Dad got a bear!!!

So it's been 28 years but my dad finally got a bear! The bear was 170 pounds of steel. He wrestled it the whole way down the mountain and finally killed it with a knife. Ha, just kidding, his gun worked fine but he deserves this one. I'm so happy for him!

28 years and long overdue


The crew


Uncle Curt letting the bear in on the party


Dad and his bear


So happy - Cheers Pops!

South Padre Island and being Allison's Lifeguard

I spent the past weekend soaking up the sun and volunteering on South Padre Island. I learned how to be Allison's Lifeguard and helped with a booth at the Kite Fest.

Allison with her prosthesis - if it comes off it is my job to scoop her out or she could drown.

Allison in action

Allison coming up for a breath - I take a breath of relief everytime


By popular request, Allison swimming with her prosthesis


Laguna Atascosa - A wildlife refuge right off the island

A ten point buck at Laguna Atascosa - zoom in, he's a dandy


Kat and Ryan releasing a Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle



Sunset through the Yuccas


Sea Turtle, Inc. booth at the Kite Fest - Hey Kat!


Kat's puppy Azulita (Little Blue) - Zuli for short


Let's go fly a kite!

Up to the highest heights!

Our turtle kite.


Remember, these are kites they're flying all choreographed





Japanese Man of War - There were more on the beach this weekend

Another pretty one.

Pretty

My view from my front lawn after coming home from spin class. I may not be able to walk tomorrow but the view was sure pretty.

South Padre Island

I'm officially in McAllen starting my new assignment at a local hospital. Everyone is extremely nice and my transition has been great. I am as close to Mexico as one can get without being over the border. It's a tropical paradise with temperatures in the 80s to 90s.

Forget Oak Street with our Oak trees - Hello Palmer Drive with Palm Trees!
My view from my front door - I live on a golf course with Palm tree lined drive.


Cool sign heading over the bridge to South Padre Island


Gulf of Mexico


Sand Dunes taking over the road


So I visited Sea Turtle Inc. which is a non-profit organization that rehabilitates sea turtles of many kinds back to health. The main type of this area is the Kemps Ridley but they also help save the Hawksbill, Atlantic Green, and Loggerhead. Some have lost fins due to predator attacks while others had issues from birth that no longer allow them to be released into the wild. I am going to volunteer for them while I'm here over the winter (so I'll have a good excuse to be a beach bum on the weekends).


This little buddy has a pocket of air inside the back part of his shell so he is constantly swimming with his butt in the air. He also has the herpes virus so he has a fibropapilloma near his right eye. He is unreleasable.


Sebastian the Loggerhead Turtle


Jellyfish in the Japanese Man of War family - Not a good one to meet while swimming.


I went on a sunset horseride on the beach (yes, it was me and 2 couples) and randomly met a guy that played rugby in the same area as Maggie. He was our trail guide. He knew Maggie's coach from PSU and Keystone Rugby Club. It's such a small world. He's from West Chester area in Philly.


Me and Travis


Loyal Travis


Me and Travis riding off into the sunset :)


Texas Beach Sunset


Travis


More Sunset


A beautiful end to a great day


Come visit!!

Fort Worth

I've spent the last week in Fort Worth, Texas and only have one more week to go. Its been a whirlwind of doing everything in 1 week. Check out Billy Bobs Texas, it is the largest honky tonk in the world. It has an indoor rodeo arena, 2 dance floors and 2 stages. I had front row seats to Craig Morgan. Pretty awesome.

Downtown Fort Worth


Me waiting for the rodeo


Watching the rodeo - all these boys went 1.1 seconds at most


Craig Morgan


Craig Morgan


Fort Worth Zoo - Pretty awesome place, even beats San Francisco Zoo

Saltwater Crocodile


New baby monkey, Layla - Looks like a terror


King Cobra


Turtles for my mom



Eagle for my dad


Lawn ornaments for my sister

My Humble Abode

After moving rooms 3 times, this is what I ended up with. One more week and McAllen, here I come.