Surprise and Happy Valentine's Day!

The last few weeks, I have continued volunteering in the COE office 3 afternoons a week – answering phones, providing information (with lots of assistance from Rangers), preparing hunting permits, typing forms and proofreading.  Dick has continued patrolling the park, assisting visitors, picking up trash and taking pictures of the wildlife.  He even made a sign so visitors know that the park closes at “sunset” at this time of the year.

"SUNSET" sign

In addition, Dick has been assisting Ranger Liz with various photo projects and, one afternoon a couple weeks ago, I went with him to meet Liz and her husband Steve at Airport Beach Park to take pictures to use for a presentation to teens about water safety.  This park on Waco Lake is closed for the winter, but is apparently packed during the spring and summer with picnickers and swimmers.

Airport Beach Park

Dick and Ranger Liz taking pictures of Steve as
"drowning victim"

One evening last week, I thought the view from our RV as the sun was setting was worth a picture.

Another night, Dick heard noises outside his window and, upon checking, here is what he saw.  Unfortunately for Rocky Raccoon, there was no food in the bucket, which Dick uses for picking up trash around the park. 

Since our friends Dave and Sue moved next door as COE volunteers, we have had another couple to visit, which has been nice.

Sue with Molly, Jody and Emma

A few weeks before my 65^th birthday on Sunday (February 12^th), I told Dick that the only gift I wanted from the kids and him was to see the kids and our 3 grandsons.  I must admit that I felt very sad the last few days before the weekend, as I truly believed Dick when he told me no one could come see us, and it was not a good weekend for us to go to Houston.  Well, on Saturday morning, as I washed clothes and dressed in my warm-ups (with no makeup or hair fixed), I heard Dick go outside and, when I walked to the front of the RV, I realized everyone had come to celebrate my birthday!  I later found out that Mike had called Dick a few weeks ago to see if this surprise would work.  Dick said he came close to telling me when I was so upset on Friday.  However, he kept the secret and I was totally surprised!  We all went to Red Lobster for lunch and came back to the RV for King cake (made by April) – after a tour of the park where everyone saw a fox (except for me), roadrunner and lots of deer (but no pictures).  Mike, April, Colby and Ben had to drive back to Tomball that evening, but Michelle and Logan stayed overnight.  Naturally, I could take a “grandson fix” every day, but it was an awesome visit until the next time.  Michelle and Logan will be back in 3 weeks during their Spring break, and Mike and his family will visit us in Colorado in late May.

Birthday treat at Red Lobster - shared with
Logan, Colby and Ben

King Cake dessert - made by April

Colby, Logan and Ben

Grammy and her "boys"

After Michelle and Logan left on Sunday, I had a laid-back birthday on a cold and dreary day.  Around 4 p.m., the highlight of my day was snow flurries (followed by sleet)!  My friends and family know that, IF it’s going to snow in Texas or Louisiana, it is often on or around my birthday.  I know you probably cannot tell and think I’m silly, but there really are snow flurries on and around me!!

Judy in the snow - honest!!

Sleet!

My birthday was topped off by bacon-wrapped huge shrimp (fixed by Dick), which was my gift from Michelle and Logan – from Rose’s in Kemah, TX.  Yummy!!

Today, Dick and I went to visit the Lake Waco Wetlands - a 10-minute drive from Reynolds Creek Park.  This is one of the only wetlands of its kind in Central Texas, and was constructed the City of Waco in 2001 to replace habitat lost due to raising Lake Waco by 7 feet.  It is located on the North Bosque River and covers over 180 acres, and has become a diverse habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.  We toured the facility, which was very educational and walked to a couple overlooks.  It is possible to walk the trails and sit in wildlife blinds for viewing and picture taking, which Dick plans to do one day soon.  If possible, it was more peaceful than our park!  Check it out at www.lakewacowetlands.com.  We look forward to taking Michelle and Logan for a tour when they are here in March.

I hope all of you have a very happy Valentine’s Day and, until next time, see ya!  ~Judy~

Big Blue

I've commented before on how comfortable some of the animals are getting as we approach.  A perfect example of this is one I have named "Big Blue".  He's (maybe it's a "she", but humor me!) about 3' tall and blends into the driftwood flotilla that he hangs around so well that he is often missed by most visitors.  Here are just a few pictures that really show the beauty of the wild world around us here at Reynolds Creek.

 


Things have been pretty quiet around here.  Our friends, Dave and Sue from Minnesota, have now settled in next door and are ready to do some volunteer work for the Corps.  

Dave and Sue arriving at Reynolds Creek for their new
COE Volunteer position

We cooked dinner for them last Wednesday after they arrived and, when we walked out with them about 8:00 p.m., we were admiring the star-filled sky when all of a sudden a meteor of pretty good size streaked across for a good 10 seconds, leaving a streak of sparks and a long tail before dying out.  Now, I understand that the meteor hunters are searching a 3-county area for meteorite fragments.

Judy and I have taken some time to explore the various campgrounds around the lake.  One new area I have discovered is called "The Wetlands".    I'll save further discriptions and discussions for a post in the near future.

Next week, the Corps has scheduled a burn to start a multi-year attack on the Johnson Grass that has invaded Texas pastures.  The 120+ acres around us have a solid infestation that stands about 4 feet tall and will explode in an instant if someone throws a careless flame into it.  The burn-off should make for some really interesting pictures, but we will definitely move our "house"  to a "safe" location prior to it.

More of this and that!

Not much happening in the last few days, but I am so thrilled with the spice shelves that Dick made, and I wanted to post pictures for all to see.  I know we have gotten ideas from other RVers on how to improve our space, and I hope we can provide ideas to others.  As our friends and family know, Dick does most of the cooking (I am a great "go-fer" and "cleaner-upper"), and he must have numerous spices.  It is great to have all of these containers off our cabinets!

The weather is beautiful - cold (20s last night), but not as windy, and clear.  Dick and I took a driving tour yesterday through most of the other COE parks on Lake Waco, with a stop to visit our friends Terry and Joan (and Nano, their dog) along the way. We are both playing "catch up" today and Dick hopes to go fishing tomorrow.  As Joan said yesterday, we always heard "retirees" say how busy they stayed and, now, we know the truth of that statement!  Until next time!  ~judy~

2012 Has Been Busy So Far!

Since we have moved over to Reynolds Creek Park, Judy and I have begun regarding the campground as “our yard” and take special pride in making sure there is no litter to be seen when a visitor drives through.  Each day, we patrol and pick up after those whose mother always picked up after them.  Sad, but why can’t everyone teach their kids to leave an area as clean, or even cleaner, than they found it?  I’m still trying to find the culprit who parks his vehicle on one of the back lanes to drink a 6- or 12-pack of blue Bud Lights, only to toss the empties in the weeds nearby.

The other day, I mentioned I needed a lawn mower to cut the grass in my “front yard”.  The next thing I knew, we had a full crew out here with mowers, weed eaters, trimmers, etc. doing all of the work for me.  It seems that I am not “certified” for power equipment.  I kinda like that idea!

The animals keep coming.  Night before last in the deep gray of dusk, I spotted a gray fox on the road less than 100 yards away from the RV, and I finally saw one of the bobcats near the creek at the back of the park.  The night before, a great horned owl swooped down after a small animal (field mouse or similar) directly behind the house in our “back yard”.   Deer, as usual, are in abundance and we see many here at Reynolds on almost every drive-through. 

 That great blue egret is now allowing a close approach and almost poses for me.

 The "fluff" seen on his beak is actually fish scales that remain after he "spears" the fish with his beak!

 Two nights ago, once again, we were serenaded by neighborhood coyotes. As near as we can tell from all of the scat and chewed up deer bones, there are about 6 or 7 that patrol the 40-acre tall grass pasture that we call our “back yard”.

The weekend before last was the annual January “Youth Hunt” put on by the Corps.  It’s sad that only 7 kids in the whole state took the Corps up on their offer for a free weekend of deer hunting and there were 15 slots available.  There are plenty of deer to go around because the herd here is really huge and needs some serious culling.   Jay, my Volunteer Coordinator, had asked if I would take pictures of the kids.

With space for 15 boys and girls, it was sad to have only 7 participate.
I would have given my eye teeth for an opportunity for a hunt like this
with either of my kids.

Blinds were furnished by the COE, Waco Lake

Time for Father & son quiet time

GrandPaw passing experience on to his grandson

  

Jay Morris (COE)  looks on as the biggest buck of the weekend is dressed out

Along the same lines, I am currently working with one of the rangers putting together a water safety billboard.  It seems my photographic background and Photoshop skills are being called upon.

The last 2 weekends have seen me on some hikes trying to get in shape for Colorado.  The first weekend, I took a 4-mile hike and, this past weekend, I held up for over 7 miles.  I guess the hunt spooked most of the deer, because I saw almost none during the hikes.  The winds were so high that most birds kept cover, as well. 

Red Tailed Hawk

White Pelicans

 

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Mockingbird

  

I did manage to find a couple of eagles nests.  They appeared to be abandoned, but there is one across the lake (about 3/4 mile) that I managed to get a picture of.  If you look closely, you can see the Bald Eagle pair. Still, the hikes were enjoyable.

Mom & Pop are home
on this one!

One of the abandoned nests

One of the hardest things I have had to come to grips with is the abandonment of some really beautiful and functional campsites due to the lack of funding.  However, this does make for neat sightseeing in the back country.

This abandoned site requires a 3-or 4-mile hike down some heavy underbrush and infrequently used paths.
I would love to tent camp under this ancient oak.

A scene not far from the abandoned campsite.

Have I said it before?  I  love it here!

Until the next time…~dick~