EXPEDITION: LAGUNA MADRE - UPDATE

Expedition: Laguna Madre - Update

In our previous post we gave a few more details about the upcoming kayaking expedition in which HSA could be involved. We now have a few more (See flyer below).

This event is in dire need of a "Title Sponsor" as well as other sponsors if it is to get off the ground. As previously mentioned, it is a paddle for charity. 

That charity is the Volunteer Services Council for the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center. This charity is in support of people with intellectual disabilities such as autism, Downs Syndrome, and other mental health issues. For over 40 years, the VSC has been improving the lives of those who reside at the Living Center (formerly known as Corpus Christi State School). 

The monies from this charity go to various things for those with the disabilities like purchasing Christmas presents, trips to the local fishing pier, and trips to the movies... as well as countless other things.

For more details or to sponsor/donate contact:

Judy LaPointe - Community Relations Director

361-443-5184

Jalapointe76@gmail.co

Check out the flyer below, and please pass it along to anyone who may be interested in donating or sponsoring... it is for a great cause.

 

EXPEDITION: LAGUNA MADRE

Image courtesy of Leftray.com

Expedition - Laguna Madre

In our last post, "Expedition: Preliminary Talks", we hinted at an upcoming kayaking expedition in which HSA could be involved. The time has come for a few more details.

The concept of this yet-to-be-named expedition is a 120 mile kayak trip through the Laguna Madre in South Texas (see map below). HSA Founder, Joe Vulgamore, will paddle the three-day trip on a SOT touring kayak, camping at certain points along the way.

Still in the very early preliminary talk/planning stages this expedition is a paddle for charity event. The early concept is to raise funds for persons with intellectual disabilities. Until certain legal aspects are taken care of, we are not allowed to use the name of the charity in this post.

Basically though, the idea is for people to donate money for each mile paddled. The charity's Community Relation Director is working out the details on that, as well as trying to line up sponsors for equipment and gear, as well as a Title Sponsor for the adventure.

Plans are also in the works to obtain media partners. Everything from planning meetings and pre-expedition training to resupply points and POV video, will be video documented along the way and eventually put together as a full-length documentary.

The preliminary date for this expedition is early April 2014.

At this point, we can't say any more about the trip other than we, as well as our founder, are stoked and honored to be asked to be a participant in this event!

 Below is a map of the Laguna Madre with the tentative start and stop points, as well as the route through the Lower Laguna, the Intercoastal Waterway land cut (Saltillo Flats), and into the Upper Laguna.

Stay tuned for more info my friends!!!

TIME WARP TUESDAY - TEXAS SURF 9-3-10

Video From The Vault - Bob Hall Pier 9-3-10

Welcome to another Time Warp Tuesday!

Today's video was shot EXACTLY three years ago today in Texas at the infamous Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi.

Enjoy!!!

TIME WARP TUESDAY - HURRICANE IKE

Video From The Vault: Aftermath (Hurricane Ike 2008)

Today's Time warp Tuesday takes us back to 2008 and Hurricane Ike.

This video from HSA predecessor Texas Surf TV, shows some Texas waves and the destruction left along the coast by that massive storm.

Watch and Enjoy!!!

Aftermath from Sirfur Productions on Vimeo.

Burn-off Planned for Mustang Island...

A pre-planned burn is coming soon for Mustang Island State Park in Texas says the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.

Pre-planned burns are sometimes necessary to help restore growth and prevent wildfires.

Here is the press release from the TPWD...

"Feb. 15, 2013
Prescribed burn planned for Mustang Island State Park
CORPUS CHRISTI - Park Superintendent Damon Reeves announced today that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Mustang Island State Park during February or March. The burn is expected to be conducted and completed in two to three days.
Prescribed burns are used as a management tool in state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring forest and prairie habitats that were historically maintained by natural fires. They also are conducted to reduce the amount of available fuels, such as leaf litter, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that accumulate naturally and from storms. By reducing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns lower the likelihood of a potentially destructive wildfire.
Park staff already has begun preparing for the upcoming burn by clearing vegetation and other fuels from the fire breaks established around the perimeter of each area (burn unit) that will be burned this year. Fuels and vegetation also are cleared away from utility poles, structures, signs and sensitive resources to protect them during the prescribed burns.
Prescribed burns on state parks are conducted by TPWD personnel who have undergone training and met national wildland firefighting certification standards. The park's prescribed fire plan defines the conditions under which a prescribed burn may be conducted, taking into account wind speeds and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels. The plan also guides the fire crew members in managing burns to prevent them from escaping into adjacent properties and to minimize the effect of smoke in nearby residential areas.
Because specific weather conditions are required to conduct an effective and safe prescribed burn, TPWD staff cannot provide a specific date for the burn at this time. However, local emergency management officials will be notified before the prescribed fire is implemented. Reeves noted that during the burn, some areas of the park would be closed to the public. During the burn there may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads and the superintendent cautions travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is present.
For more information regarding the planned burn or to request notification on the days when fires are ignited, please contact the park at (361) 749-5246 or by e-mail damon.reeves@tpwd.state.tx.us"

Adventure Lurks Around Every Corner...

Corpus Christi Hiking/Biking Trail - Photo by Joe Vulgamore

As I sit watching the Mavericks Invitational, I'm reminded how blessed I am to live where I do.

Loving adventure as I do, I am very fortunate to live in South Texas. Not really known as an "Adventurers Paradise", Corpus has more to offer than meets the eye... especially for the weekend adventurer. But having a mix of semi-arid and sub-tropical terrains, one doesn't need to look very far to find something to whet the adventure appetite.

From here I can surf about a hundred or so days a year, while not world class, it still gives me a fix. I can take advantage of a few good bike trails that provide a moderate level of difficulty, if you know where to go. We have a ton of wind for all kinds of other things like wind surfing, kite boarding, and sailing. There are plenty of guys who are into powered paragliding, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, camping, hunting, and more.
A couple of hours to the north lies San Antonio and Austin which brings better hiking and biking trails. Also close is the Texas Hill Country, which gives more in the way of hiking and camping and also allows for some decent rock climbing.

The only thing missing that I can think of are a few good cliffs for BASE jumping, but we do have a skydiving school 15 miles away in Port Aransas.

The point of this post is that there is adventure around every nook and cranny in most places and if you look hard enough, you will find it.

So get out there and look, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find...

Good Start but Not Enough...

On Saturday March 26, Corpus Christi held a Glass Recycling Event at the Walmart at Everhart and SPID. The event yeilded over 10 tons of glass to recycle. According to the local news, The City of Corpus Christi discontinued glass recycling in 2005 because there was no market for it. Recently, the Corpus Christi Clean City Advisory Committee took a vote to organize a collection event. These events are to take place quarterly.


But was this event enough?


In my opinion, Texas needs to seriously consider and implement the Texas Bottle Bill. This bill would establish a refund/deposit program that would significantly reduce the amount of glass, plastic, and cans that are left on our beaches and in our water.
Imagine, with economic times as hard as they are, how clean our beaches, roadways, bays, and landscape would be if you were refunded 5 cents for every bottle...


Read about the Texas Bottle Bill HERE

Morning Coffee...

Photo - Joe Vulgamore

Yesterday morning, I awoke with my usual urge to head to the beach. Stopped off for a cup of coffee and then proceeded to check the usual surf spots.
Unfortunately, the waves had different plans and decided not to show up for our predetermined rendezvous. In light of this I decided to cruise around and see a little of North Padre's scenery.

I snapped off the above photo near the Yacht Club.

I just love how the houses along the canals lead right down to the boat docks in the photo below... I want to do a photo-essay on these canals. They are really beautiful at night when all the homes and docks are lit up. Can't wait to snap a few of those!

Photo - Joe Vulgamore