A Better Life

Last weekend I went to Cole Park. Cole Park is a park on the bay front of Corpus Christi. I’ve been there many times usually to watch a movie. They have an amphitheater there that sometimes they show movies on the wall in the summer. I’d never been and just enjoyed the park. It boasts a playground, skate park, a garden (I never actually found the garden) and a walking path along the bay. Part of the water area is lined with sand, but most of it is lined with rocks.

The park is mostly a large grassy area with a few palm trees, otherwise not much shade. So I walked down the path by the water, I thought this was the best way to see the whole park and get a breeze. They were setting up for some event when I got there, not sure what the event was but there were tents and food vendors arriving. I’m not sure how wise it was set up the event this early on a Saturday, because they kept driving on the walking path without much regard to others.

There was a nice breeze by the water so I thought I would have a seat on the rocks and just watch the water. There were a couple of families playing on the beach and in the water, I saw birds flying over the bay and even a two small sea turtles coming up for air. It was very hot but otherwise a very nice day. My plan was to find a nice place and just sit and kind of zen out, do some thinking. Unfortunately I got distracted and couldn’t stop thinking about it.

When I walked down to the beach, I thought I might walk down the water front along the rocks. Then I remembered my balance is no where good enough to do this so I climbed back down. What I saw on the beach was disgusting though. There was trash everywhere; straws, Whataburger cups, half of plates and so much small random plastic that there was no telling what it used to be. And those families were playing in it, the animals were living in it and feeding in it. But the people didn’t seem to care, they were letting there children play in it and were splashing around in it themselves. Its like they were desensitized to the trash like it was supposed to be there. I guess in a way it is, most of us have spent most of our lives going to the beach, to the park, walking down our street and seeing bits of trash in the sand, the water or grass.

The only places I really saw garbage cans was near the areas where the most people would gather: near the picnic areas, the playground and skate park; but only one near the water front and no recycling. People only do what is convenient and going a few extra steps or even holding on to trash is inconvenient so what do we do? We drop it where ever we happen to be. The way I see it we have two solutions for the future, let the Earth become a landfill (that we have to live in, because there isn’t any place to move to and start all over) or do what we can to keep our planet livable. I choose do try to do my part to help with the second option, but why doesn’t anyone else?

If any of our leaders cared more, and I don’t really mean politicians because they are and they aren’t part of our daily lives. I mean the city leaders, the CEOs, our parents and elders should take more responsibility. That also means each of us who can think for ourselves. We need to make clean up and taking care of the Earth easier, add more garbage and recycling bins and take the extra steps, the simple steps to do better. Disney has it right a trash can about every ten to fifteen feet. Come up with more reusable products and make them affordable to the average person. The average consumer is not going to buy a $40 water bottle. We aren’t the only animals, beings or lives on this planet, but we are the only ones that can help (I’m pretty sure of that, I think).

My Trip to Oso Bay Wetland Preserve

Today I went out to Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve. I’d been wanting to go out there for a few weeks but something always just kept being more important.

As I was driving out there, I saw a large metal sculpture of a heron with a fish in his mouth looming on the horizon. As I drove up, it turned out, it was a welcome to the preserve. The parking lot was well landscaped and clean.

The learning center was closed, it being Sunday, but I could still walk the trails. There was this cute little crayfish climbing out of the marsh and under the porch of the learning center and there were lots of little fish swimming in the pond.

Around the back side of the building was an open area with some low balance beams (which I did cross), some plastic stumps (which I did walk across), a cute bench with woodland creatures carved into it and a small man-made waterfall. I sat on a bench and watched the waterfall for a while. A painted bunting came for a drink of water and a rest before taking off to finish his day.

I got up and started down the trails. The ground beneath me was a clean brown gravel that crunched when I walked (it was a very satisfying sound), all the trees where green and lush and ready to hide any small creature, and the sky was blue with fluffy white clouds floating, a beautiful day. I started following a gecko down the path. Every path I went down, there seemed to be a large brown bird flying across the path. It was always too far away to see what type of bird it was. I did see vultures, black-necked stilts, pelicans, cardinals, egrets, herons, sea gulls along with the painted bunting. There wasn’t much water in the bay, but still enough for he animals to get what they needed. I want to go back when there is a little more water.

I cam across a crossroads and took a right along a yellow, “cobblestone” (sort of) path. I got the feeling this path was wet a lot, there was a bit of mud. I had to dodge large fire ants, bees and wasps and keep my footing in the mud. But I made it to the prairie outlook and the end of this yellow brick road.

On my way back from Pelican Porch, the furthest outlook I walked to, on my way to the playground, I was looking at a small tree. In one of the branches, there was a small mess of twigs. I looked closer and it turns out it was a bird’s nest and it had a baby bird in it. It raised its head, I guess it was waiting for its mom to bring back with dinner. The walk back was full of little ones, more geckos to follow back (so I didn’t get lost), mocking birds flying around and a Texas tortoise eating the plants along the side of the path. To top everything off on the way back to the car a caracara flew over the lot.

I spent about three hours out there. It was about a thirty minute drive from my house, but I would definitely go back. I would want to go back when it was a little wetter and earlier in the morning so the temperature is a little cooler, although it is south Texas. I suggest bring a hat and water bottle and make sure you look around and take everything in.

A New Perspective

Lately our weather has been very hit and miss, gray and ugly one day, clear and pleasant the next. This past Saturday was one of those clear and pleasant days. The temperature was right with just the lightest breeze and a clear sunny sky. I decided to visit Artesian Park in downtown Corpus Christi. I’d driven by this park many times and always wanted to stop, but never took the chance.

I drove downtown and since it was such it was such a nice day, I parked several blocks away from the park. I thought I would have a nice walk too. I parked across the street from the Executive Surf Club, a restaurant and bar sometimes with a live band playing in the courtyard, and started walking down the street. There weren’t a lot of shops open, but still had a few people out. I realized that I didn’t think I had been out and about downtown during the day much or at all. I had gone out downtown to meet friends at restaurants, bars or clubs, but otherwise I’d never spent much time there. To me downtown was always just a run down, shuttered place with nothing to offer, just bars, restaurants and a tattoo shop. While this is mostly true, there is an obvious attempt to change that. And when I took the time to look around, there was a beauty there too.

On the way to Artesian Park, I passed alley ways and storefronts (mostly closed on the weekend) and cross streets. Yes, I did have a destination but I also didn’t want to be so concerned with seeing everything or getting where I was going that I saw or experienced nothing. I had the time so I didn’t limit my trek so while I did continue on to the park but I stopped and checked out what I could along the way.

I finally made it to Artesian Park. Its supposed to be the first park in Corpus Christi created when Corpus Christi’s founder, Henry Kinney, donated the land to the city as a park in 1854. The first thing I did when I got there was to check out the commemorative stone to General Zachary Taylor’s army, they camped here from 1845 to 1846. Then I walked into the rest of the park. It was a nice green space within the concrete, brick and glass of downtown. I sat down on a bench and listened to the birds twitter and watched the squirrels run. The tree tops were home to a handful of grackle nests. One even ran off a mocking bird.

Next to the park was a boutique. In the past, I had always thought the building was a children’s home. I was half right as it was a house, but it contained a clothing boutique. They were having a pop up fair, there were vendors on the front lawn and porch. I walked around all the vendors and wandered around inside for a while before buying some jewelry. I probably shouldn’t have bought anything, but I could afford it and I really liked the pieces.

I took a different route back to my car. There are some really cute views of downtown, who would’ve thought. I found more street art than I thought there would be. And as I was walking, almost everyone I passed was staring at their phones. I was so curious, I peeked at someone’s phone as they passed me. They were playing Pokemon Go. I thought people had stopped playing that game a year ago. Shows me. I don’t know that everyone staring at their phones was playing Pokemon, but at least a few were.

The last place I stumbled across was the World War I memorial. I guess you could say I knew it was there, I’d driven by it before, but I don’t think I would have remembered it was there. It was just a large open green space on the hill leading from downtown to uptown. In Spohn Park, a wide open space before heading back to the car.

Bad TripAdvisor Reviews featuring the Tower of London

Its the day after Valentines day and I did mostly what I need to do today and I was a little bored, so I thought I would look at some TripAdvisor reviews. Its fun sometimes, I pick a place and I’m off down the rabbit hole. I picked the Tower of London, my most favorite tourist attraction. Sometimes I think of the phrase “tourist attraction” as a negative, but really this place as been one longer than the US has been a country so I think the Tower of London has not only earned the adjective but puts a positive spin on it.

When I read reviews, I tend to read the the one and two star ones. I know I’m setting myself up for aggravation, but if I already love the place, I already know its amazing and I want another perspective. Also I find negative reviews better for trip planning. When I read them I know what some of the worst things that have happened to people and if I’m okay with those potential situations or I just plan around it. I like to research new places I visit. Reading these reviews makes me realize how much people don’t plan their getaways and vacations. I can almost understand locals, but in this day in age who doesn’t at least look up the operating hours and the ticket prices online?

Many of the reviews were for how bad the lines are. Well you are going to wait in lines everywhere and if you are visiting any tourist attraction on a holiday or weekend you are going to wait in horrendous lines. Maybe because I prefer to travel alone or since I don’t have kids, I don’t have to book around school holidays, or the fact that I have worked in some part of the tourism industry almost my entire adult life (I worked at a summer camp my first summer out of college), but I know that when most people are able to travel, there will be lines and crowds. Use common sense. I’ve seen the same type of reviews for Disney World and special events – use common sense. Do your research and plan a trip when there are less people. You will probably pay full price (or you may get an out of season discount, who knows) or have to pull your kids out of school, but your experience will be so much better. Or just deal with it.

This biggest line complaint I saw was for the crown jewels or that they were just a couple of crowns and some plate and it wasn’t worth it. Every time I’ve been, there has been almost no line (plan ahead). In fact the last time I went, I had to time to visit twice. Once at the beginning of my day and once before I left. These are the jewels and regalia used in crowning the monarch of the United Kingdom and they are amazing. They do have a few other jewels in the exhibit and the Yeoman Warders are so nice, they answered all my questions. First with a little sarcasm and a joke, but then an actual answer. He even pointed a few things out about one of the crowns I never would have known about if I hadn’t of asked.

My favorite part is at the end where they show the boxes used to carry each piece needed for the coronation. Each one has its own specially made box. So cool. (Yes, I know its a little stupid, but hay its in the details sometimes.)

I thought it was hilarious that one person basically said that it’s just a bunch of gift shops. There are three (that I remember) and you are only forced to walk through the one. And only if you want to exit the White Tower. Its not Disney (I love Disney World).

A few people were upset they couldn’t go in to the church. Well do your research, they website says you can only go in on a Beefeater tour. Join one, they’re free. And by the way, there is a chapel inside the White Tower (I know, not the same). Why can’t you go inside the church without a guide? Okay, I don’t really know the exact reason, but the Yeomen Warders and their families live and worship there. Would you want thousands of tourists traipsing through a place was that special to you? I’ve seen what Americans do to places they’ve paid to enter, they think they have the right to do whatever they want. People can be quite disrespectful.

I read a lot of people said it was boring. I beg to differ, take your time to read the graphics. You don’t need an audio guide, just a basic understanding of the Tower of London (which you can get from the website when you check admission), the ability to read English (yes I know not everyone who goes can read English) and an imagination. I had the hardest time trying to wrap my had around what must have been going through the head of the last prisoner held and executed there, during WWII. Its an excellent place to see how animal exhibits have changed over the years. I know not everyone is a fan of zoos, but they have come a long way from the Tower of London which kept a polar bear on a chain just long enough so he could fish in the Thames. That must have been a site.

I was taken aback the first time I saw Keeper. I mean I actually stepped back onto my sister upon seeing him. Keeper was jaw dropping sight. I do have a complaint about him, I wish there had been signage explaining him. I had to Google Keeper.

This biggest complaint over all was how expensive admission was. Well yeah, compared to free museums. But think they have to keep a fortress built in 1078 up to historical standards and modern safety standards (people do live here). They also need to keep the lights on, mow the grass, feed the ravens, pay the staff, put food in the cafe and stock the gift shops among other things (these are just the things that quickly come to mind). The Tower of London isn’t government run, Historic Royal Palaces is a self run charity. If you take a look at other attractions, most of the big, paid admission ones have a comparable price tag. If this is a vacation or part of a day trip look up the price and budget.

In other words do some research!

End of rant.