Hugh Ramsey Nature Park 2024

 

First of the new year trip to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park in Harlingen, 

and I was not disappointed. 

From the delicate and beautiful egrets,

vibrant cardinals . . .

and mourning doves . . .

To the wild and rugged javelinas

Always a nice excursion!

My New Musical Friend

I bought this little ukulele about three weeks ago, and I can't get over how it has changed my life. I wanted to learn something musical and I thought this would be perfect to take along when I'm on the road. 

I have had a wonderful time getting to know the instrument and learning songs. I have found that there is little room for negative thinking the last few weeks. Anytime I feel a little down about something, I just pick up my friend and strum away the stress. 

I took my "friend" to the beach one day and felt like I was in a 60's beach movie. The combination of beach and ukulele is like a match made in heaven!

 

A Drive Along South Padre Island

 

I went to the beach and, for the first time, drove in at the northernmost entrance. Then, completely unplanned, I decided to just keep driving to see how far I could go before the driving conditions got bad and I would have to turn around. I ended up driving 15 miles! Even then, I wouldn't have had to turn around, but it was getting to where the fishers and beachgoers were getting to be out of view, and I sure didn't want to get caught up there where even AAA probably does not go. But if was such a lovely drive! I saw so many heron and pelicans along the way. 

Beautiful dunes . . .

Not much to see here, thank goodness! Lol...

When I got back to town, I walked around Jim's Pier for a while. It was so peaceful to watch, with just a little music from Laguna Bob's drifting over the way.

All around, a very special and enjoyable day!

South Texas EcoTourism Center Taking Shape

 

 The South Texas EcoTourism Center is taking shape nicely!

Every time I come I see more wildlife showing up. 

This friendly pigeon followed me around for quite a while. 

While an egret tried not to get blown away!

 

Red Rock Canyon Campgrounds

 

The first time I took Oklahoma's Hwy 281 home, I was enthralled by the view of the red rock formations gleaming with selenite in the sunlight. It looked as though there were diamonds sprinkled all over the cliffs. I went through another time on a cloudy day and it wasn't quite as glorious, but still very impressive. I vowed I would come and spend some time here, and I got my chance this trip. It was only for a night, but I'll be back for more. 

I stayed at the Red Rock Canyon Campground, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The area was once part of a state park, but when the lease expired, its state park status was not renewed and it was made into a lovely campground. Check it out if you're in the area!

The Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma

 When I make trips up north to see my family, I always have the delightful dilemma of trying to decide which places I am going to see on the way home. There's so much to see when you get off the interstate and take those state highways.

The Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma has been on my list for quite some time now. I am a natural salt enthusiast. I don't know anyone who gets as excited about salt as I do. Natural salt turned my health around and, therefore, turned my life around. Yes, I know that sounds corny, but it's true. 

When I found out that the day I was coming through was the last day to visit the digging area until April, I put it at the top of my list. People love to come here and dig to find selenite crystals - rosy, clay colored mineral crystals that are formed when the salt water combines with gypsum. The Salt Plains happen to lie in the region of the old Cherokee Strip, which also appeals to me based on my mixed Cherokee heritage on both my mom and dad's sides of the family. It doesn't show up in me as much as in some of my siblings, but it still touches my heart. 

I really enjoyed my short trip to the Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma and hope to go back again. There is a rich history here and I am eager to learn more about it. 

A Change Is on the Way

I had to get a photo of my tree, as I recently noticed that the leaves are brown 

and dropping like . . . like leaves! 

Who would have thought that fall would come to the Island before it does up north?

 Even the thornbrush has been losing its foliage. 

And, sadly, to me, anyway, the only view we have of the Island is soon going to be blocked by new condominiums.