Port Aransas, TX

We left Galveston behind and arrived in Port Aransas, TX a few days ago. The trip here was uneventful. The scenery was typical Texas, flat with either oil rigs or cattle in the fields. 

Port Aransas is located on the northern tip of Mustang Island and is the only established town on the island. Mustang Island is north of Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world and south of San Jose Island, which is renowned for its shelling.

There are two ways to get to the island by vehicle. From Corpus Christi, the island is linked by the JFK Causeway which spans high above Laguna Madre. The second route is from Aransas Pass and is the more scenic way. The free ferry which runs 24/7 and 365 days a year, is the route we chose. There are a total of 8 vessels which bring passengers and vehicles across. The maximum height is 13'6", we are 13'2". Just made it. It takes 5 minutes once boarded to get across the shipping channel. We saw lots of dolphins as we crossed.

We arrived at the park and was escorted to our site. The young lady escorting us could back up any rig into any spot on the first try. She definitely knew what she was doing. With one zig and one zag I got it on the second try. With the rig set up it was time to explore. The following morning we were rewarded with a wonderful sunrise.

Many years ago the only occupants of the island where the Karankawa Indians. In 1519 Spanish explorer Pineda sailed through the narrow Aransas Pass into Corpus Christi Bay. The island was first named Wild Horse Island and then Mustang Island after the wild horses that were brought to the island by the Spaniards in 1800's.

By 1830's several ships were travelling the pass to deliver goods to various areas around Corpus Christi. During the 1950's a few settlers made the area home. In 1888 Elihu Ropes purchased Mustang Island for $25,000 and called the new town Ropesville (how creative). In 1896 it was changed to Tarpon because of the abundance of Tarpon fish in the area. However, in 1912 the town finally decided on the name of Port Aransas. 

Modern day Port Aransas is a fishing, beach, and resort village with summertime populations reaching 60,000+. Normally the population is 3,500.

With a gorgeous day looming we decided to pull a Marilyn and Dave(friends from Canada). Which is going to the water, setting our lawn chairs down with some lunch and a beverage in hand, and watch all the comings and goings. We were soon rewarded with a ship coming into port. The small boat is a pilot boat. The arrow is pointing at the pilot Captain climbing the ladder to get on board. Just like I blogged before. 

The birds fly so close you can reach out and almost touch them. This pelican almost took my head off. I moved just in time.

It seemed that everything was out flying. The Coast Guard flew by at least four times while we were sitting there.

Susan decided that she wanted to try her hand at being the pelican whisperer. God only knows what she was saying because the pelican sat there for a long time listening to her. Must be that soothing voice.

Stay tuned for lots more on Post Aransas and the surrounding area.