Sunny South Padre Island

When people heard I was heading to south Texas, they told me: “you have to go to South Padre Island.” I’m not one to ignore good advice (especially when there’s beaches and sea turtles!). After a relaxing week with the retirees in Brownsville, I departed for the coast!

Though I knew I’d go to the beach, I wasn’t sure what else there was to do in this small, coastal town. Unfortunately, most indoor activities were out (thanks COVID), but an island’s outdoors are the real draw! So I called upon the amazing TripAdvisor! Whenever I visit a new place, it’s my go to for the best places to visit, often suggesting ones I’d never have found otherwise. I can’t say enough good things about the website! As usual it didn’t steer me wrong (unlike my evil GPS).

The main (only) road was much like other touristy, seaside towns I had visited before; with the multicolored, pastel shops, signs advertising shirts for ridiculously cheap, and fun, flamboyant decorations. It was cute and welcoming.

I am a morning person, a trait that is helpful with traveling. In general, I believe that it’s best to arrive at your primary destination first thing in the morning. This is even more true when you’re driving a 30-foot box! Parking is always easier when you’re the first person! I had the beach access lot almost to myself when I arrived.

The sands on South Padre Island are similar to Daytona, Florida with a firm, level beach so it was an easy walk as I headed to my first stop: Sea Turtle, Inc.

While anything Sea Turtle has my interest, I was specifically told to go to this rescue and educational center by a friend from back home (thanks Lacy!). Due to the temperatures (only mid-50s), the “patients” were covered and not available to view when I arrived, but the permanent residents and educational building were open. My favorite turtle was Allison. She couldn’t be released back into the wild because she’d lost both back fins and one front flipper. With only a single limb left she would have ended up turning in circles. However, they devised this amazing prosthetic to allow her full mobility within her tank. It was pretty awesome to see her maneuver so effortlessly!

Eventually the air temp increased enough for the turtles in the rehabilitation center to be uncovered. I was especially excited because there were 20 Kemp’s ridley turtles recovering from being cold stunned (which is a condition that is exactly what it sound like, as turtles regulate their body temperatures from their environment. Cold water = frozen turtle!).

Over 100 of these sea turtles were saved from the cold waters of Cape Code in November and shipped to hospitals all over the country. Sea Turtle, Inc received 20 to help rehabilitate and eventually release back into their native waters. As January is the wrong time of year to see them in the wild so I didn't see them when I was on Pedro Island, I was excited that they were there (not that they were sick, but you get it!). In addition to these turtles, there were also some Green Sea Turtles recovering from other injuries. There is something magical about sea turtles!

The turtles were definitely the highlight of the day, but not my only discovery. Just down the road was the convention center where one building was completely painted by Wyland, an artist known for his images depicting aquatic life. This one is known as The Whaling Wall.

Close by I found a sea turtle statue and giant beach chairs (who doesn’t love a picture in a giant chair!!!!).

There was also a short nature trail (or boardwalk, I guess?) with exceptional birdwatching - an activity that requires way more patience than I have.

Because I wasn’t going into the town proper (I did miss America’s largest sand castle), I decided a little beach time was in order. I even put on my bathing suit!

Chair, towel, water, and crosswords at the ready, I settled in for a nice afternoon at the beach!

Less then 20 minutes later I returned to my RV, put on pants and a jacket and tried again.

30 minutes later I gave up. The sun was out, but so was the wind.

Instead I ended up joining the dozens of people walking along the beach.

Eventually all beach days must end and though I’m excited to head northwest, knowing this was my final day near the coast made seeing the water fade into the distance behind me bittersweet. But with a weekend at Big Bend National Park ahead of me, more adventures await!