High and dry.

Sailboat resting on sand at Pine Gully during a winter’s low tide.©

After a stretch of grey cold weather, if a sunny mild weather appears, bloggers (and everyone – especially dogs) are running towards the light, I mean, exits. Not wanting to leave you totally high and dry if you are among the unfortunates in the top half of the US struggling with the latest Arctic front, here’s an effort to quickly amuse.

Lovely bay house facing Galveston Bay with Pine Gully on their north property line. Sailors are willing to make a few compromises in order to keep the boat by the house.©

Earlier in the week, we took Molly to hike along Pine Gully Trail to the banks of Galveston Bay. While  it was sunny and mild, the wind was blowing pretty steady at 30 out of the north.

When that happens, water is blown out of Clear Lake (which drains to Galveston Bay/Ship Channel on the way to Gulf of Mexico). The gulls and water birds love it as they can easily walk on the mud flats all around the lake.

Low tides during those days bring even more challenges to boat owners. Boat owners prefer to have the boat at the house so you can fiddle with it during the week, do maintenance, and possibly take quick outings if there’s time and daylight.

Even with a blue blue sky, the towering cane, the wild waving grasses, the wind sweeping across the curving trail has the feeling of a horror movie. Not to Molly the Mauler.©

This house has a great location: on the banks of Galveston Bay with a breakwater at the mouth of Pine Gully so normally they can sail in and tie up at their own bulkhead.

Knowing the ways of tides and fronts, their boat doesn’t have a deep keel on the bottom (which balances the big sail when it’s up and holding wind – otherwise the sailboat falls over). This one has a daggerboard/centerboard that can be pulled up or pushed down through a slot in the hull as the water depth requires. Good for exploring inlets and places along the coastal waterways.

Another plus is with the water out, owners can check the hull without putting on diving gear. And it’s easier for dogs to jump on board. This house has a couple of well-trained Labs who stay close, but thoroughly enjoy splashing around in the gully….and protecting the boat.

“Come back. Stick with it. Branch out and explore more. …besides we aren’t through with you. Seen the old spooky graveyard? The archeological site? No digging, Molly. Next time maybe..”©

With all the restoration of the wetlands, the area is bound to be inviting for gators again. So far they seem to be sluggish and hiding…although when Molly started to rustle some brush along the trail, there was a clicking I took as a warning: “Do Not Disturb, yet.”

Warming up to stepping out

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Bored? Warm up to Pine Gully Trail and soak in the delight:

• Before Hurricane Ike 2012. “End of the Campaign. End of the trail” Pine Gully then.
• Jan. 2014. “Gators. Where yat?”(Gators and other threats of Pine Gully. Environmental restoration begins)
• April, 2014. “Obscured on purpose?”  (Leash that pup. Enjoy the new decor.)
• Jan. 2015. “Flyers. Bits and pieces” (archeological info and history’s tales)
• May. 2015. “Dog trots. trailing with mutters” (Checking out the upgrades. Lovely day to watch the ships from the banks of the bay)

OK same house, but trying to give you a look at that sailboat. Reminds me of a toddler sitting flat on the sand at the beach – one who will not notice or mind all the sand in the britches until the long ride home…©

 

 

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