The trip to the Texas coast last week was full of nothing but fun. Felix really adapted to South Padre Island and the beach bum attitude and lifestyle. Nearly every moment was a blast. There were a few moments that were not fun like the jellyfish stings, the having to take showers several times a day (because of sand!)‚ the price for the nice dinner we had at Pirate's Landing in Port Isabel ($42 for the two of us!) and of course, leaving the island.

It was fun to just not care about the time or what day or date it was. At one point, Felix was filling out a visitor's list and asked me what the date was. I had to ask someone because I didn't know or care. We can't wait to go back as soon as possible. Here is a photo of Felix getting leveled by large waves at SPI. You can't buy memories and laughs like this! Click on the photo to enlarge.

Grand Salami!

Felix and I attended a Texas Rangers game Saturday as part of the last leg of our spring break trip and it was a blast. We were able to get Nelson Cruz's autograph and during batting practice, Felix caught a home run ball off of Josh Hamilton.

He caught it just right but it nearly ripped his glove off. We were happy to see Boston fans only represented about 15 to 20 percent of the fans in attendance. In the past, they've usually numbered about 50 percent.

The game was close until Adrian Beltre hit a grand slam to help the Rangers leave the Red Sox in the dust. Just before, Terry Francona walked Josh Hamilton, much to the dislike of Rangers' fans. Beltre stepped up and made Boston pay.

The stadium went insane and was rocking for a good two minutes before calming down. The Rangers won 12 to 5 and all was right with the world. Here is a photo I took just after Beltre crushed the ball. Click to enlarge, Randy.

Day Two

Day two was nothing but fun in Rockport. We visited a really cool seaside aquarium and swam in the ocean. The sun came out and we had a blast except for the resulting sunburns we recevied and the several jellyfish stings I received.

It was just a jelly and not a Man-O-War so I took the pain in stride. The sunburn was a bit much and led to me waking up several times the second night. We swam in the hotel's pool and had a blast there too.

In the photo on the left, Felix pauses as we leave Rockport Beach. It's always tough to leave. Monday we leave for South Padre Island, Randy.

Day One

There's a bunch to report for day one but not many photos. It's amazing how little photos are taken when a person drives all day. We left at 6 a.m. and arrived in Rockport-Fulton at 5 p.m. after a few stops.

In the photo to the left, I took this pic of a sign just off the highway before we arrived in Rosebud, Texas. I don't really speed too much on purpose but occasionally missed a "decrease in speed zone."

We arrived and immediately hit the beach in Rockport. It was a ton of fun and after we'd had enough, went back to the hotel and -- big surprise -- Felix wanted to swim in the pool. I think he is part fish now. We finished swimming just after 9 p.m.

We will spend Sunday morning lurking through swamps and marshes in search of alligators. Wish us luck! One bonus is my litte car. It used less than two tankfuls to get here. With a 12 gallon tank, and a heavily loaded down car, we averaged 28.8 miles-per-gallon, Randy.

Rattlesnakes!

Felix and I went hiking Sunday in search of rattlesnakes. We needed footage for some silly videos we're making for the blog and Youtube. We hiked many miles for five hours and eventually found this monster.

It was a little over five feet in length and was plenty angry with us. If you look at the oak leaf below it — four inches long — you can get some idea of just how large this western diamondback really was.

We got plenty of video and took many photos and then left it alone. We could still hear its constant rattling when we were 100 feet away. Click the photo to enlarge.

Felix is at an age where he doesn't ride his bike as much as he used to. Since his girlfriend likes to ride bikes together, he has a renewed interest.

His bike has been in storage for the last few months because of a ball bearing problem. We dragged it out and fixed it as best we could. Here is a photo I I took of him yesterday evening as he takes a test ride. It worked great, Randy.

Enjoy!

I've noticed it happening more and more over the years. People who, rather than enjoying the moment, take nothing but pictures and leave. Whether it's at the Grand Canyon or the Oklahoma City Zoo, so many people do it.

They walk up and take a photo, and bolt off like they can't wait to get home and look at it on their computers. I remember my kids and I were sitting at the Grand Canyon once. We were taking in the beauty and grandeur, wondering what it must have taken to create this greatest of masterpieces, and dozens of people just walked up, took photos and left.

I'm not sure if they just can't wait to show the photos off to friends and family or what. We've seen this happen at many spectacular places from Las Vegas to the Alamo to London Bridge. At London Bridge, my son and I stopped to take in the history of such a neat and very old construction (The bridge was rebuilt many times over a 2,000 year period.)

I said, "Try to imagine you're in England 150 years ago crossing this bridge over the River Thames. It's a beautiful evening and you're taking a stroll with your loved ones saying things like 'Good day' and 'Hello Guvna' to your neighbors as the carriages go by with horses' feet making the 'clip-clop, clip clop' sounds."

He closed his eyes and experienced history. It made the trip so much better. Don't get me wrong, we took plenty of photos but we didn't forget to stop and "smell the roses." This is a photo of me taken by my daughter where I'm hanging from the edge of the Grand Canyon.

There was a cliff ledge below me so I wasn't in any real danger. One thing though, I pretended to stumble and fall just before the photo was taken. My kids nearly had heart attacks! It was wrong I admit, but my kids and I play practical jokes on each other all the time, Randy.

Some Beach!

Another place we will visit in April is Padre Island, north and south. It's an awesome island and we can't wait. Here is a picture of Felix playing in the Padre Island surf in 2009. He was having the time of his life. It's his favorite place after Disneyland, California of course. Click on the photo to enlarge and post a comment if you wish, Randy.

Here Be Dragons!

Felix and I will be visiting the Texas coast in April and many adventures will be had. One of which is a visit to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in search of dragons. Well, alligators to be exact.

We've done this many times and to some, it may sound crazy and maybe it is, but it is a real adventure and is extremely exhilarating.

Walking through swamps and marshes always on edge watching for them is quite a rush. Photographing them is just as great. I took these photos during our 2009 trip to Aransas. These "gators" range in size from 15 feet (bottom photo) to baby (second from bottom), check them out and post a comment, Randy.

BUMBLE BEE!

During a recent trip to Walmart, Felix and I happened upon this Transformers version of a Camaro. It was identical to the "Bumble Bee" transformer in the movie.
Felix thought it was just about the coolest thing ever and definitely wants one! Notice the little special emblems on the machine.