Friday 2/23

Overcast, misty morning but the wind isn’t blowing and it’s about 48. Acceptable. The plan is to walk up to HDQTR and wifi and resend Uncle J a email, walk back down to the bathrooms and shower then walk back up to see if he got it. Check the washroom on the way up for wifi, nope. Two thirds of the way there i check to see how much battery i have left, 25%. But i also have extended coverage if i stand just right. Call Uncle J, leave a voice mail with some tentative plans. Walk back to the showers and get a nice hot shower. Traveler’s observation: you need a EASILY changeout shower head that you could carry with you and slid over existing crap. I have pulled them apart and adjusted them but they all need 48 hr vinegar soak. Waaa, waa. It’s a shower.(…the right sized channel lock…)

Shave! Big goatee. Decide to take my stuff back to schooner when my phone chimes. Weave around like a drunk guy until i get 2 bars. VM! Uncle J! His schedule is busy (really?). So I’m going to stay here another night, then head to either Blanco or Pedernales Falls SP tomorrow and Uncle J Sunday. Weather is dreary but it ain’t snowing. It’s got to break. I got lots of fun stuff to do.

Okay, it’s 10:30, i have had scrambled eggs w/ salsa and a nice cuppa. Time for some hiking. There is a hugh Rio Grande Turkey roost in the park. Like hundreds. Off-limits except between 10a-3p. I’ve seen enough and stepped in enough turkey poop to last me, so it’s off to look for the elusive Golden-cheeked Warbler, not to be confused with the non-elusive Large-lipped loon. Oh my goodness, I’m a funny guy. That’s a dashy sentence.Away.

She’s busying up this afternoon….may need to go straight to Uncle J. Morning walk took me into turkey town just by happenstance. Also to the river which was my objective. Me and the birds. Drizzly but not cold.Gives me plenty of opportunity to practice whistling“do you know sonny hunter”. The first problem is you can’t have cotton-mouth. Look at the picture of the double track thru the oaks and picture me walking down it practicing. My lips are chapped from licking them.

Did not bring the rod down to the river. I’m done fishing till i get more information or fly shop. Sat in the “blind”. Nice, has a water feature. Headed back for some lunch. Around 4 miles doing nothing this morning and now, i do need a rest. Peppered turkey w/ pepper-jack cheese and lettuce on bagel and a cuppa.(Allie, just remembered i made a cuppa before i went outside to write 30 minutes ago.Hotter than Hades still!) I’ve been going thru the tea.

This afternoon i walked up to the overlook. Sign says no bicycles. Ya right, it’s steep but…and then i start walking up it. Hard breath all the way up till almost the top. As far as overlooks go, a 4, now it was overcast and i couldn’t get the long view, I’ll admit, but as she stood a 4. Like walking to the “M” on a foggy day. About as steep.

Everything is warmed up now so i head higher to blind #28. Sit inside and have a safety meeting. You know, this isn’t any different than my every day except there are these little sniper’s nest…i guess I’m a birder! Hunter, they frown on pellet guns in their nest. It was nice to get some walking in! I’ve lost a little stamina with the traveling and i need to make it back up. Limber is what i want! All in all, pretty nice day. I think boiled potatoes and salad for dinner.

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