Port Aransas, Texas

December 19-26, 2013

Gulf Waters RV Resort

We traveled here from Galveston Island to Mustang Island "highway" free.  We experienced the sights of this portion of the Texas coastline which is quite different from Cape Cod's coastline.  Unfortunately for me, this meant traveling over quite a few pretty high bridges over the many bays we passed along the way.  I found myself leaning in to the center of the coach in order to "distribute" the weight more favorably (yeah, right; that's really going to work); holding my breath, closing my eyes and tensing up quite a bit.  I never realized how much those high railings on the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges were my friends!

We followed the GPS, traveling to Aransas Pass; took the left turn to take us to Port Aransas...saw the signs "Ferry - 2 miles", "Ferry - 1 mile", and on and on.  Checked the GPS not just once but twice and was quite sure there was another bridge in our future.  Guess what?  No bridge; only a ferry!  We pulled off the road, making sure we had the room to turn around if necessary and I got out to ask "is this the only way to get from here to there" and was assured the ferry operators knew what they were doing; they did this all the time.  So the Beave had its first ferry ride and I had another one of those hold your breath moments.  We took up one whole side of the ferry and I was the one, once again, looking out my window to nothing but water!



Port Aransas is a cute little town with bright colored beach and fish shops, a lot of restaurants and cafes and pretty friendly people.  Gulf Waters RV is about five miles south of town and our first impression was that we had found the place we were sure would make a great winter home for us: large, beautiful, manicured lots and only steps to the boardwalk taking you over the dunes to the Gulf waters. 

First trip out was a visit to Corpus Christi....anxious to see the place that almost claimed my daughter, Jodie, and her husband, Dennis, from our New England states.  Have to say...wasn't impressed.  Maybe it was the bridge I had to drive over to get here...cosmic cousin Greg warned us of the winds in these parts.  Try crossing a bridge about 75 above sea level with a wind 50 mph and combine that with the wimp described above driving the vehicle with two kayaks on the roof rack holding onto the steering wheel with the whitest knuckles I have ever seen (only noticed once we were across the bridge) and you have one, not so very enjoyable, adventure.  By the way, when I finally did extricate my hands from the steering wheel, there was an evident pop!!

Granted, we did not venture into the probably best parts of Corpus Christi, but given the highways, the winds, the traffic.....I really don't need a reason to return.  Jodie....thank goodness you decided to stay where you are!!!

Next day we decided to try the other side of Mustang Island and go back to Aransas Pass, this time over on the ferry with the car only!!  So much easier and without the stress of the first trip in the Beave.  Stopped at a craft fair on the shores of Rockport where we saw a grill that could only have been made for our fabulous brother-in-law, Bob Bateman. 

Then just a great lunch at a local franchise K-Bob for a visit to a great salad wagon (bar) and back again to Gulf Waters before the storms began....but wait....never happened.

Sunday was sunny but, again, quite windy.  Ken really wanted to go kayaking so we went to a "paddle trail" we found online.  When we got there, however, all we saw were boats (including one of those big airboats) whipping through the inlet, most in camouflage clothing and carrying rifles (so that's what we had been hearing these last couple of days!)  That did it for me...I wasn't going out there to be tipped over by someone's wake or to be mistaken for a duck and shot at! 

 

 

On the day we celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary, we finally got to play our first round of golf at Newport Dunes at Palmilla Beach Resort.  It must really do us good to wait so long between rounds...we both had some wonderful shots!  We finished the day with dinner out at "Castaways" in town.  Not the grandest of restaurants by any means but so much closes up around here on Mondays and Tuesdays "off season". 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve we were finally able to sit outside for a short while listening to carols and reminiscing about Christmases-past.  We really found ourselves a little homesick knowing we would have been with all the kids and grandkids.  Maybe we have to plan something different next year.

 

 

Christmas morning we took our last walk on Mustang Island Beach and watched a beautiful sunrise over the waters of the Gulf.  Unfortunately, as the day went on we had more and more cloud cover and even a couple of showers.  We went to a resort about a half a mile down the road (Port Royal) where we enjoyed a Christmas Buffet, serving breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage and omelets; a salad/appetizer bar with tortellini and some type of local salad; gulf shrimp and salmon; dinner with stuffed pork roast and prime rib as well as many local dishes; and a dessert bar to satisfy any sweet tooth...not to mention the never-empty glass of mimosa.  We walked away totally satisfied!!

 

Then home to pack up all the outside stuff followed by a short afternoon nap and some old western and sci-fi movies!  Might take a short walk in the drizzle before turning in.  Up in the morning to begin our trip to South Padre Island where we will spend our last stop on the Gulf of Mexico.  We will miss those morning walks.