Finally made it to Anahuac NWR

At last, I pulled into the volunteer pads this afternoon about 2:30.  What a relief to finally get here. 

IMG_3723

I’m rather proud to say that I backed into my assigned site on the first try without any mishaps!  I took my time about it, and I think it helped that I didn’t have an audience.  The pad is cement, but the approach to it is iffy.  It didn’t take me too long to get everything set up for an extended stay.  Of the eight RV spots, this one is my favorite.  I’ve come home for the next two months. 

As you can see, the skies were overcast all day, and the winds only increased as I made my way into Texas.  By the time I got here the northerly winds were blowing about 30 mph and cold!  Welcome to Texas.  Smile

IMG_3726

Here’s what I found on the seat of the picnic table after I set up.  It’s an owl pellet, and it seems this owl dined on a digging rodent.  The owls can’t digest the bones and fur, so they spit them up in pellets. Everything that is digestible is gone.  I’m happy that there is an owl close by that is taking care of the rodents.  Better that they provide food for the owl than visit my rig!

Stephanie, the volunteer coordinator, stopped by this afternoon to say welcome.  After dark, my friend Colin and the two other volunteers showed up after a day spent in Lake Charles planting and transporting native plants for the refuge.  All of this is to help the refuge recover from the devastation of hurricane Ike several years ago.  It was great seeing Colin again.  He is from England, and has come to Anahuac to volunteer in the fall for the last nine years.  Because of my delays in getting here, we’ll only be working together for under two weeks.  Sad smile  Shucks!

Well, I’ve got to set my alarm tonight for the first time in about six months.  Ugh!  I need to leave here at 7:20 to drive the 10 miles to open up the VIS tomorrow.  It’s back to work (?) for me tomorrow, and I’m actually looking forward to it.  We’ll see how long that lasts…

63 On the way to Anahuac, 201120

Can you tell that Emma was thrilled that we finally arrived also?  She spent quite some time frolicking around playing with her little fox.  Sure beats the pavement of a repair shop parking lot!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Whale Sharks, the Big Friendly Giants

Image
I was always told that seeing a whale shark in the water with you will leave you awe struck and speechless. If you know me in real life, then you know that there are very few times that I am speechless, much to hubs disappointment (especially when he's trying to sleep).  We made great time on our road trip and arrived in Oslob by around 9:30. As soon as you reach the small town, you're bombarded with signs leading to businesses that will take you out to see the whale sharks. I admit that it was a huge tourist trap but sometimes you just have to suck it up, put on your 'I love Cebu' T-shirt and fanny pack and join the other tourists in order to see one of the most amazing things I have ever laid my eyes on. We first had to sit through a five minute safety and informational speech. They explained to us that each day they send boats out that throw small fish into the water to attract the whale sharks. This is yes, for the purpose of tourism, but also so scientists in the ...
Read more

Yahoo! The sun returned.

Image
There was fog when I woke up this morning, but the power of the sun with no clouds in the sky soon burned it off.  Hot dog!  I hung out a load of laundry, and then got ready to greet my morning visitors. Bridget and John of Travels of John and Bridget….and Fred , finished their camp host volunteer assignment in North Dakota and stopped by for a visit while spending some time in Detroit Lakes.  What a beautiful morning we had for a tour of the refuge. My friend, the young bald eagle, was perched as if on cue by the Chippewa Picnic Area.  I parked the refuge truck, and we were able to walk right under its favorite perch without it spooking off.  It only screamed at us a few times.  We even witnessed a small kettle of northern harriers catching a thermal to spiral up over the Otter Tail River so they could attain altitude to continue their migration south.  It was a stellar morning to be out and about.  We could hear the far off guns of the...
Read more

Letters/23

Image
Happy Chuseok everyone! For those of you outside of Korea, Chuseok is the Korean Thanksgiving. It's when everyone goes to their grandparents house, makes songpyeon (look it up, it's delicious. It's rice cakes, but some have honey in the middle and they are to die for!), and some dress up in their traditional hanboks. But for us foreigners...it means a five day long weekend! Dear Friends,  I loved your idea to take roommate pics in hanboks! The pics turned out hilarious! And the fact that you could find some for the both of you to wear is pretty impressive. Now if only I could find a guy's one for the hubs to wear.     Dear hubs, the mustache is coming back I see. This happens every year around this time and I always feel the same way. I start with hating it, threatening to shave it in your sleep (I just might this year) but by the end, I can't help but laugh every time I see you. (This makes it really difficult to have even a semi-serious conversation.)   Dear wee...
Read more