South Padre

Our 5+ hour trip to South Padre gave Mason and I yet another taste of the Texas landscape. It took us a while to figure out what the white stuff lining the side of the road was...cotton! There were also vast amounts of sugar cane. This is the part of Texas called "The Valley". The Valley is the southern most tip of Texas boarding Mexico, it is part of the lower Rio Grande River. 

It can be a long trip down US-77, slowing for every town, after town, after town. But if Dairy Queen is on your mind (if it's not it will be) have no fear there is literally one in every town, regardless of population size. Mason and I also got a kick out of all the fun water tower signs. To my surprise, we had to go through a few boarder patrol checkpoints along the route. Our excitement rose as we headed over the giant bridge onto the island. 

VRBO did it again! We found a great condo right on the beach. We were also a short walk away from the Sea Turtle Rescue Center. This place in incredible and it works off donations. When you walk in you see giant tubs throughout the partly enclosed shed-like area. Once you get close enough to peak inside the tubs, you see the turtles! Big ones, small ones, ones with back braces, ones with missing flippers...

Seeing the sea turtles was an amazing experience. I hope to attend a sea turtle hatch and release next summer!

When I think of South Padre, Spring Break is the first thing that comes to mind. Not Labor Day weekend, apparently that is FAMILY time on the island. Luckily, Mason and I were able to get there first thing in the morning to setup our chairs and.......not the umbrella?! We were stopped mid-umbrella setup and were told there is a rule you can't unfold your umbrella until 10AM. Most ridiculous rule ever!

I wish there were more fun stories so share about South Padre; but I'll be honest, there was a drink in my hand most of the time. It was just fun to people watch, walk along the empty beach in the morning, and soak in the sun.

Sand Monster.

The beach is so much better than Galveston, TX!

Interesting Man O' War we found along the beach.