Padre Island National Seashore

[Capt Eddie]

We had just finished a large remodeling job and were wore out. Nothing is more relaxing then a day at the beach fishing and swimming. But I have a new to me Jeep TJ that I just had Spartan lockers put in front and rear. What a better test that 60 miles of beach? It just so happen that we were supposed to get the kids backon Wednesday after work. Great how our plan was coming together. We got the F450 Flatbed camper stocked during the day with plans on leaving about 5p.m.. Drive to Katy Texas and spend the night at my brother. It ended up being 9p.m. before we could pick up the kids. We decided the get a good nights sleep and leave in the morning. We would be driving the F450 and towing the Jeep with the canoe on top of the Jeep. Use the Lance 1040 with the tent option as base camp while on the beach. Then use the Jeep for day trips around the island. Thanks to all that reply to my planning thread, I knew that I would need extra fuel and water. It also worked out that I was able to finish a tow extention that allows me to tow the Jeep with the back rack on the truck. The back rack allowed us the room for two coolers with frozen water jug for drinking and 17 gallons of gas for the Jeep and generator as well a extra propane for the camper and BBQ grill. And 7 gallons of water to replenish the camper main tank if need be. Burn ban is in effect. 4 A.M. will come early. But the excitement would not let me sleep. Preparations or ready. More tomorrow.

 

[tzorunner]

Padre Island National Seashore is always a great place to visit. I grew up in Corpus Christi, so naturally I spent many many days on that beach fishing and surfing. My parents had an Isuzu Trooper II and an old Chevy Silverado 4x4 that took us on many camping trips along that beach. The Army keeps my family and I moving around, but when we visit back home I always take my children (and the two dogs) to this beach.

 

[7wt]

Love the pics. Padre sure is a special place.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

How are the winds on the beach right now!

 

[Capt Eddie]

The winds are not bad. Waves were 2 to 5 feet high. The wind was perfect for sleeping three nights. One night the wind calmed and the kids were sweltering in the tent. We were fine in bed next to the window. The locals say that the beach is perfect right now. No bugs, no seaweed, the water is clear. We could see an easy 10 ten while snorkeling. I will be going back the Mansfeild pass to do some snorkeling and spearfishing. All you have to do is stay on the correct side of the jetty.

 

[Capt Eddie]

Luckly to trip down was without incidents. We did stop outside of Houston at a BBQ joint off of 59. If you are traveling thru Texas on 59 , there are several good BBq places. Try them all.When we got toPadre Island National Seashore,PINS. you must stop at the kiosk and sign a permit. It is located just past the roll off trash can. The first thing we see as wqe top the dunes is a 1970 van with two members of a long lost ZZ top band. Next to them was a blue motor home. We must be at the right place. We decided not the disconnect the Jeep as long as we were on hard sand. Being a week day the place we not crowded. We were informed by the camp host that if we went to the 5 mile we would be alone from the day trippers. %5 mile here we come. We went to the sigh that said 4 x 4 needed. That was enough for use. We had noticed as we drove in the the wind will clear spots on the beach of the powder sand. So we found a wind swept area and parked. Slight breeze coming off the Gulf was nice to keep the heat down. we would have this breeze the whole trip. we set up the camper and disconnected the Jeep. The nearest neighbor was a fisherman 500 yards away. It was a mile since the last camper. We parked with the door facing away from the gulf, less wind if we wanted to set out the awning. The kids wanted to go for a walk-run to get rid of some energy. While they were gone I walked down to a neighbor fisherman to see how they were biting. He went into detail how to count the sandbars and fish past the third bar. Use anything for bait. When the kids got back they were ready to fish. I put a slugo on one pole and a white flip tail jig on the other. After a couple of cast, they both had fish on. Whiting I was told. They did look more like bait then dinner. There were some trucks driving by but nothing we could not live with for 4 days. After the fishing desire went away the kids and I were ready for some swimming. Depending on where you stand a a sandbar you could get hit by waves 1 foot to 6 foot high. The big wave were at the second sandbar. With a burn ban, we cooked out side a an enclose gas grill. Hamburgers and hotdogs. The kids swam until dark while wife and I sat back in recliners and watched the sun set. that night the sleeping was great with a stiff breeze off the Gulf. Tomorrow morning we will start our big offroad trip the Mansfield Pas. 55 miles of sand driving. Lets see how these new Spartan lockers work.

 

[tzorunner]

I'm glad that yall (yes, I'm Texan so I say "yall") got to go fishing. IMHO the southern coast of Texas has some of the greatest fishing in the country. Redfish, drum, flounder, shark, etc. If anyone is in the area and wants to do some great guided fishing, there is a guy in Rockport, Rick, who is fantastic (He also happens to be my father-in-law) http://www.aaaadventures.net/ .

The remoteness is one of the greatest things about PINS. Being able to camp on the beach and completely alone is awesome. Good luck with your trek to Mansfield Pass. The sand can get really deep and washouts that go right up to the dunes are common. 4Hi and liberal amounts of momentum will get you through most of it. Definitely a fun drive.