were helping. We headed to our local grocery store and bought supplies for them, you do get strange looks when you're checking out with all kinds of personal lubrication. Later on, that day people from The Ark- Amos Rehabilitation Keep-was having a fundraiser, they were selling shirts to raise money for the turtles.

#lubeaturtle

Our plants took a major hit on our lot and around the park, while our palm trees made it we think everything else is dead. We’ve cut back our hibiscus and oleanders with hopes they may come back. We’ll be back here for a short time in November and reassess what needs to be done. 

Below one of our hibiscus after the freeze, they have since lost all their

 leaves and we've cut them back to the ground.

                                            

Our friend Pat's family came for a visit, he and Dave had fun fishing and beaching with the kids. 

Beaches and birds.

We’ve been able to enjoy, besides happy hours, a few meals with our bubble of friends. We’ve also enjoyed our weekly lunches with our friends Linda and Patrick, got to help out the local restaurants so they’ll be here when we get back. 

DuWayne and Jackie where many of our gatherings were held

The guys-Dave, Chuck, Pat, DuWayne,
Denny, Dick & Jay

The ladies-Faye, Sally,
Judy, Jackie, Kathy & Joyce

Our weekly lunch partners: Linda & Patrick

 

Fresh shrimp for the freezer
Can't beat the local fresh seafood

                                        
Early March found hitch itch set in, we are ready to hit the road. Tomorrow it's jacks up and we'll be off to Brazos Bend State Park, as we start our leisurely trek to IL. 

Until next time…