Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell

South Jetty

Our local paper The Port Aransas South Jetty summed up the amount of alcohol consumed on the island last year. To quote “Drinkers at bars and restaurants in Port Aransas downed $11.4 million worth of adult beverages during the past year. According to the Texas State Comptroller’s Office, that figure is up 1 percent from the $11.3 million during the same period the previous year.” If we didn’t have help from the tourists it would mean every man, woman and child would have consumed $2,850 worth of adult beverages, and that does not include takeout. (Of course, my analysis is flawed)

So here’s the deal. Our island has been described as a”Drinking village with a fishing problem.” It is no wonder then that the numbers are increasing. The population has a job to do to keep the reputation alive.

Today I want to give you a little flavor of the salty side of Port Aransas. There is no better way than to show you some of the boats moored in the marina.

Here are two boats used for fishing excursions in the Gulf

Port Aransas

This photo shows a couple of boats that are privately owned and docked outside the owner’s condo. The one on the right is clearly a fishing boat. The one on the left is a large catamaran. Pretty convenient I’d say.

Port Aransas

here is a boat that could be a condo unto itself, but it too is parked outside the owner’s condo.

Port Aransas

Now for a couple of shots of the boats that you see the most of here. There are some fishing boats and sailboats scattered together.

Port Aransas

This shot shows more fishing than sail.

Port Aransas

There are boats here that are just for fun.

Port Aransas

Yes, that is a pirate ship. Next to it is a boat used for Dolphin tours. The fun part comes when the dolphin tour boat gets attacked by the pirate ship. They tell me the kids get pretty excited.

I hope you enjoyed the brief tour of the marina.

 

68 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood”

  1. Wow, I’m surprised by how close the boats are to the condos or homes. The ocean must be calm in Aransas. Enjoyed the tour…especially the pirate ship. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Thank you for providing a closer look at Port Aransas’ marina, John. 🙂
    The percentage of consumed adult beverages will certainly go up – I expect more tourists to explore John J. Cannon’s neighbourhood.

    Liked by 1 person

        2. It wasn’t that hard to remember, John. Yesterday we went to buy some beverages and – I nearly choked when seeing a bottle of Tanqueray. Before reading your series, I never came across that one. 😀

          Liked by 1 person

      3. Excellent! The signature drink is established — The official John J. Cannon drink is Tanqueray Gin on the rocks with two olives. Please look the other way if I slip some vermouth and a couple more olives into mine. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Something about the sea air that needs lots of rum… 😛 Having been born and raised in a major naval port (Plymouth, UK) I can attest that the night life is indeed ‘vibrant’ when the fleet’s in town – whether that full of fishermen, sailors or pleasure craft 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Awesome tour, John. I had a great time looking at the lovely boats. The pirate ship is fabulous. (I hope my Delta Pearl doesn’t meet up with her! 😉 )
    As for the drinks… I think the residents might actually have some catching up to do. If the sales were up 1%… I’m sure the price of drinks (like everything else) went up more than 1% over the year. So there — the place is a paragon of sobriety. 😀
    Have a superb Sunday. Mega hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the thought process here. The last price increase triggered the Great Soothing’ Syrup Rebellion of 05. These islanders take their Adult beverage rights seriously. Happy Sunday, Teagan. 😀

      Like

  7. Thanks, John, for that tour. Walking around the marina in the evening is one of my favourite pastimes in Port A. I simply love (sailing-)boats.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

    Liked by 1 person

  12. That pirate ship looks like one we’ve seen in Florida. I wonder if it’s the same one? WE have lots of those sleepy little drinking villages with fishing problems here, too. Do you know the name of the pirate ship?

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Ah, brings back lots of fond memories living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, John. Thank you for reminding me of the sights, sounds, and smells of a beach community!

    Like

  15. Ah, reminds me of living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Thank you, John, for helping me recall the sights, sounds, and smells of a beach community.

    Like

Comments are closed.