Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by industry railroads, highways, creeks, lakes and channels and surrounded by chemical
plants, collectively known as Brazosport.
This area has been the focus of many arguments between the federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Texas over pollution regulations and their en-
forcement.
WORTH A TRIP
SCENIC COASTAL DRIVE: GALVESTON TO CORPUS CHRISTI
Following the coast between Galveston and Corpus Christi is not a straightforward adventure - roads and high-
ways that jog in and out seem to change names and numbers with every turn. But it's worth the effort for the
timeless coastal towns and natural backwaters that see little traffic diverted from busy US 59 and US 77 inland.
You can cover this route easily in a day, but if you plan on spending time in any of the nature areas and beaches,
make it two.
The Route
After the upscale beach houses that extend to the southern tip of Galveston Island, the sudden lack of develop-
ment once you cross the San Luis Pass bridge to the emptiness of Follets Island can be a pleasant surprise.
Surfside Beach , 13.5 miles southeast, is a workmanlike party town, where few pass the convenience store at
the main crossroad without stopping for a case of beer.
Fans of oil refineries will appreciate the 11-mile drive inland on TX 332. Watch for signs for the delightful Sea
Center Texas ( Click here ) in Lake Jackson .
From Lake Jackson, take FM 2004, which becomes FM 2611 when it crosses TX 36. This a lovely drive
through lush lands laced with rivers and peppered with wildflowers. Turn north when you hit FM 457, go 6 miles
and turn west on FM 521 for 15.5 miles to TX 60, then turn south to Matagorda ( Click here ) and the beaches, a
total of 55 miles from Lake Jackson.
From Matagorda, drive back north 9 miles to FM 521 and turn west. You make a big loop to the north around a
nuclear power plant - watch out for lobsters the size of Godzilla - and after 19 miles you turn south on TX 35 for
5 miles to Palacios ( Click here ).
Continue on TX 35 for 50 miles through Port Lavaca (avoiding any temptation to detour to uninteresting Port
O'Connor) until just past tiny Tivoli, where you should turn southeast on TX 239. Follow the signs for 18 miles
through humdrum corn farms until you reach the wonders of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge ( Click here ) .
Leaving Aransas NWR, take FM 774 through a series of turns 12 miles west to TX 35. Turn south and go 13.5
miles to Lamar and the charms of Goose Island State Park ( Click here ).
From here, it's only 6 miles south on TX 35 to the fun twin coastal towns of Fulton and Rockport ( Click
here ). Port Aransas, a good place to bed down, is only 20 miles beyond while Corpus Christi is another 30 miles
further on.
Sights
AQUARIUM
Sea Center Texas
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