Looking back at my photo roll, all of my pictures in Corpus Christi are of the beach.
All of them.
So, I apologize– as I cannot give you a sound look at the towns in and around the beach. I didn’t really go there, or if I did, it was more to get supplies for being at the beach even longer.
But I CAN tell you that being on the Gulf Coast of Texas was amazing in May– the gulf ocean was thoroughly warm by then, and felt like bathwater (without being too warm).
Mac was pleased as pickles, as shallow beaches– without scary waves– are his favorite thing.
There wasn’t really any reason to LEAVE the beach in Corpus Christi– the beach we chose was on South Padre Island. It was where we wanted to be from sunrise to sunset, for obvious reasons:
The ONLY photos I have from town, were of the most insane sculpture I had ever seen– outside a local souvenir shop, the gaudiest (and clearly hand-done) sculpting of a mermaid and dolphins glimmered in the sun. The absolute size of this cannot be understated– it went on further, out of frame.
The reason we knew this was an amateur artist? The hands of the mermaid were GROTESQUE. Look at that photo on the right side– have you ever seen such ‘Tales of the Crypt,’ bony, elongated fingers?!
It was the stuff of nightmares.
The town of South Padre Island was not that extraordinary– the area near the beaches was full of typical tourist-trap-souvenir outlets, and pancake houses with all-you-could-eat pancakes. The city– Corpus Christi itself– was quaint, full of delicious eateries with fresh and healthy food (by Texas standards), and had many cultural and art events. Which I am sure we would have experienced. If we weren’t just at the beach constantly.
After we experienced the Demon Mermaid and re-upped on sunscreen inside the store, we went right back to… the beach. My friend I was traveling with had a few buddies in town, who brought beers in a cooler and a full-on grill in the back of their car (you can pull your cars right onto the beach in Corpus).
Taking full advantage of having a car beachside meant we had everything we needed– no need to go to town, other than to grab groceries now and then. While I’m sure the restaurants of Corpus Christi are nice, the lack of needing them was even nicer. It was delightful to live simply, a stone’s throw from the waterline– with good, homecooked food.
As the evening deepened, a warm glow took over the sky. A peach-mauve color that provided a warmth to everything– the locals even have a name for the graceful pinks that come at dusk (which sadly, I forget). I will NOT forget the peaceful feeling of an uncluttered beach in that rosy light.
I’ve traveled extensively through Texas in the last decade– and I’m lucky to have seen a lot of beaches in my lifetime. Corpus Christie was a dreamy spot– maybe my favorite place in the whole state, and the Gulf waters were so gentle and warm as to beckon me back again. It was uncrowded despite the near-high season, and the weather was hot and humid– but manageable thanks to the ocean breeze.
If you want an easygoing beach vacation, give Corpus Christi a look– you won’t be sorry.
Posted by Sun
