2018 Portraits

Fall makes for such pretty photos.  I've been wanting to get a 'family' shot of us using the '40 as a prop.  I like these.

My Fav...

The Mr.'s Fav....

Family Highlights

It's been a busy summer!  As soon as we were back from our trek south, I took a temporary gig with Meade County (next county over) that kept me pretty busy for about 8 weeks.  It was a good gig though.  I enjoyed the guys I worked with, showed off the old truck to them, rode my bike out a couple times, and hey, the money wasn't to bad!  

That came to an end JUST in time to get the house ready to celebrate Bill's 70th (Really?  YES!!) birthday.  We had a houseful!  Bill's sister Susie came out, cousin Charlie and wife and all their kids/spouses and one grandson. On our side, each of the kids was able to make it! THAT hasn't happened in a LONG time!  We had the grandsons also, but unfortunately, life got in the way of each of the granddaughters being able to make the trip.  All in all, we had 21 people in the house!  Big shout out to our neighbors that helped us house everyone with borrowed campers!

Last fall at the Fire Dept Auxiliary Haunted House we used an antique wheel-chair.  Well, Bill really liked it and I was able to get it bought, had it stashed all winter long and kept it a secret right up until it was time for the party to start!  Sneaky, I tell ya!  I think he likes it - Bill sat in it the ENTIRE week

we had company!  Chuck and Cathy had the fun t-shirts printed up for everyone so we would all match for photos. 

 

Dinner for the party was an authentic shrimp boil, complete with sausage corn and potatoes.  We even did the 'throw down' with the shrimp!  Almost the entire 20 pounds of shrimp we brought back from Texas was gone the end of the night.  Success I tell ya!

After the majority of the family left, Nicholas was able to stay and spend some extra time with us.  Life didn't slow down one bit while he was here!  We went east river to camp on the river with our friends that raise the dogs.  While we were there, Nick got to help mend/stand fence, saw quail hatch, puppies born, caught a catfish, played with baby goats, tubed behind the boat, went to the dam museum, got some high quality shooting sports coaching in.....  I told you we were busy!  Back home here, he got to drive the old truck, 4 wheelers, helped out around the place which we really appreciated.  Hiked, hid from a tornado, shot rifle, and I'm not even sure what all else!  Bill were able to take him home to California so the adventure continued in the camper complete with s'mores lakeside.

 

Camp Grand-dad and Connie 2018 was a resounding success!!!

A Day of Remembrance

The End Has Come

Today is our last day to enjoy South Padre Island for 2018.  Though I am ready to move on, and begin slowly heading north, I will miss the sun, the water, the sand.......... our great friends we have made down here.  

Yesterday was very overcast and grey, but I still made it out on the water for one last kayak.  No dolphins, and a huge smudge on the water camera, but a great time non the less!

Our neighbor Susie just after we passed under the Causeway.

Susie and I at the end of our great afternoon on the water. 

This morning offered sites on both sides of the island.  The moon sets to the West as the sun rose from the east.  A pretty morning and spectacular start to the day!

The Causeway

The Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge that connects Port Isabel to South Padre Island.  

Taken from the pier on the island looking back toward Port Isabel.  You can see the Port Isabel Historical Lighthouse on the left above my logo.  (Click on photo to view much better.)

The sign as you come off the causeway onto the island that welcomes visitors and residents alike.  

Spring Solstice

The first morning of spring didn't offer any kind of photo worthy sunrise, but I did head up island and found a nice 1st sunset of the season.  This is a private pier next to a nice privately owned park that is available for public use.

 

The next morning looked like a colorful sunrise was about to happen, but sadly, it dissipated and didn't give the colors I was hoping for.  Still, I was there so worth shooting.

 

This Morning's Sites

I've not been able to capture a nice sunrise yet this year so I walked down to the beach see what Mother Nature was going to offer me.  To overcast for any kind of a sunrise photo op, but I did see a ship coming into port.

"Morning Port Call"

Access through the dunes down to the beach.