Today we took a day off the bikes to visit two sites in Corpus Christy. The first site we visited was the USS Lexington, a class 16 World War II Aircraft carrier. The museum on the water was a treasure. I am a novice historian who enjoys a good history site when traveling. The UUS Lexington provided a wonderful opportunity to visit each of the decks on the boat. The boat included a number of historical displays that told the history of this version of the USS Lexington. The front hull of the ship included a memorial to Pearl Harbor. Further, the movie, Pearl Harbor used the front hull to shoot a scene. The front hull included a memorial to the original USS Lexington a CV 9 that was sunk in 1942. The $14.00 entry price for an adult and $12.00 for a senior is well worth the visit. During our visit the two different aircraft were being restored. American historical sites are a treasure and allow Americans an opportunity to visit and learn about the site or the event that is being commorated.
We broke for lunch at Pier 99. Pier 99 is a seafood restaurant on the north shore. It is located within walking distance of the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium our afternoon site. We enjoyed a beach cocktail and seafood. The food was appropriately priced. Service was good and the portion was plenty. The meal and atmosphere was wonderful.
We spend the afternoon at the Texas State Aquarium. It is small in comparison to acqariums I have visited in Atlantic, Chicago, and Washington DC. However, the exhibits were very well kept and enjoyable. The exhibits captured the habitat of the Carribian and the gulf around Corpus Christy. I highly recommend it when visiting the city of Corpus Christy. Tomorrow we are back on the bikes and heading to Galveston.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
San Antonio to Corpus Christy
The motorcycle ride today took us from San Antonio to Corpus Christy, Texas along Interstate 37. The southern route provided us a very please ride after leaving San Antonio. The road was generally straight through rural country that was very green and lush this time of year. The temperature was in the low 90s and sunny with above average humidity. I’m use to the low humidity of the high dessert in New Mexico, so the humid temperatures remind me of the importance of drinking plenty of water or gator aid.
The route was about 160 miles. We decided to stay at the Emerald Bay Hotel. The Emrald was built in 1965 and allowed us the opportunity to stay on the beach and enjoy the sunrise and sunsets during our two night stay.
I-37 posted a 75 miles per hour speed limit the majority of the way between San Antonio and Corpus Christy. The route is lightly traveled and a nice ride for a motorcyclist of any level of experience.
A year ago a hurricane hit the Houston area. Corpus Christy was not directly hit, however one can still see the effects of the strong winds from that hurricane.
The route was about 160 miles. We decided to stay at the Emerald Bay Hotel. The Emrald was built in 1965 and allowed us the opportunity to stay on the beach and enjoy the sunrise and sunsets during our two night stay.
I-37 posted a 75 miles per hour speed limit the majority of the way between San Antonio and Corpus Christy. The route is lightly traveled and a nice ride for a motorcyclist of any level of experience.
A year ago a hurricane hit the Houston area. Corpus Christy was not directly hit, however one can still see the effects of the strong winds from that hurricane.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Fort Stockton, Tx to San Antonio, Tx By Motorcycle
Today we left Fort Stockton, Texas and traveled 312 miles along I-10 to San Antonio, Texas on the second day of our trip. We had a perfect day to ride. It was overcast with light winds at the beginning of the day and about an hour west of San Antonio the sun appeared, the temperatures rose, and the wind kicked up.
Today was another perfect day for the riders who like to push the throttle. After leaving Fort Stockton it wasn’t until Ozono, Texas before seeing a gas station. The 82 mile stretch included good views of buttes some with large wind turbine farms. The road was lined with large yuccas and brush which were eventually replaced with trees as we traveled closer to San Antonio.
About 60 miles west of San Antonio we began to see more traffic and green grass along the side of the road and in the median. The grass was interspersed with wild flowers making the ride a beautiful pallet of colors.
This route is not marked as a scenic route in the Harley Davidson Touring Book, but it will not disappoint any type of rider.
Today was another perfect day for the riders who like to push the throttle. After leaving Fort Stockton it wasn’t until Ozono, Texas before seeing a gas station. The 82 mile stretch included good views of buttes some with large wind turbine farms. The road was lined with large yuccas and brush which were eventually replaced with trees as we traveled closer to San Antonio.
About 60 miles west of San Antonio we began to see more traffic and green grass along the side of the road and in the median. The grass was interspersed with wild flowers making the ride a beautiful pallet of colors.
This route is not marked as a scenic route in the Harley Davidson Touring Book, but it will not disappoint any type of rider.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Las Cruces, NM to Fort Stockton, TX by Motorcycle
Today we began a trip from Las Cruces, NM to Fort Stockton with an ultimate destination of Galveston, Tx. The trip to Fort Stockton was 287 miles. The trip include mostly Interstate travel along I-10. The trip is rather easy with the exception of trying to get through El Paso, Texas along I-10. Today a large stretch of I-10 was closed in El Paso and the detour took traffic through the outskirts of the city.
I exited the highway at the Transmountain Road exit 6. Transmountain is a very nice road around El Paso and through the Franklin Mountain State Park. The speed limit is 55 along the curved road that is a gradual climb to through the mountain pass. The road allows you to look down upon the heart of El Paso giving you a breath taking view. Several pull outs along Transmountain allow you to pull off and take pictures or just take in the beautiful view.
After coming through the pass on Transmountain we took US 54 west and backtracked our way pass the El Paso International Airport and back on I-10 East. The detour took longer that expected, but once back on I-10 the travel was routine. Just east of El Paso we stopped for gas as the Rest Stops and Towns along the I-10 stretch of road is scarce.
Once you are well outside the city limits the speed limit increased to 80 MPH. This allows the light traffic the opportunity to move along the Interstate. For the motorcyclist who likes speed this is a perfect trip to get on the throttle without a great deal of worry about speeding. This route also includes a Boarder Patrol Check point prior to the I-10 and I-20 split.
The scenery is classic dessert. Yucca plants abound along the highway. This May 13th the brush was green despite the high temperature and recent lack of rain. There are views of mountains along the way that break up the long stretches of ranches the I-10 cuts through. Occasional glimpses of pea an farmers within large ranches is breathtaking.
Once we arrived in Fort Stockton we choose a hotel on the west side of the city allowing us easy access to a gas station for a morning fill up prior to beginning our trip to San Antonio.
I exited the highway at the Transmountain Road exit 6. Transmountain is a very nice road around El Paso and through the Franklin Mountain State Park. The speed limit is 55 along the curved road that is a gradual climb to through the mountain pass. The road allows you to look down upon the heart of El Paso giving you a breath taking view. Several pull outs along Transmountain allow you to pull off and take pictures or just take in the beautiful view.
After coming through the pass on Transmountain we took US 54 west and backtracked our way pass the El Paso International Airport and back on I-10 East. The detour took longer that expected, but once back on I-10 the travel was routine. Just east of El Paso we stopped for gas as the Rest Stops and Towns along the I-10 stretch of road is scarce.
Once you are well outside the city limits the speed limit increased to 80 MPH. This allows the light traffic the opportunity to move along the Interstate. For the motorcyclist who likes speed this is a perfect trip to get on the throttle without a great deal of worry about speeding. This route also includes a Boarder Patrol Check point prior to the I-10 and I-20 split.
The scenery is classic dessert. Yucca plants abound along the highway. This May 13th the brush was green despite the high temperature and recent lack of rain. There are views of mountains along the way that break up the long stretches of ranches the I-10 cuts through. Occasional glimpses of pea an farmers within large ranches is breathtaking.
Once we arrived in Fort Stockton we choose a hotel on the west side of the city allowing us easy access to a gas station for a morning fill up prior to beginning our trip to San Antonio.
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