Pelican Station Has Good Eats!

 

I don't eat out often, so when I do, I really want it to count. Since I really enjoy being in the kitchen and am pretty partial to my own cooking, I have to be pretty curious to be convinced to lay my money down. But today I was killing some time in town while having a little work done on my car, and just happened to be very close to Dirty Al's Pelican Station, overlooking the bay and the bridge. Walking through the neighborhood, the restaurant looked very inviting, and when I saw the sign advertising the Monday special as Almondy, I just couldn't resist. 

A few pelicans in the bay kept me entertained while I was waiting for the food. I have become more than a bit enthralled with watching pelicans in the past few months. While they may look a little awkward at first glance, they are extremely graceful and playful in the water, and I just can't get enough of watching them.

Then came the almond-crusted bass with garlic mashed potatoes and three-cheese cream sauce, with a few crab fingers for good measure. It was so good! So good. And after looking over the menu, I have a feeling that Pelican Station may become a habit with me. The only question is  - What to try next? 

Chicken Quesadilla, Anyone?

 

Chop a little chicken meat, toss in a skillet with some green sauce, put between two buttered tortillas with grated cheese and grill in the skillet. Crusty, melty, gooey deliciousness. 

A Look Into Bobz World

Coming home from Los Fresnos today, I decided to take a peek at Bobz World, hoping that maybe one day when things have changed my grandkids will be able to come and step inside.

The outside is something that is sure to attract the kids, and inside is a very nice selection of fairly pricey and touristy gifts. The little arcade and laser tag just got a passing glance from me while I was on my way to the ice cream parlor.  

I didn't take the $12 tour of the fenced-in backyard today, but I will probably check it out before long.

More Tropical Storms Headed This Way

 

You would never know by looking at this peaceful scene that two tropical storm warning have been issued for the Gulf area. One of them, Marco, is thought to be heading our way, with landfall possible just a little north of us. So far, the locals are saying there is no need to evacuate. This Laguna Madre newbie will be relying on their advice in the next few days. 

Calm Seas, Calm Heart

 

It's been nearly four months that I've been in the RGV and this was the first time I saw the sea relatively free of waves, other than a few teasing the shoreline. I guess maybe I just haven't happened to go the day or two following the new moon or something. To be honest, I thought it would be kind of boring to see the sea without those beautiful, playful waves, but what I saw the last two days was far from boring.

Being able to wade through the water unencumbered by waves was a pure delight. I could see clear to the bottom as far out as I went and the water felt so good, so calming. I would have stayed in all day long if I could. Glorious. I believe I will be hoping for days like this more often. 

Two mornings in a row I was able to be on the beach right about sunrise and go for a long walk. I always enjoy seeing how the seagulls like to line in to welcome the morning sun. 

And what a nice little bonus when I came across a few abandoned caches of seashells!

How to Open a Coconut

 

Before coming here four months ago, one of the staples in my diet was young coconut, both the refreshing water and the soft, filling coconut meat. Young coconut water and young coconut meat has been so helpful to me in the past when I was working hard at rebuilding my health, so naturally, I have really tried to search them out. 

I thought being in a much warmer climate it would be easy to find fresh young coconuts here, but I was wrong. I can't find them, at least at a decent price, anywhere. 

So I was elated when the proprietor of a fruit stand told me that he could get them. Well, I am sorry to say that this is not a young coconut. True, it's not a fully mature coconut - the ones with dark brown husks. But it's definitely not a young coconut (the kind you may find with off-white pointy tops). I guess it's an adolescent coconut.

This is how I open the hard coconuts, both mature and almost mature. After, the coconut meat may be sliced with a vegetable peeler or shredded. It's yummy and very filling. 

 

Peaceful Sunrise on South Padre Island

 

Lately I have been walking on the south end of the island, past all the hotels and condominiums and where the county has their nice boardwalk with benches. I first found this when I was following a flock of pelicans playing and fishing in the waters. This time I walked down further to where I found this lovely rock pier and sites of fishing boats and the Coast Guard passing by. Always something different here. 

Exploring Port Isabel Shops

One fine morning, I headed to Port Isabel for an appointment - an appointment that I was unable to keep because the disinfectant in the business locale was so strong that I couldn't breathe. I know people are concerned about germs, but how they figure it is any better for us to keep our surrounding totally doused in disinfectant, I'll never know, but I find it to be the case down here a lot. There are so many of shops that I can't go into at all because of the strong fumes of these antiviral agents. If only they had more faith in their own natural antiviral treasures - sunlight and salt air. 

Well, I decided to take the opportunity to walk around the Lighthouse district. Almost all the shops were closed - some because of the weekend, many closed until further notice due to Covid. Whether they will open again remains to be seen. But I really loved looking at the architecture and decor. 

 

Little Sahara State Park in Oklahoma

 

Little Sahara State Park, Waynoka, Oklahoma

Here is a great reason for staying off the interstate on road trips - just outside of Waynoka OK.

This is one of the places I sure wish I could have stopped to explore, but maybe another trip.