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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.

Easter Sunday on South Padre Island

The ‘Padre” of South Padre Island – Padre Jose Nicolas Balli

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Tags: harlingen, lobo del mar, padre island brewery, south padre island
Categories : Spring Road Trip 2018

Leaving South Padre

10 04 2014

Isla Blanca Park

It’s been two weeks since we crossed the Queen Isabella Causeway to arrive on South Padre Island. We’ve explored new eateries, sailed on the Brownsville ship channel and enjoyed watching life along the beach.

One of our favorite new discoveries on South Padre is the Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill. Located on the lagoon side of the Island, this laid back pub offers award winning shrimp dishes, awesome nachos, tasty salads and great burgers and baskets. On weekends, the Pier offers live music and dancing. Table seating is literally on piers over the water with the kitchen and bar area in the back of the open air building. This is a perfect spot to enjoy a cool refreshment and snack in the afternoon or a beautiful sunset, dinner and dancing into the wee hours.

Padre Island Brewing Company

Another one of our favorites that we found last year is Padre Island Brewing Company. Perfect for a late lunch, the Brewery offers great sandwiches and burgers and of course their award winning brews. They also offer pizza, seafood, steaks and chicken favorites. Beers available during our visit included Speckled Trout Stout, Padre Island Pale Ale, Blonde Ale and Tidal Wave Wheat.

Another new discovery this year is Isabel’s Café. Back across the causeway bridge in Port Isabel, Isabel’s is well known for great value, low cost breakfasts. Offering classic American dishes complemented by spicy Mexican plates, this casual, small diner caters to both locals and tourists and celebrated their 40^th anniversary this year. Many reviews note that the Mexican plates include what may be the best tortillas ever – and we would agree – very tasty!

Super Carrier USS Forrestal

With our sites at the edge of Isla Blanca park, we had great views of marine traffic in and out of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway and the Brownsville ship channel. Most of the ships and boats are tourist trade – deep sea fishing, dolphin watches, parasailing and the twice daily voyage of the Black Dragon pirate galleon from Port Isabel. But, every so often a really huge barge or freighter will make its way through the channel to or from the port of Brownsville about 20 miles inland. Last February the 60 year old super carrier USS Forrestal took its final trip to Brownsville for dismantling and scrapping.

Today we sailed with Breakaway Cruises on a Port of Brownsville tour. In addition to the massive ship recycling operations, Brownsville is home to many shrimp boat companies, provides building and repair facilities to offshore drilling platforms and international import/export facilities to Mexico. Tomorrow we’ll pack up and make the short trip back to Tropic Winds in Harlingen. We have a “home washing” scheduled for Saturday, will complete some minor maintenance items, resupply the pantry and plan to be back on the road north by Tuesday or Wednesday. More from somewhere in south-eastern Texas as we begin our journey home.