CORPUS CHRISTI • PALACIOUS • PORT ARANSAS • PORT LAVACA • PORT O’CONNOR • ROCKPORT-FULTONGULF COASTGULF COAST

L O W E R T E X A S

Lower Gulf CoastCalendarWhere to Stay, What to See and DoA Showhouse onMustang Island

Lower Gulf CoastCalendarWhere to Stay, What to See and DoA Showhouse onMustang Island

The Texas Gulf Coast can sure curewhat ails you. Palacios, Port Lavacaand Port O’Connor offer small town

charm and a return to nature. Rockport/Fulton and Port Aransas con-

sistently rank as favorite destinations for sea-breeze seekers. Corpus Christi welcomes visi-tors with a long to-do list. Following aresome of favorite picks.

To SeeThe birds of the Texas Gulf Coast: Whitepelicans, mergansers, loons, buffleheads,shovelers, teals, grebes. Cormorants, avocets,oystercatchers, godwits, turnstones, ibis,curlews, willetts, yellowlegs, black-neckedstilts, roseate spoonbills. Cranes egrets andherons—the list goes on and on. One recom-mended viewing spot: Lighthouse Beach,Port Lavaca. The boardwalk curves off theparking area into the coastal marsh and wet-lands. It ends at a covered gazebo suitable forsitting and viewing the wildlife.

Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi.A 2006 expansion doubled the museum’ssize and is noted for 13-foot rooftop pyra-mids using a stunning mix of color and light.The entire complex symbolizes a “meeting ofthe minds” between Mexican and Americanarchitecture. Through September 7—Conversations with Wood: The Collection of

Ruth and David Waterbury. From theMinneapolis Institute of Arts, this collec-tion features about 80 one-of-a-kindobjects that demonstrate superb crafts-manship and artistry. www.artmuseumof-southtexas.org

The murals of Palacios. Stop by thePalacios Chamber of Commerce to pickup your guide to the seven murals depict-ing various times and events in Palacioshistory. And show you are in the know byusing the town’s Texan-ized pronuncia-tion “Puh-LASH-uhs.”

26th Annual Hummer/Bird Celebration,Rockport. September 18-21, 2014.Lectures, home tours and fun. Visitwww.rockporthummingbird.com fordetails.

The Selena Museum, 5410 Leopard Steet,Corpus Christi. 361-289-9013. EnjoySelena’s outfits and dresses, cars and mem-orabilia. Viva Selena!

Port O’Connor, gateway to MatagordaIsland. This island welcomes campers, fish-ermen, hikers, and birders. Now a nationalpreserve and home to a wide variety ofendangered migratory birds, it is managedby the Texas Parks and WildlifeDepartment. With no permanent resi-

dents, it is accessible only by private boat.Guides are available for hire to taxi youacross and back.

Texas Jazz Festival, Corpus Christi. October17-19, 2014. At Heritage Park, this celebra-tion of jazz music brings thousands of fanstogether each year to see jazz performersfrom across the country. And it’s free!www.texasjazz-fest.org

To ShopShop the World, 2955 Hwy 35 N.,Rockport-Fulton, 361-729-5165, where youcan find island-inspired accessories, furniture,dishware, clothing and much more. Alsolook for them on Facebook.

Deb’s Vintage Treasures ,776 Bayview Drive,Palacios. 361-404-1214. Unique items ataffordable prices—vintage glassware, vintageChristmas, toys.

Déjà vu Antiques, 1303 W. Main Street, PortLavaca, 361-552-1545. Bring your pocket-book. You never know what you’ll find.

The Treasure Chest, 2818 W. Adams Street,Port O'Connor, 361-983-2696. Featuringartwork, apparel and jewelry by local artisans,the Treasure Chest brings the best of the gulfcoast to your home.

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A COASTAL FEVER CALENDARWhere to Stay, What to See and DoCompiled by Debi Bryant • Photos by Dianne Lloud, courtesy of Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Rockport Beach.

Fulton Pier at night.

Austin St. is downtown Rockport’s main shopping strip.

http://www.keyallegro.com

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A Mano, 1726 St Hwy 361, Tower Center,Port Aransas. 361-749-1828. The ownermakes buying trips deep into Mexico andbrings back clothes, dishes, furniture, pot-tery . . . anything Mexican.

Jo D's Etc., 345 N. Alister, Port Aransas.361-749-2290. Great clothes for the islandand anytime. Linens in classic and easy towear styles.

The Outlets at Corpus Christi Bay (theintersection of Interstate 69, aka NAFTAHwy, & State Highway 44. www.cor-puschristioutlets.com).

Benjamin's Surf & Skate, 1233 AirlineRoad, Corpus Christi. 361-993-2520.Benjamin's began as a surf shop and hasgrown into a full-on lifestyle boutique, car-rying brands like Free People and BetseyJohnson, plus all your favorite skate and surfbrands like Quicksilver, RVCA, Volcom andStussy.

Mustang Island Art Gallery, 2222 Hwy 361,Port Aransas. 361-749-2200.

www.MustangIslandArtGallery.comA Mano – gifts, jewlery, cothing and more!1812 Hwy 361 #A, Port Aransas,361.749.1828. See them on Facebook.

To EatSeafood and Spaghetti Works (Port Aransas,www.seafoodandspaghettiworks.com). Saysone long-time fan, “They definitely have thefunk factor that has always drawn me toPort Aransas.”

Cafe Phoenix, 229 Beach Avenue, PortAransas. 361-749-9277. “A perfect littlegem of a restaurant.” “The best crab cakes Ihave ever eaten in my life.” “The food neverdisappoints and the pies are fabulous too.”

The Venetian Hot Plate, Port Aransas,www.venetianhotplate.com. The VenetianHot Plate offers quality cuisine and a quaint,yet energetic atmosphere, bringing a touchof Italy to this casual island in South Texas.

The Pelican Club, (Port Aransas, www.thep-elicanclubporta.com. Located on the har-bor, The Pelican Club serves up Port A's

finest foods with exciting dishes and uniqueambiance. Every dish is created using onlythe freshest, finest ingredients with themenu changing daily, dependent on avail-able fresh catches of the day.

The Boiling Pot, 201 S. Fulton BeachRoad, Fulton, 361-729-6972. “Fun experi-ence and good food. If you have neverbeen to a Cajun boil, you are in for an expe-rience.”

Charlotte Plummer’s Seafare Restaurant,202 N. Fulton Beach Rd., Fulton, 361-729-1185. Fresh gulf seafood caughtdaily. Waterside dining, views of Aransas Bay.www.charlotteplummers.com

Crab-N Aransas Pass, www.crab-n.com.Repeat travelers to Rockport know to headto this popular eatery, known for its fresh,Cajun-style seafood, for their first supper intown. Grab a table and enjoy blackened red-fish, grilled flounder, and peppery gumbo.

Whataburger by the Bay, 121 N. Shoreline,Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi is the proudhome of the original Whataburger which

Omega Wine Roomshas been leading the industry bydesigning and building unique winerooms tailored to discerning ownersand custom builders alike. With over 35 years experience, Omega Wine Roomsoffers turn key design, constructionand service. Call today and see why so many builders trust Omega Wine Rooms

Quality, Performance & Integrity

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281-477-78581800winerooms.com

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began in 1950. This location has a spectacu-lar view of the Corpus Christi Bay.

Tran’s Restaurant, 1009 Henderson,Palacios, 361-972-1008.

Texas Traditions, 234 E. Main Street, PortLavaca, 361-553-1555.

Josie’s Mexican Food, 610 W. AdamsAvenue, Port O'Connor. 361-983-4720.Lunch and dinner, you can bring in yourcatch and they will clean and cook the fishfor you. However you like it fixed.

Hoegemeyer’s Barbeque Barn (CorpusChristi, www.hoegemeyers.com). Fans claimit’s the best BBQ in Texas. Let the fightingbegin!

To StayThe Peaceful Pelican, 317 East BayBoulevard, Palacios. 361-972-0317.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 2629 N.Highway 35, Port Lavaca., 361-552-5700

La Quinta Inn & Suites, 910 N. Highway35, Port Lavaca, 361-551-8800

The Inn at Clark's/ Clark's Docking, PortO'Connor, 361-983-2300. A best keptfishing secret on the Texas coast. The inn islocated 1/2 block off the Inter-CostalWaterway. Owned and operated by theClark family, who has been in PortO'Connor for 70+ years.

Redfish Lodge on Copano Bay, Rockport.www.redfishlodge.com

Plantation Suites & Conference Center,1909 State Highway 361 Port Aransas.877.836.3866?. www.plantationsuites.com

Sandpiper Condominiums, 6745 SeacomberDrive, Port Aransas. www.sandpiperpor-taransas.comOmni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront, 900

N. Shoreline Blvd.,Corpus Christi.361-887-1600.

V Boutique Hotel,Corpus Christi.www.vhotelcc.com.Offering intimate,luxurious service inthe heart of downtown.

To Arrive(from Houston)

1. Palacios, 100 miles 2. Port Lavaca, 125 miles 3. Port O’ Connor, 140 miles 4. Rockport/Fulton, 185 miles 5. Port Aransas, 200 miles 6. Corpus Christi, 200 miles. SouthwestAirlines, American and United offer flightsinto Corpus Christi International.

The lower Texas Gulf Coast is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Rockport Beach is a certified Blue Wave beach.

Catch of the day in Fulton.

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Visit Kelly’s LandingAGRICULTURE MUSEUM

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November 15, 201442ND FROG FESTIVALwww.raynefrogfestival.com

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Less than 2 hours

fromHouston

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uilt at the water’s edge on Mustang Island, the three-story Cinnamon Shore beach house has sweeping water views of the Gulf from every room. Some vistas span the Bay of Corpus Christi.B

Houston Couple Heads to the LowerGulf Coast To Find a Pretty Retreat on a Barrier Reef

It’s a large, light-filled space designed to comfortably sleep16 people and to serve as a low-maintenance, multi-genera-tional retreat.

The cream-colored structure ringed in windows is a collab-oration between designer Susan Castor, Houston architectMelton Henry, and builder Jerry Buckley, who pooled theirprofessional resources to create a special beachside retreat.

It was a team approach from day one – to build an envi-ronmentally friendly home in a community called CinnamonShores, located on a barrier island stretching from Corpus toPort Aransas.

“The three of us were committed to proving that if we dida thoughtful and thorough job upfront, it could result in abeautiful home that is easy to maintain, efficient and comfort-able,” Castor says.

A Bellaire couple purchased the house in 2012 for $2 mil-lion.

The 4,000 square foot house features two living areas, twomaster suites, a kitchen or kitchenette on every floor, a wrap-around porch, and an elevator for easy access to each level.

“It’s the kind of place that when you walk in the door, youhaven’t got a care in the world,” Buckley says.

A neutral color pallet uses muted colors and textures in softwhites, grays, and beige.

The white oak stairs with stainless steel railings wind up thehome’s central core as if it were a ship, adds Henry.

A cupola with 12 windows caps the top of the stairs. Thenatural light enters at the top and filters downward through-out the house.

The lofty third floor opens to a master suite with panoram-ic views of the gulf, the beach and the sky.

A wide walk through between the stairs and the elevatorincludes two custom-built trundle beds tucked in the wall.There’s a separate bath adjacent to the stairs for those bed-

By Marsha Canright

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The thought wasto build a multi-generational homethat would beeasy to maintain,efficient and com-fortable. Thebeach house is4,000 square-feetwith views span-ning the Gulf andbay.

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ding in the trundles, and balconies for relaxing.The second floor has the main living and dining areas, the

full kitchen, a coffee bar, and an entry to the second mastersuite above the two-car garage.

“The kitchen is my favorite room; it's simple but func-tional, and sleek and contained,” says Buckley.

It has two dishwashers, a huge pantry, an alcove for acomputer, a microwave drawer, and hidden appliances.

Kitchen counters are made of recycled glass or granite,and the cabinets are painted with Benjamin Moore’s WhiteDove.

A protected outside living area opens from the north sideof the dining room and wraps around the structure.

For Castor, it’s the master suite that holds her attention.“It has the most beautiful view of the sunset,” she says.

The ground floor has a living area with a kitchenette.

Next to it is a bunkroom with two sets of built-in bunkbeds and a full bath. A second bedroom has a queen bedand shares a bathroom with a third bedroom with twinbeds.

A mudroom sits behind the foyer and can be accessed bya side door next to the outside shower, making an easyaccess to return from the beach and shower before goinginside. The laundry room is hidden behind a barn door fin-ished the same as the walls.

Easy-to-clean porcelain beige tile covers the ground floor.The upper floors are engineered white oak with an oil staininfused into the wood for very low maintenance.

In addition to the views, Castor says she likes the interiornatural lighting and the use of cypress on the walls.

The home site is near the boardwalk, which crosses thedunes, following the zig-zag of the coast line.

The design team chose Kravet leather pieces for the downstairs media room; a p[ace for the children to hang out. Corpus Christi artist Linda Kronkemade the colorful glass plate hangings. The nesting table is custom made. The personal-size sofa pulls out into a double bed.

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ABOVE: Four built-in bunk beds allow sleeping for eight on the third level. A trundle bed is found under each behind cabinet doors. UPPER RIGHT: Several attached pieces of driftwood garland hang from the ceiling and are secured at the base to create a textural divider. BELOW LEFT: The dining room and breakfast area are located close together to provide overflow seating when large numbers of people arrive to eat.The breakfast table is also expandable. BELOW RIGHT: The floors and walls are cypress, a wood that is pretty, hardy and suitable for humid weather.

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ABOVE: The master suite, one of three, features a sitting area.

BELOW LEFT: Furnishings by Tommy Bahama create a coastal lookin the guest room.

ResourcesSusan Castor Designs3636 S. Alameda Suite #H, Corpus Christi361.851.8052www.castorcollection.com

Melton Henry, Architect713-572-05775100 Westheimer Rd Ste 425,Houston, TX 77056.Mhcoastalarchitect@gmail.com

Jerry Buckley, Buckwild Builders in Port Aransas, 361-749-2224

Hector Villarreal, Southern Landscapes in Corpus Christi, 361-241-1068

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My family’s flight from thehill country to the coastbegan 12 years ago when wepurchased a second home inRockport.

After focusing on a gruel-ing work schedule in Austinthat spanned 20 years, wedecided it was time to enjoysome downtime. We chose awonderful waterfront homejust minutes away fromdowntown Rockport.

The little town’s charmimmediately captured ourhearts. We enjoy the dailyfresh seafood restaurants,coastal activities and the his-torical downtown area sprin-kled with quaint storefrontsand artist galleries.

It quickly became our “getaway” place for long week-ends.

My husband and daughterfished and explored thecoastal waters, and on somedays we would just relax onthe Rockport Beach and floatin the saltwater pool. Itbecame a regular part of ourlives. We anticipated Fridayswith gusto – just so we couldhit the open road and escapeto what we began calling“Our Happy Place.”

The little town ofRockport has given us somuch in terms of being ableto live life to the fullest. Each

month Rockport hosts suchfun activities as Market Daysat the Maritime Museumgrounds and an abundance offestivals.

Over the years, we haveattended every festival thatRockport offers. From theWine Festival, Oysterfest, ArtFestivals, HummingbirdFestival and more… there isnever a dull moment here inthis coastal town.

In 2014, we were given theopportunity to move toRockport permanently andwork at the coastal communi-ty; The Reserve at St CharlesBay. We jumped at the chanceand took up permanent resi-dence at “Our HappyPlace.”

Each day I arrive at workand watch the beautifulcoastal birds feeding in thewetlands and boats jetting byin search of fresh trouts andreds. It does not get muchbetter than that.

Never a day goes by that Iregret living in paradise. Wespend our nights watersidewith a glass of wine andwatch the dolphins swimminginto the canals. Life is sweethere on the lower Gulf Coast.

By Amy GarciaAt The Reserve at St. Charles Baywww.stcharlesbay.com

Going CoastalA Family Lives Life to the Fullest in Rockport

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