Watching squirrels at Lake Fork

Gary and I have enjoyed our stay at our property on Lake Fork.  We were able to watch the squirrels morning and evening.  Sure was entertaining.

Tyler, Texas Air Show 2013

Wow what a show.  We were able to tour the museum and see  a B-17, B-24,P-51 Mustang, and a German Messerschmitt fly in to the show.  Before landing, the bombers flew right overhead.  Later, we were able to go on the bombers.  Met a lot of interesting people.  Lots of veterans.  We spent some time talking to a man who was 17 when he was captured and put into a German prisoner of war camp.  He told us how a German Messerschmitt flew over their camp.  This caused their moral to sink while the moral of the Germans rose.  The prisoners thought that the plane would help the Germans win the war.  He told us how he was freed when Patton’s tanks arrived at their camp.  He was very interesting to talk to.  Another man was there who was a co-pilot in a B-26 when a Messerschmitt flew right past them.  We were also able to see the planes that are part of the museum.  All in all, a fantastic day.

B-17 flying overhead

B-24 with a P-51 Mustang coming in

Messerschmitt coming in for a landing

co-pilot of a B-26 that met a Messerschmitt during WWII

He was a 17 year old prisoner of war when a Messerschmitt flew over his POW camp.

Messerschmitt

P-51 Mustang

b-17

Corpus Christ Science and History Museum 2013

The Corpus Christi Science and History Museum has a lot of different exhibits.  The exhibits include the reproductions of the pinta, and the Santa Maria which sailed to many American ports on the anniversary of Columbus’s trip to the Americas.  We were able to go aboard one ship.  Interesting that the crew all stayed on the deck as the cargo took up the bottom hold.  Other exhibits in the museum come from some of the ships that wrecked in the Gulf.  Small museum, but had a great time with my friend Jan seeing what the museum had to offer.

 

Santa Maria

Arabian blunderbuss, not very accurate, but very deadly

Birding Feb-March 2012

One of my favorite hobbies is birding.  I spent lots of time birding in Feb and March with 2 of the best birding friends a person can have.  Most of the birding spots were near Aransas Pass, Texas.  When watching birds I always marvel at one of God’s most wonderful creations.  Watching birds has only reinforced my belief in the fact that God created all and that we, animals, fish, or  birds, did not evolve from one creature which began in the sea, grew legs, and eventually lived on dry land.  Each bird’s bill fits the habit of that bird in what it eats.  Just compare the beak of a pelican to the beak of a hummingbird.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  I sure had lots of fun taking them.  Click on the blue link for more photos

great blue heron on the beach at Port Aransas

This was the first time I saw a black skimmer

Rosette spoonbill and snowy egret.  Looks like they are having a conversation.

blue winged teal

northern harrier (marsh hawk) in flight

Laughing gull survivor

Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas

Our first visit to the Texas State Aquarium and we were not disappointed.  We enjoyed the fish exhibits and the dolphin and flight show.  Our friend Jan, was chosen to help with the dolphin show, she even got to kiss a dolphin.  Our friend, Sandy, was chosen to help with the flight  show.  Had lunch at the snack bar downstairs.

sea horses

lion fish

National Museum of the Pacific War

Our second visit here was just as great as our first.  The museum has been enlarged and does a great job explaining Japan’s reasoning for starting WWII with us.  One of the thins that impressed me was the way the exhibits were set up.  The uniforms of many soldiers were displayed with the names of the soldiers who wore those uniforms-to me-that makes it more personnel.  If you have never been there, you should really try to go.  The museum is located in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Website: http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org

Worn during battle of Pearl Harbor

Pistol Pete’s cap

Japanese  Val

2 man Japanese sub

Snow in Abilene, Texas

Well the weatherman promised snow and snow we had.  We woke up to a world of white.  Our porte-bote was hidden by snow.  We got at least 4-5 inches.  We had decided to put the slides in so the snow would not collect on the awnings over the slides.  Were sure glad we did so as those around us who did not woke up to find their awnings sagging under the weight of snow.  Temps at night have been in the upper 20s and low 30s.  However, we are enjoying visiting with Laura, Floyd and Stephanie.  Got our blood work done and are looking forward to some better weather for the next 2 weeks. 

Gary measuring the snow on the jeep.  5'’

This cardinal was enjoying the snow this morning.

This icicle was formed on the generator exhaust.