Monday, February 6th - South Padre Island

 We had a great day today. Weather was great, although a little windy during the day and very windy (20 mph winds with gusts up to 30 mph) in the evening. Temperatures couldn't have been better. An overnight low of 60 and a mostly sunny high of 80 during the day. I sat outside for an hour or so in the late afternoon. The 80 degree temperature was very comfortable because of the wind. 

Heading over the bridge and causeway to South Padre Island.

At the Visitor's Center.

Heading toward north on the island. Lots of sand on the road.

After about 11 miles the road just ends.

Headed to the beach.

Wading in the Gulf.

Kathy thought the water was a little cold.

It was a beautiful day at the beach.

Looking north.

Looking south. There were a few people out, but none of them were in the water.

Looking for shells.

It was interesting watching this guy turn his 5th wheel unit around on the 2 lane road with sand on both sides.

We didn't see any restaurants on the island that struck our fancy. We drove back across the bridge/causeway, to Port Isabel and had lunch at Pirates Landing.

Lunch was good.

We were parked next to the historic Port Isabel lighthouse. I walked over and read some of the history, but we didn't climb to the top.

On the way over we stuck to the Interstates.

But on the way back we drove US281, which runs along the border.

We saw the border wall in many places. It runs across these peoples back yard.

Enlarged photo

It appears that the "wall" is not that close to the border. It appears that it is often at least a mile from the border. It seems to start and stop at random locations. There are open gates through it at regular intervals. There is a lot of tilled land in the area. I wonder if the feds couldn't get easements from some of the landowners.

You do see some strange "lawn ornaments", like an airplane fuselage..

God is good. I pray that He blesses you and yours.