Salty Stories
The soul of Port Aransas lives in its people and the stories they carry. Stories shaped by the island life that reflect resilience, generosity, tradition, and a deep connection to this stretch of the Gulf. It’s a place that’s refined, but never fussy. Familiar, yet full of discovery. Locals call this way of life salty.
Salty Stories celebrates the people who carry that spirit forward. Meet those who make Port Aransas the unique island it is. These are their Salty Stories.
There are endless stories to tell and characters to meet in Port Aransas. Share a slice of community with a baker who “pies it forward.” Pull up a seat at an island bar where everyone’s a local. Meet the family whose legacy helped shape Port A tourism, and step inside a historic inn where generations of big fish stories still line the walls.
The latest season of Salty Stories is here.
Snake Farm Pie Co.
In a kitchen tucked inside her Port Aransas tiny home, teacher and baker Kate Low found a way to lift spirits, one pie at a time. What started as a simple act of kindness in trying times has grown into Snake Farm Pie Co., a local favorite that celebrates connection and community. Whether she’s mentoring students or “pie-ing it forward,” Kate shows how sweet life can be when you give a little of yourself back to your community.
“It’s incredible what this little community can put together, and do, and raise, and help.”
The Tarpon Inn
Stepping into The Tarpon Inn feels like stepping back in time. Owner Lee Roy Hoskins has preserved this historic landmark with care, keeping its stories alive while welcoming new memories every day. The lobby walls whisper those stories, lined with signed tarpon scales that mark generations of anglers. The Tarpon Inn stands as a timeless pillar of Port Aransas, where the island’s history and hospitality continue to meet by the water’s edge.
“If this hotel were to go away, the beating heart of Port Aransas goes away.”
The Gaff
In Port Aransas, some of the best places are the ones you don’t overthink, and The Gaff is one of them. It’s where the island’s quirky side comes to life, and strangers talk like they’ve known each other for years. See how The Gaff continues to bring people together, one laugh, one pirate voice, and one drink at a time.
"If you don’t know anybody, and you come here, you’re gonna walk out knowing somebody.”
The Zahns
For more than fifty years, Charlie and Linda Zahn have helped shape the salty spirit of Port Aransas. From building the foundation of local tourism to giving back through faith and community service, their impact shines throughout the island. Their story is proof that Port A’s resilience comes from the people who care for it, generation after generation.
“We feel like we’ve been so blessed and so fortunate that we need to continue to give back to this community that we love. And I think we've strived to do that since we've been here.”
More Salty Stories
Brittany & Magen
How two women dedicate their lives to inspiring future generations of girls in a male dominated sport.
Dee Wallace
How a world championship fisherman choose to set down roots in the Fishing Capital of Texas
Winton’s Candy
How glimmering candy wrappers and tempered chocolates brings nostalgia to thousands of visitors.
The Owens Family
How love at first sight grew into one of Port Aransas’ most successful stories.
Farley Boats
How a simplified boat design laid the cornerstone for the entire town of Port Aransas.
Podcasts
The island town of Port Aransas has a personality all its own. The locals call it “salty," and there’s no better word to describe the seaside authenticity you can only find in Port A. Now you can hear straight from the people who have made this island what it is today. This is who we are and these are our stories, our “Salty Stories.”