05-22-2001 & 05-23-2001 - Part of the Corpus Christi skyline taken from the outdoor patio at Landry's Seafood Restaurant (a definite recommend!), which literally floats in Corpus Christi Bay. A nice place to watch the Brown Pelicans, who are smart and nimble enough to raid the Shrimp boats as they drift in past the restaurant and into the landings. The landings are right along the little causeway that takes you out to the restaurant and that part of the Bay front (and the 'Shrimpers' sell fresh catch right off the boats!).

05-22-2001 & 05-23-2001 - Corpus Christi Bay and the U.S.S. Lexington, again taken from the patio at Landry's.

05-22-2001 & 05-23-2001 - Same as above but digital enlarged (i.e. zoomed - not altered) to highlight detail - especially the Brown Pelicans on the breakwater!

05-22-2001 & 05-23-2001 - The Pier at Port Aransas taken from the Port Aransas beach at Port Aransas, TX! Port Aransas is a very nice place with a real laid back tourist vibe (though, apparently, things get pretty wild on the weekends), and this really brought to mind Texas singer/songwriter Gary P. Nunn's 'Coastal and Western' (think Jimmy Buffet, Texas style) classic "Meet me down in Corpus" off the "Totally Guacamole" album.

05-22-2001 & 05-23-2001 - This one really sums up my Gulf Experience 2001! This was quality down time! This was just days before the Memorial Day weekend, when the place fills up for the summer. It was ironic to see the place almost empty (as if few people will come before Memorial Day - even if it's 85F with relatively low humidity!). Brings Gary P. Nunn's "My Kind of Day on Padre" to mind, also off the aforementioned "Totally Guacamole" set. This is also a fun area to drive around: I cruised over the bridge to Portland; then onto the Ferry (free!) to Port 'A'; to Mustang Island; to Mustang Island State Park (the "Watch for Snakes" sign was an eyebrow raiser) for a dip in the Gulf of Mexico; onto N Padre Island and back over Laguna Madre back to CRP! I'll also lastly add I got to eat the best shrimp I've ever tasted!!!