Sandfest

Ahhh, The Redneck Riviera.

On occasion, the gray waters of the Texas Gulf Coast call to us (see Galveston ) and despite oil platforms clearly visible from our beach chairs, we can't seem to resist its lure of sandy beaches, the sound of waves crashing ashore and seagulls cawing. So when we heard about an annual sand sculpture competition - Texas Sandfest - being hosted in one of our favorite seaside communities, Port Aransas, we were all over it.

Sandfest draws nationally known artists, amateur sculptors and over 100,000 visitors to this sleepy beach town just outside of Corpus Christi. They come in RV's, tents and teepees for the three day festival. Who knew?

The sand-sculptors are given a specific time frame in order to complete their work. Forms, molds or stamps are not allowed and the only 'adhesive' they can use is a spray sealant provided by the Sandfest organizers. 

This sculptor won first place in the amateur division last year - which gave him an invitation to compete with the pro's this year.

Our favorite

"Monsters Under My Bed"

"Blockhead"

"Horny Toads" - sunbathing

1st Place Winner - People's Choice Winner

We stayed at The Sandcastle Condominiums while in Port A. A great, reasonably-priced spot on the beach and just steps from the festival.

 Sandcastle lessons were offered and an amateur-class competition was included.

Castle building lessons

Oh, and if you're into great seafood, you've got to check out Beach Street & Station Grill. Very Casual but everything is casual in Port A.

A close 'second' (across the street) is La Playa - Mexican - don't miss the bacon wrapped, jalapeno-stuffed grilled shrimp.

Back to Texas Sandfest...

This guy's home-made wind generator peaked Mr. Something's interest...something to do with a car alternator...

 I got a kick out of Johnsonville's World's Largest Grill...Where the Truck Driver (Mark) is also the Grill-Master...

My new BFF, Grill Master Mark

We stayed for a few days of beach-time after the competition was over and reflected on the artistry, eye and creativity that was involved in sculpting these pieces...only to wistfully witness bulldozers scooping them up and pushing them back into the sea.

Sigh.

The Texas Riviera

Beach People. 

That's us.

The mountains are great, as is the prairie. 

But, should you prop us up in a beach chair with an umbrella,

be assured that if this were our last day on earth 

...we would've died happy.

Recently, that old familiar tug of the sea came 'round and since we had a few days off from work, we headed down to the Gulf Coast - The Texas Riviera. Port Aransas is only about an eight hour drive from Dallas and it fills the need.

OK - So it's not Fort Lauderdale but I've got to tell you - parking is plentiful, the restaurants are great and you can still find affordable ocean front accomodations.

Here's the view from our room at "The Sandcastle"...

Being on the lookout for oil slicks (damn you, BP) we were fortunate not to spot any. It looks like Florida took the first hit. Interestingly though, Port Aransas beaches were covered with three to four foot swaths of seaweed. After 'becoming one' with the seaweed and accepting it as a part of nature, it (ahem) sort of 'grows' on you. Seaweed clean-up crews were in force but by the time they cleaned it up, it was back again. You get used to it.

The sand dunes in 'Port A' reminded us a lot of Cape Cod but the water was a lot warmer here than on The Cape.

Although the humidity did nothing for my hair, the trade-off was that the sunsets embraced my soul.