Padre Island and Corpus Christi, Texas

Today, we decided to take a look around Corpus Christi and Padre Island, Texas.

Picnic and Paddle at the same time ?

If you are traveling South on Hwy 361 from Aransas to Padres Island you have to take the ferry to cross Aransas Bay.  The Ferry ride is free and only takes about 5 minutes.  We even saw Class A's and a 38 foot Fifth Wheel on the ferry. 

Ferry ride

 The wind was blowing and a little cool ( 72 degrees ) on the beach so we decided to hold off on the swimming thing.

This dude not going in...72 nope..82 yep

She did try..up to her knees...lol

Padre Island is one of a chain of islands that stretches along the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts of the United States from Maine to Texas.  These islands are called barrier islands because they protect the mainland from direct on-slaught of storm tides.

 Texas State Park on the beach...free fishing too !

Padre Island National Seashore is located along the south Texas coast and protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier islands in the world.  The national seashore embraces 70 miles of sand-and-shell beaches and seemingly endless grasslands.

Sea Turtles should be arriving any day now !  I am waiting !  You have a week !

They look like a secret superhero bird!

Visit to Alamo, River Walk, Natural Bridge Cavern and Seaworld !

We really enjoyed spending time with June and Dale in San Antonio, Texas.  It is funny how you meet people on the road and think you might not ever see them again, but you do ! This is one of the many perks living on the road.   Safe travels guys.  Andy is having a hard time with the humidity...she will get used to it..lol

Dale, Andy and June

June takes this everywhere she goes...southern girl 

If, and when, you visit San Antonio, Texas you just have to visit the "River Walk".  Enjoy a narrated river tour and have lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants.  This is "one of a kind" place to visit.  You could eat lunch and dinner for a month and never eat at the same place twice.  We had lunch twice on the river and both places were great.  Ernie and Larry would just love this place. 

River Walk

Many bridges along the way

 

Me

I think this is Andy's incognito boy friend !   ummm

My Honey Andy

The Alamo well that is different story !  It is nice to see but there isn't much there.  You are not allowed to take photos.  Even if you read every display it still will only take only 15 - 20 minutes.  Most of the original Alamo doesn't really exist anymore.  It is located downtown San Antonio and close proximity to the "River Walk"

Alamo...that's about it

Otto Bombach is Andy's dad name...I think he has another life he didn't tell anyone.  Don't worry Otto... I won't tell Barbara ! Our little secret !

That is because Otto is so dang old...90 !

Andy and Otto Bombach House

We took a few hours and also visited the Natural Bridge Cavern. It is a live cavern and is the best Cavern I have ever been to.

Entrance and the reason it is called Natural Bridge Cavern

Gorgeous formations and even though you can't touch, we were up close and personal!

Yesterday the sun was shining, well the sun is always shining, lol, so we decided to visit Seaworld.  We really enjoyed the different shows.

Andy wanted to give Shamu a big kiss

The Sea Lions "talked" just like Roxy..waa waa waa

We are now in Corpus Christi, Texas staying at Shields Navel Air Station.  We should be here for a week or so.  Little Sheila said she will come for a small visit.  We are very excited to see her.

Gulf of Mexico and me

Her first time on the Gulf of Mexico

These things are everywhere...must see about 10 right now.  Those ears remind of someone I know and his name starts with Adam..ha ha.gotcha

Our Travels to San Antonio

We made it !  It only took us 4 days to go from El Paso, Texas ( Fort Bliss) to San Antonio, Texas.  Never in a hurry !

We stayed at the RV park at Fort Bliss for a few days to stock up on Commissary goods. The RV park wasn't  really on the Fort.  I found this a little strange, however, as it was the nicest military RV park we have stayed at.  The Exchange (PX) is by far the best I have ever seen.  It was more like an outside mall.

In the State of Texas

Some General house there on Fort Bliss

Casey, does this look familiar...1/1 Cav

Andy playing in the Water fountain right outside of the Post Exchange

We decided to take it easy and smell the roses along the way so we stopped for 2 days at Balmorhea Texas State Park and 2 days at South Llano River Texas State Park.  What wonderful places to just hang out and relax.

If you are a veteran, Texas waives the day use fee, which saved us 45 bucks.  Also, if you stay in a Texas State Park you can fish off the bank for Free !  We like free.  Thanks Greg !

Balmorhea State Park is located in the desert flatlands of West Texas near the Davis Mountains. The park is about 9 miles of off Interstate Highway 10.

This is the road towards the Camp grounds.

For the record...Andy took this picture !  You tell me !!

Dive into the cool waters of the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool, which covers 1.75 acres and stays at 72-76 degrees year round.  This really isn't a normal swimming pool.  It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and has a natural river bottom.

Yes, this is in a Texas State Park

What a great place to stay for a few days

View from the far end of the pool

Canal feeding the pool

She just had to go in when we first arrived.

She was scared of these little creatures...lol, I know she was expecting the "Jaws" music to start up at any time

!

Scuba divers love the clarity even at a 25-foot depth.

South Llano River State Park is located on the western edge of the Edwards Plateau just south of Junction City, Texas. The Park is about 6 miles south from Interstate Highway 10. 

We decided to take the 2 hour float down the river.  We rented the tubes from the State Park Headquarters for just 5 dollars each per day.  The water was pretty clear and only about 4 feet deep.  There were turtles everywhere which Andy sure seemed to enjoy.  I kept trying to sneak up on them using the ole scout techniques.  I didn't get very close ...guess Casey Jones didn't teach me well enough.  We saw lots of deer in the campground as well.
 

We drifted down with tubes we rented

Our camping spot ...yes you are right !  Andy had to have her fire in 90 degree day..lol. She was determined to cook over the fire. The food was great thank you very much Barbara & Otto for teaching her that skill!

They were everywhere..saw like 50 or so

A nice big fat one...yummy !  BBQ time yet !

Are they...ummm !  Not telling !

As we were pulling out of the park we stopped to dump the tanks.  A couple pulled in behind us and we chatted with them for a bit. We were just shooting the crap.  They were from Bavaria, full timed for about 5 years and now live in Corpus Christi.  Watch out Barbara & Dieter, we will be looking you up when we get there.

We arrived safe and sound at Lackland AFB.  We had been without Wifi and cell service for 4 days...Dang that was hard !

Dale and June are here...how sweet is that!  If you don't know who Dale and June are... you will have to read past blog posts.