Sometimes, on those fun-filled family vacations, having a tripod along creates a plausible reason to step away from the fun, the too-loud TV, the oppressive togetherness.

In this case, I retreated to the balcony for a night view across the Gulf of Mexico to watch the ships heading toward the port and the clouds scurrying across the sky.

Oh, and to put the tripod to work….

Port Aransas, Texas
photographed 10.7.2011