A-Z Solomon's Compass Style: Rock Harbor aka Rockport, Texas



Welcome A-Z bloggers!
And everyone else, of course :)
My A-Z posts are all about my new book, SOLOMON'S COMPASS.
Read the A post to learn who AJ is.


AJ here. Hope y'all have a good weekend ahead.

I was going to talk about Randy Rankin in this post, but Carol remembered she had these photos of Rockport/Rock Harbor, and we decided to go with them. Randy's not here to object. And I don't think he would. That's the kind of guy he was.

So as mentioned way back on Day 2 in the B post, our Solomon's Compass home was Rock Harbor. When Carol wrote the first few drafts, we were in the real Texas town of Rockport.

As the writing went on, Carol changed more and more things about the town. She ended up keeping it in the same location but changing the name from Rockport to Rock Harbor.

Here are some photos of the real Rockport that Carol took on a blustery day last November.

The B post mentioned above shows you the mini-boatyard that's actually on the site of Copano Boat Works in the story. This is the actual site of where Randy's house and Rankin Marine Salvage are located in the story (across from the boatyard):



And here's Taylor's view on that blustery day:


So we'll go on into town and find some sidewalk art:


And building art - complete with masts poking up behind:


A couple of galleries:


Some recently painted shops:


And lunch:


And what else in town is included in SOLOMON'S COMPASS?

You'll have to read it to find out!





Comments

Definitely looks like a Texas seaside town! Murals are everywhere in beach towns.
Al Diaz said…
I've never imagined this is Texas, just by the pictures. Probably because I link Texas to desert landscapes. Nice pics.
Anonymous said…
Awesome pics loved seeing somewhere I haven't visited.

Enjoy your week-end.
Yvonne.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Seaside adobe! I love it. I miss adobe from living in ABQ.
Unknown said…
What an adorable little town! I love the way the stores are painted such pretty colors. My old home town should be so well kept up.
M Pax said…
What a charming place. I haven't been to the coast in ages.
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - Free spirits!

Al (not to be confused with Alex above, LOL) -
We have southern piney woods in the east, coastal plains, hills, desert, mountains, and rolling prairies. Large and small cities, towns of all sizes, freeways, and one-lane caliche roads. And lots of space.

Yvonne - Thanks. Enjoy your weekend, too.

Diane - We have seaside cactus, too. We lived in NM for awhile, but not in ABQ. I love the adobe houses, too.

Lexa - I don't know what motivates some towns to fix up and grow and others to do nothing and wither. Probably the right person to lead the way.

Mary - On the few occasions we lived inland, we had to go to the ocean at least once a year or we would have gone mad, I think.


M said…
I remember going to Rockport a few times as a kid, particularly one year for 4th of July.

~MPL
http://pepperwords.com
Robin said…
Love your pictures. The town has *flavor.*
Anonymous said…
I like the water view and artwork.
Liza said…
The buildings look so funky and fun!
cleemckenzie said…
I'll bet your town is excited about becoming famous in your book!
Laura Eno said…
I've been through Texas several times - through the middle - and the wide open spaces don't do much for me. These photos though, are beautiful! I've been missing out by not going to the coast. The town is cute. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
M - I'm not able to reach your blog today, but will continue to try. Hope your July 4 was fun!

Robin - It does have flavor!

Medeia - There are prettier views down there, but they have a growing art scene.

Liza - They are!

Lee - You're sweet! And funny :)

Laura - Gotta get off I-10 and I-20 :)



I would love to visit. :)
Tara Tyler said…
awesome pics, need to visit there someday!
and i loved the quirky quotes!
my fave were "coastie to coastie" and hot #1!
Trisha said…
I love blustery weather! :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Teresa - Come on down!

Tara - Add it to your list! Glad you liked the quotes. I think everyone liked #1.

Trisha - I like it when it's raining, too. This day it had rained, but the rain had moved on when I took the photos.
Deb Betz said…
Looks like a place I want to read about, and then visit!


visiting from A~Z
http://wearinglemon.blogspot.com


AJ, I am sure I have mentioned before that I think you are a tease.
Stunning photos. And yes, I will indeed have to read Solomon's Compass.
Murals in Texas? I would never have thought so. It's amazing what perceptions we have of a place...
Love the artwork!!

Writer In Transit
Old Kitty said…
Windswept and quirky!! I love it!!! That cafe is amazing!! It's the bars on the windows...! LOL! Bet they do great coffee too! Take care
x
Carol Kilgore said…
Deb - Cool! Great to meet you.

EC - AJ has the day off, but I'll be sure to tell him what you said :)

Michelle - Oh, my! Now I'm very interested to know why you think that and what else you think about Texas that may or may not be true.
Carol Kilgore said…
Old Kitty - How did I miss you? Our posts must have crossed. Happy you like!
VR Barkowski said…
Awesome photos, AJ ... ahem, Carol. The cafe is especially charming. Hmm, must be time for lunch. :)

VR Barkowski
Unknown said…
What a cool town!
Julie Flanders said…
I love the name Rock Harbor for a town, sounds like a place I'd want to visit. All great pics, especially the one of the ocean. I always love seeing the whitecaps in the water like that!
Sandra Cox said…
Love the pics. Especially the ocean.
Nas said…
Love the photos! And the newly painted shops look beautiful!
Carol Kilgore said…
VR - Hope you enjoyed lunch :)

Clarissa - I love going there!

Julie - It was definitely a white cap kinda day!

Sandra - I totally get that. I'm a water person big time.

Nas - They are pretty!
Bish Denham said…
I love the colors! And the deco diner is priceless. I wanna eat there.
Great pictures I liked them nice to see a nice Texas town.......since I will never get to visit Texas......
Carol Kilgore said…
Bish - Rockport's a cool town.

Jo-Anne - I don't know if I'll ever get to visit Australia either.
Wow. Looks so nice there. And colorful!

Heather
Carol Kilgore said…
It's a great coast town.

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