Celebrating Wayne's Birthday at South Padre Island

Wayne had his 56th birthday yesterday.  We decided to spend the day at the beach.  It is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Mission to the Gulf of Mexico.  The weather was wonderful - 78 F or 26 C.  So we set out after breakfast not exactly sure what to expect.

 This is the bridge to the island.  Yes there were lots of pelicans.  However, I couldn't get a photo.  By the time my camera focused the pelicans had flown out of the frame.  They are huge birds.  Of course everyone knows that a pelican's beak can hold more than his belly can. lol

Birthday boy perusing the ocean.  Which way to go?

Scoping out some beachfront real estate. 

Never had a birthday at the beach before.

Life is Good

We walked over 2 miles up and down the beach and didn't cover it all.  Nice hard packed flat sand for the most part.  The tide turned and was coming back in by the time we finished our hike.

 Lots of waves.  The red flag was up so we couldn't go swimming.  I understand that there is quite an undertow at times.  We saw a couple of kids boogy boarding or playing in the surf and a man fishing  in water up to his hips.  I don't think that any of the people at the beach were Texans.  All out of state tourists.

Lots of shore birds and sea gulls.

After we had a delicious lunch of the hugest shrimp I have ever eaten, we visited a turtle rehabilitation sanctuary on the inland  side of the island.  Water was much calmer and the shore marshy with a boardwalk and birding refuge.

We didn't check out the birds or boardwalk this trip.  Next time.

 Many of the turtles are missing all or parts of their flippers.  They get caught up in fishing lines and other garbage.  The sanctuary nurses them back to health and then releases the turtles back into the ocean.

Each card represents a turtle saved and released back to the wild.

Loggerhead turtle skull - very large

Checking out some turtle facts

 Another place to visit next time - Bobz World.  Looks like a huge tourist trap on the way to the beach.  Can't wait to check it out.  What do you think Kathy?  Shall we go to the beach during your visit?

Other news on the Texan Front:

This huge tumbleweed blew onto our patio last week.  Texas size.

A question in closing:  Which grocery item would not be advertised in a President's Choice flyer?


Merry Christmas to All!  Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday.  Love Kim and Wayne

PS  We'll think of you while we lounge around the pool.