Trust me, if I could drive that fast to get out of Texas I would. But instead I go 60-65mph.
Yippee!
It’s prettier already.
The 358-mile drive seemed very long, hot and windy, but I crossed the border.
And made it all the way to Benson. Home tomorrow and praying for a tail wind.
My brain is still on Texas time as I write this. Maybe I’ll be better in the morning.
Day two on the journey home.
Oscar waited patiently…
…while I strolled around the Hidden Valley RV Park in Del Rio, Texas taking photos.
If it seems like a reverse of the trip south almost two months ago, it is.
Back through the inspection stations.
Across the Pecos River.
Past vast landscapes, ranches from the past and present.
Then finally the hills of northwest Texas…
…and evidence of recent fire just outside Alpine.
Today’s long journey took me 312 miles to Van Horn, Texas. Hoping to cross the Arizona border tomorrow.
Nothing much left at Mom’s house except the mess, which someone else gets to clean up. The sale was Very successful. Most of the furniture sold on Friday and we dollared them to death on Saturday. There wasn’t enough left to open on Sunday so Auntie Kay and I went to breakfast.
Monday morning, after an oil change for the truck, I picked up the 6x12’ U-Haul trailer. Then with much help loaded what I’m taking to Arizona, some to Mom and some for me.
Tuesday morning I hit the road north through some pretty desolate oil and ranch country. Sure are a lot of fancy gates into these vast landscapes.
Made it 375 miles to a Del Rio, Texas RV Park. Hoping to get to Van Horn today. Takes SO long to get out of Texas.
Packing has been a long and stressful time for Mom and I interspersed with many stories.
This nursing rocker previously belonged to my Great Aunt Effie. I remember as a child visiting her resort with cabins on a small lake. Her big house had several rocking chairs. The chair had been covered with so many coats of paint that the carving was barely visible. Mom slowly scrapped the multiple layers of paint off the intricate carvings and lattice. She used to be able to do many things, a creative and imaginative womyn. Mom is giving this long time coveted chair to me and it will have a home in my new 5th-wheel. Continuing to bring me memories.
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I find out today if the movers are coming Tuesday or Wednesday. Don't know if I'll be posting or reading much in the next many days. We fly to Arizona Thursday morning. And I'll be able to sleep in my own bed that night. Yippee!
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
…flock together.
White-throated Swifts
Birding has been my salvation while here in South Texas.
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One of only two whistling-duck species native to North America.
Formerly known as the Black-bellied Tree Duck they nest primarily in natural cavities in trees. Their monogamous pair-bonding is unique among ducks with both parents sharing with the raising of young. Ducklings leap from nest cavities within two days of hatching and can feed themselves immediately on plant material and bugs.
They look like no other duck with their pink feet, long red bill, pale grey head, mostly grey-brown plumage, black belly and tail, thin but distinct white eye-ring, and chestnut brown on the back of the neck. The distinctive white wing patch is most obvious in flight. Males and females look alike and juveniles are similar but have a grey bill and less contrasting belly.
As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling waa-chooo call. I can always hear them coming and usually in large flocks.
Resaca de los Fresnos
Yes, I’m still in Texas, but the countdown is on.
Franklin’s Gull
I’m spending my days at Mom’s getting ready for her move to Arizona. The logistics are taken care of. We have a week and a half to pack. At the current pace of 1.5 boxes a day I hope we make it. It’s not easy to part with any of our treasured life collections, and everything has a story.
About 6:00 every evening I’ve been trying to take a walk along the nearby resaca to cool my body in the wind and clear my mind.
Red-crowned Parrots
Seems some resacas were former channels of the Rio Grande river used for flood control. The Resaca de los Fresnos in San Benito was developed for irrigation purposes.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
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Mom and I enjoyed our weekend off from doctors and moving plans. Sunday we went to Port Isabel for an all-you-can-eat fish lunch at The Lost Galleon. The place was packed at 2pm but we didn’t wait long and chatted with some folks outside on the bench. The lightly breaded fish was certainly worth it along with fried okra and french-fries. Non of it greasy yet I felt a bit overloaded on “fried”.
After lunch we took a pleasure drive. While Mom gets around fairly well with her walker-on-wheels complete with brakes and a compartment that doubles for a seat, but not for far or long. Plus the wind was blowing a steady 25mph with gusts.
We crossed the causeway to Padre Island.
And headed for the beach.
Mom talked about past visits here with my Dad in the big truck driving on the firm packed beach near the waves, going with friends, and even with me. How she liked to walk on the beach gathering shells and enjoy a picnic.
I found a shell that seemed to have her name on it and gave it to her to add to the home collection. (Just one more thing to move or not.)
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While sitting outside under Mom’s carport having a cig (yes, I’m smoking again, too much stress down here) I spotted two Harris’ sparrows (I think) making a nest in the gutter. I only had my phone to take photos and this before I learned not to zoom with it.
Both the male and female were sitting on the swirl, one on top and the other inside. But do you think I could catch that, no.
Yet I thoroughly enjoyed enjoyed their antics as they build a home.
Including the male’s rope dance.
