April Vacation Notes

The Roberts have been on vacation again (a perpetual state for us) and based our travels out of a resort in Lake Conroe, north of Houston. We went to some bird sanctuaries along the coast, where migrations are currently in progress and saw some wonderful birds. Egrets, Vereos, Cardinals, Blank & White Warblers, Bluebirds, Turkey Vultures, Hawks, Great Herons and Whistling Ducks to name a few. We also watched an alligator lurking about in the marsh. Our cousins spotted a Painted Bunting at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center south of Austin. Other places we visited were the Sam Houston National Forest outside of Conroe, TX, the Brazos National Park Southwest of Houston, and an overnight stay at the beach in Galveston.

We had great weather with the exception of one rainy day. The rainy day was spent at the Brazos National Park and turned out to be a real treat. Because of the rain, Armadillos were out near the pathways hunting for grubs and worms and we got to watch them for some time going about their business. They are very entertaining animals with a prehistoric look, a long snout for digging, tiny feet and legs poking out of their shell to carry them about and very alert eyes and ears. These did not seem to be bothered by our presence as they are used to people in the park. Thank God we took umbrellas as we would have missed this great fun. Deer were everywhere, but they are ever present in Central and East Texas (including my garden), so it seemed normal to be among them.

Despite all this talk of animals, the focus of our trip was the wildflowers in Texas. My husbands cousin Tom and his wife Agnes were with us. Tom is the primary birder, and Agnes is a Master Gardener. We took county roads on most of our trip and experienced the end of the Bluebonnet season. What I found out is that the bluebonnets are only the tip of the iceburg. We were delighted to see Buttercups, Indian Paintbrush, Evening Primrose, Black-Eyed Susans, several varieties of Salvia and many other colorful species that Agnes could name for us. The magnificence of this experience is really indescribable, The flowers occur as whole fields or covered embankments along the road full of multiple varieties, so it is a real show. I did all of the driving and we had to keep stopping so I could get a closer look.

Last but not least we were able to hear some of the local musicians along the way, and partake of the culinary delicacies for which Texas is known. This included wonderful BBQ, plates of Gulf Shrimp, talipia and catfish, fried, en brochette, skewered & broiled and in ceviche , not to mention a good dose of wonderful Tex-Mex dishes such as Fajitas, Enchiladas, Tacos and Chilis Rellanos. Add in the infamous best hamburgers (a 10 according to Tom) at our corner store in Sun City for the royal topper and great steaks on the grill at home. We've had our beef allotment for the year and will be focusing on Spinich and fish for a good while. It took a lot of Coronas and Dos XXs to bring out the best flavor in these, not to mention a Margarita or two. (Oops)

We concluded our trip at The Oasis, a restaurant comprised of several terraced decks overlooking Lake Travis that is famous for its sunset views of the Hill Country beyond the Lake. Thrown into the mix was Tennis for Tom and Agnes, time at the fitness center, lots of walking for all of us, some swimming for me, countless games of Scrabble, Pictionary and Anticipation and a few chapters of our most recent read every night before bed.

We are refreshed and well, a little sunburned and sore muscled, behind on the yard work and everyday duties but SO HAPPY to have had the opportunity to commune with God, family and nature for these few days. There is a lot of life after retirement. Be refreshed in that thought.