§ The Sea Wall

Friday morning, I left home with the outdoor temperature hovering in the mid 70s. I found myself at the seawall. I didn't want to go to the islands...again. I didn't want to go to Indian Point Park or Sunset Lakes...the new harbor bridge construction has the interstate and Portland highway in construction turmoil! I didn't want to go far. 'Cause I figured by the time I got my walking in, the heat would be my own personal enemy. Needless to say, I surmised, if I walked the seawall, at least there'd be a morning breeze coming off the bay...Not on your life! It was so sitll and humid.  Not a lick of air moving. I couldn't have been more wrong. But walked anyway, I did. Not far. Only 2.5 miles of my usual 5 miles. After walking, I stopped and watched the shrimp boats. They were out in droves, so to speak. And I love everything about them [altho you wouldn't catch me on one since they're so ratty-looking; as if they'll spring a leak in the rusted hull and sink any time],  -I like the shape, the mechanisms, the netting, the shrimpers and the crew working all the paraphernalia ---not to mention the gulls and pelicans following them for handouts!!! The sea sparkled, the morning light cast the boats in shadow, it was a pretty [and peaceful] sight. One more thing...forgive me with this...but, you could say "I went OVERBOARD with the shutter button". Several; way too many photos:

...another episode of the walk along the seawall coming to a blog near you!

I just didn't take my walking all that seriously this time around; much stopping to take photos, and once I actually stopped on a bench in the shade of the watergarden to cool off before going on.

§ Near the Port of Call...

The Texas State Aquarium is a great place to visit. I never tire of going there. I continue to learn new things each time. My favorite is the Caribbean Wing. Not only sea life but, the free flying birds is like going on a walking safari to see just how many you can find in the live trees and near water. There is also a Gulf of Mexico section where you see many exhibits...some, with hands-on as you go. Even the art work on the walls is tastefully done....like this 16 by 10 foot tile mosaic seen here [the dimensions are estimated -it's two stories high]. It's a wonderful, family adventure. I'll share some photos from the weekend as I walked around; inside and outdoors...

The sea life in the Caribbean:

Waterfalls give you an atmosphere without experiencing the biting insects of the tropics...

...Going outdoors on the aquarium grounds, there is a very large area for dolphins...they are trained and there is a showing several times during the day. Otters, seals, turtles, alligators, cabana covered snacking areas and benches, an arena for aviary shows, stingrays where adults and children alike can have a sensory touch, fountains the shape of whales, etc. can be seen. Not to mention the open sea and port of call ship channel, many nearby attractions like seafood, souvenir shops, museums, a WWII aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum of the naval warfare history, oh....and a popular area, the beach!!!

The ship seen in the distance is the USS Lexington [world war II aircraft carrier...now, a museum; as previously mentioned]. And if you're interested in US Navy and the sea life of a seaman, you may know your signal flags...if not, let me tell you the signal flags you see reads US Lexington CV-16.

§ Let's Go Outside and Enjoy the Sea Breeze...

Aquarium Gifts

Still in the Aquarium, the two of us headed to the gift shop. Since we worked over a month at the beginning of this year, downsizing our clutter, it took every ounce of will-power NOT to purchase these two items:

I am a sucker for stuffed animals! And this 3 toed sloth was so cute and so plush and soft!! Remember back in the late 60's/70's the popularity of Lava Lights? This one had two jellyfish floating aimlessly with rainbow colored lights...mesmerizing!

...to continue with the surrounding area of the Texas State Aquarium, Bud and I walked back to our parked car to leave, but instead, we decided to walk to get up close and personal to the Port O' Call and the vast area from under the Harbor Bridge to pass the time and hopefully allow the traffic for those that are looking to park to visit the Aquarium...time for the traffic to clear out a bit.. From the channel, the  view will astound the novice on how busy the port cities can be...seven days a week, all year long!

There is a small cotillion of sorts right at the banks of the channel, and directly under the bridge!! It was a cool spot and the sea breeze was very nice while the sun was getting warm by then. We watched  a couple of watercraft...the smaller tugboat and then, a large carrier/cargo ship, Julie C, operated by Britain and as I type this up, it's location from Corpus Christi is now far out into the Gulf of Mexico, arriving in Luderitz, Namibia, Africa [eta] November 7th.

The Tugboat


An Unexpected Visitor...



...who had its eyes on the bollard to watch for any stirred up meals coming along behind the ships' wake


Julie C




HUMOR
This is the actual transcript of a radio conversation between a British Navy ship and the Irish Coastguard, off the coast of Kerry:

Irish. Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south, to avoid collision

British. Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north, to avoid collision

Irish. Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south,  to avoid collision.

British. This is the Captain of a British Navy Ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Irish. Negative. I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course

British. THIS IS THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE BRITISH FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY 3 DESTROYERS, 3 CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT SHIPS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES TO THE NORTH, OR COUNTERMEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS FLOTILLA.

Irish. THIS IS A LIGHTHOUSE ....... YOUR CALL!

§ Good Fren Betta dan Packet Money.

Jamaican Mahn!!
GOOD FREN BETTA dan PACKET MONEY
[translation: A good friend is better than pocket money!]
meaning: Friendship is move valuable than wealth.

A very popular [nation-wide] destination in Corpus Christi along the bay front is the Texas State Aquarium. Recently, after about 3-4 years construction, a new wing has been added to the facility. The over 70,000 square foot and with a price tag of nearly $60 million, it's been open to the public since May [I believe]. Bud and I wanted to wait until much later in the year to avoid the crowds that vacation here with the beach nearby and the locals visiting in droves. We left early in the morning, and got there just after opening, and no large numbers of people yet. [By the time we left, the entrance line was clear down the street about two city blogs long!! What did I say...it's a popular tourist trap. And expensive = 1 year membership is $139, single entry fee is $34.95 for each adult]

Anyway, the new addition is called Caribbean Journey. And, naturally, it's all about the Caribbean Sea and the wildlife/sea life. I hafta admit, it's a spectacular place to go visit. As you enter through the bamboo curtains you're transported to the islands off the Mexican coast! The atmosphere both in tropical temps and free-roaming animals and underwater displays [UNDER the floor you walk on] is just phenomenal.

Without further ado, I share the adventure...

From above, poison tree frogs, toucans, snakes, scarlet ibis [I want to see one of these in the wild!!!], spoonbills and other large and small birds, fishes, sharks, a two toed sloth that was one of my favorites...she was actually quite active!!, waterfalls, flamingos,  and more, along with a 4-D theater..

On the top-most floor there is a dining area/restaurant.  All open glass walls.  And my goodness, what stunning views!  Of the sea, the port, the busy ship channel...the sun was out, the sea sparkled...it was awesome.  I can only imagine what this would look like at night with the city lights and the harbor bridge lighted up too..

I have a few more photos to share of this day trippin'...for another post coming soon!