Nic’s RX Kit
Nic’s Vanity Kit
I keep separate cosmetics for traveling (they last a long time and are ready to go) I bring this with me in my handbag or carry-on to have with me for overnight flights, or in the event we have a unexpected stay- over.
Nic’s Picnic Backpack
It was designed as a picnic backpack. It has lightweight dishes with organized compartments. There is a lot of room with three areas that zip shut, two large and one small. Of course there is a bottle opener that lives in there, and two external side pockets; one for a wine bottle. :- ) It came with two mini stemmed glasses that have their own place to live in. This was one of my best purchases and even has small salt and pepper shakers, and a cutting board. It has cutlery, and I keep a few sets of disposable utensils in there. There is room for Vivas, my favorite paper towel, and extra tissue rolls that vacation rentals do not always have. This one varies and I tend to research ahead of time to see if I need to add anything else. It may include any cooking oils, marinades, and grilling utensils that we may need.
In general, this is what lives in the kit.
Key Allegro Canals Photo by Nicki Hurd
We parked on the outside of the gate of the parking lot to prevent our Kia from getting locked in at 5:00 pm, as instructed by Anna from Rockport Birding and Kayak Adventures, who was a great help. I was happy that clouds were overhead saving us from basting in the sun. After loading our water bottles in and carrying the kayaks into position to set off …. the local watching over the domain approached us to warn us that a storm was coming in and it would be best if we wait until it passes. He was getting frustrated between staying with the call on his mobile and convincing us. We waited out the storm, and were eager to set off once we returned and re-positioned the Kia
Key Allegro and Rockport Beach Park seperate Little Bay from Aransas Bay. It may have been quiet on the water because of the storm that had passed. We only encountered the power boats in the bay as the kayaks swept through the tranquil waterway across Little Bay to the canals. We stayed along the sides to avoid contact and the wake. At the edge of a long pier in Little Bay, a man was casting his rod out a great distance from where he stood…the look on his face and perhaps his overenthusiastic effort hinted that he may not have been too successful that day.
The next angler was calling out enthusiastically to someone, and gave the impression there was something to see at the end of his hook. A couple of poised Herons posed themselves so well that at first it was difficult to tell if they were real or a statue until they changed positions. As we stroked through the canals, we could see very large jellyfish at the surface, but they must have caught our eyes; they would retreat and sink as soon as we spotted them. My seat was soon soaked from splashing in a significant amount of water while paddling… may have to work on my technique. It was a nice cooling effect but I was grateful that I brought clothes and would not have to be dripping as we gathered the items from the market for our dinner later.
Bottlenose Dolphin photo by Andrew Leggett
Generally, I am awake very early on holidays and bouncing off the door anxious to get out and about, but I was still waking up as we set off on the Sunday 9:00am Dolphin Cruise from Fulton Harbor on the Skimmer with Caption Tommy. He also does a Whooping Crane Tour when the cranes are wintering on the coast, and enjoying the Blue crabs. If you would like a ride it is best to call. The morning jaunt was not listed on the site when I looked. 877-892-4737 361-729-7409 http://whoopingcranetours.com/
As we headed out to the gulf, it was clear that captain Tommy, a naturalist, knew what he was doing… find a shrimp boat and there would be dolphins following. We spotted the fins of an adult and calf jumping and playing. Within minutes we were surrounded by these lovely mammals, including at least two different species.
It was a challenge to catch the face of these Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as the boat rocked. I decided to visit the loo but soon changed my mind when I realized that when I wasn’t looking out… I began to feel nauseous and then understood what he meant by “hold on to your kittens”. Fortunately we were at the end of the stalking. The agitating stopped as we jetted back to shore. September 1, 2012
The Goose Island Oak Photo by Nicki Hurd
The big Tree of Lamar is said to be a survivor of extreme weather, climatologists estimate this tree has endured forty to fifty hurricanes, floods, wildfires and droughts.
This charter member of the Oak Society of America is located on the Lamar Peninsula near Goose Island State Park. It is estimated to have been anchored here for between one and two thousand years, and it may be one of the oldest oak trees. Age is determined by radiocarbon dating, or counting or cross-referencing tree rings. The Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), is a species of Oak trees that grows from Texas to Florida, and up to Virginia. The gulf breeze limits the height of oak trees. The Big Tree is more than 45 feet tall and has a crown spread of 90 feet. It is big because of its girth not height, the circumference is over 35 feet.
The horizontal length of the branches (in botany limbs are called the ramus and the large branches are known as boughs) of oak trees is bewildering to me…the core strength the limbs must have. They look like they are defying gravity. Trees are much stronger in the vertical axis than they are in the horizontal, because the cells at the tree trunk are long, skinny and have a tremendous amount of beam strength, which allows the tree trunk to hold up numberous branches.
Classified as the Champion Live Oak in Texas, this beautiful Live Oak is showing its age. The boughs are supported and it has a lightning conductor. It has been treated for pest and disease. There is a fence surrounding it, allowing it some space, to keep us pests away…as it is almost impossible to resist the temptation to sit and lean against it and meditate on all that has gone on around this mighty oak, to touch and congratulate the Big Tree for persevering and trying to discover its secret. August 31, 2012
El Tavor Hotel Photo by Nicki Hurd
I’ve read it is generally fully booked, even during off season. We were very happy to be able to reserve a room in this alluring place that has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Nicki Hurd and Andrew Leggett. :- ) I imagined them gasping and admiring the landscape.
It was January and nice to be there during the season that it is not its busiest. The cool air in the day was agreeable for hiking. At night there was a myriad of stars but it dropped below freezing. We enjoyed returning to the hotel in the evening, to this warm and cozy structure of native stone and Oregon pine. The Architect was Charles Whittlesey, who was the chief Architect for the Santa Fe Railway. It is an early example of the style that evolve into National Park Service Rustic architecture.
We had dinner and a breakfast in the Dining Room, a gourmet restaurant that is pricey but delicious with some seats that have a great view of the canyon. The Dinning Room is considered the “premier dining establishment at the Grand Canyon”. The meals, presentation, and the staff were exceptional, and really made it feel like a special occasion. The lounge was not as grand or as exorbitant, but the food was good.
Our room was located on the floor just above the mezzanine, which has an octagon shape, a sitting area with desks and tables and overlooks the entrance, which had a large lodge comfortable lounging area. Outdoors it has a lovely veranda, a front porch with rocking chairs, and around back there are porch swings. I could spend a lot of time relaxing there. January, 2011
Grand Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd
Designed to blend into the environment, inspired by architecture of the ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau, it is a replica of a prehistoric Indian Tower, and stands 70 feet (21 m) high.
In the 16th century the Spanish called the native people of the southwest that were living in villages the Pueblo. The Hopis were believed to have descended from the ancient Pueblo cultures. The tower has rock art paintings throughout that tell stories. The gallery on the first landing represents the physical and spiritual origins of Hopi life, painted by a Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie.
On the ceiling are paintings by Fred Geary, which are recreations of images from Abo Rockshelter that are now part of Salinas National Monument in New Mexico. It all enhanced the pondering of earlier cultures living here, and those far into the future that will travel to gaze at the wonder. The highest floor is left with just the beautiful panoramic views of the Grand Canyon.
In January there were many viewers all with various devices from smart phones to master lenses snapping pictures, but it was also possible to catch some quiet moments alone on each level.
There is a small gift shop selling local artist’s crafts for those of us that like to take something home to savor the experience. January, 2011
Grand Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett
Taking it all in is impossible as it is immense in size. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 meters . It is a collection of erosion forms and geological colors. I imagined traveling into the canyon to hear echos and the sounds of whatever might be lurking. Recent evidence suggests the canyon was formed at least 17 million years ago. Standing near it was like being ingested into history. January, 2011
Western Town Photo by Andrew Leggett
County Road S Photo by Nicki Hurd
Amongst farms in the Lauderdale Lake area and across the road from Eagle Oak Opening State Natural Area, a critical habitat for rare species, which contains a large numbers of open-grown white and bur oaks. The oak savanna was once one of the most common vegetation types in the Midwest but is highly endangered today .
Early conservationists from 1930 – 1950 recognized the importance of natural areas and the consequences of their loss, and set up the State Natural Area Program to protect Wisconsin’s natural communities. Intact oak savannas, are now one of the rarest plant communities on earth.
We were curious and could hear someone working in one of the buildings, but we did not stay long enough to find out. It was a very hot day, after taking a few photographs in the blazing heat we road off into the sunset. July, 2012