Photography has to be one of the most relaxing things I have found in recent years. Often our memories cannot capture or remember certain things but the camera is a great friend for that job. Here is a small collection of photos that I took around Corpus Christi Harbor and Bay. Thank you for viewing and your continued support.
One of the finest museums I have ever been on is the U.S.S. Lexington aircraft carrier. It is also known as the “Blue Ghost” because of several attempts by the Japanese to sink it. They were unsuccessful even with a dive bombing Kamikaze attack. The men and women who served, sacrificed, and died to maintained this floating city have my utmost respect. This aircraft carrier museum has so much to see and do that you could easily spend days on it. I took so many photos that I cannot post them all. It was amazing at every level! The engineering that went into this ship in 1943 was spectacular. To extract salt out of sea water and create steam for four huge turbines to power the Lexington was a marvel. To include a kitchen, sleeping quarters, machine shop, hospital, dentist office, barbershop, post office, church, and pharmacy, at that time was beyond innovative. For more information on the U.S.S. Lexington Museum visit here https://usslexington.com/
Here is just but a small sampling of photo’s from my visit. I hope these photos inspire you to visit and learn the history of this great ship.
Snoopy’s Pier is a wonderful seafood restaurant right on North Padre Island and the Intracoastal Waterway since 1980. From what I have read they harvest their own seafood locally from the bays and Gulf waters. I love that Snoopy’s is an independent chain in the school of big fish corporate dominance. The sounds of sea birds, boats, and fresh air blowing my air added to the ambiance of relaxation. Conveniently located next door to Snoopy’s is Scoopy’s which offers Texas’s own Blue Bell ice cream and other sweet treats. For more information visit http://www.snoopyspier.com/
A few photos from my visit.
I had heard so much about Andy’s Country Kitchen being a Corpus Christi legend since 1958 that I had to try it for myself. I mean what other restaurant has a waitress that worked her way up to purchase and run it? Well, the verdict is out. 110% excellent! The service, the food, the atmosphere, all exceeded my expectations. The history on the back of the menu is another excellent part of Andy’s. I had the Andy’s breakfast which is pictured and they brought muffins out as a snack. Wow! This will definitely be a stop for me every time I am in Corpus Christi. For more information visit their website here https://www.andyskitchen.com/
As a long-time native Gulf coast citizen I love all things Gulf Coast. Rockport-Fulton is a laid back coastal town that still brings home their own shrimp, fish, oysters, etc. The Fulton Mansion is a piece of history dating back to when Texas was it’s own state. Mr. Fulton made his way from Philadelphia and never looked back. A Yankee tradition I might add. The south never won the battle, but they did win the war. If you think deeply and know your history you will understand. There are plenty of places to relax and stay in Rockport-Fulton. However, this trip for me was all about THE BIG TREE, in Goose Island State Park, which is over 1,000 years old, and has a diameter of over 35 feet. It was the largest tree in Texas for many years, but now the largest tree is located in the San Bernard Wildlife Refuge. Here are a few photos from my stop in Rockport-Fulton and Goose Island State Park. For more information on Rockport-Fulton click here https://www.rockport-fulton.org/and for more information on Goose Island State Park and The Big Tree click here https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island
Down southwest of Houston, Texas about and hour and fifteen minutes away lies what I call the original Texas road stop. What I mean is it was around way before Buccee’s. It is Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse and I have been stopping there for years before they even shipped their awesome smoked meats. No road trip to deep southwest Texas is complete without a stop to Prasek’s for Kolaches (Get them early before they run out), or a long time favorite Jalapeno Cheese Sausage bread. Did I mention the Klobase Sausage sandwich with sauerkraut? Oh, so much goodness in one spot. They even ship now for those who are not able to make it I highly recommend the beef jerky. For more information click here https://www.praseks.com/
Here are a few photos to give you and idea of this heavenly road stop.
The Texas State Aquarium located in Corpus Christi, Texas live up to it’s name. It is as big as Texas, well, not quite. The exhibits represent many areas of sea life. The purpose is not only to share these animals with us, but also to protect them which I love. I have visited many aquariums and I must say this one was really awesome. It allowed me the opportunity to have fun with my camera which I also love. I saw many new species I have not seen in other aquariums. Here are a few of my photos from this adventure. For more information on the Texas State Aquarium, visit this link https://www.texasstateaquarium.org/
In 1995, I was teaching elementary school, and my students came to me crying. “Mr. Moyer, Selena is dead!” At the time, I had no idea who Selena was, but soon learned she was the Queen of Tejano. I bought albums and listened to hear music, watched the Selena movie with J-Lo, talked briefly with her husband Chris Perez on his solo tour, and knew someday on my bucket list I would go to Corpus Christi to visit her museum, statue, and grave. It was a special moment to pay tribute to one of the best entertainers to ever grace the stage. She touched people of all nationalities and walks of life. Here are a few photos from my trip. If you are a fan or not, I encourage you to visit the museum and Corpus Christi. To learn more about the museum click here https://q-productions.com/
The Houston Independent School District recently opened the flagship Kinder High School For The Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Houston, Texas. This high school is a premier public school for students who are visual artists, dancers, actors and actresses, musicians, and creative writers. You will be hard pressed to find a public school that is this awesome anywhere in the world. Here are a collection of photos from the recently opened school. You will see the theater and two smaller practice theaters, library, relaxing area, exercise room, dance room, stage creation room, costume room, commons area, print making room, control area, orchestra room, some night snapshots, and a little history just to name a few. If you plan on attending, practice your craft for auditions, because as little as 10% make the cut to attend this great school. All photos 2019 Albert Moyer, Jr. Photography
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is based out of Houston’s first ever commercial airport. It is right next to Hobby Airport and Billionaire Buyer Tillman Fertitta’s Landry’s hospitality hanger. A little bird told me for $100,000 in gambling you can ride in the black helicopter to the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles. There is a lot of history regarding Braniff, Pan-Am, Eastern Airlines, etc. All of which no longer exist or have been absorbed. There is a hangar to check out planes and a nice Lockheed Lodestar outside on the tarmac to tour. If you love airlines, flying, or aviation history, or just history in general this is great stop. For more information visit their website here http://www.1940airterminal.org/
Albert Moyer, Jr. 