DESTINATION: South Texas CoastIn May of 2024 we found ourselves back on the road, again, and heading towards the south to the Texas Coast to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, local foods, and of course,Texas history!
Our road trip consisted of seven nights traveling in Moholita and visiting Weimar, Magnolia Beach, Goose Island State Park, Rockport, Port Aransas, Goliad, and Palmetto State Park. |
Fishing Pier at Goose Island
|
First Night of the Journey: Whistling Duck WineryOn the first night of our journey, we had the pleasure of boondocking at Whistling Duck Winery, a true gem located just outside Weimar, Texas. The experience was nothing short of delightful! Nestled in the heart of the Texas countryside, Whistling Duck Winery offers a serene and inviting setting that perfectly blends nature with fine wine. Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or a newcomer to the world of wine, this place is designed to make everyone feel welcome.
Relaxing Country Atmosphere: Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the winery, where the natural beauty of the landscape provides a perfect backdrop for relaxation and enjoyment. Friendly Texas Hospitality: The staff and owners exude a warm and welcoming spirit, making you feel like part of their family from the moment you arrive. Wine for Everyone: Whether you're familiar with wine or just starting to explore, Whistling Duck offers a variety of wines that cater to all tastes. Sample their offerings, find your favorites, and enjoy a casual yet sophisticated wine experience. A Place to Unwind: The combination of beautiful scenery and excellent wine makes Whistling Duck Winery an ideal spot to unwind, have fun, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of rural Texas. Whistling Duck Winery 1211 CR 273 Weimar, Texas 78962 (979) 942-6420 |
Second Night of the Journey: Magnolia BeachOn the second night, we boondocked at Magnolia Beach, a picturesque spot located in Calhoun County, Texas. Magnolia Beach is an unincorporated community that offers a unique and serene camping experience right along the waterfront of Lavaca Bay.
Prime Coastal Spot: Nestled in Matagorda Bay, Magnolia Beach is northeast of Port O’Connor, east of Corpus Christi, and southeast of Victoria. It’s celebrated as one of the best beaches on the Texas Gulf Coast. Free Camping: Enjoy the convenience of free camping for up to 14 nights. This allows for an extended stay in a beautiful beach setting without the worry of camping fees. Charming Small Community: With a population of just 217, Magnolia Beach provides a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Mosquitoes in the Evening: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in the evening. Bringing repellent and protective clothing will help ensure a comfortable stay. Hookups: There is NO dump station or electric/water hookups on the beach. Magnolia Beach 352 Margie Tewmey Rd Port Lavaca, TX 77979 (409) 207-8337 |
Night Three - Five: Goose Island State ParkFor the next three nights, we stayed at Goose Island State Park, located outside the charming town of Rockport, Texas. This coastal haven provided a delightful blend of activities and natural beauty.
Camp: Choose from 44 campsites by the bay or 57 under oak trees, all with water and electricity. There are also 25 walk-in tent sites and a group camp for youth groups. Fish: Enjoy fishing from shore, boat, or their 1,620-foot long fishing pier. A regular boat launch and a kayak/canoe launch are available, along with a fish cleaning station. No fishing license is needed for shore or pier fishing in Texas state parks. Paddle: Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one from the park's kiosk on a first-come, first-served basis. Hike and Geocache: Explore the park’s trails and engage in geocaching adventures. Wildlife Observation: Take photos and observe the diverse wildlife, especially the abundant bird species and deer. The Big Tree: Visit the historic Big Tree, a State Champion Coastal Live Oak that has stood sentinel for centuries. Goose Island State Park 202 S. Palmetto St. Rockport, TX 78382-7965 (361) 729-2858 |
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
|
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a bit "off the beaten path," but it's well worth the visit! The 16-mile auto tour provides plenty of stops to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful coastal scenery. Observation platforms with spotting scopes allow you to view diverse plants and wildlife, along with stunning views of San Antonio Bay and wildlife habitats. Alligators, deer, bald eagles and many species of birds call this area home.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 1 Wildlife CircleAustwell,TX77950 (361) 349-1181 |
|
Port Aransas, Texas
Ferry Ride & Roberts Point ParkOn one of our day trips we left our campsite at Goose Island State Park and headed to Port Aransas, Texas, crossing a shipping channel via ferry. The Port Aransas Ferry in Texas is a free, 24/7 service that connects Mustang Island and Port Aransas to the mainland via Aransas Pass. Transportation and has several ferries that can accommodate cars, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians.
From the ferry we headed over to Roberts Point Park in Port Aransas, which is home to waterfront family fun. This 50-acre park is located on a peninsula of land that juts into the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and forms a safe harbor for the municipal marina that has 250 boat slips for permanent and transient vessels. At this location we could see dolphins, sea turtles, and pelicans. Roberts Point Park 301 J C Barr Blvd Port Aransas, TX 78373 |
Port Aransas Area BeachesAfter stopping at Roberts Point Park we headed to the Port Aransas Beach which is one of the few beaches in Texas that you are allowed to drive on. This makes it easy to bring all your items down to the beach for a beach day, fishing, or surfing. At Port A (how Texan's refer to it) you'll see many golf carts on the beach or in town as that is a favorite form of transportation. Another great beach spot in the area is Mustang Island State Park. Mustang Island State Park is a five mile stretch of sandy beach along Mustang Island’s coastline, giving visitors the experience of a state park without traveling far from amenities in Port Aransas and Corpus Christi.
Port Aransas Tourism 403 W. Cotter Ave. Port Aransas, Texas 78373 Mustang Island State Park 9394 State Highway 361 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 749-5246 |
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding CenterHot and sandy from the beach we made our way to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - a birder’s idea of paradise! With 1,250 feet of boardwalk and two shaded observation towers, visitors will have expansive views of the freshwater marsh. Visitors may see a large American alligator nicknamed “Boots”, along with ducks, pelicans, wading birds, and songbirds. From the observation platform look for waterfowl (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Teal), grebes (Least included), herons and egrets, cormorants, shorebirds (such as Black-necked Stilt), flaming pink Roseate Spoonbills, the Port Aransas city bird. The parking area and land along the boardwalk are planted with native species, so be alert for hummingbirds, warblers, and other songbirds during migration.
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center 403 W. Cotter Ave. Port Aransas, Texas 78373 |
Goliad, Texas
|
Presidio la Bahia Historic SiteAfter leaving the Texas Coast we made our way back up the state stopping in the town of Goliad, Texas, for a Texas history lesson at the Presidio la Bahia. The Presidio was established in 1749 and was the site of the Goliad Massacre on Palm Sunday, March 1836. It played host to one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico after the shocking Texian defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The massacre prompted the rallying cry, "Remember Goliad" heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Presidio la Bahia 217 Loop 71 Goliad, TX 77963 (361) 645-3752 |
|
Palmetto State ParkAfter an afternoon of exploring the Presidio la Bahia in Goliad, Texas, we hitched up our wagon and headed north towards Dallas-Fort Worth stopping for an over night stay at Palmetto State Park. This little piece of the tropics lies just an hour from Austin and San Antonio. With multiple sources of water (including the San Marcos River), Palmetto State Park is a haven for a wide variety of animals and plants. Look for dwarf palmettos, the park’s namesake, growing under the trees. This small park offers a large amount of fun, both on water and land. You can swim, tube, fish and canoe here. Besides the flowing river, the park also has an oxbow lake, an artesian well and swamps. On land Hike or bike our trails, camp, geocache, go birding or study nature. Hike the Palmetto Trail which winds through a stand of dwarf palmettos. Host a gathering at our CCC-built picnic pavilion, which has an air-conditioned kitchen.
Palmetto State Park 78 Park Road 11 South Gonzales, TX 78629-5180 (830) 672-3266 |
|
© 2024 ADVENTURES OF TK & Gman. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PHOTOS ARE THE PROPERTY OF TAMMY KLEPAC PHOTOGRAPHY.
|
