Reset search
Texas Dec 2023
  • Earl Bourque
  • Michelle Fox
  • Earl Bourque
  • Michelle Fox

Texas Dec 2023

A 23-day adventure by Earl & Michelle Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    December 8, 2023
    Texas Dec 2023

    Leaving Edmonton

    December 8, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ -9 °C

    Took off from Michelle's at 5:10a.m. The Uber dude took off because we were 6 minutes late and then drove back 20 metres to get us after cancelling our ride. Cost us $20. Grrr...(Update: After we got back, I complained to Uber and they refunded the cancellation fee. Yay 😊.)Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023

    Snowy Calgary stopover

    December 8, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ -4 °C

    It was a snowy day in Calgary even though it was still dry in Edmonton. We confess that this made us feel a tad better in kicking off our Snowbird travels south.

  • Texas Dec 2023

    Houston

    December 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Our first meal in Texas was at a place called Hungry's. Great menu. Also a great place to capture pictures of our new rental ride via Turo. This was also our first experience with renting a car from a private citizen instead of a rental car company - kind of like Airbnb.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Did a resort walkabout the day after arriving to get our bearings
    Nice big one-bedroom suite.View of the lake from our patio.The resort is huge and has a variety of unit types facing Canyon Lake

    Arrival in Canyon Lake

    December 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Arrived after a long 20-hour day of travel. Got pretty punchy driving those last few hours. Played word games to stay awake.

    Beautiful resort.

  • Texas Dec 2023
    This is a little historic street we explored
    A very unique vibe for a hardware store in downtown New BraunfelsVehicle freshener with a Texas twistWe caught a street artist in actionThere were deer wandering all over this little neighborhood. The doe's are across the street.Little deer right in town, near golf course. The stag is across the street by himself.

    New Braunfels

    December 10, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    New Braunfels is a town between Austin and San Antonio not too far from our resort.

  • Texas Dec 2023
    It's hard to spot, but Guadalupe River is down there...Our first live armadillo sighting!Live action armadilloWe didn't always follow the path and had to do a bit of Texas bushwhacking :)Handy bird blind to observe local birdsConstant running water but no birds right now :-(We were running out of daylight but it made for summer beautiful views

    Guadalupe River State Park

    December 11, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This was about a 45-minute drive from our resort. Huge beautiful park. Includes a lovely well-treed campground with pristine facilities.

    We did the Prairie, Painted Bunting, Barred Owl, and Live Oaks Trail Loop. A long-winded name for a pretty trail. (The All Trails app came in handy, as usual).

    Bit of an arid landscape. Small trees. Lots of rock. Great two-hour hike at a winter temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    The resort's registration building is beautifully lit for Christmas.
    They really do say y'all for everything.Lots of casual barbecue places.Brisket (left) and pork ribs.The signs they need to have in Texas.There are many secondary highways called farm to market or ranch to market roads.

    Scenic Route Not So Scenic

    December 11, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    It was...a day.

    So far, gluten free is not much of thing here in Texas. Tried going to a gluten-free bakery in Austin. Turns out, they are not open to the public on a regular basis. They sell at weekend farmers markets and such. (It's Tuesday.)

    South Congress Avenue - or SoCo as the Austin locals call it - is an eclectic area of boutiques and restaurants. A "must see," articles said, but we found it underwhelming.

    In the SoCo area of Austin, Michelle saw a sandwich board saying THC is legal now. She thought that was interesting because cannabis has been legal in Canada for a number of years. Turns out, "legal" is stretching it. (Michelle later got into a conversation in San Antonio with a tea shop owner. It is NOT legal in Texas.)

    In the city of Austin and its county, they have decriminalized it for personal use. So hopefully no unsuspecting tourists are taking that advertising store up on it and getting themselves in trouble abroad.

    Earl's new SIM card in his phone also stopped working in Austin. Two and a half hours' of tech support later, we left the AT&T store (cell service provider) . Yep, that kind of day.

    Stopped for so-so barbecue. Came back to our resort home via Google maps, missing major turns, twice. Went home on what was probably a nice daytime scenic route of twisty turny hill country roads, but we were unfortunately driving in the dark.

    Holidays can be like real life, I guess. It's not all sunshine and roses.

    Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day...    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    These funky trees have like little tumbleweeds all over them that fall to the ground.Fancy public bathrooms in Brackenridge Park.The Japanese Tea Garden (next to the San Antonio Zoo)The "River Walk" or paths around the river of San Antonio were awesomeThis is an old courthouse serving as an museum nowThe 100 Mexican shops were cool but dullened by our 2 months in Mexico last yearLocal water fowlThe Japanese gardens near the zoo were a beautiful surpriseA nice mix of rock, flower, and water landscaping along the garden trailVery unique stone pathwaysLive fish in the Japanese garden pond

    San Antonio

    December 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Spent the afternoon doing one of the things we love best: walking in nature. There's a lot of it here in San Antonio including the River Walk and the 353 acre Brackenridge Park.

    Took a little side trip to an indoor/outdoor market of local vendors called El Mercado (literally translates to The Market). Lots of Mexico here in Texas, from the Mexican goods to the dual English/Spanish signs in many places.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    View of the water from our balcony
    Puente Vista resort at Corpus CristiBeautiful place, all units are on the waterLiving roomWell equipped kitchenMaster bedroom with bathAll units have 2 bedrooms so this is a great place for a small familyNot heated and not quite warm enough in December for a dip (24 C was the warmest temp)Night view across the water;The best properties in the island can park a boat in front of their yardThe bridge to Padre Island

    Arrival in Corpus Christi

    December 15, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    This was our travel day to Corpus Christi.

    We stopped in San Antonio for me (Earl) to get some very affordable American lab tests at one of a thousand Quest Diagnostics Centers but made good time.

    Corpus Christi extends over the water onto an island.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023

    A Quiet Day

    December 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Made ham and mushroom pizza with homemade red lentil crust for supper. Earl added black olives and chili flakes on his side.

    It was a pretty area and the resort didn't have a gym so Earl went for a 3.5 km run around the neighbourhood. He came back with really sharp burrs stuck to his runners that we ended up discovering embedded in our carpet throughout the week.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    The WWII Lexington Aircraft carrier (now a museum)
    Lots of narrow metal stairs and walkways throughout the shipCorpus Christi skyline from the aircraft carrier museumWe assumed this just represents the type of aircraft used in the movie Top GunRecruitment posters back in the dayEven a 70+ year old ship is amazingly complexThey had little movies and animations throughout the shipThese looked pretty cozy but we read that they actually used hammocks as wellThere was a lot of displays on the history of the entire war, not just this shipAll the pipes are color coded throughout the ship based upon what it carries

    USS Lexington

    December 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Decided to do something touristy today. Earl remembered how much he enjoyed exploring a WWII British battleship when he was in London (UK) and we discovered that there was a WWII aircraft carrier museum here in Corpus Cristi.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Salty K Laundromat cute waiting area
    Doesn't look like much from the outsideVery cool hi tech wireless laundromatLaundry controlled and paid through an appVery unique container based coffee shop - and they had special teas too!Island Joe's Coffee & Gallery next door to laundromatWaited in the coffee shop. The app counted down the time so it worked out perfectly.Not sure why but sunsets are particularly beautiful here

    Laundry Day

    December 19, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We've been educating ourselves on the difference between cockroaches and water bugs. Small comfort when one startles a shriek out of you in the kitchen.

    Apparently, we have water bugs. Management sprays for them twice a month, but the buildings are alongside a canal, so it's pretty impossible to keep them out completely. Unlike cockroaches, water bugs are truly aquatic and can hold their breath for long periods. Who knew?

    You can still find 'em in your kitchen, though. I'm not attaching a photo cuz, you know, ick. But I'm trying to get used to the idea of them, being one of God's creatures and all.

    Then we were off to a local laundromat, which turned out to be pretty high tech. And it had a cute coffee (and tea!) place next door while we waited.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Packed a picnic lunch bag
    Orange butterflyEven found a picnic table, for those who could brave the mosquitoesBridge across a little creekYellow butterflyLook, baby Christmas trees in a tree...Our best picture during our mosquito trail encounter - pretty good zoom for a phone camera!Cole Park Pier along the Corpus Christi shorelineCole Park Pier

    Wildlife Sanctuary and Walkabout

    December 20, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Wanted to do some walking today. We walked a lot in Mexico last year but we stayed in walkable neighbourhoods and didn't rent a car. That's not really possible here.

    Went to Pollywog Pond and Wildlife Sanctuary. It was certainly a mosquito sanctuary - we got eaten alive! This was the first time we encountered mosquitoes at all on this trip but they were so bad we couldn't complete the hike and had to turn around and go back. Before we fled though, we saw some birds of prey and butterflies. So cool to see butterflies in the winter.

    Had a low tire and Earl divined a tire shop by turning the correct way on a whim and looking across the street. They had free air service right in the parking lot; didn't even have to go in.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    These signs are outside many Texas establishmentsLionfishOtter poking its head above the waterSea anemone, starfish, and the Earlimus Bourqimis sea mammal (known to be a poor swimmer)FlamingoOcelots are endangered in this area and work is underway to repopulateScarlet Ibis overheadScarlet IbisRays like to clean the walls. You're allowed to gently touch their backs.RaySeahorsesGiant Red Hermit CrabSouthern ScreamerJellyfishThese Turtles have been rescued and only the ones that can't survive in the wild are kept here

    Texas State Aquarium

    December 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Rather than being located in one of the bigger cities like Dallas or Houston, the largest aquarium in Texas is right here in Corpus Christi. This is likely because they are right on the Gulf of Mexico.

    They have rescued, rehabilitated and released over 4,000 animals back into the wild.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Treasure Island Mini Golf
    There be piratesQuite the festive decorations in some yards in our neighborhoodNothing says Christmas like an alligator and turtle with a snowman. House in our area.Gorgeous building selling outdoor gear next to mini golf courseIt would appear that the water here is pretty shallow judging from this bird strolling

    Treasure Island Mini Golf

    December 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    This was nearby so we walked there. Trickier than it sounds as there are no sidewalks in this and many other areas. Tried not to get run over. (Texas doesn't appear to have been developed for walking outside of prescribed trails.)

    Got our exercise and had fun...in 96% humidity. Whew. They also sold ice cream 😋.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Yikes. Low again...and just about to head out on the highway.
    Saved by Discount Tire (and John Brown our Turo Host).Staff spoke directly to Turo car ownerAnother customer looking quintessentially TexanWe've seen these all over Texas. A 3 minute walk from the tire shop so we checked it out.Buc-ees is a fascinating gas station and store chain in this part of TexasBuc-Ees is surprisingly hopping place for a gas stationBuc-Ees is famous for their in-house made beef jerky flavorsDrove by many of these massive wind turbines on our journey from Corpus Christi to Houston

    Corpus Christi to Willis (near Houston)

    December 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    It's a bit cloudy and rainy so it's a perfect travel day to our final resort, The Landing at Seven Coves, by the city of Willis, north of Houston. We've made a lot of tentative plans for the week but we're staying flexible.

    The trip started off with some minor drama as that tire we filled up with air a couple days ago looked dangerously low this morning. Fortunately, John (our Turo host) was awesome and told us to take the car to the tire shop. He ended up talking directly to the staff and paying online for 4 new tires.

    We've seen First Cash Pawn Superstores all over Texas. This one was just down the road from the tire shop so we wandered over and checked it out. Manager was warm and friendly, telling us about their process. Nice place, well laid out.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Gorgeous sky, chilly day
    Improvising. No cheese grater for morning omelette.Some trees keep their leavesSome lose their leavesSnowy Egret

    Christmas Day - Buffalo Bayou Park Trail

    December 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    No big plans today other than a big yummy breakfast omelette with tofu yogurt and mixed berries in front of a Christmas movie ("Love Actually"). Decided to head into town to do another hike in Houston and picked Buffalo Bayou Park Trail. It is very close to downtown Houston and quite a popular city-center trail for hikers, bike riders, and dog walkers. We walked a loop based on a longer All Trails path and got in a little over 4 km.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Art fashioned from trash recovered from the ocean
    A very industrial port on the cruise port side of the islandThe salt air really corrodes fixtures hereGalveston near the cruise portAvenue zero and a half... hilariousWe had a visitor when we got back to our carToo chilly and windy to go for a beach walk on Seawall BoulevardSo hard to find recycling anywhere, and not for plastic bottles

    Galveston Island

    December 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Drove a couple hours to Galveston Island. Ocean trash is a serious problem.

    Finding any recycling options in Texas has been very difficult. We've been hoarding our plastic water bottles in the hopes of finding a proper recycling bin but finally realized they don't charge a deposit on bottles here so people don't return them. It feels so wasteful throwing them in the garbage but in Texas there are no incentives to recycle so there are no options to recycle.

    We're appreciating the changes in Canada like banning single-use plastics. We brought cloth grocery bags with us. Seeing plastic bags everywhere around here reminds us we can do better.    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    We almost always packed a lunch; and ate healthier and saved money doing it .Even though it costs a few bucks in Texas to enter the state parks, it's worth it, they're beautifulOur one "formal" night out. "A Christmas Carol" as a musical was meh, but it was funSeats were decent and we saved a bit of $ booking a day after Christmas

    Huntsville Park and Allen Theatre

    December 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Huntsville State Park was a half hour drive from the resort. Gorgeous hike.

    Also, we were not quite done with our
    Christmas celebrations as we booked a couple seats at the Houston Alley Theatre to see "A Christmas Carol" (as a musical). It was a good production and a fun evening out but not our favorite play.

    Now we've got one more day to have some Texas fun before we head home. Hmm...    Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    Michelle found a new red purse at store called On A WhimEarl got some "shitty" gifts for Kieran and Kara 🤣All of the shops and the street ambiance were great. We were very glad we stopped herePeace out, SantaThe first trail started off pretty wet and rough but we ended up enjoying the trails hereBayou, almost like a lake here, with lots of dead trees underwaterOne tree climbing anotherSwamp flowersTrees formed tunnels in places

    Old Town Spring & Armand Bayou

    December 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Old Town Spring is a historic district in the city of Spring, a suburb of Houston. A quaint and charming area of shops and restaurants.

    Drove on to Armand Bayou Nature Center and did a hike. Most of the birds have migrated south. Trees have lost the bulk of their leaves. Less wildlife around in the winter, we guess.Read more

  • Texas Dec 2023
    You see the "Lone Star" State represented frequently. This is at the entry to our parking lot.
    Our resort from a distance. Very nice and actually quite busy despite it being the off season.These huge fancy stone mailboxes are common in these nice Houston suburbs.The only species you can find almost anywherePecan trees line the roadPecans that drop from the treesPecan tree dressed for Christmas in the neighbourhood. Our resort was in a pretty posh neighborhoodBy airport. Tim Hortons Coming Soon. I've been missing their steeped tea.Grr. There's recycling at the airport...after we had to throw out a big bag of bottles at the resort

    Time to Go Home

    December 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    There are pecan trees everywhere. They must drop their nuts this time of year because pecans are often crunching underfoot, like gravel.

    Trip end
    December 30, 2023
  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice