Fulton Mansion, Charlotte Plummers, More Cranes

 It was a rainy day yesterday, so we decided to drive up to Rockport and take the tour of the Fulton Mansion.  The Mansion was completed in 1877.  It was built by ranchers George and Harriet Fulton. 
 The Fultons lived in the house for 18 years.  The house was sold several times and became a restaurant and even a trailer park.  In 1976 the state of Texas purchased the property and restored it.  It has been refurnished with period furnishings and some original furnishings that were gifted by the Fulton family.  The desk and cabinet below are original to the home.

The house had many "modern" conveniences like indoor pluming, gas lighting and central heat.  There was a big fire pit in the basement and the heat would rise up through the home via the registers below that were in each room.

 They have done a very nice job restoring the home and it is worth a visit to see the craftsmanship of the home and the beautiful furnishings.  After our tour, we had lunch at Charlotte Plummers.  It was good (thanks for the recommendation-Gail.)  
We finished lunch and set off in search of the Whooping Cranes.  We went to the spot we found them Thursday and no cranes!  Great!  We bring two car loads of people and the cranes are hiding.  We went to see "the big tree" and then decided to give the cranes another shot.  As we were going back, I noticed a car pulled over on a different street.  We checked it out and sure enough, the cranes were there.

 There were four Whooping Cranes and two Sandhills.  It was great to see them together because you can see the size difference.  The Whooping Cranes are huge.  We watched them for quite a while and then they decided to fly.......

It was fantastic to see them in flight.  They are so large, but so graceful.  We also got to hear them chatter a little bit. It was a really good day despite the wet and windy weather.
It rained most of the night and is supposed to continue today.  Everyone is supposed to come to our house, to watch the Superbowl.  Hopefully, it will let up enough that I can get the fajitas grilled, without getting soaked.  See you down the road.....