USS Lexington, Corpus Christi, Texas

The USS Lexington, a CV-16, is a WWII vintage Essex Class Aircraft Carrier.  Commissioned in 1943, she set more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation.The ship was the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy when decommissioned in 1991. An Essex-class carrier, Lexington was originally named the USS CABOT. During World War II, final construction was being completed at Massachusetts’ Fore River Shipyard when word was received that the original carrier named USS Lexington, CV-2, had been sunk in the Coral Sea. The new carrier’s name was changed to Lexington.

The Big Tree, Goose Island State Park, Texas

Goose Island State Park takes care of a 1,000 year old oak tree called The Big Tree.  It stands rooted in history as a silent witness to the many changes in this area over the last 1,000 years.  It is a Coastal live oak, one of the largest of its kind.  It was named the Texas State Champion Live Oak in 1966.  It is 11 feet across the trunk; 35 feet around; 44 feet tall; and 89 feet across the crown.

Rockport Aquarium, Rockport, Texas

Rockport's local aquarium is small, but it is free.  It is manned by volunteers and open Thursday-Monday, from 1-4pm.  It has tanks with the local fish and sea life along with hands on displays for the children. On view are snapper, grouper, drum, bat fish, scorpion fish, shrimp eel, and many others.  

Texas tortoise and American Alligator

This alligator was harvested from a ranch in Matagorda County by professional alligator hunters who are permitted to remove rogue and dangerous animals. The gator was 12 feet 5 inches in total length.

The Big Blue Crab & Rockport Art, Rockport Beach, Texas

Located by Rockport Beach, the Big Blue Crab was reconstructed by a local artist after the first one deteriorated and was removed.  The crab was once a landmark for the community, and at one time sat atop a restaurant, Del Mar Grill.  The Grill's specialty was crab cakes, which is why they featured the large crab on top of the building. 

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

We went to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge hoping to see some wildlife, but unfortunately the only ones we saw were in the Visitor Center -- stuffed.  (We did see one wild hog running through the marsh just after we left the area.)

Texas Maritime Museum, Rockport, Texas

The Texas Maritime Museum holds the history of the Texas coast, telling the story through photographs, models, and interactive exhibits. French explorer Robert Cavelier sailing on the La Salle was looking for the mouth of the Mississippi but ended up at the mouth of Port Aransas instead.  The wreck of the La Belle was found in the waters just outside of Corpus Christi. 

View from observation deck

Galveston Naval Museum, Galveston Island, Texas

We went to visit the Galveston Naval Museum, American Undersea Warfare Center on Galveston Island when were still in Houston to see the USS Stewart and the USS Cavalla.