Fun in the Sun (for all!)

Part 1: Port Mansfield and the Laguna Atascosa NWR

Last week was our annual trip to enjoy the fishing in Port Mansfield with Travis' family.

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All thanks to our most gracious friend Kim, the entire Riggle clan has top-notch accommodations in our own beach house with a pool, our own charter and fishing expert, and some seriously delicious crab and shrimp nachos (which I will be attempting to recreate this weekend). The weather, company, and food were great! But, unfortunately the fishing wasn't this year. Day 1 was "family fishing" while Sierra, Shambryn, and I hung around at the pool, but the only things caught were 2 ladyfish and a tern. All critters were returned to their habitats and the people to their pool. Day 2 was supposed to be wade fishing (while Sierra hung out with Mamaw and Chrissy went fishing- yay!), but the guide called it off early (early early) that morning due to high winds and poor fishing (boo!). So, we enjoyed some more pool time and Chrissy finally learned to play chicken-foot.

Sunrise over the Laguna Madre (Kim's pier on the right)

The 3 Fisherwomen Riggle 

(and our fearless fisherwoman leader, Kim)

Cousins Abby & Riley helping Sierra learn chickenfoot

Quick- someone get this girl a sippy cup with an umbrella in it!!

Oh yes, this IS the life! 

(and aren't you digging my super-cool hat?!?)

Papa playing with his new toy- the underwater camera!

As everyone one split different directions on Wednesday, we (T, C, & S) headed towards South Padre for a couple more days of sun and beach (more on that in Part 2).

 On our drive down, we stopped through the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, an area dedicated to preserving the last 5% of native vegetation in S Texas and harboring the last remaining ocelots in the US. High noon on a June day would be about the worst time for spotting ocelots, so we enjoyed a quiet drive through the refuge watching birds fly around over the mudflats.

Common snipe (on some sort of yucca, not sure what kind)

I think we surprised this roadrunner...

Great Blue Heron

LOVE this sign- wish there were more. 

Little Peter Cottontail

Great juxtaposition of a cactus growing on the refuge, looking over the Laguna Madre at the development on South Padre Island.