Padre Island National Seashore--volunteering!

Well, we came back into Corpus Christi today for showers, laundry, and electricity.  The forecast is for temperatures in the mid-30s; I will want to use our space heater tonight!  (Okay, and honestly, after 5 days, we need a shower. SMILES!)  It has been misty, rainy, and cloud-covered every day this last week.  However, we are on a beach and still having fun volunteering, so all is well.  Everyday, Matthew and I walk the beach and collect 3 garbage bags of trash.  It generally takes 2-3 hours depending on the concentration of current-deposited litter.

We've picked up some interesting items:
unbroken incandescent light bulbs (4)
toothbrushes (3)
hardhat (1) No, Matt was not allowed to keep it!
scrub brush (1)
flashlight (1)
plastic mouse (1)
deodorant bottles (3)
can of shoe polish (1)
single flip flops (32)
single water bottles (60 plus)
gallon water bottles (20 plus)
2-liter water bottles (20 plus)
globs of wax (?) I know--what the heck?

Obviously, this isn't all we've picked-up; Matt and I have collected over 12 bags so far…
Oh, and Matt earned an "Adopt a Beach" badge!

The colorful vegetation on the dunes at Padre Island National Seashore

No sunshine, but still beautiful!

Matthew has also picked-up two dog-walking jobs.  These are, of course, his favorite work opportunities!   I will take more photos of Matt's three new canine friends for the next entry…Matt will be the one with the smile!

Sea Turtle release

How could the event be “bad”?!  It couldn't be!  Okay, so it was a “bit” crowded, but the volunteers tried to “show” the turtles to the crowd before releasing them.  Most of the sea turtles had been cold-stunned and rescued from various beaches during the “odd snap of extremely frigid temperatures”.  Now that the Gulf is a bit warmer, it was time to put the mature dudes and dudettes back into the water.

This will be a “heavy” photo-laden entry (Yeah, I know, which one isn’t?).  However, I cannot help myself; the expressions and demeanors of the sea turtles were…What is the word?  Oh yeah, “PRICELESS!”  Some turtles were obviously mortified; they were being carried out to the water in front of HUNDREDS of people.  Others seemed to have resigned themselves to the indignity and chose expressions of aloof boredom.  Still other turtles, who were clearly too young to have experienced this person-handling before, were jubilant!  They were going HOME!!!  (I am certain some of the volunteers have bruises where the turtles’ madly excited "flapping of flippers" repeatedly hit their forearms.)

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as Matthew and I do!  The experience will be remembered as one of our favorites!  (Oh, you have NO IDEA how difficult it was to restrain myself from writing "turtle comments" for each of the amazing reptiles pictured below!)

part of the crowd waiting to watch the release

The turtles are normally released just beyond the first breakers.

The biggest one released

About a third of the turtle convoy…it was a thrill to see so many volunteers and vehicles dedicated to saving and releasing the turtles.

Rockport/Lamar/Fulton, Texas

Matthew and I totally enjoyed our Saturday with friends—Jim and Judy.  (We met them in the summer at a city campground in Seward, Alaska.)  It was certainly a day full of activities!

Matt piloted a pontoon boat—very well, I might add!  We visited an outdoor market.  Jim introduced us to our new favorite fast food restaurant—Whataburger.  In the evening, we celebrated LaMardi Gras--a lucrative and fun fund-raising event for the local volunteer fire department!  Matthew and I met a number of Jim and Judy’s neighbors and friends.  (They have quite a collection of great people!)

Conversation and camaraderie with the two of them, while in their beautiful home, was also marvelous!  Matthew and I look forward to seeing them again.  SMILES!!

Matt seriously piloting; Jim watching out for reefs

New word (for me)--a group of Live Oaks is called a "mott"

The Big Tree--a 1000-year-old Live Oak near Jim and Judy's home

Matthew and I have become quite the tree-huggers!  

Padre Island National Seashore

These photos were taken on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore .
Yesterday, we spoke with the volunteer coordinator at the visitor center, and he assigned us the task of beach-cleaning.  Meaning, we will walk the beach a couple of miles everyday and pick up the washed-in-litter.  Hmmm, doesn't sound like much of a "job"--smiles!  Matt and I are THRILLED!  Matt is even more excited because the park service provides work gloves…Can anyone explain his fascination with gloves and hats?!

New hat--gift from  Jeanie at the RV park office

Corpus Christi area

Matt and I have been in the Corpus Christi, TX area since leaving San Antonio.  For those of you who know us, you won't be surprised; we have had a blast!
Initially, the weather was a bit challenging--low 30s and rainy.  The "odd weather" finally let go about four days ago…or was it six?  ANYWAY, we have had some inspiriting adventures and, during questionable weather, a wonderful place to stay--
Campground 

The beach

The shell beach

Matt walking ahead in the fog/mist….

The plants

Mist and cacti on the beach…

The animals

Rabbits--three of the dozen that gallup across the grounds

One of the two wild coyotes at the campground

The USS Lexington--for Eli, smiles!

USS Lexington

Matt working hard at the guns

Corpus Christi viewed through the porthole

I will have to stop here…wifi at the campground is not consistent.  Will attempt another entry later.
Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend!
Smiles and love,
Susan and Matt

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio has been FUN!  Matt chose most of the activities while there…Wait, I'll quickly list them; I think it will be obvious who won the flip!

Ripley's Believe it or Not (Matthew's Mecca)

Ripley's Haunted Adventure

Tomb Rider 3D

Ripley's 4D movie

Guinness Book of World Records

The Wax Museum

The Alamo (Yes, he chose this one too!)

The Alamo

Live oak tree next to The Alamo--gorgeous!

Matt met Obama--smiles!!

Yeah, he has put on a bit of weight….

An evening chorus line

Our home-on-wheels

Once in Austin, we got a taxi to Sportsmobile (the company who customized our van).  They completed some repairs and redesigned the backend.  It is PERFECT (knock-on-wood)!  So, I thought I would share photos of our home-on-wheels.  Thank you, Sportsmobile dudes!!!

Twin beds set-up for sleep

Van with the side door open.  There is a small table that drops down, so we can eat outside.

Pantry across from the "kitchen area"

Our very "compact" bathroom--toilet and shower  (next to the pantry)

Cockpit!

"Kitchen area"--refrigerator, one-burner stove, sink, storage 

From the rear doors--storage under the platform

Set-up for dinner.  Bags in the back are stuff sacks for bedding

Post-Honduras with family and friends

A whirlwind tour to see family and friends before heading back to Austin to pick-up the van.

Kansas City from the WWI Museum

Matthew and I had a great time with my sister, Joan, and her family in Kansas City, KS.  I was able to catch-up on Downton Abbey (smiles--or maybe not…difficult episodes). Matt had fun playing a basketball video game with his cousin, Jonathan.  We both enjoyed visiting Sarah's (my niece) college and dorm room.  Bill, Jonathan, Matthew, and I went to see Nut Job.  (Personally, I think it is a movie best avoided, but Matthew would tell you it is one of his all-time favorites!)  We had some delicious meals out; I missed protein in Honduras.  Matthew and I picked up some needed items at REI. (Seriously, no comment, I really did need some things--smiles!)  Matthew's favorite activity while there--watching his cousin, Jonathan's, basketball game!  Way to go!  On our way out of town to visit Mom and Dad, we went to the WWI Museum…WOW!  (Bill told me that it was created/designed by the same man who did the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.)  I was very impressed.  Although we were only able to be there 3 1/2 hours, my head was leaking history all the way to Ottumwa.

Photo resurrected from 2005.  Add 8 years…only for Sarah and Jonathan.   Joan and Bill still look the same! 

Matthew and I generally rested and regrouped at my parent’s.  Matthew got to drive with Grandpa…He then took me out to demonstrate his prowess behind the wheel.  Other than his love for the white line (I was certain he would hit a mailbox or two), he proved himself a safe driver.  Mom, of course, out did herself cooking.  Well feed, organized, and happy, we sped carefully south to Columbia, Missouri. 

All of our family was there—Mary (my dear friend and “sister by choice”), Ken (Mary’s husband and our dear friend), Simon (my godson who is currently doing a post-doc in Istanbul, Turkey), and Amanda (my goddaughter who is living in Seattle, WA while working on her masters).  Bonus—we also got to spend time with Ruth (Mary’s mother and my awesome pen-pal), Laura (Mary’s sister and beyond-cool woman), and Virginia (Ken’s mother and my friend).  Although it was a short visit, it was intense.  It is not often the clan gets together, so there were stories to share (and invent), and memories to create.  I cherish the time we had…I love you all!!!

Amanda and Simon…my awesome godchildren!

Matthew and I were able to catch a flight out of Kansas City to Austin on Tuesday.  Yes, this is notable; our plane was one of the only silver-birds allowed to fly that day.  The mid-west was hit again by a raging winter storm.  When we finally arrived in Austin, Matthew and I took a taxi directly to Sportsmobile to collect our redesigned RV.  Next blog—Our Home-on-Wheels!

Love to all of our friends and family,

Matthew and Susan