There wasn’t much going on this week in Port Aransas. So for the Views of the Neighborhood, I selected some random shots that you might find interesting.

I am fascinated by the Corpus Christi ship channel. I was on my way to Rockport for an eye exam (almost TMI John) and was on the ferry. There was a delay and here is the reason.

The boat is riding high in the water so yu can tell it is heading for a pick up of oil. This next shot will give you an idea of its length

One final view as it goes down the channel. As you can see this freighter is registered in Singapore. She was built in 1999 and yesterday she was off the coast of Costa Rica. If you would like to track her movement, the link will allow you to do that. Geek warning.  Vessel Finder.com

The next two photos are of two views of the morning sun that we witnessed this week while out walking the dogs.

The first is a look out over the Gulf and a rain storm off shore.

This next one is a taken on a different day about the same time as the first but without rain.

The golden tone was what caught my eye. The last photo was taken downtown while taking pictures of scarecrows a week ago. It is a sunset as seen over some trees.

The Port Aransas water tower and a power pole add a little scale. The Port Aransas mascot is the Marlin, and the teams are the Fighting Marlins.

I hope you enjoyed this potpourri today.

 

Last weekend was the Harvest Moon Regatta which is a race from Galveston to Port Aransas. Here is some info on the race itself. This is taken from the Harvest Moon Regatta website which you can visit here.

The Harvest Moon Regatta ®steadily grew from the 17 yachts of 1987  (The first year) to over 260 yachts in recent years. This was due in large part to the perfect destination, Port Aransas. This ideal Texas port allows yacht owners and sailors to use minimal days from work to join in on what can be a most memorable overnight sail down the Texas coast during traditionally the best offshore sailing time of the year. And we can all do this in relative safety shared by some 200 other yachts. The race started on Thursday, October 13th at 2:00pm Central and finished at about 10:00am on Friday, October 14th

This first photo is of the boats beginning to arrive at the Port Aransas Jetty.

Here are two pictures of the boats up a little closer.

This is a shot of the boats moving up the Corpus Christi channel toward Port Aransas

 

The jetty is made of limestone rocks brought in from the Hill Country up North. You can see people fishing off the jetty oblivious to the sailboats going by.

Here is a shot of the first turn before the finish line.

Here is the entrance to the marina which is the finish. The captains and crews stay in Port Aransas for a night of festivities and then depart on their own schedule.

The sign below says it all. This is the Plywooden (Not plywood. Thank you, autocorrect) Boat Festival.

This is an annual event that brings boat builders from all over Texas. The main material in the boats is plywood but since that word gives visions of poor quality the correct term is Plywooden. As you will see there is a whole host of different boats and all built by hand.

This first photo is of a unique sailboat. It has the look of a 1950’s Studebaker. Also take a look at the little bay boats to the right. The next photo shows one under construction.

Here is a long-boat that is powered by oars

If you want a cozy sailing yacht here would be your choice. (Watch your head when you go below)

For a quick run about this may do the trick. You will have to be careful you don’t go airborne.

Here is another compact sailboat. You could even put it on top to the SUV with grandma.

Now for real crusin’ here is a fully outfitted salon.

Here is a guy working on his kyack. Looks beautiful in the natural color.

For the fisherman here is a bay fisherman. All hand-made.

Yesterday we had two events going on in Port Aransas. There was the Dog Surfing Contest and The Plywood Boat Festival.  I would have loved to present both today, but sadly there were just too many things to see for one post. I selected the Dog Surfing Contest for this week and will do the Plywood Boat Festival next week.

So you’ve never been to a dog surfing contest? Well, that all changes now. This first shot is of the Horace Caldwell Pier. Here is where the best surf in Port A is available.

The competition takes place to the right of the pier. Here is a contestant keeping cool until the start.

Of course, no contest would be complete without a vintage tricked-out camper.

This vehicle served as the announcer studio. The next photo gives you an idea of the gear the dogs wear when they surf. They by regulation must have life preservers. Here is a Doberman getting ready to hit the water.

The contest had a carnival atmosphere. There was even a kissing booth run by the local animal rescue group. You make a donation and get to take a selfie with a dog. (No I have no idea who these people are in the photo)

Here is the first class of competitors.

You could call it the lightweight class

The crowd seemed to use body English to help out.

There were a few wipeouts.

But most had a great ride.

The Judges were hard at work

 

 

 

Yesterday was the  annual Mustangfest here on Mustang Island. No, it was not about horses in the flesh but horses under the hood. Mustang aficionados came from Mustang Oklahoma through San Antonio and then to Mustang Island. The idea is for owners to get together for the weekend to talk about cars, have fun, and to pick up some awards. Mustang Island is the perfect destination for this group.

This photo will give you an idea of some of the more modern Mustangs and what these folks have for breakfast.

Here is another shot of the collection. You can see a few older Mustangs in the group.

There were several Mustangs that had been given some extra help in the engine compartment. Here is an example of an engine capable of developing over 500 horsepower. (Could probably fly)

This shot shows a  Mustang model that Ford tried as more of a family car. It still had a five-liter engine but took on the lines of something you would take to the store.

Contrast the above with this bad thing.

I thought it would be fun to take a line shot of the backs of the cars. Maybe you’ll recognize one of your favorite models.

Here is a shot of a happy Mustang owner and the shirt of the event.

 

This week my producer came up with the idea of providing some pictures of a few of the hotels in Port Aransas. One of the most famous is the Tarpon Inn. It was here that President Roosevelt stayed in 1937 and signed a Tarpon scale. Here is the sign in front of the hotel.

 

If you look closely (well you can’t see it) there is a replica of the Tarpons scale signed by FDR. Here is a closeup that will help.

 

The next sign is all kinds of fun. Each of the cottages is named in keeping with the horse theme.

 

Notice only good dogs are okay to stay. This next sign is for an aviation themed motel. The sign says it all.

 

The building is attractive as well.

 

I have always liked this sign. The cottages have fish names which make it tough to enter the wrong room. “Oh excuse me this is the Dorado room. I was looking for the  Perch room.”

 

I particularly like the fact they have a jungle gym at this place.  The next is also a themed resort. If you can’t dance, you can’t stay here. (Just kidding)

 

This next one is a big puzzle. Here is a look at the outside.

 

Here is what goes on inside.

 

Here is what it looks like in there. What you have is tents, community showers and roughing it. Sounds like fun. (for a day)

 

This last one is included not for its beauty but for the idea represented by the name. (This one is under construction.)

 

You have to admire the name The Place. (Makes one wonder about staying anywhere else.)Hope you liked the tour.