Hi there,
I had been threatening to go down to Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, for months and finally made it in early December for ten days. I had beautiful weather the entire time, sunny, blue skies, 70°, the water was cool but not too cool for wading and even swimming. I spent hours walking in the surf, going miles down the beach. It was so relaxing, not crowded at all.
I parked my van in the Malaquite campground at an 'improved' campsite, and since I have a senior pass the cost was $4 per night, this entitles one to using the showers and real toilets, and a picnic table, shelter, metal barbecue thingy. The next time I go I'll do primitive camping on the beach which is free, you still have to pay to get into the National Seashore, but since I had a senior pass that too will be free! They let you stay no more than fourteen days consecutively, and with primitive camping and a senior pass the cost will be $0 for fourteen days! Talk about a bargain! If you do primitive camping 4 wheel drive is recommended. But when I was there the washed area of beach sand is so hard that I can't imagine anyone getting stuck, the problem would come when you move up away from the water to avoid the high tide — it is the Gulf of Mexico so the tides are not much.
There is a nice visitor's center that has a museum, info, free guided excursions, and souvenirs; there are a couple of 'high' observation decks; picnic tables; bathrooms, showers, and a small store (in the process of changing proprietorship). It also has a huge parking lot which gives a clue to Padre Island's summer popularity — when I was there there were only ten or so cars in the entire parking lot and Malaquite was about 50% occupied.
Here are some pics, me:
It was beautiful:
My van pictures are often out of focus:
My beach transportation, $30 at Goodwill:
I found this organic UFO there:
I'm not going to be able to get back there until next summer (or autumn) since I have been recruited to drive my son to UofT in El Paso for the entire spring semester — he can't drive. It will probably be next Autumn before I get there again...
I had been threatening to go down to Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, for months and finally made it in early December for ten days. I had beautiful weather the entire time, sunny, blue skies, 70°, the water was cool but not too cool for wading and even swimming. I spent hours walking in the surf, going miles down the beach. It was so relaxing, not crowded at all.
I parked my van in the Malaquite campground at an 'improved' campsite, and since I have a senior pass the cost was $4 per night, this entitles one to using the showers and real toilets, and a picnic table, shelter, metal barbecue thingy. The next time I go I'll do primitive camping on the beach which is free, you still have to pay to get into the National Seashore, but since I had a senior pass that too will be free! They let you stay no more than fourteen days consecutively, and with primitive camping and a senior pass the cost will be $0 for fourteen days! Talk about a bargain! If you do primitive camping 4 wheel drive is recommended. But when I was there the washed area of beach sand is so hard that I can't imagine anyone getting stuck, the problem would come when you move up away from the water to avoid the high tide — it is the Gulf of Mexico so the tides are not much.
There is a nice visitor's center that has a museum, info, free guided excursions, and souvenirs; there are a couple of 'high' observation decks; picnic tables; bathrooms, showers, and a small store (in the process of changing proprietorship). It also has a huge parking lot which gives a clue to Padre Island's summer popularity — when I was there there were only ten or so cars in the entire parking lot and Malaquite was about 50% occupied.
Here are some pics, me:
It was beautiful:
My van pictures are often out of focus:
My beach transportation, $30 at Goodwill:
I found this organic UFO there:
I'm not going to be able to get back there until next summer (or autumn) since I have been recruited to drive my son to UofT in El Paso for the entire spring semester — he can't drive. It will probably be next Autumn before I get there again...
