Jan. 10 to 13

Hello - we' re back. We took some time off from the blog - having too much fun in the sun!

Anyway, here are some more photos. Friday, we went to see 'The Big Tree' close to our park. It is a 1000 years old. While there we met a couple from Indiana - from right around the area of the floods. They were very nice and informative. Since they have been coming here for the last 11 years they know all of the good restaurants. They also had lots of good stories.

Saturday we just hung around Rockport/Fulton area. Went to the Fulton Manor - built in 1877 - ahead of it's time - built by an engineer - with flush toilets and gas lighting. We didn't go in but the grounds were beautiful. We then went to Moon Dog for lunch - we were not leaving here without having some fish tacos and for Derek fresh oysters. The last time Derek had fresh oysters was with Sarah and Mike at Ferris's Oyster Bar in Victoria - ages ago now!

We also toured around the neighborhoods a little. The swanky district. They all have their own canals for their boats - the poor people! Apparently a lot of Californians are moving here because it is still 'affordable'! so 1 million instead of 5!

Today, we went to church at the Coastal House of Faith led by Pastor Jesse Oritz. It was a very good service in a very small building - probably about 30 people. However, lots of energy and the sermon about Liberty was inspiring. 

Not too much new. We have been hanging around reading and sleeping a lot. We will head out as soon as our mail arrives. First stop will be Falcon State Park, south and west of here. We hear that the weather will be cooling off this week - but it is all relative I guess. 

Take care - y'all!

Corpus Christi Skyline

Bridge to Corpus Christi

Mustang Island State Park

Lunch Time! Pelican Landing

Ferry Crossing

Thursday, Jan. 10

Hi Everyone!

A big driving day today - well for Derek anyway! It didn't seem so far on the map.

We started a bit late - slept in - hung around the site awhile - talked with John and Becky on the road. Then off south to Mustang Island.

First, we hit Aransas Pass which takes you to a free 24 hour ferry to Port Aransas - see attached photos. We stopped for lunch at Pelican Landing - it was ok - we both had shrimp po boy sandwiches. After looking at a few shops were on our way again.

After quite a drive we arrived at Mustang Island State Park. This was a park that we were going to camp out. We are glad we chose Goose Island, however you can camp on the beach at Mustang which would be nice since there was know one there - again - see photos.

Back on the highway we went to Padre Island. We were going to check out the national park where there is also a campground and a place to camp on the beach. However, it was a $10 fee to get in and so we passed. We may go back there and camp next week - not sure yet!

We headed back north and then west - over a huge bridge to Corpus Christi. CC is a pretty big city around 300,000 people - we thought that it would have some nice shops and a wharf in the downtown but it didn't have much - pretty disappointing. We did head down to the area by the Texas Aquarium and the USS Lexington - a large navel ship from WWII - but since it was close to 5pm we just drove by.

Following all of this adventure we headed back to Rockport. Happy to be in more comfortable surroundings we stopped for a bit to eat at WHATABURGER - yup - that is what it is called. We thought that we just had to try them out as they are everywhere and seem to be more popular than any other burger joint. Derek's burger was HUGE - he is suffering now - plus his malt was also HUGE - 32 oz!!!! He's good for a while now. 

Tomorrow will be a much easier day - we are going to stay local - to see a 1000 year old tree and the Fulton Manor and the wharf - so that is what is on tap for tomorrows blog.

Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes and emails!! Doug you can have Derek's Swisher Sweets - cigarellos that he thought that he would like - but to dang strong. And - I will not let Derek play with the alligators anymore! I will try to keep him from the rattlesnakes once we get inland as well.