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Drifts on South Padre Island
Battling the Sand
Leaving the Port Isabel Lighthouse in Port Isabel, Texas we headed across the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge and Causeway to South Padre Island.
I was surprised to see signs warning of low flying pelicans. Evidently, as the pelicans fly across the water from the mainland to the island, or vice versa, they get caught between the winds and the dead zones and can be pulled into oncoming traffic. We did see a lot of low flying pelicans and thank goodness none of them were hit.
The first thing we did was stop in at the Visitor Center and get a map of the island. Heading south first we entered Isla Blanca Park. The cost is $12.00 but it is important to note that this fee will get you into all three parks on the island for the entire day.
We parked on the southern tip of the island and walked to the Jesus Christ of the Fisherman Statue. This statue stands about 25 feet tall including the base. The edge of the island is rocky at this point and a lot of people were fishing off the rocks. With Jesus blessing all the fishermen, how could this not be a great place to fish?
Leaving this park and heading north we pulled into Andy Bowie County Park. After parking the car, we walked out to the beach. The sand was very thick and difficult to walk through. The beach was beautiful and the water was warm for January. We walked down the beach a ways and of course picked up some shells.
Leaving this park and heading further north we drove on past the third park, Edwin King Atwood Park, and drove the road as far north as it would go. This is where we were surprised to see drifts of sand several feet tall and blowing across the road like snow in Ohio. So much of this island is still undeveloped, and with good cause. Oh but what a view from the top of a sand drift.
We left the island vowing to come back another day and spend more time just sitting on a beach in a lawn chair.
Be sure to follow me for more of our adventures as we travel around the country in our RV.
