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View Full Version : Greetings from South Padre Island, Texas



Armybrat
06-30-2015, 12:35 PM
Unlike Jocko, I'll post pictures of the outdoor scenery where we vacation. The upstairs balcony view of the Gulf of Mexico from our rented condo (We're in a duplex) - a new condo is under construction on our left side:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/80525fa446d321c9b2605d5a1bf75bbc622711f.jpg

Bawanna
06-30-2015, 01:06 PM
Looks really nice. I note the wheelchair take off and landing strip so a guy can get a good run at the sand.

TD2K
06-30-2015, 01:13 PM
beautiful. Have a great trip.

Alfonse
06-30-2015, 03:04 PM
Really nice. I bet the camera really doesn't even capture how nice it is and Ms. Brat probably wouldn't want you taking and posting photos of all the scenery at the beach anyway. ;)

Bawanna
06-30-2015, 03:53 PM
But don't hesitate to do so if you get half a chance. ...... I got your back on this one.

mr surveyor
06-30-2015, 09:54 PM
I'm glad you are having a good time there Armybrat. In 1982-83 I had to make 5 or 6 trips down there (between Harlingen and the "Island") and spent the eitire month of February of '83 on the "Island" running a survey for a main water supply line from Laguna Heights to the South to the "Island". I spent every night running a mile down the beach to go to the bar for a couple hours, then struggle back to the (then) rathole beach condo we had rented for the month.

While you're there, see if you can find out anything about the "phosphorescence plankton" the occasionally blows in. Twice (two separate trips) I had the occasion to witness that stuff rolling in with the tide ... when the waves break left to right (or maybe the other way) off in the distance it lights up like green, horizontal lightning, and when it finally reaches the beach you can step on the wet sand and leave eerie, green, glowing footprints. While there, I asked several "natives (for what it's worth) at the bar about it and they all thought I was crazy. They didn't "get out" much.

When I pulled out of there at 11:59 p.m. on 02/28/83, I never had a desire to return to what we considered the jellyfish littered kitty litter box of Texas. I'm sure it's a bit better during the real "tourist season" though.

Please see if you can find any info on that glowing plankton though.


jd

Armybrat
07-02-2015, 10:27 AM
Thanks - We'll check that out.

Two of my sons, DIL, & grandson went bay fishing on Laguna Madre early yesterday. Caught a handful of fish before a rainstorm forced everyone off the bay, but son's guide tied up the boat under a bay shack (no one at home). They hunkered down on the covered porch for over an hour before the rain abated, but the water was pretty churned up so the fishing was spoiled. Fishing guide said "no charge" but son gave him a couple of Benjamins anyway.

mr surveyor
07-03-2015, 11:07 AM
I will have to say my "opinion" of the "Island" is a bit tainted. January and February are probably not the best months to spend there for "fun in the surf and sun". It rained on us (again a work related stay) at some point every single day during February, temps in the mid 40's to low 60's, windy, and that magic time of the year when the jellyfish washed ashore enmasse. Our project was actually focused on the 10 mile route on the mainland, along the coastal highway, so our "down time" was spent at the "off season" half price (and lowest quality on the island) condo. Other less than stellar factors created by poor upper management project planning contributed to the overall "bad experience" my crew had. I'm sure South Padre is really worlds different than my last experience.

Oh, just remembered, there was a great place for eats (and drinks) on the Southern end of the island .... I think the "Pelican", maybe.


jd

Longitude Zero
07-03-2015, 01:09 PM
Love beach vacations.

Bobshouse
07-03-2015, 03:08 PM
Nice try, but that aint the gulf...where's the oil? The priest of our church used to take us to the beach for a week in North Carolina. Loved it, didn't even see a shark way back then.

Does that condo have a outside shower to de-sand before you go back in?

Armybrat
07-04-2015, 07:19 PM
There's a foot shower by the gate and a standup shower back y the corner of the porch.

The family beach camp down front of the condo:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/1313549a4c9cdc581736be330fb5d590fcc0933.jpg

mr.ed
07-05-2015, 11:13 PM
Take out the made after 1995 pop up tents, take this pic in B&W, and it'd be timeless! Looks like good times - enjoy.