January 23, 2017. A Very Windy Day.

January 23, 2017.  A Very Windy Day.  Annie Farkley and I took a walk yesterday.  It was extremely windy.  The wind blew all day at speeds of 25-29 miles per hour.  There were occasional gusts of 35 or higher.  

We got to the beach easily with the wind at our backs (the walk was not so easy coming back).  Once at the beach, we stayed as close as possible to the dunes which shielded us from most of the wind. But, we could see the wind swirling sand across the beach and into the Gulf.  The water actually looked brown instead of its normal emerald.  And, the waves appeared to be going out rather than coming in.

Plastic grocery bags were carried by the wind.  We found an inner-tube flotation device which had been blown to its resting place. The wind blew so much sand that it exposed objects long hidden.  Annie found another rubber toy.  This time it was a crawdad.  She carried it to the same boardwalk railing and left it there for another to find.

I found a Zippo lighter.  In  the 60s and 70s, before the dangers of smoking were generally accepted, almost everyone carried a Zippo. I had several over the years.  However, with the reduction in the number of smokers and the advent of disposable lighters, Zippos fell out of favor.  I picked it up and brought it back to Harvey.  I have no idea what I will do with it.  I guess you can always use another fire maker. 

There were two couples walking on the beach.  Look closely at their picture and you will see the sand swirling around their feet. When we got back to Harvey, we had sand in our shoes, our clothing, our hair, ears and eyes.  And, when we woke up this morning, we had sand in the bed.  

Today was much better.  The wind has relented and the sky was a cloudless blue.  With the temperatures in the low 70s, it was a perfect day to be outside.  And, that's why we came here in January. 

We are still in the same campground.  We talked about going 200 miles south to San Benito, near Brownsville.  We decided to stay where we are.  We like it here so there is no reason to move on.  We will be here until Sunday then we will start making our way home. I expect to take 3-4 days to get back.  Angie, we may stop by the Silos in Waco.  Is there anything we should look for?  We may also stop by Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, TX.  Fruitcake, anyone   . . . anyone . . . anyone?

Goodnight.