Tag: beach

Winding up Texas Coast Time

As we moved to our third camping spot on the coast, we made a stop at the Patton Center/Marine Science Institute at the suggestion of one of our number, Diane. It was free and worth a visit. Plenty of parking.

We moved on to a free camping area on Indianola Beach next. Amenities: Pavilions with picnic tables, bathroom, and an outdoor shower (for swimmers). Enjoyed watching the sea/coastal birds including a number of brown pelicans & listening to the waves constantly coming in. Occasional ships and fishing boats could be seen in the distance. We also found a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great seafood. All of our time on the Texas coast was a bit hot and sticky but helped by coastal winds.

TEXAS. APRIL.

A Couple Creatures from the Aquarium at the Patton Center/Marine Science Institute
Unexpected Ferry Ride
Along the Texas Coast

The Texas Coast & Texas Sandfest (Pt 2)

After our first day at the three-day Sandfest, we went back to Padre Island to go to the Visitor Center and walk on the beach. Then we returned to the Sandfest the next day to see the progress of the sculptures and find out who won the various categories of the contest.

After the Sandfest, we moved to the Mustang Island State Park campground. Hookups and bathrooms with showers were a nice change from Bird Island Basin.

TEXAS. APRIL.

Sculptors at Texas Sandfest 2025

The Texas Coast & Texas Sandfest (Pt 1)

Before I started traveling fulltime, I had heard about “Texas Sandfest”, the largest sand sculpture competition in the U.S.

Even though I was all the way up in Utah, when I heard some friends were attending, I made some marathon drives to reach the Texas coast in time for the event. It was everything I thought it would be. The sculptors were just amazing, and it was interesting to see the techniques and tools they used.

At our first campground, my campmates and I were also treated to watching wingfoilers and windsurfers each day. This Bird Island Basin area on Padre Island NS is a mecca for those learning these amazing sports. Below the gallery is a video of these athletes.

Of course, just spending time on the beach was enjoyable and quite a change of pace for me. The setting and sea/bird life and the local seafood was great!

(see captions for more info)
(also, a reminder to click the first image for a slideshow & captions)

TEXAS. APRIL.

Wingfoiling and Windsurfing at Bird Island Basin, Texas

Olympic National Park

Next, we headed out of Oregon and into Washington. One thing that has come out of traveling full-time is that I am being educated geographically regarding the western side of the country. For example, I didn’t know Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, are basically the same metropolitan area, separated by the Columbia River. Although it was interesting to discover this, as usual these days, I am quite happy to leave big cities in the rear-view mirror.

Olympic National Park was probably the biggest surprise for me to this point, as far as national parks are concerned. I found it to be the most diverse of all the ones I’ve visited – from beaches with amazing low-tide creatures to towering snow-capped mountains.

Bodega Head and Stump Beach, CA

I had forgotten to pull images from my phone, so I’ve included a few more here from Bodega Head, but the majority are from a really nice hike in the Stump Beach area. I highly recommend a visit here–especially in April of the year. Although I didn’t include many photos of them (long story), the wildflowers here were amazing.

I decided to try something different for this post and make a video instead of creating a regular gallery. I’m interested in feedback on video vs still photos. Thanks!