Having been here in Jefferson, TX about 5 times before, there is nothing that I already haven’t said to describe it…One of my all time “favs” to visit in Texas! You would be better served if I just posted photos…so I will start with a collage…
I was very disappointed that some of the Spring flowers weren’t out yet…Must be the nasty cold Winter that made them stay in their “buds” a bit longer…
We tried a new campsite this visit…and we LOVE it. We have pretty much an unobstructed view of the lake here….which means we are almost out on the point…Today I am paying for my braggadocio “cave”lier attitude..We have wind gusts to 45 mph…ROCK AND ROLL, BABY!
Last night, we went back into town and decided to get some smoked brisket for carry-outs. We stopped in at a place we had never tried…Joseph's Riverport Barbeque..and we were NOT disappointed..Here are a few pictures of the place…
Left, MacGyver ordered at the counter…middle is a bin of peanuts for the taking…and right, well, that’s the menu over the counter…
Yep, we be in Texas for sure!!!! Middle is the front of the place, and left is the “walk/drive up” window on the side street..Note the firewood stacked for their smoker…
ALL I CAN SAY IS….OMG!!!! FABULOUS SMOKED BRISKET (SAUCE WAS A BIG A+ TOO!)
Today is Sunday and the campground was full this weekend. Since the weather has “turned South” and lots of the peeps were here to fish, most have turned tail and ran…cowards..Whatever happen to fishing from the shore?? There are some neat birds here both water fowl and little perching birds…
There are lots of Loons here on this lake (which is why I fit right in…batta bing, batta boom!) These birds are great swimmers, but not so good on their feet when it comes to land (something else we have in common). “Loons are well equipped for their submarine maneuvers to catch fish. Unlike most birds, loons have solid bones that make them less buoyant and better at diving. They can quickly blow air out of their lungs and flatten their feathers to expel air within their plumage, so they can dive quickly and swim fast underwater. Once below the surface, the loon’s heart slows down to conserve oxygen.”
Loons are like airplanes in that they need a runway for takeoff. In the case of loons, they need from 30 yards up to a quarter-mile (depending on the wind) for flapping their wings and running across the top of the water in order to gain enough speed for lift-off.
“Migrating Common Loons occasionally land on wet highways or parking lots, mistaking them for rivers and lakes. They become stranded without a considerable amount of open water for a long takeoff. A loon may also get stranded on a pond that is too small. The Common Loon is flightless for a few weeks after molting all of its wing feathers at the same time in midwinter. The oldest-known Common Loon lived at least 24 years, 1 month, spending its summers on a lake in Michigan.”..Probably more than you really wanted to know about Loons, but for some reason I have this special affinity for them :-)
I had to help a stranded loon once when I lived in upstate New York. After eating all the fish in a farmer's small pond it started walking down the highway. I picked it up and took it to the Susquehanna River for take off. Nice birdie post, Grasshopper! ;)
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I'm fixing a brisket the only way it should be done... simmered corned beef in honor of the Wearing of the Green!
And this is why I love you, Oh great Teacher...humbled by your praise... and just where did you live in upstate NY? Dennis was stationed in Saratoga Springs and we have traveled lots in the Adirondacks...
Deletesounds like you two are making the most of your winter trip!!! batton down the hatches! hope the wind dies down soon!!
ReplyDeleteI hate wind...We get our share of it from Chicago and Lake Michigan, even though we are 60 miles West of there...Texas is notoriously windy too...but I still hate it.
DeleteThat's some good looking meat.
ReplyDeleteLove that last picture beautiful red color and the loon pic, interesting factoids about the Loon!!! who knew?
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn all of that about those Loons too...amazing birds.
DeleteGreat blog, Donna. My favourite pic was the one of your 2 lazy-boy chairs facing out the window. That's a perfect way to spend time on a day when the weather isn't 100% cooperating.
ReplyDeleteYep, we turn those bad boys around and have a beautiful view in almost every park we are....sometimes I get my legs tangled up when swiveling tho...and Dennis ALWAYS does..His legs are longer than mine !
Deletegood to know about the loon strandings, might come in handy someday. Good to know I'll never outgrow my hatred of the wind. That's what I always say is the worst thing about this neck of the woods. It would all be more tolerable if not for the wind.
ReplyDeleteI hate wind too, Pam..We have it in our area at home too..grrrrr!!
DeleteThe stand off at the feeder is a great photo! Just love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nan....I found it pretty funny too!
DeleteYou should be getting close to running outta firewood by now. Love those lake views....never get enough. We must a shared the same wind as the dust was blowing in AZ. Great photo with the chairs turned toward the window.....you're not so loonie after all. Safe travels, my friend :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ingrid...Will be home about end of March..You..and only YOU, know what the reason is...You have a spot to crash at our home in Illinois anytime..
ReplyDelete