I’m sure there are many great places to stay in Port Aransas, but we stayed at A Laughing Horse Lodge, which consists of a collection of small brick cottages that were built in the 50s. Each cottage is different - we stayed in the Charlie Horse, also known as “Number 9.” The decor of the Charlie Horse is bright and cheery. Colorful striped curtains hang at the windows and bright patterned cushions and pillows are scattered on the beds and built-in platform couch in the living room. Screen doors are at the front and back doors, so we had the solid doors open most of the time, inviting in the spicy, ocean-scented breeze. Ceiling fans move the air in the cottage, but each bedroom and the main living area all have window air conditioners, for those times when having the doors open and the ceiling fans going isn’t comfortable enough. The floors in the main areas are clean and hard surfaced, painted a cornflower blue, just perfect for those with dogs. Each bedroom was carpeted, but we’d brought a couple of dog beds to scatter around in the living area. The Charlie Horse is a two-bedroom, one bath, with a kitchen and dining/living room, and has all the conveniences - television, fridge, microwave, coffeepot - that you would have in your own home. It was truly a home away from home.
We arrived after dark, and waiting for us were dog bowls, dog towels, and identification tags for each dog, in the event one of them might run off on the beach or slip through an open door. It truly is a dog-friendly place. An information sheet outlining dog-friendly restaurants, warning about the effects of dogs drinking ocean water and listing the phone numbers of local veterinarians was part of our information packet.
I could see the beach from the driveway - it is that close.
On New Year's Eve, we decided to have a steak and lobster dinner. I love the way lobster tails look before they're cooked.
Pam made her famous macaroni and cheese (Grandma's recipe), Harry grilled the steaks, and I broiled the lobster tails. The lobster tails actually tasted better than this photo looks. Ugh - the lobster looks like melted marshmallows. I imagine that's why I usually put paprika on them when I cook them.
And here, after a bottle of wine shared with Pam, is "Lobster Man."
The dogs had a great time, too. In between hiking down to the beach and up and down the shore, they rested up.
I love Nature's beauty.
Harry and I went to the only bar on the beach - it's been "grandfathered in" and is falling down, bit by bit. Sitting on the deck was like taking your life in your own hands - whenever anyone walked by, you could feel the whole thing sway. I enjoyed my first "Dogfish Brown Ale."
The second day we were there, there was a "blow." Sergei is demonstrating how it works. The wind was no worse than it normally is in Nebraska - but a heck of a lot warmer.
I found the seaweed on the beach fascinating. I can't decide if these little bladders are what helps the seaweed keep afloat, or if they are tiny jellyfish.
This one definitely appeared to be a jellyfish to me. The bladder was as long as my forearm.
Harry and I took a walk on the dunes. He's a lot more interested in the ships than the naturally occurring flora and fauna.
Star loved the beach. I would have loved to let she and JoLee off-leash to play, but signs everywhere said all dogs had to be on-leash.
Up away from the surf, in the dunes, the vegetation makes a mighty effort to reclaim land.
Only in a seaside town would one see blow-up Santas in ships and by palm trees.
On the way home, JoLee was so tired he slept, draped over Star. She was so tired, she didn't even care.
