Corpus Christi Seaside Playground

Only a few yards from Corpus Christi Bay, this modern hotel sparkles with sunshine, bright colors, and a friendly staff. How cruel is it to be stuck in meetings for long days while all the attractions of this seaside resort city are so close at hand! There are two Omni Hotels nearly side by side. The Bayfront has everything you need in a destination hotel, from large, well-appointed rooms to health clubs with an indoor-outdoor pool, WIFI, and a variety of food options.

My large bay view room smelled fresh and had its own A/C heater unit with reliable controls, a nice television, two desk areas (a hint I should be working), and a well-appointed bathroom. A sliding door opened on to a small balcony with a fine view of the bay.

The Institute Swiss bath products, the towels, sheets, pillows, and furnishings are all high in quality. I could sleep with the door open to have sea air or crank down the A/C to a refreshing chill. There is no mini fridge or minibar in my room! The largest banquet hall has the unusual feature of a patio with fantastic view of the bay. Oh dear, how to keep me cooped up to work? I kept thinking, "Let me out of here!"

The super-plus aspect of this hotel is the kind and attentive staff. After endless prearranged banquet-style meeting meals, I fled to the Terraces bar for a meal of my own choice. A nice break for sure!

Not far from the famous attractions with free parking in the hotel's garage, this hotel is a reasonably priced choice for those wanting to spend time in this city of a bit less than 300,000 residents. The seawall is close, but swimming beaches and full attractions require a car or at least a taxi ride.

I needed driving food for my brief few hours away from my meeting, and Bill Miller's BBQ is famous for very good fast food. I chose a sausage sandwich (a little too messy for driving) and one of their famous brownies. All baked goods are made daily in each Bill Miller's. Texas Monthly magazine has never published the recipe for these wonderful brownies.

Iced tea comes sweetened unless you ask for it otherwise--sweetened with a lot of sugar. So save the calories for the brownies and order unsweetened.

All Bill Miller's have a drive-thru and dining room option. If you are dining in, give the fried chicken a chance. It is wonderful! I stop at the Bill Miller's just past where Loop 410 splits off I-37 outside of San Antonio, where it is one of the few food options for the long, dry drive to Corpus Christi. That's really a hungry stretch of highway.

(800)LADYLEX. www.usslexington.com. Modern-day access to this ship is via a long, gradually sloped ramp with an electric cart available for those who can't make the walk. You now enter at hangar deck level with the gift shop to your left and museum displays all over the place. Take special note of the fine wooden models of airplanes for sale in the gift shop. Many areas are air conditioned (parts of the hangar deck are open to the air) and the IMAX theater presents showings in comfort. Restroom facilities are up-to-date with a handicap access facility on the hangar deck. Beware for the high steps you need to make to pass through water tight door ways. If you can't manage all the stairs, you can still have a nice visit. Many displays feature talking maniquins that are so realistic one caused me to jump about a foot off the deck. A surprise for sure!

Reduced prices for children, tour groups and seniors.

Built back in the 1930s as both an attraction and an method of controlling erosion, the Seawall looks brand-new. From the T-shaped marina area toward the north there are blocks and blocks of free parking and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view. The Miradors, little houses to sit in and relax, and dozens of benches give a walker plenty of choices for a rest along the way. The walking is very easy.

Oddly, there are no places to buy and ice cream, a cold drink, or even a postcard as you make your way along the very wide sidewalk. Several Corpus Christi attractions such as the Arts Center and Bayfront Convention center are on this stretch, but there is absolutely no shopping. There is not a T-shirt seller in sight. Perhaps that's a good thing. Very popular for residents and visitors alike, views are of the bay, the USS Lexington, the T Marina, sailboats, and sunrises. You can walk for at least 30 minutes without interruption.

I absolutely had to get away from my meeting, so I grabbed my car out of the hotel's garage and made a run south along Shoreline Boulevard in the direction of Mustang Island. I had an excuse. I needed to buy gas for my return drive home. So I spent a couple of fine hours enjoying the wild nature of Mustang Island along the famous birding area, put my car on one of the Port Aransas Ferry for the quick ride across the water, finished my circle of the Bay, and returned to Corpus Christi from the northeast. It makes for a lovely drive!

As with many Texas highways, the roads are all very good, unless you get the bright idea to attempt beach access on Mustang Island. I did and had to back up for quite a distance to get back on the main road. I forgot I wasn't driving a Subaru.

The Port Aransas ferries run extremely frequently and are free.

Mustang Island has over 5 miles of Gulf of Mexico beaches, but I didn't have time to stop for a swim or sun. The state park has an admission fee. There are many choices of places to stay, either in motels or rental apartments, or you can camp. Fishing is a primary attraction.

Later I found out that several of us from our meeting had made the same trip. You can't be that close to so much natural beauty and ignore it. One woman even hired a taxi to make the run for freedom.