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.
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.
My Side of the Adventure 