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More from South Padre Island

3 04 2018

Nightly Sunset Bagpipes at Lobo del Mar

After watching the beach crowds grow over Easter weekend, today the beach and the RV park looks nearly abandon. A cold front has slid down across far south Texas, bringing overnight temperatures into the 50’s and a refreshing north breeze and lack of humidity. But, these northerners never last long, we’re headed back to the mid-80’s by mid week.

After the crowds left, we’ve enjoyed breakfast/brunch at the favorite Café on the Beach in the Palms Resort and a new discovery, Manuel’s in Port Isabelle. We’ve returned to the Painted Marlin for dinner – where the food is great and the service is hit or miss. We’ve also tried the new Meatball Restaurant for birthday dinner – the pasta was awesome, the lasagna only so-so. But, overall, a nice restaurant with good service, we’d try it again. On Friday we’re back for the music of Chuck and Earl at Lobo del Mar. On Sunday our pizza came from Russo New York Pizzeria, a new restaurant in South Padre. Good pizza, and a nice restaurant that would be a great dinner choice.

Sunset at the Painted Marlin, South Padre Island

Winds are always a factor in this area – but this year with gusts topping out near 50MPH, it seems more crazy than “normal”. And, with nearly constant construction work around us – the dirt piles thick on everything outdoors. We’ve scheduled Sierra Mobile RV Wash for Saturday while the construction project pauses for the weekend and we can hopefully depart with clean vehicles. As usual, the guys at Sierra do an excellent job – starting with a complete roof cleaning, RV wash and hand wax and finishing with a wash and wax of the trucks. Everything looks great – one again, great job guys, thanks! And, their parts department even special orders parts for us during our stay – thanks!

Hand Washed and Waxed by Sierra Mobile RV Wash

Next stop, back to Harlingen for a few days and we’ll start the northbound trip. More from there…

Good Morning from South Padre Island!

2 04 2018

After spending 2 nights in Harlingen, we arrived to Isla Blanca RV Park on Sunday. With winds continuing to be forecast in the 20-25 MPH range, a fairly early start from Harlingen insures we’ve crossed the Queen Isabelle causeway to the island before noon. Major beach and RV park refurbishment plans announced last year make it a bit uncertain what we’ll find. But, other than some road closures, sites are abundant and we’re parked at C406 and C405, prime sites that back-up to the south fence with great views overlooking the Brownsville Ship Channel.

Isla Blanca RV Park, C405 & C406

On this far south end, the former rec hall, life guard building and old beachfront bar have been demolished and are being replaced with a 4000 person amphitheater. This location will provide prime viewing opportunities across the channel to Boca Chica where the new SpaceX facility is being built.

SpaceX Launch Facility coming to South Texas

Following a Sunday tradition, our first outing is to pick up a pizza at D’Pizza Joint. Formerly available for delivery, apparently Isla Blanca Park no longer allows food deliveries through the gate. During the week we enjoy lunch at the Padre Island Brewing and our first Friday night dinner at our favorite waterside grill, the Palm Street Pier. Under new ownership, the former Pier is now called Lobo del Mar Cafe – but other than a few deleted menu items, not much has changed yet.

Friday Night sunset at Lobo del Mar

Things are still quite busy on the Island. Spring Breakers are still hanging out and the big Easter weekend has been ramping up since Good Friday. This year we’re scheduled to be on South Padre Island for 3 weeks – so more from here as we enjoy living on Island Time.