Port Aransas, Texas –– Fun on the Texas’ Coast
5/17/2022 | 26m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph breaks away from heat for a cooling and relaxing stay on the South Texas Coast.
Joseph breaks away from heat for a cooling and relaxing stay among the gentle gulf breezes of the South Texas Coast. In every season, the pleasures are easy in this laid back Southern town where often the best thing to do is nothing. The active visitor has plenty to keep them busy and Joseph tries his hand at swimming, fishing, kayaking, crawfish shucking and dancing a two step or three.
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Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope is presented by your local public television station.
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Port Aransas, Texas –– Fun on the Texas’ Coast
5/17/2022 | 26m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph breaks away from heat for a cooling and relaxing stay among the gentle gulf breezes of the South Texas Coast. In every season, the pleasures are easy in this laid back Southern town where often the best thing to do is nothing. The active visitor has plenty to keep them busy and Joseph tries his hand at swimming, fishing, kayaking, crawfish shucking and dancing a two step or three.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> WELCOME TO "TRAVELSCOPE" WITH JOSEPH ROSENDO.
WHERE EACH WEEK YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.
>> YAHOO!
TODAY ON "TRAVELSCOPE," I GET ON ISLAND TIME.
ENJOY THE LAID-BACK LIFESTYLE ON THE BEACHES AND BAYS OF PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIEND OF NCI.
>> "TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY, COUNTRY, AND DRIVING GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, 3-D MAPPING, AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR KEY SITES AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES, THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
AND ROSETTA STONE, CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD LEARNS LANGUAGES.
>> PORT ARANSAS IS THE ONLY TOWN ON 18-MILE LONG MUSTANG HIGHWAY, ONE OF THE TEXAS BARRIER ISLANDS.
LOCATED AT THE NATURAL ENTRANCE FROM THE BAY INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO, IT IS ALSO UNIQUE IN THAT WHILE ONLY 153 MILES FROM SAN ANTONIO, WHEN YOU DRIVE OFF THE FREE 5-MINUTE FERRY FROM THE MAINLAND, YOU SAY ADIOS TO TEXAS, AND "YA, MAN" TO ISLAND TIME.
HERE'S ANOTHER UNIQUE THING YOU CAN DO DO IN PORT ARANSAS.
THAT IS DRIVE ON THE BEACH.
IT'S ONLY POSSIBLE TO DO SO IN A FEW PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.
TAKE A STREET LEGAL VEHICLE, COME OUT ON THE BEACH.
THE ROADS ARE NICE.
OR I SHOULD SAY THE BEACH IS NICE FOR DRIVING ON.
FOR PROBABLY $12 A YEAR, YOU CAN GET A PARKING PERMIT WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CAMP ON THE BEACH FOR 3 DAYS ABSOLUTELY FREE.
YOU CAN ALSO PICNIC.
YOU CAN EVEN HAVE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE BEACH IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GLASS CONTAINER.
YEAH, THEY WORK REAL HARD HERE IN PORT ARANSAS SO THAT YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME.
WE'RE HERE ON PORT ARANSAS BEACH, AND I'M WITH DANNY ELWOOD.
WHY DO YOU CALL IT THIRD COAST?
>> WELL, THE EAST COAST AND THE WEST COAST NAMES WERE TAKEN, SO WE'RE THE THIRD COAST.
>> THIS IS THE THIRD COAST.
NOW, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OUT HERE IN PORT ARANSAS?
>> UH, 11 YEARS.
MY DAD MOVED DOWN HERE IN '91, AND I WAS VISITING HIM FOR SPRING BREAKS AND COMING FOR THE SUMMER AND DECIDED I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ONE EVENING.
>> ONE IMPORTANT PART OF THE PORT ARANSAS EXPERIENCE IS FUN ON THE SAND IN THE SUN.
WELL, THIS IS FUN IN THE SAND IN THE SUN WITH MARK LANDRUM WHO IS THE PORT ARANSAS SAND CASTLE GUY.
>> YES, I TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO BUILD A BETTER SAND CASTLE.
YOU'RE GONNA PUT YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR LIKE THIS.
CAN YOU DO THAT?
YEAH?
YOU GOT TO YELL, TA-DA!
>> TA-DA!
>> IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, IT ALL FALLS DOWN.
>> WELL, YEAH, OK. WITH THE WATER SURROUNDING PORT ARANSAS TEEMING WITH SEA LIFE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND TASTY SEAFOOD IN EATERIES THAT RUN THE GAMUT, FROM FINE DINING TO FUN DINING.
FOR YEARS FOOD HAS BEEN GETTING THE BETTER OF ME.
HERE IN PORT "A" AT CRAZY CAJUN, WELL, I GET TO FIGHT BACK.
AND THE WINNER IS...THE FOOD!
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A FUN RESTAURANT OBVIOUSLY, AND I KNOW PORT ARANSAS HAS A REPUTATION AS BEING A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.
HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT?
>> WELL, ACTUALLY THE SEASON USED TO START AROUND EASTER WEEKEND, BUT NOW WE SEEM TO HAVE MOVED IN MORE OR LESS OF A YEAR-ROUND SEASON WITH A LOT OF WINTER TEXANS COMING IN.
AND THEY COME DOWN HERE IN THEIR RVs AND STAY AT THE LOCAL CONDOMINIUMS.
>> THAT'S BECAUSE THE WEATHER HERE IS ALWAYS WARM.
YOU CAN ENJOY PORT A's 250 DAYS OF SUNSHINE FROM THE BALCONY OF A CONDO, A CARIBBEAN STYLE BEACH COTTAGE, OR THE PORCH OF A FAMOUS HOTEL, LIKE THE HISTORIC TARPON INN WHERE PRESIDENTS ONCE STAYED.
PORT ARANSAS HAS MORE THAN BARS AND BEACHES.
IT ALSO HAS ART.
THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, THE ART CENTER FOR THE ISLANDS HOSTS A RECEPTION THAT KICKS OFF THEIR NEW EXHIBIT AND IS ATTENDED BY THE ARTIST COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND VISITORS ARE INVITED, TOO.
NOW WHAT ABOUT PORT ARANSAS THAT MAKES IT A SPECIAL PLACE FOR AN ARTIST?
>> IT'S LIKE BEING OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO WITH THAT SMALL TOWN.
GREAT HANG-OUT PLACE.
YOU GOT THE BEACH.
YOU GOT THE BOATS.
YOU GOT FISHING.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?
>> ARE YOU FROM THIS AREA?
>> I GREW UP IN COLORADO.
>> OH, WELL, WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
>> BAD KNEES FROM BEING A SKI BUM.
>> HA HA!
PORT A's SHOPS, BARS, AND RESTAURANTS LURE FUN-LOVING TOURISTS WITH WHAT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALLS TEXAS ISLAND STYLE.
>> OH!
[EVERYBODY CHEERS] >> ...A FREE BEER WITH A LAMPSHADE ON MY HEAD.
AND WHAT'S THIS?
>> BUG SPRAY.
>> IN PORT "A," YOU GET A BEER AND BUG SPRAY AT THE SAME TIME.
IT IS THE BEACH, YOU KNOW.
THANK YOU.
WHILE THE ISLAND FOLKS PARTY, I REST UP FOR A SUNRISE OUTING TO THE LIGHTHOUSE LAKES TRAIL, THE FIRST OF 26 PADDLING TRAILS CREATED IN TEXAS.
IT'S SUCH A SURPRISING AREA HERE IN PORT ARANSAS.
HOW'D YOU GET HERE, HECTOR?
>> WELL, I CAME DOWN HERE IN 1992 ON SPRING BREAK, AND BLEW THE MOTOR ON MY CAR AND NEVER QUITE MADE IT BACK, BUT I WAS KIND OF HAPPY THE CAR BLEW UP.
IT PUT ME IN A PLACE THAT IS MY NEW HOME.
I'LL NEVER LEAVE HERE AGAIN.
IT'S JUST-- >> WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT?
>> IT'S JUST SO RELAXING.
>> OH, IT'S GREAT.
WELL, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE LANDMARKS HERE, HECTOR.
>> YEAH, THIS IS OUR 1857 LYDIA ANN LIGHTHOUSE.
DURING THE LATER FEW MONTHS OF THE CONFEDERATE WAR, THE CONFEDERATE TROOPS TRIED TO BLOW IT UP.
UNION FORCES EVENTUALLY TOOK IT OVER.
THE LIGHTHOUSE BECAME A STATE LIGHTHOUSE, AND NOW IT'S PRIVATELY OWNED.
>> THAT'S COOL.
>> AND UP AHEAD'S A CRAB TRAP THERE.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
I BET THEY WON'T MIND.
WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT FISHING HERE, ALL KINDS, EVEN CRAB FISHING.
IT'S NOT RESERVED JUST FOR ALASKA.
LOOK AT HERE.
>> OH, LOOK AT THAT.
>> BEAUTIFUL TEXAS BLUE CRAB.
>> AND SO THE FISH STOCKS ARE STILL PRETTY GOOD HERE?
>> OH, FANTASTIC.
SOME OF THE BEST IN TEXAS.
ALL RIGHT, GUYS, SEE Y'ALL AT DINNER.
>> HA HA!
>> HEY, JOE, YOU LIKE OYSTERS?
>> I LOVE OYSTERS.
>> GREAT.
COME HERE, I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING.
>> WHAT DO YOU GOT?
>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT A LIVE OYSTER BED HERE.
>> WOW.
>> HERE YOU GO.
>> YOU CAN EAT THOSE?
>> YES, YOU CAN.
AND THEN YOU GET ONE, IT COULD HAVE A PEARL IN IT.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
>> SO FOR THE SEAFOOD LOVER AND THE TREASURE HUNTER.
>> YOU KNOW, AFTER EVERY TIME I COME TO TEXAS, I DISCOVER SOMETHING THAT SURPRISES ME.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ME OUT HERE AND ADDING TO MY LONG LIST.
>> YOU BET.
IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE.
>> SURPRISING AND INFORMING STUDENTS ABOUT THE GREAT UNDERSEA WORLD THAT SURROUNDS PORT ARANSAS AND MUSTANG ISLAND IS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE "CADY," A RESEARCH VESSEL ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.
I JOINED A GROUP OF ROAD SCHOLARS ON ONE OF THE "CADY'S" SCIENTIFIC BAY CRUISES.
RETA PEARSON IS IN CHARGE OF THE ROAD SCHOLARS THAT ARE ON BOARD.
THESE GUYS ARE HITTING THE ROAD ALL THE TIME.
>> THEY DO.
>> AND THEY'RE LEARNING AS THEY TRAVEL.
>> THAT'S OUR FOCUS, IS EDUCATIONAL FUN.
>> THAT'S FABULOUS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO COME AND VISIT?
>> EDUCATION GROUPS COME ON THE "CADY."
>> THIS IS FOR THE BABY BOOMER, OVER-50 CROWD?
>> YES, IT IS, AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO WANT TO BRING A GUEST ALONG WHO'S NOT QUITE 50, THEY CAN COME, TOO.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
THEY'RE ALLOWED.
HA HA!
>> WE'RE GONNA START OUR ROUTINE OUT HERE BY LOOKING AT SOME OF THE SMALLER FORMS OF LIFE.
THIS IS A PLANKTON NET.
IT'S KIND OF SHAPED LIKE AN ICE CREAM CONE.
WE'RE GONNA DRAG THIS BEHIND THE BOAT FOR ABOUT 4 OR 5 MINUTES, AND ORGANISMS THAT ARE TOO BIG TOO FLOW THROUGH THE HOLES GET CAUGHT IN THE CUP OF THE NET.
>> YOU ARE THE EDUCATION SPECIALIST.
IN FACT, YOU DEVELOPED THIS PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THE DIVERSITY AND THE ABUNDANCE OUT HERE.
>> YEAH, I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO START THIS PROGRAM IN 1974.
>> FABULOUS.
YOU KNOW WHAT AMAZES ME.
WE HAVE THESE GREAT BARRIER ISLANDS THAT PROTECT THIS, WELL, CRADLE OF LIFE HERE FROM WHAT'S GOING ON OUT IN THE GULF.
>> YES, YEAH.
>> OIL SPILLS, STORMS, BE WHATEVER IT MAY.
>> THIS PART OF THE COAST IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE COAST THAT PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ABOUT FROM THE HURRICANES IN GALVESTON AND THE LOUISIANA AREA BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PRESENCE OF THESE BARRIER ISLAND SYSTEMS, AND THESE ISLANDS PROVIDE THESE SHELTERED BAYS AND LAGOONS AND THE RICHNESS OF LIFE AROUND HERE.
THEY PROTECT IT FROM THINGS THAT HAPPEN OUT IN THE GULF.
>> WELL, WE'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT IS BELOW THE SURFACE HERE.
>> WELL, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIVERSITY AND THE ABUNDANCE OF LIFE IN THESE COASTAL BAY SYSTEMS AND WHY IT'S SO RICH AND DIVERSE HERE.
SO WE DRUG THIS ON THE SURFACE FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES.
WHAT DO YOU PREDICT WE'RE GONNA GET IN HERE?
A LOT OF STUFF OR NOT MUCH?
>> NOT MUCH.
>> NOT MUCH.
WE GOT THIS MUCH OUT OF 50 CUBIC METERS OF WATER.
THE SHIP CHANNEL FROM HERE TO CORPUS HOLDS 360 MILLION CUBIC METERS.
THIS STARTS OUR MARINE FOOD WEB DOWN HERE.
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE THE FISHING.
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE THE BIRDS.
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE THE PEOPLE COMING TO PORT ARANSAS.
JUST IN A COUPLE OF DROPS OF WATER, THIS IS A [INDISTINCT] SHRIMP.
IT WON'T GET BIG ENOUGH TO FIT ON A DINNER PLATE, BUT HE'S IMPORTANT HERE.
YOU SEE A DIATOM ON EDGE?
SO IT LOOKS LIKE A RECTANGLE.
WE TELL THE KIDS THIS IS THE CRUNCHY STUFF THEY SWALLOW WHEN THEY'RE SWIMMING, AND THEY MAKE A FACE, AND WE TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THE LARGEST ANIMAL THAT'S EVER LIVED ON EARTH IS ALIVE TODAY.
IT'S THE BLUE WHALE.
AND IT FEEDS PRIMARILY ON PLANKTON.
>> HAS TO EAT A LOT OF PLANKTON.
>> THIS IS THE PRIMARY PRODUCERS, THE BEGINNING OF THE MARINE FOOD WEB.
NOW WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW ORGANISMS IN THE SEDIMENT HERE HELPS CYCLE THESE NUTRIENTS.
THEN WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT THE LARGER ORGANISMS THAT FEED AT THESE DIFFERENT LEVELS AND HOPEFULLY TIE THIS TOGETHER.
WHAT WE JUST DID WAS TAKE A SAMPLE OF THE BAY BOTTOM.
THIS IS CALLED THE BENTHOS.
B-E-N-T-H-O-S.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE $10 WORDS THAT MEANS MUD.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BENTHIC IN FAUNA AND EPIFAUNA, THOSE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT LIVE IN AND ON THE SURFACE OF THE MUD.
THE ROLE OF THIS BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE, THE LIFE IN HERE IS TO CYCLE THESE NUTRIENTS.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE EARTHWORMS IN YOUR GARDEN?
WHAT DOES IT PROVIDE?
>> FERTILIZER.
>> FERTILIZER.
HOW?
>> BY THE WASTE OF THE EARTHWORM.
>> EARTHWORM'S BASICALLY EAT THE SEDIMENT, CHEMICALLY CHANGE IT, AND POOP IT OUT, AND SOMEBODY ELSE USES THAT.
THEY ALTER IT.
THESE WORMS AND CLAMS AND SNAILS AND SHRIMP DO THE SAME THING.
THIS IS A NEIGHBORHOOD OR A COMMUNITY, AND JUST LIKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AT HOME, THE PEOPLE MOVE IN AND OUT.
THE CHARACTER OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGES.
WHO LIVES HERE OVER TIME INDICATES THUS WHETHER THIS IS A HEALTHY OR A STRESSED ENVIRONMENT.
SO WE'RE GONNA DUMP THIS TRAWL OUT AND SEE WHO CRAWLS OUT.
HERE WE HAVE A FISH.
TYPICAL FISH SHAPE.
WHAT TELLS YOU MOST ABOUT A FISH DOWN HERE IS THE POSITION OF THE MOUTH AND WHETHER THE MOUTH HAS TEETH OR NO TEETH ON IT.
THIS LITTLE FISH, WRONG BODY SHAPE.
LOOK AT THE MOUTH ON THIS DUDE.
HUGE, FUNNEL-SHAPED MOUTH.
NOW, IF YOU MAKE HIM SAY "AH," WHAT YOU SEE ARE NO TEETH, BUT YOU SEE LONG HAIRS ON THE GILLS.
HOW DO YOU THINK HE MAKES A LIVING OUT HERE?
WHAT WOULD HE FEED ON?
>> PLANKTON.
>> PLANKTON.
OK.
THIS IS THE BAY ANCHOVY.
THIS GUY GETS HIS ENERGY FROM THE PLANKTON, WHICH GETS THEIR ENERGY FROM THE SUN, THE BIRD GETS THEIR ENERGY FROM EATING THIS GUY, OK?
A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF THIS MARINE FOOD WEB HERE.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT FISH WHO LIVE AND EAT AND POOP AND THAT ALL SETTLES TO THE BOTTOM.
BUT WHAT ABOUT POLLUTION?
DOES THAT SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM, TOO, AND AFFECT THE LIFE OF THE AREA?
>> THEY CALL THAT NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION.
IT'S RUNOFF FROM CITIES.
ONE OF THE REASONS THIS AREA FROM HERE SOUTH IS SO STILL CONSIDERED TO BE PRISTINE AND CLEAN IS THERE'S VERY LITTLE PEOPLE LIVING HERE.
>> SO THE CHALLENGE IS IN PLACES WHERE THERE ARE URBAN POPULATIONS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S LIKE THIS ONE.
>> IT'S A CHALLENGE FOR THEM TO KEEP WHAT RUNS IN FROM DRY LAND CLEAN AND NOT HAVING AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE'VE SEEN SOME GREAT CHANGES, SO PEOPLE ARE WORKING HARD TO KEEP WHAT WE HAVE AND TO MAKE IT BETTER.
>> ONE OF THE PASSENGERS ABOARD THE "CADY' HERE TODAY IS CHERYL WILSON.
SHE'S A SIXTH-GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER, AND YOU'RE GONNA BRING YOUR STUDENTS OUT ON ONE OF THESE?
>> RIGHT.
WE HAVE THEM SCHEDULED IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS FOR A TOUR.
SOME OF THE SAMPLES THAT WE BROUGHT IN TODAY I'M GONNA TAKE BACK TO SCHOOL AND IT MAKES IT FAR MORE REAL THEN, AND THEN THEY APPRECIATE IT, PROTECT IT MORE AND WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.
>> AS A TEACHER, YOU CONTINUE TO RETAIN YOUR WONDER AND YOUR SURPRISE ABOUT LIFE IN THINGS LIKE THIS.
>> OH, DEFINITELY.
THAT'S THE JOY OF SCIENCE IS THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER NEW THING TO LEARN, ANOTHER CORNER TO LOOK AROUND, OR A ROCK TO TURN AND FIND SOMETHING YOU NEVER SAW.
>> WHILE THE "CADY" IS LIMITED TO EDUCATIONAL GROUPS, THE DOLPHIN WATCH AND NATURE TOUR IS A WAY FOR ALL TO DISCOVER THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND ECOLOGICAL RICHNESS OF THE PORT ARANSAS AREA.
THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION WHEN YOU COME ON A DOLPHIN WATCHING TOUR IS, "HOW DO YOU FIND THE DOLPHINS?"
>> WELL, WE HAVE A ROUTE.
WE GO OUT BY THE GULF, DOWN BY THE LIGHTHOUSE.
WE JUST HANG OUT WITH 'EM WHEN WE FIND 'EM.
>> PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY THAT ABOUT DOLPHINS.
THEY LIKE TO PUT ON A SHOW.
IS THAT TRUE?
>> WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE IDEAS ABOUT DOLPHINS, BUT A LOT OF THEM ARE TRUE.
THEY DO LOVE TO COME UP TO THE BOAT AND ROLL AROUND AND LOOK AT EVERYBODY.
>> WELL, THEY'RE CERTAINLY WONDERFUL TO WATCH.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE?
>> OH, I GREW UP HERE.
>> OH, YOU DID?
>> YES, SIR.
>> THINGS HAVE CHANGED HERE SINCE YOU GREW UP, HAVEN'T THEY?
>> OH, MUCH, YEAH.
>> BUT STILL I UNDERSTAND A KIND OF A WILD, PRISTINE AREA WITH NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF VISITORS BUT FEW RESIDENTS, SO A LOT OF FISHING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW?
>> FISHING PEOPLE HAVE DUBBED PORT "A" THE FISHING CAPITAL OF TEXAS, AND EVERY MORNING BOATLOADS OF VISITORS AND THEIR GUIDES PLY THE LOCAL WATERS.
AT DAYBREAK, I HEAD OFF WITH FRANKIE.
SO WHAT ARE WE GOING FOR TODAY, FRANKIE?
>> WE'RE GONNA TARGET REDFISH.
WE'RE GONNA GO UP AND FISH THE FLATS.
THEY'RE A PRETTY AGGRESSIVE FEEDER.
IF HE SEES IT, SMELLS IT, OR HEARS IT, HE'LL EAT IT.
>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS, FRANKIE?
>> I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN A PROFESSIONAL FOR ABOUT 7 1/2 YEARS.
>> RIGHT.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE?
>> I WAS A U.P.S.
DRIVER.
>> OH, THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
>> A LOT DIFFERENT, A LOT LESS STRESS.
>> IS IT JUST TRIAL AND ERROR FOR YOU TO PICK THE PLACE THAT YOU'RE GONNA FISH?
>> THE WIND IS THE MOST MAJOR FACTOR WE HAVE, AND WE USE DIFFERENT BAITS, DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR--OH, THERE HE GOES.
PICK IT UP, POINT IT DOWN, AND REEL AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
HAMMERING.
YANK.
THERE YOU GO.
KEEP THAT ROD TIP UP ABOVE YOUR EYES.
AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IF YOU'LL MOVE THIS BELOW YOUR WAIST...AND ALL I WANT YOU TO DO IS KEEP THAT ROD BENT AND KEEP THAT ROD TIP ABOVE YOUR EYE.
>> OH, YEAH, HE'S STARTING TO RUN NOW.
>> HE'S CLOSE.
THEY'VE GOT TO BE 20-28 INCHES, AND HE'S GONNA BE RIGHT THERE ON THE EDGE.
WHEE!
AH, HE'S 23 1/4.
>> WOO-HOO!
>> SCORED!
>> WHAT DOES HE WEIGH?
>> THERE IS A SCALE ON THERE.
I'M FIGURING HE PROBABLY WEIGHS ABOUT 3 POUNDS.
>> YEAH, IT SAYS 4.
>> OK. WELL, I WAS CLOSE.
>> DINNER.
TONIGHT.
THAT'S JUST WHERE THE FISH ARE.
THEY'RE RIGHT OFF THIS ISLAND.
>> WITH THE WAY THE WIND AND THE CURRENT ARE PULLING THAT WATER AROUND, THEY MAY BE COMING AROUND THAT SIDE OF THAT ISLAND.
>> WELL, I'M GONNA STAND BY IT.
>> OH, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU WON'T CATCH ONE STANDING BY IT.
IT NEVER WORKS THAT WAY.
HA.
IT'S KIND OF THE OLD, HEY, A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS.
THERE YOU GO, RIGHT THERE NEXT TO YOU, THE GREEN ONE!
THE GREEN ONE!
REEL AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
KEEP REELING.
YOU AIN'T CAUGHT UP TO HIM.
KEEP REELING.
KEEP REEL--REEL--REEL--REEL!
KEEP REELING.
YOU AIN'T CAUGHT UP TO HIM.
YOU STILL AIN'T CAUGHT UP TO HIM.
NOW YOU HAVE.
HAMMER HIM.
THERE YOU GO.
THAT ROD IS MADE FOR TWO REASONS: TO WEAR HIM OUT, AND TO KEEP HIM AWAY FROM THE BOAT IF NEED BE.
LAY THAT ROD DOWN.
WE'VE GOT ALL DAY.
BUT TELL ME, HOW COME YOU'RE BREATHING HARD?
>> HA HA!
>> SLOW DOWN.
OH.
GOOD GUIDE WOULD HAVE HAD HIM THE FIRST STAB.
THAT'S GOOD, RIGHT THERE.
LET ME HAVE THE LINE TO WORK WITH.
IS YOUR ADRENALINE PUMPING?
>> WHEW!
HA HA!
>> HE MIGHT NOT BE THAT 27, BUT I'LL BET HE'LL GO 24, 25.
>> WOW.
>> NOW, I TRY TO MAKE A POINT TO SHOW PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING OUT HERE, AND DOWN ON HIS THROAT HE'S GOT TEETH JUST BEFORE HIS STOMACH, AND THAT'S WHAT HE USES TO GRIND UP CRABS AND SHELLS.
AND I HAD A BIOLOGIST ON THE BOAT ONE DAY, AND HE CALLED 'EM PHARYNGEAL TEETH, AND SO NOW I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
SO HE TAUGHT ME, AND SO IM TEACHING WHOEVER'S ON THE BOAT.
>> THIS IS MORE THAN JUST COMING OUT AND HAVING A GOOD TIME.
IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL.
>> WELL, I TRY TO DEAL WITH ALL THE ASPECTS OF THIS.
IF IT WAS JUST ABOUT THE FISH, YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO TO THE FISH MARKET.
GO GET THE BACK ONE!
>> OH!
THERE IT IS AGAIN.
>> DON'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM.
SEE IF HE KEEPS GOING.
ALL RIGHT, REEL AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
KEEP REELING.
>> HE'S SLIPPING.
HE'S SLIPPING.
THERE HE GOES.
>> GOT HIM.
>> WOO-HOO!
ALL RIGHT, THAT'S A LIMIT.
>> THAT'S 3.
>> THAT'S ALL YOU CAN HAVE.
>> THIS IS GOOD, MAN.
>> LIFE IS GOOD.
>> THANKS.
LIFE IS GOOD.
>> AW, MAN, I'VE GOT A GREAT LIFE GOING ON.
>> YOUR NEXT SEAFOOD DINNER CAN BE AS FRESH AS YOUR LATEST CATCH.
WHILE MY FISH IS BEING PREPPED FOR TONIGHT'S FEAST, I CHECK OUT THE PORT ARANSAS JETTY TO SEE HOW THE OTHER FISHING PEOPLE ARE DOING.
WHAT ARE YOU FISHING FOR?
>> OH, WE'RE FISHING FOR SOME REDFISH, FLOUNDERS, SPECKLED TROUT, OR MAYBE SOME SPANISH MACKEREL IF THEY'LL COME AROUND.
>> HOW'S IT BEEN GOING?
>> OH, IT'S BEEN GOING PRETTY GOOD.
EVERYBODY'S BEEN CATCHING OUT HERE, AND IT GETS PRETTY GOOD OUT HERE IN THIS AREA.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT FISHING?
A BAD DAY OF FISHING IS BETTER THAN ANY DAY AT WORK.
>> YEAH.
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HAVE A GOOD ONE.
>> HEY!
DO YOU BREAD HIM OR-- ANY SPECIAL RECIPES?
>> NO.
BUTTER AND LEMON IS GOOD ENOUGH.
>> THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH.
WELL, I AGREE WITH YOU.
WHILE LESS IS OFTEN MORE, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO COOK FISH.
CATCH IN HAND, I HEAD TO THE EXPERTS AT TROUT STREET BAR AND GRILL TO SEE WHAT THEY PROPOSE FOR MY TROUT AND REDFISH.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT HERE IN PORT ARANSAS, CATCH IT, BRING IT TO YOU, AND YOU'LL COOK IT.
>> YES, SIR.
I'LL COOK THE CATCH OF THE DAY AS LONG AS IT'S FRESH-CAUGHT, CLEANED, READY TO GO FOR ME.
>> FABULOUS.
LET'S GET GOING.
>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA TAKE 3 GOOD-SIZE FILETS HERE.
YOU SHOULDN'T EAT REAL BUTTER THIS WAY EVERY DAY, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN IT'S NOT BAD.
IT'S NOT GONNA HURT YOU.
>> THE WAY YOU'RE COOKING IS GONNA KEEP THAT FISH NICE AND MOIST INSIDE.
>> YES, IT IS.
SO WHAT WE'LL DO NOW IS WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF OUR PARMESAN.
WE'RE GONNA SPRINKLE THAT ON TOP OF THAT BUTTER.
>> OOH, THAT MIGHT BE MY FAVORITE, CHEF.
>> THEN PASS THIS ON DOWN THE LINE.
NOW WE HAVE OUR NICE SPECKLED TROUT, AND WITH TROUT, BECAUSE IT IS A VERY MILD FISH, YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO OVERSEASON IT.
>> WHY KILL IT?
LET'S TASTE THE FISH.
>> EXACTLY.
AND ALL WE'RE GONNA DO IS TAKE THESE FILETS AND DREDGE THEM IN A LITTLE BIT OF SEASONED FLOUR.
THAT'S GONNA GIVE IT A REAL NICE LIGHT, LITTLE CRUST ON THERE.
>> THAT'S GONNA BE NICE.
>> FINAL ONE I SUGGEST THAT WE DO OUR--LOTS OF OUR REDFISH IS JUST SIMPLY GRILL IT.
>> OK.
CHEF, I'M GONNA LEAVE YOU TO COOK IT.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS GO SIT AT A TABLE AND GET MY APPETITE OUT.
ALTHOUGH YOU'VE ALREADY WHETTED MY APPETITE.
THANKS A LOT.
>> YES, SIR.
THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU, CHEF.
>> YES, SIR.
ENJOY.
>> HA HA.
YOU KNOW, THEY'VE TOLD ME HERE IN PORT ARANSAS YOU CAN GET ANYTHING YOU WANT, AND THAT INCLUDES FISH ANYWAY YOU LIKE IT.
BON APPETIT, Y'ALL.
>> CHEERS!
>> CHEERS!
>> AS WE LEARNED ON THE "CADY," WHERE THERE'S FISH, THERE'S BIRDS, AND JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE, IN PORT ARANSAS THERE ARE MANY THAT COME TO VISIT AND SOME STAY FOR A LIFETIME.
AT THE LEONABELLE TURNBULL BIRDING CENTER, ONE OF SEVERAL BIRDING SITES ON MUSTANG ISLAND, I CATCH UP WITH AVID BIRDER RETA OF ROAD SCHOLARS.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, RETA?
>> I'M LOOKING AT NORTHERN SHOVELERS, BLUE WING TEALS, THE GROUP OF AVOCETS THAT CAME IN OUT THERE, AND SOME DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS.
>> HOW MANY SPECIES OF BIRDS DO YOU GET HERE?
>> OVER 400.
>> I KNOW WHY THE PEOPLE COME HERE, BECAUSE OF THE SUN AND THE SAND AND ALL THAT.
WHAT ABOUT THE BIRDS?
WHY DO THEY LIKE IT SO MUCH?
>> THE BIRDS COME HERE FOR THE WATER AND THE FOOD.
>> HOW MANY SITES LIKE THIS DO YOU HAVE HERE IN PORT ARANSAS?
>> WE HAVE 5 THAT ARE ON THE GREAT TEXAS COASTAL BIRDING TRAIL.
>> WHAT'S THAT?
>> IT'S A COASTAL BIRDING TRAIL THAT RUNS UP AND DOWN THE ENTIRE COAST OF TEXAS AND YOU CAN GET A MAP FROM THE STATE, AND THEY MARK ALL THE BEST SPOTS IN TEXAS.
THIS IS A WORLD-CLASS BIRDING SPOT.
>> WELL, I CAN SEE WHY.
WITH RICH HABITATS THAT INCLUDE WETLANDS, INLETS, AND 18 MILES OF BEACHES AND DUNES, WATCHING BIRDS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS ON PORT ARANSAS AND MUSTANG ISLAND.
TONY AMOS HAS BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
>> [MUMBLING] YOU TRY AND COUNT THEM IN BLOCKS.
17, 18, 19, 20, PLUS... FORTUNATELY MOST OF THEM ARE LAUGHING GULLS.
>> NOW, THE PURPOSE TO COUNT THEM?
>> I STARTED DOING THIS WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE JUST TO SEE WHAT KIND OF BIRDS THERE WERE, AND MY IDEA WAS TO SEE HOW HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MIGHT AFFECT THE BIRD POPULATION.
>> OH, I SEE.
>> SO I THOUGHT, WELL, AS I'M DOING THIS, I MIGHT AS WELL KEEP DOING IT AS LONG AS I CAN.
>> HOW LONG IS THAT?
>> 34 YEARS.
>> SO YOU'VE BEEN COUNTING BIRDS ON THIS BEACH FOR 34 YEARS?
>> ACTUALLY YES, JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS.
33.
YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, THE BROWN PELICANS WERE STILL SUFFERING FROM DDT.
>> RIGHT.
>> SO THE PELICANS HAVE COME BACK, BUT OTHER BIRDS HAVE VIRTUALLY GONE, BUT THERE'S A RED KNOT...HAVE DECLINED CONSIDERABLY.
>> WHY IS THAT?
>> ALMOST ALL OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION FOR RED KNOTS STOP OFF IN DELAWARE BAY, AND THEY FEED ON THE HORSESHOE CRAB EGGS.
RECENTLY, HOWEVER, FISHERMEN ARE TAKING HORSESHOE CRABS TO USE AS BAIT, SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY BEING AFFECTED BY SOMETHING SO DISTANT... >> SO WE ARE CONNECTED.
>> WHAT I SEE IN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME, I SEE THESE BIRDS THAT AREN'T VERY COMMON.
THEY COME THROUGH FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THEY'RE GONE.
THEY'RE IN MIGRATION.
WHEN THE SANDERLINGS COME HERE, THEY ESTABLISH TERRITORY, AND ALTHOUGH THEY LOOK LIKE THERE MIGHT BE THOUSANDS OF THEM MILLING AROUND, THAT ONE JUST CHASED OFF ANOTHER ONE FROM HIS TERRITORY.
LAUGHING GULLS, OF COURSE.
PEOPLE ARE TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS TO THEM, AND IN FACT, SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM SKY RATS OR SOME-- >> SOME PESTS, YEAH.
>> THEY'RE THE ESSENCE OF THE BEACH.
I MEAN, LOOK AT IT.
SO SOMEWHERE HERE--AH.
OK, RIGHT HERE IS...OR PIPING PLOVER.
I CALL IT GREEN ON YELLOW GREEN.
I'VE BEEN SEEING THIS BIRD IN THIS SPOT SINCE 2003.
>> HE'S AN OLD FRIEND.
>> YEAH, I KNOW.
I KNOW HIM WELL, THE BIRDS ARE ABUNDANT, BUT I WANT TO GET ACROSS TO PEOPLE EACH ONE OF THOSE BIRDS ACTUALLY HAS SOME INDIVIDUAL MODE IN LIFE, AND THEY'RE NOW JUST MILLING AROUND EN MASSE.
>> RIGHT.
>> NATURE HAS A LITTLE PLAN FOR THEM, AND THINGS ARE DECLINING, AND MY CONTRIBUTION IS TO HELP PEOPLE BE AWARE OF THAT AND MAYBE THEY'LL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
>> WELL, AFTER 33 YEARS, THIS IS REALLY YOUR BEACH, AND THESE BIRDS ARE REALLY YOUR FRIENDS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INTRODUCING US TO THEM AND TO BRINGING US OUT HERE.
>> IT WAS MY PLEASURE.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY PORT ARANSAS ISLAND ADVENTURE.
IN PORT ARANSAS PEOPLE LIVE ON ISLAND TIME.
WITH ITS MILES OF BEACHES, WARM WATERS, AND BLUE SKIES, IT'S AN IDEAL PLACE TO SLOW DOWN, TAKE IT EASY, AND ENJOY LIFE.
BUT PORT ARANSAS IS MORE THAN A BEACH.
THE BARRIER ISLAND IT RESIDES ON AND THE WATERS THAT SURROUND IT ARE NATURAL TREASURES.
HUNDREDS OF SPECIES OF BIRDS, ANIMALS, AND MARINE LIFE THRIVE HERE.
AS WELL AS FOLKS WHO CAME FOR THOUSANDS OF REASONS, FORGOT THEIR WAY HOME.
THEY STAYED FOR THE SCENIC BEAUTY, THE SMALL TOWN LIFESTYLE, OR PERHAPS TO BECOME SOMEONE DIFFERENT.
THERE'S A SCENT OF CAREFREE FREEDOM IN THE BREEZE HERE.
IN OUR UPTIGHT, OVERLOADED, STRESSED-OUT WORLD, PORT ARANSAS IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR WE ALL NEED.
TILL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN, TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS.
HAPPY TRAVELING.
>> "TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY, COUNTRY, AND DRIVING GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, 3-D MAPPING, AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR KEY SITES AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES, THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
AND ROSETTA STONE, CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD LEARNS LANGUAGES.
>> FOR A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S "TRAVELSCOPE" ADVENTURES, CALL 888-876-3399.
OR ORDER ONLINE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL US AT TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
OR WRITE US AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.
>> NOW THAT WE'VE SLOWED DOWN IN PORT ARANSAS, LEARN MORE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET, WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES THROUGH MY EMAGAZINE, BLOG, AND PODCASTS.
KEEP IN TOUCH.
888-876-3399.
OR TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF NCI]
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