We are happy to be leaving this resort and it’s well drilling noises. Fingers crossed we love Reunion Lake RV Resort. We pull out at 745a – 61,951 km. It’s a 5h51m drive. We try to stop every 2 hours for a break so that with the
traffic we encounter, like this bridge one lane only, will likely make it a 7ish hour trip.Back in Louisiana
Weather still dreary but it is a nice park, complete with swim up bar but that’s not open till summer. Love the hot, hot tub!
Side bar… Used car sales + technology = Carvana The company is known for its car sized vending machines, and in 2018 it was reported to be the fastest growing used car dealer in the United States. I’m fascinated with their vending machines.
It’s leave South Padre Island and head to Lake Conroe / Houston North KOA which is in Montgomery, TX. Just a little confusing. We plan to overnight in Walmart, Victoria, TX as we did on the way down but we leave earlier than expected after saying our farewells. Leaving SPICauseway
We see the marine yard we saw from the water yesterday from the road today.We drive by Victoria about 1230 I suggest we keep going to maybe El Campo. Allan asks how safe that town is. We decide to keep going to the RV resort.
We pass through an inspection station where they search for illegal aliens and also use drug sniffer dogs.
Next fun? Tolls!! Sam Houston Tollway. We don’t know who that is but Allan says he must be rich! We cross 3 tolls in about an hour each $3.75
We arrive at the KOA at 520p. The office closes at 5 so we do after hours check in. Across from our is a structure that has a relentless diesel hum sound with an occasional thump when they pound a pipe into the ground. As seen from Bailey’s spot
Surely this must stop at night. We prepare and have dinner. We check out the hot tub – the gates are locked! We settle on having a fire. What do you see in the flame?
The noise goes on ALL night. Our 7 night stay got shortened to 2.
Today is Shrimp Boil Cruise day. We were hoping for a sun filled day, will have to settle for dreary with no rain. Check in at 930, cruise leaves at 10We spot a boat for sale, so glad I’m not a boat fan.
Heading out.
Pelicans are plentiful here.There in the distance our Captain points out is SpaceX
Sights along the way
Shrimp boats! These boats look like they’ve seen better days but are still functional. Each is manned by 3 people; a captain, a rig man and header, responsible for removing shrimp heads. Of the roughly 1,000 shrimp boats trawling in the Gulf of Mexico, around 550 are Texas-based, including 180 vessels that dock in Brownsville and Port Isabel. The shrimp we are to consume today come from here.
Happy Allan! You’d think the rust would sink the boat!
Smells delicious, lunch is served! I’m happy to be eating shrimp. No seafood Allan, is happy with the sausage & potato mixture.
The sweetie who kept us in beer and wine!
Ship building thingy. Maybe Allan will add some intelligence to this photo:)Pasha Hawaii Containers to Hawaii.
More sights
All good things must come to an end, on our way back
Back home and visiting with Scq.
Joe bought an electric bike with wide tires. It’s now the maiden voyage.
Take 2! Success!!
Allan gives it a whirl! Off to Valentine’s dinner at The Meatball Cafe. Happy Valentine’s to all!
It’s a dreary day but we’re walking the beach line anyways.
Birds…
We pass many fishermen doing a “look Mom no hands”method of fishing. Google says they are Shore/Surf fishing. rAfter about 2 h walk we cut through to the road in search of food/drink. We’ve now walked the width of the island.
End up at Louie’s Backyard. Fun bar with good entertainment.
View from our seats The little rascal got the fry!Oh look!! What/who that in the centre of the ferris wheel? It’s a him!!
I know it doesn’t look good but Cactus Salad for dinner was so yummy. Suspect we won’t have that again for a bit.
First: Step on a sand burr, those little things really hurt!
Next a wee walk on the beach We spot what turns out to be kiteboarding, too scary for me but fun to watch! Interested? Private lessons a mere $275 for 2 hours
Today’s main adventure Dirty Al’s for dinner. Many at Tropic Star said this was a must do. This is their seafood counter. I have the blackened shrimpAllan, who will not allow seafood to cross his lips settles on the blackened chicken 🙂
First, breakfast including a grapefruit.Much to my surprise the deformed grapefruit, pictured next to a regular size one, was delicious once again proving you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Another of Allan’s mouthwatering breakfast creations! We discover we are sharing our space with ants 🙁
South Padre Island is about 30 miles long, running north and south and only 1/2 mile across at it’s widest point. It’s difficult for even me to get lost, my kind of town. This is interesting.
We learn the town offers a free, yes free, bus shuttle service, Metro Island, up and down Padre Blvd. There are bus shelters but it is more of a Wave service; wave the bus down and it will pick you up anywhere along the boulevard.
Also learn, this was the place to be for Spring Break. This year’s lineup, I don’t know any of them. So glad we are not here for that.
We walk to the beach, it’s a dreary day but any day with no snow is good.
Like any tourist town this one is full of gift shops, very large gift shops. After you’ve been in two or three you know what to expect. The cool thing is you can rent a golf cart, and an assortment of funky vehicles. They are permitted to be driven on the streets. We thought we may rent a jeep as you can take it to the undeveloped portions of the island and on the beach. We rethink when we find out they want about $400 for 4 hours. At home we can rent one for $40 a day.
We wanted to grab a drink and a rest, so much walking, we stopped into a restaurant but it was fast food ie no beer/wine. The helpful lady directed us to Laguna Bob’s, keep walking about 1 or so miles turn left at the Dairy Queen and voila! It is her favourite bar in town but she wasn’t sure it was open on Sunday. We walk and walk, no DQ but across the street Jake’s Restaurant & Bar, it’s open and has a patio.
While sitting on the patio, Allan googles where Laguna Bob’s is would have only been another 5 minute walk. We finish our drinks (margarita wasn’t so good and no amber beer) and head out.
Laguna Bob’s is a colourful place right by the water meaning the seagull are anxious to assist with your meal.#margarita being made Tecate being poured
Some of the patrons. Who looks happiest to be here??
Me!!Walk by a pizza joint, cute name
There are many sand sculptures, such talent.
Of course the water tower
Come home rest a bit. I love the tropical trees reflected in Bailey’s hub caps A little walk to the beach. Yes that is Allan double fisting (OK not really, he’s holding mine so I can take the photo)
No swimming today, it has been red since we arrived.
Think you are required to pick up what shoots out. Some one is watching!
The Birds, the scariest movie of my childhood still makes me clench my neck when in a swarm of birds like theseThis guy looks friendly enough cause he’s flying away from me.
After all today’s walking, sight seeing and stuff a well deserved cheers!
We are leaving Pharr today and heading to South Padre Island for seven days. First pick some grapefruits. The humongous, deformed one will likely not be good but don’t have the heart to leave it behind.
The day starts off with lots of clear skies and sunshine.
We pack up, say our goodbyes to the wonderful folks we met. Circle check done close the door AND the stairs do not retract. Allan does the fuse check, all good. A google search advises checking the sensor – Allan does, stairs now retract. Off we go at noon, 61,169 k
Not long into our drive we are held up by road construction.
On our way again, we are taking the scenic route which is well, scenic. To add to the excitement, we take a wrong turn but quickly u-turn and are back on track.
We spot portions of the wall that separates USA from Mexico.
More wind turbines. Doesn’t Allan look like he’s fully concentrating?In the distance, South Padre Island.
We were told about the “Queen Isabella Causeway” to the island; it is more spectacular and much longer at 2-1/2 miles, than we thought.
We see an entrance gate with RVs on the other side. That must be it! It is BUT first you must check in at the white building 3 crosswalks back. “Can we park on the side and walk back?” “No, make a U-turn”. U-turn made, drive back and enter the building to register. We say we drove by the first time and had to circle back. Their response “Lots of people miss it”. You’d think they’d put up better signage then!
First site they gave us was so narrow we couldn’t open our large slide. We tried, Allan giggled and wiggled Bailey to make it work but just couldn’t. We walk back to the office to see about getting a different site, but they are so booked we doubted we could.
They find us one option! Lucky us, it was right by the washrooms we don’t use. Get set up, plug into power, no power! Allan calls the repair dude who arrived quickly and had us working. Tomorrow will be more fun!
We awake to a warm morning, 66F Sweatshirt not required to walk to stretch class but I wear mine anyways. Allan doesn’t. It’s getting windier and windier. Stretch class done, now at aerobics. Instructor says how the weather is changing. Class done, now it’s 55F, Allan has extra pep in this step walking home.
Temp stays at about 55 all day, zero sun. Sharon & Ron, our neighbours are coming to Costco with us today a good inside thing to do. The ride is appreciated because we have to get Traeger pellets
Finally! Sharon knows about the birds on the wire, they are Grackles! It’s amazing how many sit on a wire and they return nightly.
The Grackle gathering reminds me of the scariest movie of my childhood, The Birds
We have some unexplained, very itchy bites. Sharon to the rescue again, they are Chiggers Some thing are better to not know!
Off to hot tub. Hoping for a milder day tomorrow as it’s block party night. Night all!
Back in Louisiana
