Week in Review: January 20 through 26, 2012

Sunday we again went to First Baptist Church of Rockport. The message was from Micah 6:6-8, “What does the Lord require of you?” This passage points out that our mission is to walk humbly with God, love mercy, and do justice. The message focused quite a bit on human trafficking. The pastor pointed out that Houston was the #1 city in the U.S. for this inhumane treatment of people, most of them women and children. (Among others these web sites will give you more detailed information on human trafficking: www.enditmovement.com, www.slaveryfootprint.org, www.polarisproject.org.) 

That afternoon we went to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge with our RV neighbors Marv and Shirley. We saw alligators—just a few feet from us (a couple of them were HUGE!), a wild boar piglet, and a 10-point buck, as well as lots of shore birds, including roseate spoonbills, white egrets and blue herons. We had hoped to see whooping cranes up close, but could only see them in the distance.

Monday was a 53 degree overcast day, with clearing late in the day. Temps hit the 70s. We decided to take a trip over to Corpus Christi, to go to Joann Fabrics for zippers (for sweaters) and Sam’s Club—mainly for chocolates and coffee.  After we returned to the trailer Dick decided to take a bicycle ride along Fulton Beach Road for about ½ hour, while I sat outside reading and sewing a zipper into the baby sweater I had just finished knitting.

Another beautiful day dawned Tuesday, although it was a little cooler than what we had Monday. Temps reached only the high 60s, but the sun was shining. We walked for 3 miles along Fulton Beach Road, looking for photo ops. Seems there’s always something to photograph.

Wednesday was another spectacular day here in Rockport, with temps reaching the high 70s, and bright sunshine. Dick decided to try fishing so he visited the Rockport Pier to wet his line. No luck. To make up for his lack of luck at fishing, I made him a batch of chocolate chip cookies. That put a smile on his face! That night we went to Charlotte Plummer’s, a local restaurant, to celebrate our anniversary.  One of their claims to fame is their shrimp gumbo…and I have to say it’s fabulous! We started with cups of the gumbo, followed by crab-stuffed flounder filet. YUM-MY!

I know it must be boring for you to read that yet another day dawned spectacularly bright and beautiful, but that’s how we welcomed Thursday—and Friday…perfect days to take our 3-mile walks, and spend outside enjoying the sunshine. We’re getting quite a bit of reading done! 

After breakfast Friday we decided to take a jaunt over to Goose Island State park, to see the “Big Tree,” purported to be over 1,000 years old.

According to climatologists, the Big Tree has survived from forty to fifty major hurricanes, numerous floods, droughts and wildfires. Although the Texas Forest Service estimates the tree to be over 1,000 years old, other recent estimates place it nearer to 2,000 years old—meaning that it would have been around when Jesus lived! How cool is that! Here are few Big Tree facts:

• Circumference:  over 35 feet
• Diameter:  over 11 feet
• Height:  over 45 feet
• Crown width:  over 90 feet

While walking near the Big Tree, we heard the “whoop” of three whooping cranes as they flew overhead. They are HUGE! Whooping cranes can stand up to 5 feet tall and have a wingspan of up to 7 ½ feet. Males weigh on average 16 lbs., while females can weigh 14 lbs.

Then, we went into the Goose Island State Park for the rest of the afternoon. We walked the very long fishing pier (didn’t fish), ate our picnic lunch along water, and enjoyed the very lovely, cloudless 76 degree day, with sunshine creating the equivalent of a billion diamonds on the water. The light breeze off the water kept us comfortable.

 Every Saturday cinnamon rolls and coffee are served at the clubhouse, all for $1.00. Rather than fix breakfast at home we decided to eat there—and, because there was also a craft show going on at the same time. (Our neighbor Marvin does wood crafting and was selling his wares, so we decided to go to support him…as well as partake of those yummy rolls…)  Another couple, from South Dakota, was selling “home-grown” honey from their acreage in South Dakota so we had to buy some of that. (Honey and cinnamon are supposed to be good for you, curing everything from heart disease and cancer, to bad breath and skin infections. I have more information on this miracle cure, so let me know if you want a copy.)  Afterwards we took our 3-mile walk along the water, and other than Dick’s 2-hour motorcycle ride to Aransas Pass and Ingleside, we relaxed for the rest of the day, spending it outside on our “patio.” (Sunday was going to be a very busy day so we needed all the relaxation we could get to prepare for it! More on that next week.)

Hope this finds you well, and healthy. We send you sunshine—at least for your hearts! Thanks again for joining us this week.

Love ‘n’ hugs,

Gail and Dick