Keeping up with the visitors
Mary Henkel Judson

their courtesy. Mary Henkel Judson is editor and copublisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at southjetty@centurytel.net.

Who said getting old isn't for the faint of heart?

If that's the case, Port Aransas has the youngest, most fit group of Winter Texans in the country. You have to have a big dose of energy to keep up with all these people do while they're here.

A quick glance at the South Jetty last week left me breathless! Seriously. Take a look at all the activities and events offered at this time of year for Winter Texans and residents as well. You'd have to have a flow chart to keep up with it all:

Tour of Homes, UTMSI lecture series, Casino Night, Hands-on Workshops (two days a week), a tour of the chapel on the hill, the Third Saturday art sale, the Trinity-by-the-Sea barbecue dinner, JELM trips to San Antonio, San Marcos and other cities, the PACT performances, art center events and activities, Dine Around, the Book Club, Brown Bag lecture series, "Digology" and other Parks and Recreation Department activities, Port Aransas Historical and Preservation Society presentations . . . the list goes on!

Hold your horses: The list does not include all the regular JELM events such as aerobics and tai chi, or fishing, bird watching, beachcombing, strolling or bicycle riding on the beach, having coffee and/or cocktails with friends, dining out, dining in-house with friends, playing tennis, going to the library, reading, shopping or - what people used to come to Port Aransas for -- relaxing!

We ink-stained wretches (well, okay, we're not ink-stained wretches any more - we're slaves to computer keyboards and monitors) spend our days writing about what everyone else gets to do and wishing we could join in all the Winter Texan games. But writing about all the fun is a full-time job!

Maybe when we grow up we can retire and become Winter Texans in Port Aransas. Now that's something to look forward to!

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It's time for our annual reminder that in this neck of the woods, the Texas friendly tradition is to pull onto the shoulder or right lane to allow faster moving vehicles to pass. Now, don't pull onto the shoulder at night, because you never know what might be ahead in the dark. And fast-paced drivers should be reminded that when a friendly driver pulls over for you to pass, give 'em a wave or flash your emergency lights twice to let 'em know you appreciate their courtesy.