I love everything about south Texas…its western element, the rugged countryside, along with the diverse people, customs and food. Add a coastal dimension to this culture and you’ll understand why the Texas gulf bend near Corpus Christi is one my favorite places in the world. I know it’s winter, but around here that’s usually mid-70s, sunny and when the crowds are away, it’s a great time to play.
Corpus Christi’s idyllic bayfront is the place to start. It’s like a picture postcard. There are picnic areas, restaurants, fishing piers and a large marina with all manner of vessels from ancient shrimpers to sleek modern yachts, even a lifesize replica of Columbus’ the Nina. From here, a few blocks north on Chaparral St. are the Texas State Aquarium, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History (with the Pinta and Santa Maria replicas), and the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures where a lady elegantly brushed my initials in Vietnamese on a large sheet for me to frame... looks cool.

Continue north about a mile over the bridge on U.S. 181 to North Beach’s shops and restaurants or the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, which is open for tours. An alternative is to head south on U.S. 77 to Kingsville (35 minutes) and visit the world famous 825,000 acre King Ranch. The ranch is so large it partially covers several counties and has its own school district. During the ranch bus tour I saw fierce crested Caracaras, award winning longhorns and interacted with fourth- and fifth-generation cowboys whose predecessors were born, lived and died on the King Ranch. 

Hungry? In Fulton, Charlotte Plummer’s Seafare restaurant is right on the water, overlooking a picturesque marina. I had lump crab cakes and fried oyster Po’ boy…everything is fresh, moist and flavorful. Just south on S.R. 35 is another of my favorites, The Big Fisherman. Its no surprise there are usually people outside waiting for this cavernous restaurant to open at 10:45 AM…I’m often one of them! The quality of the seafood and their skills in the kitchen are as legendary as the prices, like a crab with fries for under 2 bucks. I ordered the Mini Seafood platter…1 stuffed crab, 1 stuffed shrimp, 4 fried shrimp, fried fish, all are ‘boat-to-table’ fresh and served piping hot with baked potato, for under 8 dollars. There’s nothing ‘mini’ about it, I took half of it to go.

For artsy, upscale dining visit Lat 28 02 Coastal Cuisine in Rockport…it’s built into an art gallery. Enjoy dramatic views and thick, sizzling steaks at the Republic of Texas Bar and Grill on the 20th floor of the Omni Corpus Christi Bayfront hotel. I’ve dined at both several times, if you don’t love either one, send me a note. (Check AAA.com or the Texas TourBook guide for the wide variety of AAA Approved local restaurants.)
 
Rockport, Port Aransas and Padre Island are fisherman’s paradises. I’m barely a novice sport fisherman yet I have caught (and released) large drum, gorgeous jack crevalle, hammerheads and more, right from the public piers without a boat. I call it Two-Fisted Texas fishing. Heading east from Aransas Pass to the ferry landing (S.R. 361) is a long stretch of public land slicing through the gulf. There are about a hundred small, shallow secluded inlets on either side of the highway providing excellent fishing. Sunsets are made for long walks or drives on the isolated beaches. I’m still fascinated by the variety of local and migrating birds feeding on the water’s edge. I pulled over by some beautifully wind-carved sand dunes, finished off the Big Fisherman leftovers, took some photos and headed home.

You better hurry down before Spring Break overtakes this Texas tranquility.