Tulsa to South Padre

[Marla]

This will be our first big trip since retiring and acquiring our Casita, we plan on being gone about 4 weeks. I have been reading archive posts on here about the area and have gotten some good info but have some questions and would appreciate any advice from you. We are leaving Nov. 25th and have no definite plans or reservations and lean towards boondocking. We have never camped on the beach before and need to know what kinds of things would make the situation better.....what do we really need?....what kinds of things should we leave at home? We have a large beach umbrella and know that putting the awning out is almost impossible. Any suggestions for keeping it planted firmly in the sand? How about ways to help keep so much sand from getting inside the Casita. The plans are to take hi77 south after Waco, is this a good idea? Anything interesting we should see down that road?...know of any good places to boondock overnight?....or anything we shouldn't waste our time on? I heard about a park in Shiner that is low cost, sounds pretty nice and we thought about touring the brewery. We thought we'd start out in the Port Isabel area, stay a few weeks and then move up towards Matagorda. These are the places so far the posts suggests; Dirty Al's, wanna wanna bar, boomerang billy's, dolphin bay's oyster bar, the feeding of the sea turtles, and climb up the lighthouse. What else??? We are planning on purchasing bikes to ride around, is this a good idea? What kind of bike is best for the area? Hope I get lots of reply's PLEASE !!!!!!!!

[Judy N]

Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun. Be sure to include your fishing poles, as surf casting is great on Padre.

When we had a cabin on a sand beach, we would keep a tub of water right in front of the door, so you had to step in the water before opening the door. Kept the sand to a minimum, and even the little kids learned to do it quickly.

Take empty gallon jugs, fill them with water, and use them to anchor your awning. Several of them spred around and attached with bungie cords (my favorite modern invention ) helps hold things down in a breeze.

Just remember this is to enjoy, not to obsess. You just really need a comfy chair and a Corona and everything will be

[Jan Adams]

EVERY TIME we have been to Padre Island, we have had a Texas Squall at night.

Had to drop a tent to keep the poles from breaking and we aren't talking about lightweight poles.

Had to drop the top on the VW Camper because the water just went right through the canvas just like nothing was there.

Personally, I would put some type of sun shade up but take it down at night because those squalls blow up fast.

OK, take plenty of sun tan lotion, lots of water and bug repellent. Only travel in the "hard" sand unless you like a big tow bill.

Don't forget the pack-a-potty.

Don't forget, whatever you pack in - you pack out.

[Marla]

oh yeah, i forgot about clothes, what do we need? What are the temp flucuations? I would guess mostly shorts and tee's but what about long pants, jackets, sweat shirts? Is it warm enough to swim? I appreciate the reply's, please keep em coming.

[Jan Adams]

You are camping - you always need shorts, long pants and heavy things. Just depends on how long you are going to be in a particular section of the country.

I'm thinking it should be shorts warm in the day and probably cool at night.

[Suz]

Having grown up and lived in and around north Padre a large portion of my life, I can tell you that this sand is some of the finest (texture) you will see and it has a propensity to get into everything. The pan of water is a good idea. Also, be very careful not to drive off of the hardened sand (only drive where others are driving) I've seen people get stuck just a few feet from the main area.

I have camped out there with nothing but huge tarps strung from vehicle to vehicle. One time, there were three families and it rained and blew and we still had a grand time. I would suggest, though, that you might consider purchasing a screened tent. That way you won't have to worry about your awning. You can also put small tarps on two sides of it (the trailer blocks the third side). This time of the year, it is hard to predict the temps, but it is ALWAYS very humid so it can go from quite warm to quite cool. Sweat shirts are a good idea. There will be, most likely, some wind.

Regardless of the weather or anything else, I know you are going to have a wonderful time. Even the most "interesting" trips to the island have left me with wonderful memories. To this day, hot dogs don't taste right unless they have just a tad of crunchy sand in them. We spent many July 4th days on the island cooking hot dogs, etc.

Have fun!

[CD Smith]

I am not a native Texan, but since I moved here these are things I Learned In Texas

Armadillos sleep in the middle of the road with all four feet in the
air.

There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Texas.

There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Texas, plus
a few no one has ever seen before.

Raccoons will test your melon crop, and let you know when they are ripe.

If it grows, it will stick you. If it crawls, it will bite you!*
Nothing will kill a mesquite tree.

There are valid reasons some people put razor wire around their house.

A tractor is NOT an all terrain vehicle. They do get stuck.

The wind blows at 90 mph from Oct 2 till June 25; then it stops
totally until October 2.

Onced and twiced are words.

Coldbeer is one word.

People actually grow and eat okra.

Green grass DOES burn.

When you live in the country you don't have to buy a dog. City
people drop them off at your front gate in the middle of the night.

The sound of coyotes howling at night only sounds good for the
first few weeks.

When a buzzard sits on the fence and stares at you, it's time to
see a doctor.

Fix-in-to is one word.

There ain't no such thing as "lunch." There is only breakfast,
dinner and then there's supper.

"Sweetened ice tea" is appropriate for all meals, and you start
drinking it when you are two.

Backwards and forwards" means I know everything about you.

Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning, "Did you eat?"

You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time
it is. You work until you're done, or it's too dark to see.

You measure distance in minutes or hours.

You can switch from
"heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

Stores don't have bags. They have sacks.

You see cars with the engine running in the Wal-mart parking lot
with no one in them, no matter what time of the year.***

* *
* *

*All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit or a
vegetable.

You install security lights on your house and garage, and leave
both unlocked.

You carry jumper cables for your own car.

You know what "cow tipping" and "snipe hunting" are.

You only have four spices in your kitchen: Salt, Pepper, Ketchup,
and Tabasco.

You think everyone from north of Dallas has an accent.

The local papers cover national and international news on one page,
but require six pages to cover Friday night high school football.

The first day of deer season is a state holiday.

You know which leaves make good toilet paper.

You find 100 degrees a "tad" warm.

The four seasons are: Almost summer, summer, still summer and Christmas.

You know whether another Texan is from East, West, North, or South
Texas as soon as he opens his mouth.

Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past-time known as "goin
Wal-Martin" or "off to Wally-world."

You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good
chili-eatin' weather.

A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola, or pop....It's a Coke
regardless of brand or flavor.

Texans understand these jokes. If you do too, forward them to your
friends from Texas. If you don't just come and stay awhile.