Houston Space Center.....NASA

"Houston We've Got a Problem"  ......not.  We had a great time at the Houston Space Center today.  First off we were able to go online and get our tickets half off.  We pulled into the parking lot....which costs $6, at 11:30.  We got an audio player, so we could listen to astronauts tell about the exhibts.   I really recommend that, if you plan on a visit there.    We spent 5 hours there....non stop.  We enjoyed our 1hr tram ride which included a visit to Mission Control.  We actually were able to observe a live feed from space. The astronaut was doing some hacky sack minuevers.  He was using a microphone but in the observation area we were unable to hear what he was saying.   We drove by several buildings where they would have prepared meals for the asttronauts before lift off, a building that housed the moon rocks and other "treasures"   Then we went to the Rocket Center.  I was pretty surprised when we walked in the door and the entire building was filled with the Saturn V Rocket.  After the tram ride we watched a movie that told about the Shuttle Program, then we went to the Starship Gallery, watched a movie there, about the space program then on to the museum part...there were , items that were actually carried into space...like books the astronauts read, personal property things..like toothpaste,  a display showing the lunar vehicle plus models of astronauts all suited up.  Stars were twinkling all around us.  It was awesome.  There was a mock up of Sky Lab, plus spacesuits, moduals that were actually used in the space program. I touched a piece of a rock from the moon. Awesome, awesome....what a day.

Another Adventure....Duck Banding 3/8/2012

What an adventure.....There have been biologists on the rufuge the past 2weeks capturing and banding birds.  Dale and his buddy Don went to help at the beginning and they were not able to capture any birds.  They came home disappointed that they had not felt the thrill of holding a duck in their hands.  Well....Thursday March 8th they left at 9am and did not return home until 7pm.  They got a ton of ducks.  What they were actually wanting was Teals...and they got them. Actually about 700 in a 2 week time period.   Probably 200 of them that day.  A rocket releases the net over a group of birds, then people....Dale and Don included wade out into the gucky, muddy, water and reach under the net and grab a bird...then they bring it back to shore to put in a holding pen so someone can later do a fecal swab, blood test, sex and band the Teals.  They did some Koutz too (sorta like a duck) .  The closeup of the bird is of a Cinnamon Teal....not a common sight around here.  Everyone was quite happy to see it.  They were capturing the birds at a place called "Cattail Marsh" which is a pond at the Beaumont Sewage Treatment facility. (yucky..but not smelly) There are lots of birds around there....plus numerous alligators.  We didn't get any pictures of them.....sorry. 

Round Up those Doggies

Honestly we are on a wildlife refuge.  However on our way to town the other morning.....what did we encounter.  Cowboys and cattle in the middle of the road.  We just stopped and let them pass.  Quite exciting I must say.  There is grazing land across the street from our RV spot, plus right next door.  So where do you think they moved those cattle.  Yep you got it.  Right next door.  We had the pleasure of mom's mooing for their little lost babies all night long.  Everyone must have reconnected with their lost children because all is quiet once again.

Anahuac Wildlife Refuge

We've been at the refuge since Jan 25th.  Dale has had a variety of jobs.  So far he has helped build about 2000 ft of fencing.  It's snow fence that they use along the shore to help with the eroding shoreline.  He's definately getting his exercise.  He has also helped build hog pens to trap the wild hogs that are trying to take over the refuge.  They've got 40 so far.  They shoot them and leave them for the coyotes and vultures. Unfortunately because they are not USDA inspected they can not be given to people. Yesterday he was up at 4am to help catch Teal ducks so they could inspect them and band them.  However....no luck.  I think the ducks were smarter then the humans. Today Dale dumped trash and will mow if it doesn't rain.  There has been alot of rain since we've arrived.  If you'll remember we arrived on the tail of a big storm.  Nothing as bad, so far.....but rain almost everyday.  I have to admit that it's been in the 70's and 80's.  Maybe that's why the mosquitos are soooooo bad.  I still can't figure out how they get inside our trailer.

  I'm fortunate enough to work inside.  Either at the main Visitor Center & Nature Store or Administrative offices or at the refuge visitor center & book store.  I have been helping the event planner with an upcoming March Madness event they will be having for families. I've volunteered to do the face painting.  There will be a bird of prey show, plus a butterfly tent and crab catching. , Kayac demonstration, fly casting....  All sorts of fun activities.