BY JANIS TURK
When rains won’t come and the Texas sun beats down our doors demanding we move outside into the humid summer heat, what choice do we have but to head to water?
And what could be better? For nothing cools and calms quite so well as this dreamy, romantic liquid. Nothing so refreshes dry skin, bones, bodies and spirits. Nothing is as relaxing as sitting in, floating on or simply gazing at water.
In the evening when the red-hot ball of sun retreats, dipping into the horizon at the Texas coast or over a placid lake, one might feel compelled to applaud — the water has won the battle against the heat for yet another day.
For most people, there is a joy and a serenity that proximity to water brings. Water is alive and vibrant, and simultaneously still and moving. It is full of memory and longing, waves of nostalgia, childhood and adventure. It is buoyant with unhurried happenings, familiar and unchanging, new and welcoming.
Water calls to water — the stuff of which we are largely made. So it’s no wonder that South Texans yield to the call of the Texas Coast and nearby rivers and lakes. With Port Aransas, Rockport and Corpus Christi just a short (2.5-hour) drive from San Antonio, and South Padre Island not too much farther, it’s natural that many desire weekend homes, condominiums and vacation homes on the Texas Gulf Coast. Likewise, the San Antonio River, the Comal River, the Guadalupe River and the San Marcos River call us, too. And lakes? We’ve got them. From the friendly waters of Amistad to the breezy shores of Lake McQueeney, the views from docks, decks and boathouses are the best. Better when wet? Absolutely! When the heat hits Texas, water becomes our best friend.
 The Texas Gulf Coast
Ask anyone on the streets of the beachy little towns along the Texas Gulf Coast like Rockport-Fulton, Port Aransas and Aransas Pass, and they’ll agree: Each day life along the shore brings new stories, fresh news and restful breezes. Even in the big city of Corpus Christi, a lazy “endless summer” vibe seems to come in like wind off the water.
Aransas Pass, Port Aransas and Rockport-Fulton are some of the most popular towns for those who are looking for a weekend getaway or a vacation home, condo or time-share. Because they are just over 100 miles from San Antonio, it’s easy to leave work a bit early on Friday and be at the shore by sundown. Big new developments and planned communities and condominiums are springing up all over Mustang Island — such as Cinnamon Shore and The Palmilla at Port Aransas. Old favorite weekend getaways and individually owned condominiums available for sale or rent, such as those at Port Royal by the Sea, The Dunes, Beach Club Condominiums and Le Mirage and more, dot the scenic shores of Mustang Island, an 18-mile barrier island off the Texas Gulf Coast. The convenient location provides ready access for sailing, deep-sea and bay fishing. An Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course will soon open on the Island, too. “Port A,” as it is affectionately called, is the closest thing to heaven for beach lovers — and Rockport-Fulton calls to those who dream of hanging a “Gone Fishing” sign on their office door. This community is also known as an artists’ colony, and the area is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. With restaurants (like Beulah’s at the Pelican Club in Port Aransas and Hemingway’s in Rockport) and quaint shops and art galleries to explore, beach lovers there enjoy numerous dining and shopping opportunities. Weekend guests may want to check into The Hoope’s House bed and breakfast inn, Laguna Reef condominiums or perhaps rent a house near Key Allegro. Then they may want to check out Rockport’s Blue Wave-certified beach, the Texas Maritime Museum and Goose Island State Park.
Lakes
But you don’t have to go as far as the Texas Coast to soak up the good vibrations and the pleasing sensations associated with the waterfront way of life. Lake McQueeney and Canyon Lake, near New Braunfels, Horseshoe Bay near Marble Falls and Lake Amistad, south of San Antonio, are just a few of the many lakes scattered across South Texas, each offering refreshing fun. With waterskiing, houseboats, party barges and sunset cruises, lakeside living revives the endless summer sensation of South Texas.
 Rivers
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it,” writes novelist Norman MacLean, and that’s certainly true. For here in South Central Texas, this great state gets its life from its long meandering watery green veins: rivers that keep the land lovely, lush and verdant. The San Antonio River, the Comal River, the Guadalupe River, the Colorado and the Pedernales — we know these names as we know our own. We’ve grown up rafting, floating, fishing, wading and bathing in their waters. So lots along the lakes and rivers are particularly popular with homeowners who want to look out their windows and draw from the restful sight of the water. Cooling, relaxing, refreshing — there’s nothing like still waters to soothe the soul. So consider heading to water when you’re thinking of a weekend getaway, a new home, a vacation home or just a sparkling endless summer season in the sun.
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