Our Texas excursion is nearing an end. On Thursday the wheels on the RV will once again be rolling and I can honestly say I’m ready for a change of scenery. As I reflect on our overall Texas Gulf Coast visit, these words come to mind, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolish’.
This opening line in the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities may refer to the French Revolution and the cities of Paris and London, but as I see it, it can easily relate to my three-month stay in Texas.
I know it’s a stretch, but humor me and allow me to spin my own little tale with a recap of our Texas Gulf Coast adventure.
It was the best of times……
Our Texas journey began in early November when we visited Galveston Island for a month. We were pleasantly surprised with how much there was to see and do in Galveston and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We were never bored or at a loss of places to explore. We even had the pleasure of connecting with fellow bloggers.
To read about our stay in Galveston, start with this post – click here.
From Galveston we traveled south to Mustang Island with a quick 3 day stop at Goose Island State Park. At Mustang Island State Park we fit in more socializing and lots of explorations.
Corpus Christi and Port Aransas hold nostalgic memories for both Al and I. Al lived in the area for a couple of years during his Navy days B.I. (before Ingrid) and has the fondest recollections of those days. We shared a great day visiting the first aircraft carrier that Al flew on and off of ….. the USS Lexington
Years ago, my parents became winter Texans each year as they spent six months in Port Aransas at the Pioneer RV Resort and six months back in Illinois. My kids and I would visit them in Port A each season either over Christmas break or Spring break. My dad loved to fish while my mother loved to walk the beach collecting seashells. They developed a core of friends and stayed active and happy in this part of Texas for a number of years.
When Al and I returned to this area in December, it conjured up feelings of returning home for a visit. I couldn’t help but feel a flood of fond memories wash over me; thoughts of my mother and her exuberant joy as she walked the beach collecting sea shells. She was always smiling as she loved digging her bare feet into the sand. Ah yes, she is missed.
After our stay on Mustang Island, we moseyed up the road 45 minutes to nearby Rockport, Texas (technically we stayed in the teeny town of Lamar), where we spent the month of January. Why Rockport? Rockport is a Mecca for angler’s, duck hunter’s, and avid birders. It’s a Sportsman’s paradise.
You won’t find any beaches for a stroll around here. So beach goers will want to take a pass on Rockport and stick to the beautiful beaches on Mustang Island.
We rolled into the Hidden Oaks RV Park within hours of our friends on December 29th; long time friend’s and business associates from our Colorado days.
Al’s buddy brought his boat and the guys were on a month-long male bonding mission. Manly men, doing manly things in a sportsman’s paradise. Ah, the real reason for our second January stay in Lamar emerges!
With hubby occupied, I’m left to my own devices and find great pleasure in exploring the area for photo ops.
Did I already mention this place is known as a ‘birders paradise’? The endangered whooping cranes winter within walking distance from the RV park and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is just across the St. Charles Bay.
There are over 25 specified birding areas within 40 miles, and then there are birding boat tours, guided birding walks, and bird seminars. Whew, a birder could get worn out around here!
That said, hubby and I had a rather nice three-month visit to the Texas Gulf Coast.
But wait the story doesn’t end there. I did mention it was the worst of times. We’ll talk about that in the next post…..
Thank you MonaLiza for the above photo of me. I had a blast birding with you 🙂
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