Weekly Update Archive

Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area - April 24-26, 2009

It was time for the annual ETHS field meet and campout! We got to go to Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (GEWMA) area again! This is such an awesome place. To tell you the truth, it is the best place we, as a herpetology club, have ever gone to. Just my opinion, of course ...which also makes it FACT! :)

My family and I arrived after 9:30 PM on Friday evening. We stopped in Centerville along the way for a BBQ sandwich and also met up with Gina Disteldorf and her friend, Dawn. As we were leaving Houston, we were on the front end of a very bad storm that was approaching the Houston area from the South. I am so glad I was not on call this weekend!! We continued on to Gus Engeling and were actually able to set up our tent upon arrival. We schmoozed with the rest of the group and had some drinks and good conversation. Later on in the evening the storms caught up with us. It began to storm very heavily -- complete with thunder and lightening, and it was BAD!! In fact, it rained so hard, it actually flooded out every camper in tents! Jeff Wilson, you had the right idea bringing that RV!! You and Kim are lucky everybody didn't pile in with you! There was actually water dripping into the tent on all of us. The kids were totally out of it and also totally soaked! They never knew until they woke up! They had no idea why they were wet!

The following morning, we all got up and ate breakfast. A big thanks goes out to Robert Edwards and Brian Williams who consistently come through on cooking a great breakfast and dinner for everyone. Kudos to all who helped, as well! We found that many people who arrived on Friday night had split due to all the bad weather. Thanks to the new members who hung in there with us. I know you guys had a great time! The weather slowly cleared up and we all dried out our pillows and sleeping bags! The sun came out and we began to catch snakes and observe other animals. We all had a blast! It threatened to rain again through out the weekend, but never did. I wish all of you people who wussed out would have stayed!

I hope you enjoy the pictures as many herps were seen and enjoyed throughout the weekend. More updates to come in the very near future so stay tuned!!! Rock on, herpers!

Box Turtle