Crystal Beach, Texas—a place where sunrises over the Gulf glisten, laughter floats on the breeze, and families build memories in the sand. But sometimes, there’s something else left behind: trash. Empty beer cans shimmering like sad little trophies of a party gone too far, chip bags playing tag in the wind, and the occasional rogue…

Get ready for the most fun you can have on a golf cart while supporting a great cause! Mark your calendars for August 2, 2025, and rev up your golf carts for a day of sun, fun, and friendly competition at the Bolivar Peninsula Golf Cart Poker Run. Don’t Miss Out on This Year’s Exciting…

The New Boating Accident Statistics Are In! Nathan Johnson (The Jerk) was excited about the new phone book being in because his name was in the phone book and that proved that he was somebody. Similarly, the new Coast Guard Boating Accident Statistics are in, and we are excited, too, but not necessarily in a…

Surface water temperature is 86 degrees. This past week we have burned a good deal of gas and time taking the 40 min ride over to the Jettys to finding a solid am trout bite. We are utilizing Mirror Lure suspending hard baits, Swim Baits, and Tails with 1/8 oz heads in light colors. Our…

There’s nothing like the 4th of July with family and fire works! We had all that and a bag of chips! Thanks to my sweet Leigh Boot Bottom, I have a ton of pictures to share with y’all. We don’t do much beach sitting unless we have a whole group of family with us, but…

As Texas, the nation and the world watched the events of July 4th in the Texas Hill Country unfold, our hearts just broke, not only was it a massive disaster, but it involved children. When I first heard the news, I just got sick to my stomach. You see, the area of the flood is…

Ever wished you could observe eagles soaring, bears fishing for salmon, or alligators basking in the sun—all from the comfort of your home? Thanks to Explore.org’s live wildlife webcams, you can! This fascinating platform offers over a hundred live-streaming cameras capturing animals in their natural habitats across the globe. From the rugged coasts of Alaska,…

From the echoes of the Liberty Bell proclaiming independence to the roar of rockets launching humanity into the space age, July 8–14 has witnessed moments that reshaped nations and redefined possibilities. This week marks the storming of the Bastille, the infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, and the birth of modern tennis at…

The 4th of July and Its Meaning for Texans and Americans Alike Every summer, Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate the 4th of July—Independence Day. It’s a day known for fireworks, parades, backyard cookouts, red-white-and-blue everything, and an overwhelming sense of national pride. But behind the celebration is a deeply significant history that…

By Linda Elissalde Melissa and Jon Filkowski are our wonderful niece and nephew-in-law. They live in Richland, Washington. The Filkowskis and their fine children, Alina and Alexander Marcel, have visited us once before. Now Alina and Alex are all grown so Melissa and Jon came to visit us for a week before leaving on Royal…

Even More Clever, Punny, and Perfect Last week, we dove into the wonderful world of beach house names—the quirky, sentimental, and sometimes mysterious monikers that give homes along the coast their own personality. And let’s be honest, nothing says “beach life” quite like a clever play on words nailed to the front porch. So, back…

hy·per·ther·mi·a The condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal. We have discussed the dangers of being immersed in frigid waters, including the deadly condition known as hypothermia. Hypo is a prefix that means “beneath” or “below,” as in below the skin. It also means “less than normal.” Thermia, of course, refers to “body…

Surface water temperature 86.2 degrees in East Galveston Bay. We are still weeding through a number of undersized Trout to find the better fish, as in previous weeks, but our last few trips have resulted in some solid upper slot females. Colors varied, depending upon water clarity and light conditions, with Rollover Moon getting the…

By Ed Snyder/Outdoors Whether your savoring these succulent morsels on a plate or rigging one on your fishing hook for catching fish, Shrimp are the perfect choice for both pleasures. Shrimp (Penaeus Aztec sis) are an enormously popular seafood in most homes and restaurants of the U.S.A.. Boiled, Broiled, fried, sun-dried, BBQ, or stuffed, they…

Aunt Leigh picked up the Tampa Grands from the airport on Wednesday, PawPaw got to the League City house early on Thursday to grab them! (As long as we live, we’ll never understand “sharing them,” but share them we must!) As a matter of fact, as we speak, the whole Tampa family is in San…

From pivotal battles to groundbreaking social changes, the first week of July has shaped history in remarkable ways. This seven-day span witnessed the turning point of the Civil War at Gettysburg, the birth of American independence, and landmark moments in civil rights, science, and culture. Whether it’s the signing of the Civil Rights Act, the…

In the mid-1940s, America was introduced to a bizarre, fascinating, and totally off-the-rails idea known as The Shaver Mystery. According to its creator, Richard Sharpe Shaver, Earth’s ancient caverns are populated by sinister beings called “Deros” — degenerate descendants of an ancient alien race — who use bizarre ray machines to torment surface humans with…

The results are in! The 2025 Golf Cart Poker Run T-Shirt Contest has officially announced its winning designs, submitted by creative 3rd–6th grade students from the local schools on Bolivar Peninsula. This year’s contest showcased a display of young talent, with imaginative and colorful designs inspired by beach life, golf carts, and community spirit. After…

Naming a beach house can feel as meaningful as naming a child or a beloved pet. It’s not just a house—it’s your escape, your sanctuary, or, for the lucky few, your forever home by the sea. And that deserves a name with character. So how did you name your beach house? Was it a playful…

By Linda Elissalde The Gardens of Versailles, Royal Botanic Gardens and Monet’s Garden are very famous. There is also the lost Garden of Eden. I remember when all we girls wanted to read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s THE SECRET GARDEN. MGM made a black and white movie version in 1949 with only the secret garden in…