Deep in the heart of southern Texas is land where only the wildest animals used to roam, but the birth of the American cattle ranching industry took place here at King Ranch, just outside of what is now Kingsville, TX. The ranch, one of the…Read More

Deep in the heart of southern Texas is land where only the wildest animals used to roam, but the birth of the American cattle ranching industry took place here at King Ranch, just outside of what is now Kingsville, TX.

The ranch, one of the largest in the world today, is just west of Route 77 and about an hour southwest of Corpus Christi. King Ranch at Kingsville is the mother ranch of several smaller Florida ranches and, at one time, several overseas. King Ranch recently sold off the last of its overseas properties, including almost 1 million acres in the Australian Outback. Today, King Ranch is still a lead exporter of beef and leather goods to all parts of the world.

A visit to the ranch can be done year-round, but I suggest a fall trip, as, right now, the temperatures are already reaching into the high 90s and it isn't even summer yet. The $7 guided tour is given on an air-conditioned tour bus on the hour from 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 12 to 5pm on Sunday.

Upon reaching the visitor center, request to see the movie on the history of King Ranch. It tells of how Captain Richard King bought the land in 1853, expanded it to reach the size of the state of Rhode Island, and produced the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle with the help of early Mexican immigrants.

The tour then takes visitors through some of the land where different breeds of cattle roam and horses are born and bred. They even have claim to a former Kentucky Derby winner who is buried on the property. There is no way to see the entire breadth of ranch property, but the castle-style main house and outbuildings modeled after the Alamo are highlights of the tour. The ranch is a huge supporter of wildlife conservation efforts, and they provided guided nature tours as well. It is not uncommon to see deer, jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and wild peacocks on the tour.

King Ranch is still owned by descendents of the King and Kleburg families and is often host to celebrities and dignitaries who visit the southern Texas area.

King Ranch is a must-see stop if you are anywhere near the Corpus Christi area. There are no restaurants on the property, and the only access is by guided tour because ranch-hands and family live and work within the grounds. They are even their own independent school district and have a small borough of houses for the cowboys who work the ranch and their families. A small gift shop has snacks and gifts for purchase, but the King Ranch Museum and the King Ranch Saddle Shop are full of history, memorabilia, and items to purchase and are conveniently located in the nearby town of Kingsville. For more information, visit www.king-ranch.com

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…Read More

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.

I was raised in Corpus and I miss it dearly. Mustang Island, the aquarium, and the museum are just a few things to do in Corpus. If you like lots of people and the party scene, then Mustang Island is the way to go. North…Read More

I was raised in Corpus and I miss it dearly. Mustang Island, the aquarium, and the museum are just a few things to do in Corpus. If you like lots of people and the party scene, then Mustang Island is the way to go. North Beach is quieter and more family oriented (well-kept secret). North Beach is also where the Lexington and the aquarium are located. Dining is at its finest downtown. The po-boys at Nolan’s are the best. The Aster Steak House is a reasonable place with great steaks (free 47 oz. steak if you eat it in 30 minutes). There is an arts area in downtown Corpus Christi convenient and entertaining for all. The art museum, the history museum, and The Little Theater are all about 50 yards from each other. Deep-sea fishing on the Captain Clark is a must.

All in all, Corpus Christi is a wonderful vacation spot with a variety of fun things to do. I highly recommend it.

Winter on the beachCorpus Christi and Padre Island in the winter? That’s what we thought, but we all wanted to go somewhere just to get out of Houston. Our daughter (age 32), home for Christmas and New Year’s found a horse stable on…Read More

Winter on the beach

Corpus Christi and Padre Island in the winter? That’s what we thought, but we all wanted to go somewhere just to get out of Houston. Our daughter (age 32), home for Christmas and New Year’s found a horse stable on Padre Island open on New Year’s Eve. So to be sure she hooked us into going she also found the USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium and other activities that were open even on New Year’s Day.

We arrived in Corpus just in time for lunch. We found Panjo’s Pizza at 1320 Airline Road. The restaurant has been in business since 1981 and the pizza is great. I highly recommend Panjo’s if you’re in the neighborhood.

Then it was off to Padre Island to find the horse stables to send our daughter off galloping down the beaches. (http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jun/05/horses_on_the_beach/) A wonderful frolic on the beach was had by all in the horseback crew.

While the daughter was off riding, my wife and I cruised down to the pier for a little walk and people watching. Surprisingly, there were people sunning, playing in the surf, jet skiing, and fishing as if it were 95 degrees. The pier was a serene and relaxing place to sit and soak up some rays.

With the horse ride finished, we headed to downtown Corpus and a drive along Shoreline Blvd. There are many luxurious homes on both sides of Shoreline with the beach front ones being very extravagant and some even quite gaudy.

As the sun started to set the sailboats started making for the yacht club marina.

The USS Lexington standing tall and proud bathed in the morning light is a WWII flat top nicknamed the Blue Ghost by the Japanese. Onboard there are well marked mazes to follow from hole to flight deck and beyond for a tour of the ship. You can have lunch on the hanger deck and please the kids with a real flight simulator and other fun rides.

The Texas State Aquarium is a wonderful place for young and old alike. From otters to raptors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Otters dive and swirl around their enclosure to the squeal and delight of the youngsters as they run from side to side to see them. Oh to have their energy! Dolphins, jellyfish, deadly poisonous snakes, spiders and even some pink flamingos make for a great indoor experience. At the Eagle’s Nest exhibit raptors fly, rats run, and a bird of prey zeroed in on a photographer.

Saturday January 2nd took us to the Botanical Gardens! Not really the right time of year for all the blooms and blossoms, but the orchids were exquisite. We will have to return in the spring for a visit when all the colors are showing in the bright sun of Corpus Christi.

Farewell to a wonderful three days in Corpus as we made our way back east detouring through Texas history in Goliad and Fannin.
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Right across the harbor from the USS Lexington Museum is the Corpus Christi downtown district, convention center complex, museums and the Las Carabelas Columbus fleet replicas.…Read More

Right across the harbor from the USS Lexington Museum is the Corpus Christi downtown district, convention center complex, museums and the Las Carabelas Columbus fleet replicas.

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