Friends from up north...

Another beautiful day in the Tropical Tip.  We got a few things done around the house today, and this afternoon, got to visit with our sailing friends, Steve and Jan (from the Black Hills).  We haven't seen each other in a few years, but you know it's a great friendship when you can just pick up like no time has passed.

The afternoon got away from us while we visited.  We continued the conversation when we went out for supper, then a drive around South Padre Island.

Great to see our friends again!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Much to be thankful for.

I got up this morning, opened the blinds on the windows and door that face the deck... the sun is shining and... almost no breeze!  This norther lasted 5 days, way longer than typical around here.  It was 3 days with no sunshine, but the cold wind didn't let up when the sun reappeared.  Getting out and about yesterday, we were still wearing coats.

A chilly start to the day this morning, 46º, but it should be upper 60s by afternoon.  That's still 10º or so below our normal temps for this time of year, but a nice break from the last 5 days.

The house smells good this morning.  Joan hasn't started on the turkey, yet, but she has fresh cinnamon rolls in the oven.  Just the two of us (and an incredibly sweet kitty), so she is planning meals the way we like: big meal at mid-day, turkey sandwiches in the evening.

It is great to look outside and see the birds soaring up and down over the canal.  With the strong winds, they hunkered down, too.

Time for the parade to start - Happy Thanksgiving!

Annie was right...

The sun did come out tomorrow!

The cure for cabin fever: get out!  We did that yesterday; still chilly, still windy, but the sun was shining.  I expected huge crowds, but it wasn't bad.  Sam's, Target, Wal-Mart - all reasonable.  I guess a lot of folks are waiting for the next few days.  OK, Harbor Freight was busy, as always - I picked up some buffer pads.  Joan checked off her list in Home Depot, with a new porch light fixture that I will be installing.

A little drive up the expressway, and a stop at Bass Pro Shop.  They have their "Winter Wonderland" set up with toys... plenty of big-kid toys in there, too.  This "riding game" carousel made me chuckle...

Why ride a painted pony, when you can hop on a moose, an elk, or a bear?  Don't try that at Yellowstone, kids!

My Honey must be checking out shiny things for our upcoming anniversary...

Since it is just the two of us for Thanksgiving, I suggested some thick slices of turkey from the deli.  Joan wants to cook a bird, so we opted for a turkey breast.  A small one.  I think this turkey was still in a training bra.  If there's enough for the main meal, and a sandwich each later, I'm good.

Another chilly start to the day this morning: 45º and still a cold wind.  BUT, glorious sunshine...

Looks like one more day of cool temps and wind, but getting back to normal over the next few days...

Hope your Thanksgiving is a delight!  Like many, we each take a turn telling what we are thankful for before we dine.  Much to be thankful for. 

F-f-f-f-f-f-f-forty-six degrees this morning, but...

the sky is mostly blue and the sun is shining!

After 3 days of gray, cold, and windy, it is good to see that bright orb in the sky again.  I don't know how people in the northland do it... months of gray sky.  I need some sunshine, preferably on a daily basis.

The cabin fever has set in - we're taking a trip to the big city; just might get to visit Bass Pro.  Lunch out.  It's going to be chilly and breezy for a couple more days, but I can deal with that now that we have some sunshine again. 

  

This really made me laugh...

Our local weather weasel on the TV channel we watch the most cracked me up this evening.  This early norther has brought unpleasant cold temps, strong north winds, and precip.  No, it is not as bad as the weather folks in the north are dealing with, but it is early and unusual for here.

On the 5:00 news, Robert (the weather weasel) said, "The first 48 hours of this cold front were charming... but this is getting REALLY old!"  Yeah, he said what a lot of us are thinking.

The high today, 47º, is 30º below our average temp for this time of year.  And, unlike many areas, a typical temperature swing from day to night around here is about 10 to 12º.  30º below average is a big deal.  A cloudy start for tomorrow, but we're supposed to see some sunshine by tomorrow afternoon.  Then, sunshine for the next week or so.  We'll see.

It's not even Thanksgiving...

... but the house is all full of good cooking smells!

It's another cold, windy, yucky (technical meteorological term) day - day 3 of this norther.  Yes, I watch national news, I know other parts of the country are WAY worse off.

One of the good side effects of this weather is having a wife who always needs something to do.  She made (home-made) chili for lunch, and is currently working on a chocolate cake.  Not sure if Izzy will beat me to getting to lick the beaters... no, no, chocolate is not good for cats!  I must protect my little furry girl!  Ah, the sacrifices I am willing to make.

I suggested a trip to Bass Pro Shop... you know, just to get out of the house.  "Tomorrow!"  OK, so we have a plan.

;-)

-------------

On edit:  the cake turned out to be mini-cakes... not really cupcakes, but about that size.  Devils food chocolate cake, a creamy middle made from cream cheese, whipped cream, and crushed Oreos, and a chocolate frosting.  And it was still warm!

DAMN!  I love this cold weather!!

50 Shades of...

gray kitties...

With 4 days of "winter" in the Tropical Tip, I'm not the only one feeling a bit of cabin fever.  I went out on the deck to see if everything was still there (the wind is still blowing in the 20s with higher gusts); little Izzy stuck her head out the door.  That was as far as she went.  The cat has good sense.  She looked at me with that quizzical look she gets, "Seriously?  I thought we lived somewhere that the weather is nice?  What's up with this?"

I explained "norther" to her.  She looked out the window and said, "Looks like 50 shades of gray clouds to me."  I guess cats can have a sense of humor.

Izzy is the 3rd feline member of our family.  Smoke was a gray striped cat.  Molly was a gray striped cat.  And little Isabella is... well, kinda gray, beautifully dark gray striped, with mostly blonde under the gray.  Yep, 50 shades of gray kitties.

I optioned to do some work today.  No, Joan didn't have any projects for me... well, we have some projects, but I'm not going outside (except to go to lunch) for any work-related stuff - that wind is brutal.  Today, I worked on proof-reading the manuscript for the next book from RV friends John and Kathy Huggins.  They are full-time RVers who do a weekly podcast, "Living the RV Dream."  I did some proof-reading/editing for their first book, "So, You Want to be a Full-Time RVer?"  This next book is about workamping (working seasonal jobs while you RV).  Here's a link to their site...

http://livingthervdream.com/

Nice work for this cold, blustery day.

Tropical Tip???

Tropical?  Well, it is the tip, but it feels a long ways from tropical today... about 40º colder than this same time yesterday.

I dug to the back of the closet to pull out a winter coat.  The wind is still howling, and it cuts right through you.  I know - no sympathy from those in the frozen northland.  But, you expect winter this time of year in the latitudes north of here.

This morning, one of the weather weasels on TV said, "Don't worry if you have family coming for Thanksgiving - this cold weather will be gone by Tuesday, and you'll be able to show off our usual nice weather."

The first "real" norther of the season.

Big change...

We had some work to do on the RV - the seals around our slide-outs needed to be replaced.  The premise: undo a screw, slide out the old seals, trim the new seals, slide them in place, put the screw back in.

The reality: 4 1/2 hours of fussing with 'em in the heat and humidity.  "Heat?" you say, "It's getting close to Thanksgiving - is it really hot there?"

Thanks for asking, and yes, it got to 89º here today.  But, with the humidity, it only felt like ... well, I have never been in 140º heat, but this is how I would imagine it.  Since you asked, I sweated through two shirts.  There was a cold front predicted to hit this afternoon, so we wanted to get this work done.

Joan helped me get the seals slid into the track, then while I screwed them in place, she scrubbed the edges of the slide-outs... where the previous seals turned to goo... well, perhaps not goo, more like whatever it is they use on those No-Pest Strips.  OK, like used gum you step in on the sidewalk, only 80' long, 'cause that's how long the tracks for the seals are.

While up on the roof of the RV, I resealed some seams - even though it was hotter than the gates of Hell while we worked on the RV, the weather weasels are predicting a big change in the weather.  By 5:00 this afternoon, a nasty cold front is supposed to come in from the north.  They are predicting a lot of wind, heavy rain, occasional thunderstorms, and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s for the next several days.

It was about 2:30 by the time we finished on the 5th wheel... a soak in the jacuzzi tub was necessary, with the temp set not too warm, and the jets aimed at all those aching muscles.  We had skipped lunch while working, the growling of my belly was a reminder that we needed to do something about that.

Early supper at BurgerFi... the sky had turned black on our way there.  While eating, the wind changed direction, started gusting to over 45 mph... followed by torrential rain.  It looked like this...

The visibility was down to about 200 feet, the gutters were filling with rain water.  And more of the same predicted for the next 3 days.

I got a nice surprise in the mail: a guitar t-shirt from a music store in east Texas; they had a drawing on a guitar forum for some t-shirts to promote their store... I was one of those selected...

It says, "Yes, Honey, its another guitar."  Free is my favorite price.  Thanks to Acoustic Pro Musicican in Beaumont.

The temp is down to 63º right now (down 26º from the high today), and headed lower.  We may have to turn on some heat.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

It was 80º at 10:00 this morning as we rolled south towards home.  And for fun, Mother Nature tossed some 20+ mph winds (out of the south, of course) at us.  It drove our mileage below 8 mpg.  Fortunately, the truck and HitchHiker have good road manners, even in gusty wind conditions.

It got to a high of 88º as we drove south.  And humid.

We rolled onto our island shortly after 2:00; dropped the cargo trailer in the parking lot, parked the 5th wheel, then came back for the cargo trailer.  Then, the unloading.  "Only" 82º at home, and not quite as humid, with a sea breeze.  Still sweated it up plenty carting stuff from the 5th wheel to the house.

By 5:00, everything was unloaded and put away.  Someone is going to have to clean the exterior of the HitchHiker, because bugs like to be out when it's in the 80s.  And, apparently, they enjoy splattering themselves on the newly-waxed front cap.

Which bring up the question:

What is the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when it hits the windshield?

Answer: His ass.

I saw a Pizza Hut commercial before we left this morning - and suggested that for supper tonight (the power of advertising).  And on the way to pick up the pizza, this sunset...

Seems to be saying: "Welcome back to the Tropical Tip."  :-)

Love that waterfront...

Corpus Christi is a big city - over 300,000 population.  One of my favorite places in the city is that beautiful waterfront... the city marina with the buildings in the background...

We started our time in Corpus with a run down SPID (South Padre Island Drive).  Joan let me pick where I wanted to eat lunch; my choice: the Schnitz  (aka Weinerschnitzel).  Not fancy, but it makes up for it by being messy.  We did some shopping... more looking than buying, but we enjoyed looking around.

There was a Taylor Road Show here two nights ago... I didn't find out about it until that night!  I have been wanting to take in one of these Road Shows, but we are never close enough.  For those not into guitars, Taylor is a guitar manufacturer; their "Road Show" takes new, unique, and lots of guitars around the country to guitar shops.  You come in, they play some guitar, give away some strings and t-shirts, let you play some guitars... and assume there will be something you just can't go home without.  Good for you, good for Taylor, and good for the guitar shops.  This one was held at a guitar store called Sound Vibrations... I wasn't familiar with that shop, but assumed it had to be a good place if they were putting on a Road Show.  I just wanted to see the place...

The neighborhood looked a bit... um, in transition.  Joan often waits for me in the truck while I go into guitar shops; this time, she said, "I think I'll go in with you."  Once inside, I think she enjoyed it.

This is a real guitar shop: there were guitars hanging on the walls, amps all over the place... a bit cramped feeling, but authentic.  I met my young new best friend, Eric, and he took me into their acoustic room.  He said, "I am a BIG fan of Taylor - you and I will get along fine!"  They had some beautiful examples of Taylor's finest, along with other brands.  Eric told us about his recent visit to the Taylor factory.  He was excited to put some truly fine guitars in my hands... and I didn't mind that one bit.

It was a fun visit.  No, nothing followed me home.  But, when I win the lottery, this will be one of my shopping stops.  I will so come back to this store.

From there, it was a short drive to the waterfront.  Maybe we just aren't here at the right times, but it seems to me that the Corpus Christi waterfront area is underutilized - a nice city run marina, a pretty promenade-type wide sidewalk along the water, a couple seafood restaurants, nearby hotels, stair-step seating on the seawall.

Another day or so, and we'll be back home.

Turkey Vultures...

Not what you'd want to put on the table for Thanksgiving.

Quite a change today - a cold front moved in overnight.  The temp only dropped about 10º or so, but it has clocked around to the northeast and it has a bite to it.  We took the scoots out again, another lap by the water...

That smooth blue water is milky green and lumpy.  The pelicans are hiding out somewhere out of the wind.  These guys are out...

No doubt, from the title of this post, you already guessed: turkey vultures.  With the gusty wind, they didn't have to flap their wings much; impressive birds, both in stature and posture, they look tough.

A little further up the road, a bird sanctuary.  Well, yesterday it was a bird sanctuary; today...

... about half a sanctuary, thanks to the high water.

We rode all around Rockport; off the main drags and through the neighborhoods.  This is a great little town.  Population between 9,000 and 10,000; LOTS of RV parks, bringing winter Texans through the winter months.

We stopped for a late lunch at Los Comales; we did well with a local recommendation for BBQ, and likewise with the Mexican food...

The food was good.  Apparently we looked muy sympatico, since the waitress sat beside Joan and told us about "how high maintenance that last table was..."  I assured her that we would be easy.  Don't mess with people who are handling your food.  (I used to let the guests know that when I was driving the meal cruise trips in the Tetons.)  ;-)

More riding around, then back to the HH...

It's supposed to be rainy tomorrow, so we put the bikes in the trailer; strapped down and ready to hit the road.

Man does not live by bread alone...

... sometimes, he needs some good BBQ.

When we went to clean up today, we had no water.  I went outside to check the utility post... nope, for sure there is no water coming out of there.  Nice thing about an RV: you have your own water tank.  Well, if you have water in there.  When we travel, I make it a point to put about 1/3 of a tank of fresh water onboard; no more than that to keep the weight down, but that amount would give you a day or two... just in case.  We didn't use any water on the way here, so we still had our 1/3.  Showers for everyone!

We stopped at the office on the way out to find out how long we'd be without water... no one at the front desk.  There were two good ol' boys playing pool in the adjacent activity room.  I asked them if they knew why the water was out and how long it might be out.

"Oh, some dumbass backed over a water hookup.  They'll get that fixed right quick."

"Good to know.  I have one more question you might be able to help me with... where do we find the best bar-b-que around here?"

The first guy said, "That would be Mac's, right on Market Street.  You don't want Hatfield's - their bar-b-que is shit."

"Yeah, it's shit," the second guy added, just in case I didn't catch the drift first time around.

"Mac's it is - thanks!"  Because, you know, who wants shit bar-b-que?

We have driven by Mac's quite a few times since we got here, so we drove right to it.  This is what a real Texas BBQ place should be: big hunks of meat, just waiting to get sliced off; all the sides are right out there where you can see 'em.  Two two-meat plates, with two sides each.  Both kinds of music playing on the radio - country and western.  Nothing fancy, but the food was outstanding!  Brisket you can cut with a fork, pork ribs that are oh-so-tender.  A little bit of sauce that the lady behind the counter put on just before handing you your food, not soaking in it.

From there, we drove around a bit again.  A stop at Seaworthy Marine...

Nothing we needed, especially since our boat is so far away.  But, this place has such a good variety of marine stuff - it is fun to just look around.

Back along the coast again; a little foggy, but still beautiful.  As much as I like the Tropical Tip, when asked where people should base themselves to do some Texas coastal boating, I recommend Rockport or Port Aransas.  There is just more to do around here; places that you can cruise to up and down the coast that are reasonably close.  The Tropical Tip sits down there by itself - South Padre Island and Port Isabel are at the southern tip of the US, and there isn't much north of there until you get to Corpus Christi (about 130 nm).  The climate is still Texas coastal, but the climate is what keeps us in the Tropical Tip: it is warmer there in the winter, and generally cooler in the summer.  And the beach.  Yes, there is the beach on Mustang Island by Port Aransas, but we prefer SPI.

Back through town, a little shopping, and settling in for the evening.

They're out to get me!!

No, I don't know who "they" are.  And just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

I asked Joan what she wanted to do today: "We're going to go somewhere on the scooters, aren't we?"  I thought maybe she needed a day off.  Then she added, "I'd like to go do some of those roads we missed by the State Park."

Deal.  I suggested we have a late lunch at the Italian place again, since we are rerunning a previous route.  Plus, I think it's important to check the consistency... yep, different meals, just as good as Friday.  Same waitress.  She told us she checked out the scooters on-line after we visited the other day... "They're a little spendier than I thought they'd be..."

Like most people, she thought they'd be like the prices you see at Pep Boys for the crappy Chinese scooters.

They are open for lunch from 11:00 to 2:00... we were the last ones in before they closed, and had the place to ourselves by the time our food arrived.

After lunch, we headed back along the water to the north.  Even more white pelicans were here...

I left the GoPro and my little point & shoot behind; these photos are with a slightly bulkier EV camera (electronic viewfinder).  Faster zoom, a bit more capable...

After shooting the above photos, a lady asked me, "Are you on those bikes over there?"  I'm thinking the helmet, and the fact that we were the only ones around was a bit of a giveaway. ;-)

"Yep, those are ours.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."  I was expecting the "What kind of mileage, how fast, how much?" that we usually get.

"Are those one gear?  I mean, do you have to shift with those?"

We visited for a bit.  I found out she and her husband ride bikes, but she doesn't like the clutch and shifting, especially in traffic (she was from Houston).  I explained the "automatic transmission" aspect of the CVT.  We talked briefly about other motorcycles.  I think she was more interested after she found out we had been riding motorcycles for more than 40 years, and made the switch to scooters.

Back on the scoots and heading north, this sight caught my eye...

Joan was patiently waiting with the scoots...

Riding north, the first of the "trying to kill me" incidents: there is construction on a new bridge over Copano Bay; the lanes shift at either end of the old bridge... a guy coming off the bridge veered out of his lane, and into my lane... coming right at me!  No idea if he was drunk, stupid, or not paying attention to the road.  Any way, it got MY attention... the brakes on that scooter work really good, hauling me down and allowing me to swerve as close as I could to the cement divider on the right side of my lane.  Pretty sure the maneuver was helped by my ass puckering itself to the seat!  Joan was, thankfully, a ways behind me... I was close enough to see everyone in the car screaming at the driver!

At the other side of the Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Causeway, we turned right, heading towards the water.  There are some fabulous homes along the water... behind big gates.  Lots of homes in amongst the live oak and mesquite trees that grow thick here (they get more rain here than the Tropical Tip).  The narrow two lane roads are fun to explore with the scooters.

At one point, we came to a dead end right behind a guy and his wife on a motorcycle with a sidecar.  I visited with them for a few minutes, getting some more "local knowledge" about roads to cruise.

About an hour before sunset, we went back to the highway to head back.  The second "incident": coming up to speed as we approached the same bridge from the other direction, a wasp clipped the windshield, hit my chest, and bounced up underneath my face shield!  He was wounded from the impact and not happy - I could tell this, since we were looking eye to eye as he crawled across the inside of my face shield.  Thinking the wind would blow him out, I lifted the shield... nope, it blew him onto my cheek, right below my eye!  Fortunately, the wind caught that raised shield and nearly twisted my head off... and that maneuver shook him loose.  Of course, this occurred while in the construction zone with traffic coming at us and no place to pull off.  Other than more ass puckering, I came off much better than the wasp.

We stopped at Wally World to fuel up (100 mpg for me, 102 mpg for Joan) and pick up a few groceries.  Back to the RV at dusk, Joan thought it would be good idea to clean some of the slimy humidity off our bikes and helmets...

No, she didn't clean mine... but she did let me use the soap and water she brought out.

Nice day on the scoots.

Trying to reason...

... with a damn GoPro camera.

Just a heads up for anyone reading this: this post is going to get lengthy.  I know, because I am in the process of editing 140 GoPro images.  I edit and work up images as I go.  There may be swearing.

I have to say, I am not really a fan of the GoPro.  BUT, I have it, the money's been spent, I keep trying to find a decent use for this modern day equivalence of a pin-hole camera.  Today, I decided to put the camera on "take a photo every 10 seconds" and I'll mount it on my helmet... we're going to ride the road right along the water through Rockport and Fulton.  If this works, it will give you an idea of what we see while we're riding... and, it is a beautiful ride.

The first thing you have to do: set the camera to take a photo every 10 seconds.  Easier said than done, since the screen is so damn small you can't read it.  Oh, they try to make it easier by putting the incredibly small type as dark gray on a gray background.  I like to start every session with the GoPro with the obligatory photo up my nose...

Well, this isn't working.  I'll get my phone out, connect to the camera through wifi, and be able to read that screen and set the camera...

Oh yeah, that's a lot better.  I watch it count down through a couple 10 second cycles, just to make sure it's working, then get the helmet on.  Nice view of the sky...

"Joan, can you see if this damn camera is counting down?"

"You're 4 feet away - too far for me to see that little screen."

Welcome to my world.  I turn off the bike and mess with the helmet and camera...

Yeah, it's counting...

Seriously, I intensely dislike this camera.  It's running - let me get my helmet back on...

Are we parked on a hill??  I need to adjust my helmet...

That's a great shot - that will be nice on this year's Christmas card.  OK, let's go.  Oh, look, it's a shot of the street...

That really shows what a neat little town Rockport is - they have streets.  Seriously, Joan, can you see if the camera is counting down?

Aw, it doesn't matter, let's just ride.

Now, we're at the really pretty part...

The view of the water is really beautiful; I hope I'm turning my head enough to get it all in...

For your viewing pleasure, I've edited out 40 or 50 shots that show nothing but road.

Seriously, the water view is really pretty here.  The stupid extreme wide angle is providing a great shot of the road immediately in front of the bike.  You can kinda see the water off to the right.  It's a very pretty bay.  Even on an overcast day like today.  If you could see it.

Joan, does this look level?

Look, it's the marine store!

Maybe I need to turn my head more to see the water... nope, palm trees.

More road...

You can kinda see the water, off to the right...

Yeah, lots more editing.  If you think the above had a "sameness" to it, you should have seen all the images I tossed.  I have to say, the photos don't look like this on GoPro's website.    Seriously, I'm about done with this crap.

Oh, look, you can see the water!

One in a row!  No, wait - two in a row...

Two out of 140 or so... not what I'd call a good "keeper ratio."  Time to pull off...

I just need to turn the camera off.  There, I think it's off.  Nope, that's the sky again...

Oh, I forgot: you can't turn the camera off until you get one last shot up your nose...

I put the GoPro away, and we headed out of town, towards Goose Island.  Lots of fishing camps and some great bike roads...

I should note, from the photo above, I was shooting with my little point & shoot camera - the one with a screen so you can see what you're shooting.  We drove back into Rockport and had lunch at the Poor Man's Country Club.  We could see the tents for Market Days, so that was the next stop...

Lots of booths.  Nothing we needed, but fun to look around.  It sprinkled a bit while we were walking through the booths.  Not enough to get you wet, but the vendors were pulling their wares under cover.

More riding around.  If you live in Corpus, you are probably familiar with this Vietnamese restaurant...

I thought my Louisiana friends would appreciate that.  Something else they might appreciate...

They closed the door on that semi before I could get turned around.  They were loading oysters in huge bags with a forklift.  Louisiana oysters?

Oysters and shrimp, fresh off the boats...

We stopped to check out some winter visitors...

This is what the local pelicans look like...

Look close on the wings on these white pelicans - you can see the black tips on their wings...

It's getting to be the season.  Joan did a little Christmas shopping at the Market Days.  I enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations with the palm trees...

On the way back, this Albin trawler caught my eye...

It's for sale.  It would be an expensive endeavor, getting this thing to the PNW.  Nevermind.

Some more scooting around, then back to the HitchHiker to settle in for the evening.  And waiting for us: sweet little Izzy on her perch by the window...