Blog#13 What Harvey Couldn’t Take

Day 16 -Choke Canyon State Park to Goose Island State Park(Still in Texas)

Can you guess? It’s not an elephant

Whooping Cranes-very far out there, but I saw them

I went to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge today. It is the wintering home of the endangered Whooping Crane. They winter here and then migrate to Canada to breed. They are the largest bird in North America, standing over 5 feet. I saw five of them today, and am told of another spot where I might see them tomorrow—maybe a bit closer. The park was created just for these birds, but there is loads of other wildlife there. The staff is friendy and happy to educate us out-of-staters.

Look how big these “Texas River Cooters” (Red Eared Sliders) are next to the Coots

I received a text from Linda (Choke Canyon).  She wrote that they had an armadillo in their camp today.  I texted her back that she’s a terd.  Don’t gloat, Linda.  It’s unbecoming.

In a pond and about 3 inches long. Looks like something from Petsmart

I think this is a Gar. It was over 2 feet long in the same pond

Tonight I am in Lamar, Texas on the Gulf Coast, just outside Rockport, camping in my car at Goose Island State Park. I’m hoping to see an armadillo or javelina here, but the ranger tells me I’m more likely to see a wild boar.

This little community was ground zero of Hurricane Harvey and was the hardest hit. I met a few of the survivors here tonight.

Common Moor Hen and her twin

Cormorant

I drove up the road from my camp at Goose Island State Park to eat dinner at Pop’s (pub) in Lamar. Pop’s had major structural damage from Harvey and has just recently reopened. I met Erika, my waitress/bartender, who lived here during the storm and has managed to remain here. Her home came through without major problems, but she lost work when Pop’s had to rebuild. She went to college while she waited for Pop’s to reopen.

This was made by the folks who own Pop’s, with help from all their staff. It’s made from beer bottle caps. Another Harvey survivor.

This is Erika at Pop’s. “I couldn’t stay away”

I also met Betty Stiles, Aransas County Commissioner. She was explaining the immensity of the task before them. “This isn’t a race, it’s a marathon”, Betty said, in reference to the rebuilding of her community. It will take years to get it all back, but the folks here have a positive attitude. Betty said each day there’s some small triumph to celebrate. She spoke of having water, and a gas stove so she could heat it. That was a treat, because she could take a sponge bath. And then the electricity was restored, so there were lights. Each thing they had been without began to trickle back into their isolated world. For weeks, these people had no power, no stores to buy groceries, no gas stations, etc. etc. There was no food, no refrigeration. Walmart gave out truckloads–ice, diapers, dogfood, etc.  The Walmart parking lot was a refugee camp as well as a camp for first responders. Private citizens were having hot dog feeds—cooking hundreds of meals and delivering them. Harder hit than Rockport, Aransas County has produced more debris from lost structures and trees than the entire city of Houston. The clean up seems to be never ending, but they just plug along. Sadly, three lives were lost in this area due to Harvey.

Definitely North

On the main highway in Aransas County

I asked the ladies I met tonight if they had stayed here during the hurricane, or had evacuated. They had all left, but Betty’s daughter, with her husband(who own Pop’s), and their daughter stayed at the restaurant. (It has block construction). They put their daughter under the pool table. The metal roof was breathing, I was told. Some of the walls were gone when it was over.
Harvey went from a tropical depression to a category 4 hurricane in the space of 40 hours. They suffered

The same view for miles

sustained 130 MPH winds for 7 hours. Betty’s daughter told her that in the future, if they have a hint of strong wind, she’s gone. A terrifying time for all these people. Dozens of tornadoes came through in the eye of Harvey, on top of all else.
When I met other people before getting to this area, I would tell them of my upcoming destinations. Many of them warned me that the Gulf was a mess from Harvey, and still digging out. I felt they were warning me off. Telling me different places I could go that were scenic. But I intentionally planned to come here- I wanted to meet some of these people. I wanted to talk with them and see how they are doing. It is an education, I can assure you.

The people down here in Aransas County and all along the Gulf are doing their part.  They need  a workforce.  600 of the 1300 businesses that closed in this county due to damage have reopened.  More motels, lodges, restaurants, gas stations are opening weekly. They need housing for that needed workforce. They are living a catch 22–they can’t afford to construct housing if the businesses aren’t making it.  And the businesses won’t make it if they don’t have workers.

If you’re doing okay and you are in Texas,(or any place a hurricane hit) come to the Gulf and spend some money here. Talk to these people-show them that they are not forgotten- and just listen.  They won’t initiate the conversation, but please ask.  I think it does them good just to remember what they have come through. These folks aren’t whining or waiting for Uncle Sam to come fix everything.  They’re tough and they are banded together. They need some help.  I’m asking for them.

And if your claim with FEMA was denied, DON”T GIVE UP.  Betty wants people to know that the process is a nightmare, but stick to it.  Keep filing appeals.  If you need help with paperwork, seek help. DON”T GIVE UP.

If you live in the wake of Harvey’s destruction and now have a roof over your head, do you maybe have a room in your house that you could rent out?  Seems like the people whose homes came through okay could use some temporary added income about now, and people who want to come work need housing–temporarily.  If renting to others is daunting, look into the security offered by renting out through AirBNB.  And if Walmart could step up to do the right thing, maybe AirBNB could follow suit by waiving their commission for those affected by Harvey–maybe for a year or so.  Can’t hurt to ask…

Sunset from Goose Island

www.aransascounty.org/harvey