Campin' in Corpus

 "Camping and the beach; I might have just combined my two favorite things."

-Me

The first time we went to Corpus Christi, John got left behind due to work.  This time the three of us, sans Karlie, decided to take a quick trip (before John was going to leave us for a month) to the coast for some much needed family time.

Since the coast is a long 7 hour drive, traffic permitting, we decided to take it in two days.  Our first

overnight we decided to go economy and boondock at the infamous Walmart parking lot.  We found a darker edge of the lot where other campers had set up, dropped our front bed tip out, made the dinette into a bed for Zoey (since we didn't want her bed to be sticking onto the road),  and settled in for the night.  First thing I noticed were the loud Semi-trucks roaring by and the other commotions of cities and parking lots, but either things settled down or tiredness won out and we all slept well.

The next day we found our destination at the Padre Island National Seashore where we would spend 5 days.  The $10 entrance fee was nominal and good for the week.  (Note: $20 gets you a year pass.)  There was a visitor center with park rangers educating young and old alike.  Zoey stood for nearly half an hour at a table where she learned of all the sea treasures displayed in front of her.

Although there are pay campsites just off the beach, we weren't there for that.  We went to where the road ends and he real camping begins.  Texas beaches are public highways, so you my drive right up onto the beach and park where safe. 

We chose not to venture far since there were few campers and our Armada is only 2 wheel-drive.

The week was a dream: waking up to crashing waves,...

morning walks along the shore,...

 bike rides along the waterway,...

 shell collecting,...

 castle building,...

dips in the chilly gulf water...

  lizard and crab chases, gull and pelican watching,...

 and even a small fire one chilly evening.  Going just after spring break, we found the crowds nearly non-existent and the wind often carried a chill but it was enjoyable.

We took a few trips into Corpus Cristi for lunch and a trip to the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.  Even though it was a bit early in the year to catch many flowers the experience was wonderful.

One night we invited our friends from the area for a shrimp and crawdad boil.  They informed us that the tiny clams we had played with all week were edible coquina clams, so we made a delectable broth and had a good although sandy taste. The evening was a hit and we had a wonderful time together. 

Coming back to we decided to break up our driving once again and found ourselves at Kerville-Shreiner Park.  This time we weren't boondocking,  but at $35/night, we were willing to pay for the quick spot and hot showers.  It's a beautiful little park bordering the Guadalupe River which turned out to be the perfect ending to our wonderful vacation.

We consider this one of our favorite vacations and I highly recommend camping ON the beach if you ever have a chance.

What's that sound?

"Wild animals never kill for sport. 

Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself."

James Anthony Froude

I remember seeing this crazy thing they do in Sweetwater, TX every year on TV, and when I discovered I lived a mere hour and a half from it, I just had to go see what all the hoopla is about.  The World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, a three day event full of snake exhibitions, milking pits, Miss Snake Charmer pageant, cook off, guided snake hunts, and lots and lots and lots of craft booths; most of which are geared towards, of course, rattlesnake items.  Karlie, Zoey and I ventured east toward the crazy event.

As a lover of all things furry, feathery, scaly, creepy and crawly, this was a fun event.   There were handlers and educators in the pits.  There was even opportunities to touch a snakes as they brought them around.  The demonstrations were great, Zoey learned of behaviors, anatomy, habitats, venom, anti-venom, and safety. Zoey wanted to stay near the demonstration pit all day. 

They had viewing ports into the pits for kids.

When held the snakes were ready to attack.

She ain't afraid of no snake.

Zoey's trying to get in on the pic...loved feeling them.

 
We considered a snack of rattlesnake bites for the fun of it, but the line was too long to make it even remotely fun, and they smelled less than appetizing.  We avoided the kill pit which was discreetly screened off for those of us who wished not to see it, and the skinning pit, which was in the middle of everything; since it made us a little sad to see so many creatures destroyed, and disgusted it is in such a theatrical manner.  We did enjoy the booths and all the oddities they offered.

Skins, so many skins.

Those curved bones at the top are raccoon penises.  Who knew?

We finished the day on a few rides set up nearby. 

Our friend Matt, who had come to meet other friends bringing in their catch of snakes from their personal farm, joined us on the rides...

... and even took Zoey on a few himself (since I declined paying for a pass myself)...

Zoey and Matt on the Gravitron, which she loved!  Thanks Matt!

....once Karlie learned that kiddie rides can be as sickening, if not more so, than adult rides.

I personally love animals of all sorts and have no problem with hunting for food understand the hunting of some to keep things in check in this world where man rules and habitats are declining.  The event was originally conceived to reduce the large rattlesnake population in the area to ensure human safety, but now it is a highly commercialized event purportedly comprised largely of farm-raised snakes.   Although it was a enjoyable experience for getting up close and learning about these fearsome creatures, I wouldn't be inclined to support the event in the future due to the killing aspect of the event.

Another Big Vacation - Part 3

"If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, 

why oh why can't I?"

— E.Y. Harburg 

The next morning we woke to the twists and turns of the massive ship winding its way past the reef and through a narrow channel cut into the shallow waters of the Belize coast.  The water glistened a light turquoise and the horizon was dotted with submerged islands of Mangrove trees, fishing boats, and other cruise ships making port.

We were happy to see one cruise ship in our anchorage, as planned, the Carnival, Magic.  It carried our friends from Corpus Christi, TX to join us in our Belize Adventure.  We had scheduled cave tubing and zip-lining in the Belize jungle through cavetubing.bz, and were extremely excited to start this adventure.

The shallow waters prevent docking, so all ships have to tender in their passengers.  The large tender boat piled us in as a tropical downpour reminded us why everything is so green in the tropics.

Once in Tourism Village (Couldn't they be a bit more creative with the name?), we scrambled for a few ponchos for the less insulated of our group and found our shuttle bus.  The shuttle was supposed to be reserved for us, but oddly some lost people jumped in, not knowing where they were supposed to be and the owner of the business, not wanting to pass up a sale, sold them their seats. It was no problem since they were a great couple.  In no time our friends Corey, Vanessa, Melissa and Trey had joined us and we were informed of the bad news:  the river was at flood stage and our float was canceled, but zip-lining was still available.  Saddened that our top adventure was canceled, we decided to enjoy ourselves nonetheless; besides, with friends like this, how could we not have fun?

An hour inland, our surroundings went from coastal savannah to lush jungle.  The rain had stopped, but since we all wore mostly our swimsuits, it wasn't a concern.  As we waited under the thatched prep area to be equipped, they calmed our nerves by introducing us to a tarantula... (Link if your browser has trouble, best if viewed on YouTube)

We all were strapped into harnesses, put on musty helmets, and handed soggy gloves from the last group.

  Last to be equipped was little Zoey.  I looked around for the child's harness and found none.  I asked, and they said it's one size fits all, as they pulled the straps tight and tied the excess in knots around her. 

Super excited and bit nervous (especially the littlest among us and me, her mom), we began to climb the hillside, ready to fly through the treetops.

 We all loved the exhilaration of zipping along the sturdy wires as the beautiful tropical jungle whizzed past us.

Zoey did amazing.  She refused to ride with anyone and each ride ended in a tear trickling down her cheek, but with determination to go on.  As she slid along line 5 of 7, she failed to have the weight and momentum to reach the next platform and was sent sliding back towards the center.  My little girl had to be rescued.  A little shaken, she decided to call it a day and wait for us at the bottom.  I was so proud of her.

Lunch was Belezian-spiced chicken, rice and beans in coconut milk, and coleslaw.  It was all delicious. During the ride back we were topped off with rum punch and the driver even made a special stop for us at the liquor store for some hard to find One Barrel Rum (super good and cheap).

Back a Tourism Village we shopped for some souvenirs and settled into the seaside bar for ceviche, drinks, and to leave our mark on Belize.  We were all sad to have missed the cave tubing, but happy to be with each other and have shared the adventure we did. Here's my super cool video documenting the whole experience: (Link if not viewable on your browser; best viewed on YouTube)
 

   

Having planned the first two stops, we left the last one open.  We planned to meet our friends again, and wondered what could Cozumel bring?

(to be continued)