Last post from Port Aransas - heading for Illinois

We've started to clean up and pack up our home in preparation for the trip northward. Hope winter is gone by the time we get there! We'll miss the Texas Gulf Coast - but we'll be back.

These are American White Pelicans. They spend the winter here just like we do, and then head north for the summer, just like we do.

Pat with Molly and Annie at the Malaquite Pavilion at National Seashore on Padre Island.

On the beach at National Seashore.

The sign says it all.

Pat and our neighbor, Carol Casner, shopping at the Oysterfest.

Some of the crowd of 35,000 people at the Oysterfest.

Everyone's favorite part of the Oysterfest.

1,000+ year-old oak tree at Goose Island State Park near Rockport, Texas.

A pair of Whooping Cranes. These birds are HUGE!

Egret at Port Aransas recreation area.

Resident Heron along the ship canal at Port Aransas.

Long-billed Curlews hanging out at the beach.

There is an explosion of spring here in Texas after the cooler months of winter. It never really stops being green and/or growing, but there is a renewal of life each spring. We won't be here for the hot months of summer, and that's OK. We'll be seeing a lot of you soon.