PORT ARANSAS, Texas - As previously posted, SandFest was a big success and crowds were estimated at 80,000 despite an incorrect gloomy weather forecast.  Visitors from Austin, San Antonio and Houston missed the torrential rains that drenched those cities.  If you missed the previous post with the SandFest video, you can find it here. One secret that has been discovered in recent years is that Monday morning is a great time to see the sculptures without the crowds and parking issues.  I spent about 30 minutes walking through the amazing sculptures this morning.  Here are a few of my favorite photos. The images below were taken this morning as well.  Saturday night several area Fire Departments responded to  a grass fire in the dunes.  The blaze was allegedly started by a vehicle illegall... 04/20/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Despite the dark skies that loomed overhead on Friday and Saturday, SandFest drew great crowds and no rain fell in Port Aransas this weekend.  The skies cleared on Sunday and it was a beautiful finish for the 13th Annual event. The Corpus Christi Caller Times posted this video, a slideshow and a list of the winners.  The story is available here.   04/20/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Today marks the beginning of the Annual SandFest in Port Aransas.  The Corpus Christi Caller Times featured a story this morning with the schedule of events and other important details.  That story is available here.  Much needed rain may be in the area today and perhaps again on Saturday, but this event is in full swing and the crowds will come see the wonderful sculptures...rain or shine. 04/17/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Mark your calendar April 17th-19th for the Annual SandFest in Port Aransas.  As their website points out, 28 master sculptors will be competing this year.  SandFest has become the largest master sand sculpting competition in the U.S.  The three day competition will also feature over 200 amateur sculptors.   SandFest has become the largest family event in Port Aransas and over 100,000 visitors are expected this year.  For more information, visit the Texas SandFest website. 04/04/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Planning a spring or summer trip to the Texas Coast?  The Austin American Statesman weekend Travel section details some new things to see and do on your beach getaway.  One of the popular new additions is the Arnold Palmer Signature Links Course in Port Aransas.  Read the article here. Check out the latest info on Port Aransas Real Estate for info on condos, homes and new developments. 03/28/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas -  The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association will be conducting an online auction/fundraiser beginning Saturday, Feb 14th, 2009.  Join in the fun, bid on items of interest from travel, sporting event tickets and items found only in Port A.  There are currently 121 items in the auction and new items are being added daily.  Visit the website for the online auction. All proceeds will go to the further development of the Port Aransas Museum exhibits and programs.  Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  Donations are tax deductible.  02/11/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Finding a condo, home or lot on the island just got a little easier.  Texas Island Properties has launched an enhanced MLS search.  The new search offers more features and is easier to use.  The screenshot below illustrates a few of the key enhancements:  1 - Users can save properties in a personal "My Favorites" account and track price adjustments or other changes to property listings.  Users can access their personal account from work, home or any computer with internet access. 2 - The same personal account also allows users to set up automated email alerts for notification of new properties that match their search criteria. 3 - Locating properties in a specific coastal community is now easier.  There is no need to know County names, zip codes or school districts... 02/08/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The TxDOT Ferry System connecting Port Aransas with the mainland is operating very short handed at the moment.  A combination of scheduled annual maintenance inspections and unexpected breakdowns reduced the number of ferry boats to two yesterday. According to reports, all the ferry boats should be back in service late next week.  Additionally, ongoing repairs at the ferry landings should be complete by Spring Break.  In the meantime, you should strongly consider using the JFK Causeway on the South end of the island. Use the Port A Ferry Cams to monitor lines at both landings.  The Port A side looking E and the Aransas Pass side looking N offer the best vantage points. 02/06/2009

PADRE ISLAND, Texas - KRIS TV NBC in Corpus Christi reports that a popular island tourist attraction has closed.  The Mustang Ranch Riding Stables relocated to N Padre from Mustang Island about five years ago.  For over 20 years, visitors to Port Aransas and Padre Island would stop in at the stables and enjoy horseback riding on the beach.  As the story points out, the owner Roy Graham passed away and the family decided not to continue operating the business without him. 01/16/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Are Americans ready to move money from Wall Street to Main Street?  We're seeing some signs that investors are looking to diversify and move money away from the volatile equity markets.  I've had several client conversations along those lines in recent days.  In the coming days we will be rolling out information on how to purchase and own real estate within a retirement account.  This approach can provide an additional option for real estate investment. Real estate is by no means a sure bet.  However, as the baby boomer generation ages, thoughts of an investment that also accommodates time off along the coast can be very compelling.  The demand for vacation homes dominates the Port Aransas real estate market.  Condos and homes priced between $200k and $400k continu... 01/13/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas – “I didn’t know there’s a port in Arkansas” was a comment I heard in a phone conversation a few years ago.  Such is the fate of living in a town with a rather unfamiliar name.  Most people struggle with the pronunciation the first few times.  That includes mistakenly adding the letter ‘K’ while assuming that it must have been omitted in a typo.  The Texas Almanac references the pronunciation as (uh RAN zuhs).  It’s simply “Port A” to most folks.  The word Aransas stems from Spanish exploration in the mid 1700’s.  As the story goes, Captain Oribio Basterra was exploring an area near the Trinity River.  In his travels, he named a stream El Rio Nombrado Nr’a Senora de Aranzazu (the river named Our Lady of Aranzazu).  Aranzazu is a village located in the Basque region o... 01/06/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Kinky Friedman had a wealthy man named Buffett as a financial contributor in the 2006 Texas gubernatorial campaign.  As a columnist from the Dallas Morning News explains, it was Jimmy Buffett and not Warren Buffett that was offering support.  The column recounts a late night telephone conversation between the two friends. "All I want when you're governor is Port Aransas," Jimmy told Kinky.  "You sure you don't want Dallas?" Kinky countered. "No, no," Jimmy said. "Port Aransas." Long time Port A locals tell stories, some of them true about Jimmy Buffett coming through town many years ago.  I do know that in a Houston concert a few years back he mentioned Port Aransas several times in impromptu lyrics.  As an avid angler, he would no doubt love the fishing.  He might... 01/02/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Corpus Christi Caller Times reports today that the number of Whooping Cranes spending Winter in Aransas National Wildlife Reguge is up slightly from last year.  The annual migration from Canada attracts birding enthusiasts from around the world.  The Annual Celebration of Whooping Cranes will be February 26th - March 1st.  Visit the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce for details. 12/29/2008

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Despite a slowdown in the U.S. economy, 2008 sales in Cinnamon Shore were very impressive.  Families from Texas and beyond are enjoying the many benefits of vacation home ownership in Port Aransas.  Cinnamon Shore is a master planned "New Urbanism" beachfront community on Mustang Island.  2008 saw many of the Phase I amenities completed.  The first golf cart accessible dune crossover is now open as well as the Lake Colby fishing pavilion and boardwalk.  The Keira pool and pool house are currently under construction and scheduled to open by Spring Break.  Summer 2009 will see Phase II amenities such as the Hummingbird Park, Butterfly Park, the Grand Boulevard and construction of the first Town Center Condo building.  But the biggest news of all is coming January 200... 12/19/2008

12/10/2008

If I could live in any city in Texas other than San Antonio it would be Port Aransas or Port "A" as the locals call it.  There is something about being close to the beach, the humidity curling my hair and hanging with the Port Aransas "townies" that is so relaxing to me.  Aside from what it does to my hair it is my favorite vacation spot within a three hour drive.  I had the pleasure of talking to a fellow Active Rainer on the phone last week that i've been following for awhile.  Keith mcMullin  not only lives in my favorite city in Texas (other than San Antonio) but he's got some great listings in the beachy city.  Keith also shows his love for Port Aransas in the pictures & listings he posts, check Keith & his spectacular Port Aransas properties out!  Colorful and fun, by the water or... 11/26/2008

PORT ARANSAS, Texas -  A star is born...well not just yet.  We're used to our brand of celebrity visits in Port Aransas.  Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman, George Strait, Arnold Palmer among others have been "on island" recently.  Now, we can add Tommy Lee Jones to that list.   The native Texan, famed Actor/Director is preparing for his next project.  He will co-produce, direct and star in a new film based on Hemingway's posthumously released novel "Islands in the Stream." Filming is set to begin in early 2009 in the Caribbean.  So, what does that have to do with Port Aransas?  Well, another star of the film is destined to be a 38' Wheeler Cabin Cruiser built in the 1930's.  Quoted in a recent Times UK interview, "It had to be the right kind of boat," says Jones. "I said from the start, if... 11/26/2008

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Newport Beach and Golf development celebrated the grand opening of the new Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course today.  Nicknamed "The King" and widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's golf, Mr. Palmer was in town to play 18 holes on the new course which bears his name.  The links style course is quickly gaining critical acclaim.  This is truly a great weekend for Port Aransas with beautiful weather for the golfers and for the many boaters that sailed down from Galveston Bay in the Harvest Moon Regatta. Arnold Palmer and the development team prepare to answer questions regarding the new course. The King takes the ceremonial first tee shot. On the 18th Green Videos and news links will be posted within 48 hours. 10/18/2008

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - October 13, 2008 - There are 10 new parcels of beachfront and bayfront land on the market.  Details are not available on all the tract listings yet, but they range from 68 to 300+ acres.  An on-site land auction will be held next month on three of the parcels that are part of the Newport Master Planned Community.  The adjoining Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course recently opened is already receiving critical acclaim. All of the tracts are accessible from State Hwy 361 and public utilities are available.  Please contact me to receive updated information on these unique opportunities (Residential, Commercial, Mixed Use). Port Aransas Port Aransas Mustang Island Info   10/13/2008

The Most Desirable Beach on Mustang Island You can drive your golf cart over the boardwalk to the least crowded section of the beach protected from through traffic by jetties created for Mustang Island State Park The Enduring Value of Three Expansive Views You will always have expansive views over the Gulf of Mexico over Mustang Island State Park over the Bay to the Corpus Christi Skyline Exclusive Access to our Yacht Club and Marina Island Park Estates and Island Moorings Yacht Club and Marina are owned and managed by the local Dean family who are committed to the community and offer the combined assets of both facilities to their homeowners A Safe Home and Safe Harbor for Peace-of-MindIsland Park Estates has the safest and most secure homes being adjacent to the EMS of Corpus Christi... 08/05/2008