On this morning, I decided to walk along the mudflats behind Packery Channel Park. I had read that the tide was going to be low at that hour, and thought maybe I could spot some shorebirds. Very little activity witnessed, except for the usual suspects of gulls and herons. Several boats and fishermen were out trying their luck on the still waters. So, to keep this mudflat saga a short narration, I will just show some photos from walking.
Showing posts with label bridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bridge. Show all posts
§ Bridge Over Troubled Waters....
On Sunday morning, very early...just as the sun was rising, I left for Sunset Lakes Park in Portland Texas. Reasoning behind such an early beginning, I had to use the Expressway to reach the park. And this is where the new expansion bridge is being built....where the Expressway and Interstate 37 and Highway 181 intersect. I have been avoiding that area for a couple of months. I knew it would be a messy situation and no doubt narrowed sections of highway because of all the building and construction going on. To my surprise, since it's been such a while since I've been there...I was in awe, a bit anxious, and quite confounded at the sight! And I was sure glad it was Sunday, early enough for very little to no traffic congestion. I know for sure I'm glad I'm retired and not having to drive this each day to get to work during rush hour. There wouldn't be enough tequila in stock at home for me to get through this mess each and every day...twice!What used to be used to enter the I 37 corridor and cut off to highway 181 from Crosstown Expressway, it was a simple maneuver before this new bridge. Just one exit ramp. Now? Oh my goodness!! The exit ramp is now UNDER an overpass. Kinda awe inspiring yet tricky to actually find if you're not familiar with the city. Then, there are a few unfinished sections of highway above my head as I exit! Scary? Kinda! After getting through the construction, I'm now on my way to cross the still existing, still being used, Harbor Bridge. Once crossing THAT, there is more construction on the other side of the ship channel/Port of Corpus Christi. And narrowing lanes and curves. I slowed down to a snail's pace through it all. Finally reaching the causeway that crosses the North Bay and River outlet. Home free! Walking the trail at the park, I enjoyed the ambiance of what nature and beautiful weather laid in store for me, but Hmmmmm, now I had to go back the way I came. Through it all, AGAIN!!
Not bad here, coming OUT of the construction zone
I still sit here at the computer typing this up, seeing the conglomeration of constructions, pylons, stanchions, at one point what seemed like I'd drive right into an unfinished highway section above my head...head on, and marvel a bit...breathlessly. To see this all come together in a matter of a couple more years will be an engineering feat.
Views from walking the trail...
...and to continue showcasing my Trolls...
↓ My 26th Troll Share ↓
Holiday Themed Masked Trick r Treater  circa: 80s |
§ On the Gulf...on the Seawall
On Mustang Island, there was this early in the morning...
...it's NOT a tornado. It's this. Kinda like a tornado, but happening over a body of water...hence, a water spout.
Then, off I go to walk the early morning along the seawall downtown...
A view of the USS Lexington through the pillars of a mirador.
A blue heron on the wall watching the gentle surf...a tie for ships along the dock
A cargo ship washing anchor...the three flags of Our Town...Corpus Christi city flag, USA, and Texas state flag. [do you know how hard it is to get all three flapping in the breeze at one time...dozens of photos taken before I could get 'em in sync. lol]
Heron and small turnstone...and an 'odd' looking boat,,,I had no idea what it was. lol
The art museum and the culture complex showing the Bank Center and part of the Auditorium
Along the dock and the harbor bridge
- - -
Vine climbing up along one pathway along the seawall [see the bug?]
Same plant [there are several]...and a 'lucky penny'? Nope it's tails up!!
More of the plants...with the Federal Court House in the background...a heron
One of many Miradors...C C partial skyline ---between the white building in the center and the red-roofed courthouse, is the beginning of Interstate 37 to San Antonio.
...it's NOT a tornado. It's this. Kinda like a tornado, but happening over a body of water...hence, a water spout.
Then, off I go to walk the early morning along the seawall downtown...
A view of the USS Lexington through the pillars of a mirador.
A blue heron on the wall watching the gentle surf...a tie for ships along the dock
A cargo ship washing anchor...the three flags of Our Town...Corpus Christi city flag, USA, and Texas state flag. [do you know how hard it is to get all three flapping in the breeze at one time...dozens of photos taken before I could get 'em in sync. lol]
Heron and small turnstone...and an 'odd' looking boat,,,I had no idea what it was. lol
The art museum and the culture complex showing the Bank Center and part of the Auditorium
Along the dock and the harbor bridge
- - -
Vine climbing up along one pathway along the seawall [see the bug?]
Same plant [there are several]...and a 'lucky penny'? Nope it's tails up!!
More of the plants...with the Federal Court House in the background...a heron
One of many Miradors...C C partial skyline ---between the white building in the center and the red-roofed courthouse, is the beginning of Interstate 37 to San Antonio.
§ Gone Fishing....
Note: Composed Saturday, posted Sunday morning---It's Saturday morning, and it's been raining for several hours! Not much to do then, except for laundry and a bit of reading and movie watching later today and this evening. After working outdoors a bit yesterday, Bud and I watched two movies. Both Oscar contenders. During the Christmas break [2017] we went to the theater to see Darkest Hour. Last Tuesday it came out on DVD and I stopped to buy it on the way home, taking with me another highly praised movie...Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. I can't understand why this was/is getting such high accolades. It's okay; the language is foul!!! But, to me it's violent, sick, and quite disturbing!!! Maybe with so much of the hashtag Me Too and now the Florida school slaying in the news, it's noteworthy to some. I just can see it. Truly, Frances McDormand has a great talent...she pulled off her leading role in the movie with panache/pizzazz! Three things bothered me throughout the movie [four if I include the premature ending...altho I was GLAD it was done]...the aforementioned language, the killing/suicides/body-burning, and all the posthumous letters read. Drama/Vilolence/Comedy? I don't think so...if it wins the Movie of the Year,...I won't be surprised, but highly disappointed.
I'd much prefer Darkest Hour win the movie of the year. AND Gary Oldman taking the top Oscar for leading actor as Winston Churchill. I am constantly astounded by the talent washing through this movie...the acting, the sets, the very accurate [his]story, directing and most of all the makeup artist that worked on Mr. Oldman to change him from this to Churchill
Sunday night...Oscars.
I love watching the preview mostly...the Red Carpet prior to the ceremony for the fashions...I'm sure this year, most female celebrities will be wearing black. It's become so political...but I still force myself to enjoy!!
_____
courtesy of local news station
"2020 it's expected to be complete."
The project will include the development, design, construction and maintenance of a total of 6.44 miles of bridge and connecting roadway. The bridge will include six-lane sections of US 181, three lanes in each direction with a median barrier, shoulders, and a bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path. Additionally, the project includes the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of I-37, reconstruction of approximately one mile of the Crosstown Expressway and demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge.
While driving around, it was a quiet section, traffic-wise, so I slowed down to check out the progress of the new expansion bridge that is being built to replace the 'old harbor bridge' [built in 1952]...I was able to drive slow enough to take some photos...
_____
GONE FISHING
The other day, I was driving to search for a reported rare bird [one from Europe so I wasn't expecting to find it actually, but we HAVE had long, lost vagrants that seem to show up ocassionally]. I was sure it was a 'hoax' reporting. I did see several species along the way: Skimmers, Yellowlegs, Willets, seagulls, plovers, cormorants, pelicans, wintering ducks, and year 'round resident ducks, herons, egrets and more. Besides, I could stop along the bay, and walk along the coast line. When I finished my 'half way mark' to turn around to go back along the way I had come, nearing the end of my walk, a Great Blue Heron caught a fish!! I snapped a sequence of photos as what looks like bass wriggling in its captor's jaws...
Sunday night...Oscars.
I love watching the preview mostly...the Red Carpet prior to the ceremony for the fashions...I'm sure this year, most female celebrities will be wearing black. It's become so political...but I still force myself to enjoy!!
_____
courtesy of local news station
"2020 it's expected to be complete."
The project will include the development, design, construction and maintenance of a total of 6.44 miles of bridge and connecting roadway. The bridge will include six-lane sections of US 181, three lanes in each direction with a median barrier, shoulders, and a bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path. Additionally, the project includes the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of I-37, reconstruction of approximately one mile of the Crosstown Expressway and demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge.
Updates courtesy of Harbor Bridge Project
While driving around, it was a quiet section, traffic-wise, so I slowed down to check out the progress of the new expansion bridge that is being built to replace the 'old harbor bridge' [built in 1952]...I was able to drive slow enough to take some photos...
_____
The other day, I was driving to search for a reported rare bird [one from Europe so I wasn't expecting to find it actually, but we HAVE had long, lost vagrants that seem to show up ocassionally]. I was sure it was a 'hoax' reporting. I did see several species along the way: Skimmers, Yellowlegs, Willets, seagulls, plovers, cormorants, pelicans, wintering ducks, and year 'round resident ducks, herons, egrets and more. Besides, I could stop along the bay, and walk along the coast line. When I finished my 'half way mark' to turn around to go back along the way I had come, nearing the end of my walk, a Great Blue Heron caught a fish!! I snapped a sequence of photos as what looks like bass wriggling in its captor's jaws...
I was also able to get some good close up images of a Herring Gull [one of the largest in North America]...in its 3rd year plumage. They're very large, beautiful and, my special feature...pink feet!!!! I'll get to resizing the photos someday soon.
§ Sunday Morning...
...the fog along the seawall was thick as I walked my 10k steps!! I couldn't see the bay water at all, I could only hear faint sounds of the slow surf, a few gulls calling but not seen. I walked from the seawall to the culture center of the downtown area and over to the port of call, under the Harbor Bridge....
The sun trying to break through the misty air...a brown pelican perched on a pylon...the seawall walkway and the fog beyond the visual distance...palms along Shoreline Drive.
One of many Miradors in the fog...another walker...the view from the Mirador [looking out on the hidden bay water] ...a bronze sculpture on the Art Museum grounds [buffalo] and a cargo ship moored on the Harbor's Port Channel
The HARBOR BRIDGE...half visible...A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
I thought this was ironic [or iconic], being a Sunday morning [Christian Sabbath] and its treasured treat it found was the shape of a CROSS!!
...by the time I did my two way walk to and from and back again, the air was clearing, the breakers on the bay were becoming visible and people were walking, jogging, biking, and enjoying the peaceful day. Only to get home, party and watch the Super Bowl [I'm glad the Eagles Won!!!!].
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)