NAVAL AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI

hunting. More Information about Padre Island National Seashore can be found at www.nps.gov/pais.

Portland

Portland is a city of over 10 square miles located in San Patricio County just north of Corpus Christi. With a current population of approximately 17,000, Portland is home to a diversified workforce serving Coastal Bend industries and businesses. e city is accessible by two major highways, U.S. Highway 181 and Texas Highway 35. Portland is positioned as the gateway into Corpus

Christi and other points south. Portland's location on two bays still pro vides excellent fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, and kite surfing.

Indian Point Park and Sunset Lake Park is the pier and wade-fisherman's first choice for a premiere fishing experience. Bird watching, nature study, children's play area, as well as food and drinks are available. Some of the best wade fishing and bird watching can be found at Portland's Indian Point Wetlands and Sunset Lake nature trails. Portland is a great place to live, with safe upscale neighborhoods, award-winning schools and excellent city services.

Rockport

e City of Rockport, located 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi on Texas Highway 35, is the County Seat of Aransas County. Rockport was incorporated by a Special Act of the Legislature of Texas Charter granted on May 29, 1871. Surrounded on three sides by the waters of Aransas, Copano and Port bays, the sheer variety of outdoor activities are what makes Rockport appeal to the many tourists as well as local citizens. e fishing village of Rockport has been a favorite coastal hideaway for wealthy Texans since the 1800s. Rock- port is located along the Texas Tropical Trail and is a noteworthy stop along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Other points of interest such as Texas Maritime Museum, Fulton Mansion, Rockport Center for the Arts, Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary and the TX Dot Demonstration Gardens and Wetlands Ponds draw tourists and “Winter Texans” alike to Rockport. ere are also various historic sites such as the Fulton Mansion and a Heritage district. e historical downtown area offers a great shopping environment with its friendly attitude. Key Allegro Marina is also a popular attraction, especially during e Rockport Offshore Challenge. Goose Island State Park, 321.4 acres, is located north of Rockport in Aransas Country. e area is also the home of “ e Big Tree”, named State Champion Coastal Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) in 1969. It is thought to be one of the largest in the nation including the Redwoods on the nation’s west coast. Estimated to be over 1000 years old, the “Big Tree” has a circumference of 35 feet, is 44 feet in height and has a crown spread of 90 feet.

Rockport is a popular tourist destination because of its beach, ski basin, and the sport fishing available there.