Peaceful start to the day...

We decided a boat outing this morning would be a good way to start our day.  I got the boat ready, Joan made a mug of coffee for her (ice water for me), and we shoved off.

A great blue heron at the edge of the canal on the way out...

A beautiful morning - the temperature was 81º, partly cloudy, not too humid, and light wind.  No particular plan, other than going into South Bay.  Along the way, the bait shrimpers were all at work...

Yes, that is a dolphin right behind that boat.  ^^  And scads of birds...

Turning into the Brownsville Ship Channel, there was a Coast Guard cutter coming in...

We enjoyed our unhurried trek east in the ship channel...

At the opening to South Bay, we turned south.  This bay is shallow, but broad.  There are no navigation markers once you are out of the ship channel.  Well, these pvc pipes pass for a nav-aid...

At the southern end of the bay is the SpaceX facility...

It was a delight just slowly motoring along.  A look at the GPS here...

If it needs explanation: we are in 3.4' of water, going 2.4 knots, and the water temperature is 81.7º.  The depth go as low as 1.9' before I turned us around.  The photo above was after that turn-around, while heading NNW (335º).

Joan lamented that she didn't bring a book - "This is so relaxing."

Back to the ship channel, and a passing Gulf shrimper...

A passing dolphin and a pelican on a daymark...

Just before turning into the Port Isabel Channel, we came across George and Scarlet (Dolphin Whisper) Colley.  It was nice to see them out on their newest boat with just the two of them onboard; they have operated dolphin watch trips here for many years.

We headed for home.  If we needed stress free - this was it.  No dolphin extravaganza.  No having to dodge fishing boats.  We spent some time watching one of the bait shrimpers do their work.  Just a lovely morning.

Back at home, I cleaned up the boat, then the three of us sat out on the deck for a while.  I didn't take a photo of Rufus this morning, but here's one from the last bit of sunlight coming in yesterday...

Always nice to finish up with with some Rufus content.  :-)

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Afternoon update:

I still participate on the NuWa Owners Forum.  They have a "clean joke" thread.  One of the things posted on that thread today was:

"How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?"


My response:

Regarding #12: Not to be political, but I think this would be a great way to pick a President.  Let them parade around in formal attire, a swimsuit, and show off a talent.  Then, after narrowing them down to the "Top 10," ask each a politically charged question.  Since this is arguably more important than Miss America, instead of a panel of judges, have America vote via internet.  Award a 3rd, 2nd, and 1st runner-up, with the understanding that if the winner is unable to complete their duties, or judged to be inept by the public at some point in the future, we start working our way through the also-rans.  The winner gets to carry the Presidential Seal while taking their walk on the runway and waving to the crowd.  Regis Philbin can sing, "There he is, Mister or Ms President..."  After the walk, the other candidates get to hug the winner while confetti rains down... and the credits roll.

No down side that I can see.  The whole election process is done in 3 hours (instead of the years of each election cycle).  Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor Company, and El Pollo Loco can sponsor it - we wouldn't have to slog through months of political ads.  Based on the fact that more people vote for a contestant on The Voice than in our general election, voter turnout should be good.