Lots of boats...

Another beautiful morning in the Tropical Tip. It was dark as I headed out to the ship channel; must be a fishing tournament - about a dozen small fishing boats zoomed by me. Once into the channel, I came across this freighter...


He was followed by this ocean tug...


Heading into the jetties, I caught this shrimp boat with the sunrise...


Out into the Gulf and the sun a bit higher, this workboat made a good silhouette...


The haze turned into a wispy fog as I came back in; here's South Padre Island...


There were sportfishers and excursion boats coming out as I came back in. I followed this small ship into the ship channel...


Back home, a trip into the Valley to pick up a small air conditioner for the boat, and the afternoon getting it set up. Not a bad way to pass the day.

Morning Routine...

It was a hazy morning, but still pretty...



We had a wonderful time while the kids were here (kids? Do you still call 'em that in their 30s?). Definitely the highlight of our time back here this summer. We took them to the airport yesterday and said our good-byes... and started making plans for the next time we'll get together.

Looks like we'll be heading out in a week or so. This morning, I got back into my water routine - out before sunrise. (Didn't do that while we had company.)

Then back home and back to work... let the loading begin!

Out and About

Dolphins, swimming, anchored out, and more dolphins... we had a great time with our daughter and son-in-law on the boat today.

Happy Birthday, America!

We took Steph and Dan (yes, the Captain Jim cartoonist) out on Wild Blue for an on-the-water fireworks show...



It was a relatively short jaunt from our place to a good spot for viewing. We tossed out the anchor in about 5 feet of water, pulled back the bimini, and sat out in the cockpit to watch the show.



The fireworks were launched from a barge out on the water, making it good for viewing from land... and even better from the water. The line of traffic heading onto the island was backed up for miles. Many of the folks in cars were caught on the causeway, not making it onto the island in time for the fireworks display. And then they had to wait to finally get on the island, turn around, and wait in bumper to bumper traffic for another couple hours to get back off the island. LOTS of people. This was being billed as "the biggest fireworks display in Texas"; it lasted 25 minutes and was very impressive.

There were more people anchored out in boats to watch than I've seen before, but it was nothing compared to the land traffic. All the excursion boats had full crowds for the viewing. And for us, it was a short ride home, through the swing bridge, down the canal, and tie off to the dock.

All in all, a great way to celebrate America's birthday!

Let the Games Begin...

What a difference a day makes. Most mornings when I’m out on the water, I see a handful of boats. It’s down right peaceful. Today, it was a zoo - there were little fishing boats everywhere! I must have passed 40 or 50 of them. Most had 4 to 6 people onboard, and not a life jacket in sight. Many were heading into the Gulf... on boats that have a freeboard (the side of the boat that stick up out of the water) of about 6”.

Still, it was another gorgeous morning...

Reflections...

Another sunrise cruise. Here’s what 3 foot waves look like out in the Gulf. They were widely spaced, so very little rockin’ n rollin’.



From the Gulf, I ran up the Laguna and into the Fingers area in Port Isabel, just sight-seeing. On the way back home from there, the water in the Laguna was calm... almost mirror-like. It makes for some pretty reflection images.

Before the Sunrise

This morning I was out earlier; enough so that I left in the dark. Coming out of our canal, I turned east to go through the swing bridge. This route takes me between South Padre Island and Long Island. Before the sun pokes above the horizon, the sky gets light, then you see a bit of color where the sun will soon be.



Then it was back into the Gulf to watch the sun make its appearance.




I bobbed around there for a while, watched a couple big fishing boats go out, then turned back into the jetties.



With the autopilot on and the radio playing, I walked around the boat, shooting photos from the front and back. The photo above is of a line of pelicans soaring east while I was going west.
Back home, Joan got some cinnamon rolls baking while I hosed down the boat and put things away. Another nice start to the day.