Saltwater Soul

Those who have visited the Tiki Hut for a while know how much I love all things coastal and beachy. You won't be surprised that with only one day off, that's where we headed.



If you follow me elsewhere, you may have seen one or two of these shots from our day trip to the coast. We went to Port Aransas, a tiny beach town on Mustang Island east of Corpus Christi that was devastated by Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017.

They're rebuilding. Still. It's been a year, but it's a slow process with a lot of red tape. I'm not sharing any photos of the devastation still in evidence, but for every missing or tarped-over roof, I saw many new ones. For every blown-out window, many houses and buildings sported new ones.

Several businesses had reopened, some only recently with NOW OPEN signs in the windows or on the sidewalks. Others were still under construction with OPENING SOON signs front and center. We also saw many bare patches of land where structures had previously stood.

Every place we went, the mood was upbeat. The bounce-back Texas spirit shined for all to see.

At the beach, I was too busy enjoying myself to take any photos. Lots of others were there having fun, too, even though it was mid-week and almost 100 degrees. After we left, I realized I hadn't even taken my phone out.




The restaurant, Virginia's on the Bay, is one of my favorites, and I was glad it was open. I included a shot of my lunch at the bar. It's a grilled shrimp salad, and it was delicious.

Sadly, none of the usual dolphins were playing in the channel when we crossed back to the mainland. Maybe it was too hot for them that day. But a long line of cars waited to get on the ferry.



I'm not the only one with a saltwater soul.

I'll be back here on Monday, October 1.



Comments

It's always good to see rebuilding. Sounds like the locals have a good attitude and their spirits are up.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Wonderful they continue to rebuild. I wonder what I'll see when I go to Lake Charles next month?
Christine Rains said…
Fantastic to see them rebuilding! What a lovely trip. :)
Crystal Collier said…
You know, it says something about the human spirit that people don't just give up when tragedy strikes. It's so inspiring.
Bish Denham said…
I'm so glad recovery is happening in Port A. And boy, do I know how slow the process can be. The Virgin Islands are in the same boat. But you know, the people who love these places, who have lived there for.e.ver NEVER give up and NEVER give in. They do the only thing they can which is move forward.
Jemi Fraser said…
Amazing recovery - resilient souls living down in Texas!
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - Yes. It's a process, and they'll get it done.

Diane - If my memory is correct, Lake Charles didn't receive as much wind or rain as Houston or the Coastal Bend. I hope you'll have a great time!

Christine - It's a great spot to go for the day or a weekend.

Crystal - So true about people everywhere.

Bish - Exactly so. Those in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were hit so much harder by a harsher storm only a week or two after Harvey here in Texas. Their spirit drives them and they keep going.

Jemi - Texas Tough :)
Huge hooray for recovery. Slow it might be, but it IS happening.
You have reminded me just how long it has been since I have seen (and smelt) the sea. Too long. There is salt water in all of our blood.
It's good to see them rebuilding. And it's great to enjoy those coastal areas. Nothing like the freshness of a sea breeze.
Carol Kilgore said…
EC - I love the sea. I just kept inhaling and smiling the whole time we were there.

Lynda - So true. I miss not getting to the coast more often.
Natalie Aguirre said…
Glad they are rebuilding and upbeat. I love being on the beach too. I grew up on Lake Michigan.
Melissa said…
Houston got most of press, but some of the smaller towns got hit as hard as we did. Glad to hear they are rebuilding.
Murees Dupè said…
That lunch looks lovely. It sounds like an amazing trip, regardless of some bad reminders of past devastation.
dolorah said…
Midweek and 100 degrees sounds like the perfect time to be at the beach. Hope all the reconstruction continues.
Carol Kilgore said…
Natalie - There is just something special about the moving water, the air, the whole experience.

Melissa - Y'all had it bad up there with all the rain. Harvey just sat and poured it all out. I think the coast got more wind, but the storm moved on to party in the Big City.

Murees - The lunch was fabulous! And the trip was, too :)

Dolorah - Texas is always hot... except when it's not. Probably by this time next year, things will be back to a new normal.
Arlee Bird said…
Good that those affected by Harvey are bouncing back and looking ahead.

Now pass me a shrimp salad. That looks good.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Carol Kilgore said…
Arlee - That was the best shrimp salad I've had in a long time. The shrimp were perfectly spiced and cooked. I could've easily eaten a few more :)
DMS said…
I have a saltwater soul too. It soothes me and rejuvenates me. :)

Glad you were able to get to the beach. How wonderful that people are in such great spirits while they rebuild and get back on their feet. Inspirational!
~Jess
Carol Kilgore said…
Jess - Soothing and rejuvenating for me, too. Have a great week!
Julie Flanders said…
Saltwater Soul - I love that! I am the same. Love the pics as always. :)
Elizabeth said…
I'm so happy you got to visit Port Aransas & to know their rebuilding is coming along so well. I visited there once in 1973. It was so fun!
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - I have to have a beach fix every so often :)

Elizabeth - Port A is awesome. Fun and lots to do besides just beach. One of my favorite Texas spots!

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