Lake Fork Reservoir, Texas

We have been enjoying our stay at Lake Fork with Jim
and Sherri Reed. The afternoons are spent on the
boat fishing and the evenings are spent playing music.
We have had a few thunderstorms since we have been
here, but they have taken place mostly at night.



Gary and a big crappie that he caught the first day out.


Jim and one of the crappies he caught the first day out.



Jim, Gary, and Tom with their catch of the day.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

What a great day even in the rain. We visited the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Johnson City, Texas. Then we drove 14 miles to take the tour of the LBJ Ranch. Tour was really great. At the Historical park in Johnson City, we were able to view a short film about President Johnson. The Ranch tour was just great. If you go, be sure to sit on the right side of the bus. The back part of the windows slide open so you can take pictures from them. We got off the bus 2 times. We actually got to walk through the reconstructed birthplace of the president. He had it reconstructed and used it as a guest house. We also got out at the show barn. You also get to walk to the family cemetery. The cost of the tour is $6 for adults. If you are in an rv, they have parking and the tour lasts about an hour and a half. There are other things to see such as the Sauer Beckman Living History Farm and some dog-trot houses. I have posted lots of pictures on the link. Be sure to check them out.

Johnson Settlement

President Johnson's boyhood home.



Dog-trot house belonging to President Johnson's grandfather



Bruckner Barn

Sauer Beckman Living History Farm

This farm is set up to show what farming was like in the early
years. During the summer they have lots of activities.

Barn



Farm house,

LBJ Ranch

Vehicle used for hunting.



View from the hill top



Hereford

LBJ Ranch

Junction School, where Lyndon Johnson began school at
age of 4. On April 11. 1965, President Johnson returned
here, along with his first teacher, Mrs. Loney, to sign the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. President
Johnson called education "the passport from proverty"
He signed into law over 60 education bills.



Lyndon Johnson was the first of 5 children. He was born
on this site on August 27, 1908. This is a reconstruction of
the house he was born in.



This is the LBJ Ranch House which is located across from
the Pedernales River. Senator Johnson bought the house
from his widowed aunt Martin. It became known as the
Texas White House during President Johnson's administration.
Mrs. Johnson still calls this home and lives here part of
the time.

Aransas Pass, Texas, Geocaching

We discovered 6 geocaches while we were in Aransas Pass.
We were accompanied by our friends Jan and Wes.


Here's Wes wondering if he's in the right place.


This is a micro-cache


We got to see some shrimp boats while we were out
geocaching.

Padre Island National Seashore

After visiting the Birding Center in Port Aransas, Jan and I
drove out to Padre Island National Seashore. We took a
walk on Malaquite Beach. We saw a few species of birds and
the Portugese Man-of-War. Great way to spend the day



Man-of-war


Terns


Plover


As always, more photos can be found on the link to our
travel photos.

Port Aransas, Texas Birding Center

Jan and I got up early today and went to the Port Aransas
Birding Center. Wow!! did we ever see lots of birds. I have
posted a couple of pictures, but we saw Blue-winged teal,
Green-winged teal, American Avocet, Roseate spoonbill,
herons, and lots more. We also saw a few muskrats.



Black-bellied whistling duck


snowy egret


Baby muskrats

Fish cleaning visitors

Its Mine!!!!!

Everyone is looking for a free meal.


Hmmm. Will fish be coming this way?



Who's going to catch this tid-bit. Watch out for the dive-
bomber.

Fishing in Aransas Pass, Texas 2997

Gary and Wes have been hard at work trying to catch some
fish. This day, they caught 4 sheephead. Jan and I went to
watch them clean the fish and to watch the birds.


Gary and one of the sheephead.


Wes and Gary with their catch of the day.


Getting ready for dinner.


Down the hatch

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, 2007

Jan and I took a trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
Cost was $5 per car. Our first short hike was down the
Heron Trail. We saw a couple of herons, a snake, and 6 alligators.
When we came upon the alligators both of us were wondering who
could run the fastest. While driving to the 16 mile loop, we noticed
a car pulled over because the occupants were looking at a snake
in the water. Then we drove the 16 mile loop, but did not see
much in the way of wildlife. Our final stop was at the 40'
observation tower. We saw lots of birds, a deer, and a wild
hog from the tower. If we return, I think we will take the spotting
scope and spend most of our time at the observation tower.

our first alligator


This one was very close to the trail. Boy was he huge.


Cotton Mouth


Pied-Billed Grebe.

More pictures on the web-shots.

Gary and I on the USS Lexington

Thanks to Jan for the pictures.