Corpus Christi

Mustang Island State Park

We drove down to the coast on the Gulf of Mexico. Our campsite is in Mustang Island State Park on the barrier island protecting Corpus Christi. The barrier island is all grasses, shrubs, and sand, no trees here. Our campsite is one in a cluster of maybe 50 sites on the pavement in the interior of the island, but it’s only a short walk to the water. Our primary stop for the day is the Texas State Aquarium. This aquarium is relatively small compared to others we’ve been to, but they did a good job of having an activity every half hour. We attended a bird, dolphin, and otter show and caught the tail end of a turtle show. 

Texas Aquarium Bird Show

Across the harbor is the Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier. Inside they had a lot of traditional exhibits emphasizing the Gulf of Mexico habitats from shoreline to reefs. Our most exciting moment was seeing the Great Pacific Octopus – he was moving all around his tank and his huge tentacles would stretch out  across most of the tank. On Pete Ramirez’s recommendation we had dinner at Kiko’s, a Tex-Mex restaurant. We had to try their margarita’s, we weren’t very impressed, but during happy hour, they are only $1 a drink.