passion – Live Laugh RV

I love watching the sunrise, and just like the beginning of a new day there’s something refreshing about flipping the calendar to a new year. It’s like being given a fresh start. As one year comes to an end a new year begins. I’ve been known to make a New Year’s resolution or two in the past, and although I haven’t made any official resolutions this go around, I do have high hopes and plans for the New Year … I’m sure there’s something in there about diet and exercise as well – me along with millions of other American’s, huh 😉 sunrise

We hit the road three days after Christmas…. two days later than we originally planned. Bad weather in southern New Mexico and western Texas necessitated an adjustment to our schedule, considering parts of Interstate 10 were temporarily closed due to ice and snow. While hubby and I kept an eye on news reports pertaining to the Whooping cranes latest happenings including airport closures and flight cancellations, we agreed we sure don’t miss those years of air travel. The flexibility associated with RV travel has really spoiled us and we can’t imagine traveling any other way. Well, yes we can imagine it, we just don’t ever want to do it again.

That said, our drive from Phoenix, Arizona to Rockport, Texas went well with the exception of having to deal with unwelcome cold weather. We spent the first night in Deming, New Mexico, at the Dream Catcher RV Park (an Escapees park), and although we had a full hook-up site, we kept the water hose and sewer pipe stowed choosing to hook up to electric only due to the below freezing temps.

Night two was spent at a regular stopping point for us; the Hilltop RV Park in Fort Stockton, Texas. We thought about overnighting at the Walmart but once again with the extreme cold, we opted for hook-ups. I will say it was interesting as we passed the Walmart the next morning, the parking lot looked like an RV Park. I don’t ever recall seeing so many RV’s overnighting at a Walmart. Turns out, not only was the Hilltop RV Park full that night, but so was the Walmart. I think the inclement weather affected a lot of people and their travels causing Fort Stockton to be overflowing with RV’s.

Moving on – We planned on spending night three in San Antonio at the Elks Lodge. I was looking forward to revisiting the Shops at La Cantera , located within walking distance from the lodge. From an architectural and aesthetic point of view, this outdoor mall is absolutely beautiful and it was my hope to see it decorated for the holidays with lots of Christmas glow. However, as we approached the Elks Lodge we encountered a sea of RV’s. I’m not sure how they all managed to squeeze into such a small parcel of land, but every nook and cranny seemed to be wedged with various RV’s. An RV chili cook off festival at the lodge had us moving on down the road in search of plan B. A holiday visit to the Shops at La Cantera will need to be saved for another time.

We enjoy a great site at Choke Canyon State Park, Texas

Driving thru El Paso, I glance across the border. Juarez, Mexico

Driving thru Las Cruces, New Mexico

About an hour south of San Antonio off Interstate 37 is the Choke Canyon State Park. We scored a great site – #133. We enjoyed the campground and would definitely stay here again.

On day four with twelve hundred miles behind us, we arrived at our destination just before noon. While I helped hubby position the RV into our new spot for the month of January, I’m greeted by a familiar sound in the distance; the sound of whooping cranes. As Al steps out of the truck to assess his handy work, I assault him with a child like exuberance that has him rolling his eyes.

He quickly remarks with a chuckle, “Can we please finish setting up and have lunch before you run off to see your birds?” With a hesitant nod, I slowly respond, “But of course! After all, I have the next thirty days to commune with my feathered friends.”

So folks as you might have guessed, we’re back in Rockport, Texas, in the very same park and site we were in 365 days ago. Seems as though we’ve come full circle and returned to a familiar starting point to kick off the New Year. We’re once again rendezvousing with the birds along with friends from our old sticks and bricks neighborhood in southern Colorado. What started out three years ago as a sojourn whooping cranes strictly for hubby to get together with a buddy to engage in sporting activities has since turned into my opportunity to commune with birds. I don’t consider myself a birder, but merely someone who has a passion for cranes …. and maybe spoonbills, egrets and herons, but who’s counting 😉

This has obviously turned into an unexpected passion for me, and I can see myself returning to this area time and again. You can click here to read more about how my passion for cranes developed.

endangered whooping cranes — Last winter, it was quite exhilarating to have these two whooping cranes fly right over me. I could literally hear the rush of wind as they flapped their wings. A rare treat considering there’s less than 500 of these magnificent birds left in the world. Photo taken at 160mm zoom.

Although the weather this first week in January is expected to have less than stellar conditions for gallivanting about with the camera, I’m still excited to be back along the Texas Gulf Coast. Cranes are considered to be a symbol of luck. I’m hoping by starting off the New Year hanging around these intriguing creatures of luck, that 2016 is a great year.

One of my most memorable places in 2015 was camped amongst 20,000 plus sandhill cranes. You can read about that visit here.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year filled with lots of good wishes AND good luck!

Good luck y'all and Happy New Year! — “No lady, you can’t rub my head for good luck!”

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The past two winters, we’ve spent the month of January in Rockport, Texas. The impetus of the original trip (2 years ago) was initiated by one of Al’s buddies which focused on Sportsman activities…. you know; manly men, doing manly things.

I didn’t mind, considering the majority of the time we’re traveling to places I want to go.

I figured it would be the perfect opportunity for a little alone time and for me to focus on a project stewing in my head. The RV Park was chosen by the buddy and my initial opinion on the place was less than favorable, but the beauty of living in a home on wheels is everything’s temporary.

whooping cranes — Endangered Whooping Cranes

So while the guys were off doing their manly stuff, I started exploring the area. The RV Park was located in a rural residential area just down the road from Goose Island State Park. Several times a day, I’d either ride my bike or walk around the neighborhood. This is when I discovered a large white bird.

The loud whooping call of the bird was hard to ignore and I became quite intrigued. I snapped some photos and the following day I ventured out to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. I was off to an early start and may even have been one of the first few visitors to the refuge that morning.

endangered whooping crane — Whooping Crane aka whooper

In the distance I noticed those big white birds again… click, click, click. Love that burst mode on the camera. A couple of hours later the refuge was a little busier. I was asked for the second time that morning if I’d seen any “whoopers”. Not knowing what they were talking about, I said, “No.”

Before leaving the refuge, I stopped in at the visitor center. The volunteers were a delight. All fellow RVer’s workamping at the refuge. They were quick and enthusiastic to share information. Again the word whooper was mentioned. I finally asked, “I’m sorry, but what’s a whooper?” Ten minutes later, I’m more intrigued with these unique birds than ever before, and educated on the blight of the endangered whooping crane. Come to find out, folks from around the country come to this area of Texas to see the last remaining WILD whooping cranes and here I was stumbling upon them without effort.

Siberian Crane – Russia and China. Most endangered breed.

I spent the rest of the month observing the wild whooping cranes along with some sandhill cranes. Oh, there were lots of other bird discoveries I enjoyed as well during that trip, but by passion lied with the cranes.

red-crowned crane — Red-crowned crane – Asia

I’ve never considered myself a birder, but there’s just something I’m drawn to when it comes to cranes. During one of my photography outings in Texas, I befriended a few fellow photographers and that’s when I first heard the word Craniac used. Craniac = fictitious name used to describe anyone with a passion for cranes. Seems I may have accidentally become a Craniac myself.

You can imagine my exuberance when I heard there was an International Crane Foundation. Once again my good friend, Mona Liza, was able to enlighten me, having already visited. Hubby and I were formulating a summer family visit to the Midwest and thus a visit to the International Crane Foundation could easily fit into our plans. It became a MUST on MY itinerary.

International Crane Foundationa — Blue Crane – South Africa

So here I am. I arrived at the International Crane Foundation located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, shortly after 9:00 in the morning with plans to attend the 10:00 guided tour. Until it was time for the tour, I strolled around grounds. I’ll admit, I was initially disappointed and saddened to see most of the cranes behind fences.

I later learned, the fencing is more about keeping predators OUT, plus it’s all about the greater good of the survival of all cranes.

Our tour guide, Cully, was a wealth of information on the birds and the facility. He was extremely knowledgeable and able to answer any and all questions.

After my almost 2 hour guided tour with Cully, I was enlightened and educated beyond my expectations. There’s even cooperative efforts with the North Koreans to protect habitat for cranes.

It’s amazing what this foundation is doing around the world. Not only is the effort to save cranes having a positive impact on their overall repopulation, the efforts are also improving the lives of people. It’s a win win for all involved.

The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, is the only place in the world where all fifteen crane species can be seen.

The respect and care for the birds is obvious. Breeding couples and new chicks are kept away from the public eye and any human contact is kept to a minimum in an effort to keep these cranes as wild as possible.

I will say, photographing these beauties was a bit of a challenge. As I mentioned before, most are behind fences requiring me to find a strategic spot to zoom in between.

Overall, I had a fantastic visit and would return in a heartbeat. I ended up spending three hours there in the morning, had lunch back at the campground, and returned for another 2 hours of crane communing in the late afternoon.

My crane obsession has been temporarily satisfied…. emphasis on the word temporary. For anyone even slightly interested in ecosystems, conservation, or birds I would encourage you to visit the International Crane Foundation. You can visit their website here…. saving more than cranes.

“The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend.”

All photos were taken by me at the International Crane Foundation. I love photographing cranes from different angles, zoomed in, and zoomed out. I can watch these unique creatures for hours and quite often do when given the opportunity. This weeks WordPress Photo Challenge is; from every angle. I hope I’ve captured the essence of the photo challenge. Does this look like a happy camper?