WEATHER REPORT

THE WEATHER HERE IN TEXAS HAS BEEN WILD. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS OF RAIN AND COASTAL FLOODING, SATURDAY NIGHT WE WERE HIT WITH WHAT WAS LEFT OF HURRICANE PATRICA AND MORE RAIN.

THE BESL BUNCH LEFT AT 1PM FRIDAY TO TRY AND DRIVE BETWEEN THE RAINS AND THE HURRICANE EVENT TO RETURN TO LA CROSSE, WI. BETWEEN THE FLOODING AND ROAD CLOSERS THE TRIP HOME TOOK THEM THREE AND A HALF HOURS LONGER THAN THE TRIP DOWN.

SATURDAY NIGHT THE STREETS ON THE ISLAND WERE FLOODED AND PRETTY MUCH CLOSED DOWN THE ISLAND. WE DIDN’T EVEN VENTURE OUTSIDE TO MAKE THE WALK TO WANNA WANNA.

THE SEA HAS BEEN HIGH FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHICH MAKES THE BEAUTIFUL BEACH ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND DISAPPEAR. BEFORE THE HIGH SEAS WE WERE DAY TO DAY ON THE RED TIDE. THIS MORNING IT’S COLD OUTSIDE, AND NEITHER OF US PACKED ANY LONG PANTS.

WE’RE IN A HOLDING PATTERN WAITING FOR TEXAS TO DRY OUT AND THE FLOOD WATERS TO RECEDE, AND THEN WILL RETURN TO “THE MOUNTAIN” TO CLOSE DOWN THE CABIN FOR THE WINTER. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME AS THE NEXT THING ON THE SCHEDULE IS A DENTIST APPOINTMENT FOR MARY ON NOVEMBER 4TH IN BULLHEAD CITY, AZ.

Water, Water

In spite of red tide at SPI, the Besl’s were determined to enjoy the pool and beach.

RJ practicing with the boogie board and goggles.

 

 

Big sister Marissa, who always has her phone, and RJ on the beach.

 

Ali chillin on the beach.

 

Ali and Mackenzie heading out into the waves.

 

Mackenzie and Randy waiting for the “big one”!

 

RJ off to dig in the sand.

 

Randy and his three daughters enjoying the surf.

 

 

Looks like RJ caught one!

 

 Mackenzie and Marissa recreating the “Titanic” pose during the dolphin watch cruise.

 Bay fishing turned out to be a hit with RJ, he actually caught the most fish of anyone on the charter.  He caught 3!!

 

 The bay fishing charter that the Besl’s took to do some fishing.

 

 We were on the dock waiting for them when they returned from fishing!

Ali and Mackenzie enjoying the surf!!  I am so blessed that they came to visit Texas with us and that they had another great vacation!!

THE GULF

AND THE SEA GOES WILD !!! WE’VE HAD HIGH SEAS AND 7 TO 10 WAVES THE LAST FEW DAYS. THIS MORNING THE BEACH IS GONE.

THE WATER IS WASHING RIGHT UP TO THE DUNES, AND IN SOME PLACES IS WASHING THE DUNES AWAY.

SEE HOW THE SEAWEED HAS WASHED INTO THE PATH UP TO THE CONDO.

BESIDES THE HIGH SEAS, THE RED TIDE IS STILL HERE CAUSING FISH KILLS.

THIS IS WHAT THE VOLLEYBALL COURTS IN FRONT OF CLAYTON’S BEACH BAR LOOK LIKE.

 

 

OF COURSE WITH NO BEACH, THERE ARE NO PEOPLE, EXCEPT MAYBE A COUPLE OF WISCONSIN GIRLS ON VACATION ENJOYING THE SURF…..

Birding Center and Dolphin Watch

The SPI vacation for the Besl Bunch is underway.  We went to the Birding and Nature Center Monday morning. 

 

Waiting to go into the building……they are looking a turtles, fish, and butterflies in a pond.  The landscaping around the building is really beautiful.

 

Not sure but I think this is a crane????

 

Not sure here either but I am guess a blue crab.

 

Then we went on a sunset dolphin watch cruise and ran into this shrimp boat.

 

This guy was kind enough to show us some moves…and it was fantastic!!

 

Dolphins are playful and we were lucky enough to watch.

 

We are traveling about 15 MPH here and the dolphins are “running” along with us.  According to the Captain, this is for dolphins as surfing is for humans and they love it.  The Captain said we were lucky they were so active for us.  Guess we all figured out their behavior wasn’t an every cruise occurrence when he grabbed his camera and started taking pictures of them.  At one point we had 7 dolphins running with us.  We were really lucky!!

 

The Besl’s enjoyed the day and so did Rex and I.

SUNSET CRUISE

THE BESL BUNCH WENT FOR A SUNSET CRUISE TODAY.


HERE IS THE DOUBLE DECKER BOAT.


IT WAS A GREAT BOAT RIDE INTO THE SHIPPING CANAL AND OUT TO THE JETTIES TOWARD THE GULF. IT IS FROM THIS ANGLE THAT YOU GET THE BEST PHOTOS OF THE ISLAND SHORE LINE.


AFTER THE SHORT TOUR, CAPTAIN MURPHY WAS ON A QUEST TO SHOW US THE DOLPHINS. WE HEADED INTO THE BAY AND EVEN UNDER THE CAUSEWAY. AFTER MANY SIGHTINGS THE DOLPHINS DECIDED TO RUN IN THE WAKE FROM THE BOAT. THE BOAT SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR AND AS MANY AS SEVEN DOLPHINS WHERE SWIMMING, DIVING, AND JUMPING RIGHT ALONG SIDE. RANDY HAD A GREAT VIDEO POSTED ON FACEBOOK WHICH MARY SHARED, AND I HOPE YOU GOT TO SEE IT.


OH YES, OF COURSE THE SUNSET…..

THE RED TIDE

UNFORTUNATELY THE RED TIDE HAS BEEN HORRIBLE ALL WEEK-END, BUT THE REASON IS 6 TO 10 FOOT WAVES ON THE SEA. THE BEACH IS HARDLY THERE AS THE WAVES CRASH ON SHORE.

EVEN WITH THE RED TIDE THE OCEAN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST. THERE ARE NOW THREE BOOGIE BOARDS IN INVENTORY AND THE KIDS HAVE BEEN NON-STOP. THEY DID TAKE A BREAK FOR THE CORAL REEF AND THE VIKING VICTORY, BUT NEVER SAW A SECOND OF THE PACKER GAME.

EYE DROPS, GOOGLES, AND MASKS ARE ALL TRIED, BUT THE WAVES AND BOOGIE BOARDS WIN EVERYTIME.

EVEN THE DARKNESS DOESN’T TURN THEM AWAY AS CRAB HUNTS ARE ORGANIZED.

I STOLE A FEW PICTURES FROM THEIR FACEBOOK PAGES.

SURPRISE !!!

HEATHER AND FAMILY, SUPER-SUPRISED GRANDMA MARY, AND SHOWED UP UNANNOUNCED A FULL DAY EARLY FOR THEIR VACATION ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND.

 

HERE’S REX RETURNING FROM HIS MORNING BEACH WALK.

 

GUESS WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

 

 

THIS YEAR WE FOUND A PLACE TO BUY SHRIMP RIGHT OFF THE BOATS FOR $8/LB. NICE IMPROVEMENT OVER LAST YEAR WHEN WE PAID $15/LB.

OK KIDS…. NOW WHAT’S NEXT?

South End

 The other day we went to the south end of South Padre Island to check out some touristy type stuff for when my grandchildren show up later this week.  We got to see some beautiful flowers so of course I had to take some pictures.

 

 

 This is a beautiful hedge of flowers.

 

 The hedge was made up of these flowers…which start out like this….

 

 And turn in to this…aren’t they beautiful??

 

 They come in yellow as well as orange!!!

 

 

 Rex found some wooden dolphins to pose with!!

 

 No flowers but colorful leaves.

 

 A pelican fountain…

 

I think this is a blue marlin…..

 

In addition to all the pretty flowers and carvings we did in fact get info on some tours that I am sure my grandchildren will enjoy!

GOOD MORNING !!!!