The Gulf Coast - Sat., Aug. 3

My turn to drive, so at 7:00 a.m. I was at the meet-up area for a San Antonio Hill Country Hikers day trip to Mustang Island State Park on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Two people rode with me: Mara and Glenn. Both were gracious and contributed to the gas fund.

We had lively conversation in the car for our 2-1/2 hour drive. Topics ranged from Comic-Con to Peace Corps to full time RVing to where everyone grew up to movies and much more. Bob did not attend today as his plantar fasciitis is still bothering him (it hurt to walk), and he had work to do.

Once we got to the beach different parts of our group set up at shaded picnic tables far from each other. Then Gary arrived with his ocean kayaks and drove waaaay down the beach near the jetty.

Mara

A visitor in Mexican ground squirrel clothing.

Mexican ground squirrel.

Laughing gulls.

Dave and Jessie pointing to where Gary put his truck.

Our table with a view.

Lilibeth

In an effort to get the group together, Theresa (our leader) came to let us know where Gary was and we were invited to join everyone down there. "Down there" (by the jetty) was approximately 1/2 mile away. We had two coolers, chairs, an umbrella tent and bags of towels, food, and clothes to transport. None of the six of us wanted to haul our stuff 1/2 mile, slogging through sand in the midday heat. We stayed where we were.

Mara and I walked to the water and waded out to our knees. It's the first time I've put my feet in the Gulf in Texas. The water was nice and warm, so different from the frigid Oregon coastal waters. Maybe next time I'll go swimming.

Our group certainly brought enough food! Mara packed chicken salad sandwiches, home-made chocolate chip cookies, jalapeno chips, Baby Bel cheese, apple slices and crackers. I brought mustard potato salad, Sun Chips, Chex Mix, fresh strawberries, paper plates and plastic forks, Jacob brought Bud Light, and Lilibeth brought onion-chive potato chips to share. We would not starve.

Later on some of us walked down to visit the rest of the group while Glenn guarded our stuff.

Amanda and Jake hauling out kayaks.

Theresa and Amanda.

Gary emptying water out of kayak.

Hilary.

Theresa and Gary heading out into the surf.

Looking toward our spot from where the rest of the group landed.

Now you can see why we didn't want to haul all our stuff. It was a long way!

Gary's kayaks were a hit. Jessie, Amanda, Jacob, Jake, Theresa and Gary took turns kayaking beyond the surf and coming back in on the waves. More people may have kayaked as well; I only knew about those mentioned. The kayakers said ocean kayaking really kicked their butts, plum wore 'em out.

While we were visiting Gary, Theresa, Amanda, Hilary, Jacob, Jessie and Gary, we saw a small import car stuck in the sand up to its frame. A park ranger hooked up tow straps and pulled it free. Two minutes later, after the ranger left, they were stuck again. The ranger saw them and towed them out again. According to Gary, even he got stuck in the sand in his truck on the way out. I'm glad we didn't try to drive across the sand!

Susan, Mara, Glenn

At 3 p.m., we decided it was time to leave. The six of us at our picnic table decided to eat supper at Snoopy's Pier just before crossing the bridge off Padre Island. Snoopy's Pier has an interesting history. You can read about Snoopy's Pier and the Redfish Wars here.

Mara and Glenn at the entrance to Snoopy's.

 They insisted on taking my photo too, hat hair and all. I look like I'm doing a scout pledge.

Yours truly.

For dinner, I opted for the shrimp plate with six deep-fried shrimp, fries, hush puppies (they call 'em "pups"), coleslaw and a drink. Jacob ate my hush puppies because I'm not a big fan of them. The shrimp were so yummy!

In addition to Snoopy's Pier, the same owners run Scoopy's Veranda next door for ice cream desserts. We were too full to partake of ice cream.

We headed back to San Antonio; a very relaxing day at the beach accomplished. Thank you to Theresa for organizing the event and keeping track of us, and to Gary for bringing sea kayaks, folding chairs and a tent or two for us to use. What a fun, thoughtful group to belong to.

Have a good week.

Travel Bug out.