ISLAND ESCAPE: A weekend getaway to South Padre Island—the tropical tip of Texas

I must admit, when I left Houston recently for South Padre Island, I was in no mood for relaxation. Stress, anxiety and the day-to-day problems that life can bring had overwhelmed me.

But as soon as I drove over the Queen Isabella Causeway onto South Padre Island and feasted my eyes upon the blue-green water surrounding me, all remnants of the day disappeared from my memory.

What awaited me on the other side was a beautiful tropical island with miles and miles of unspoiled beaches lying in the sun beside the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.

Only an hour by air and four hours by car from Houston, South Padre Island is a place where sparkling beaches, warm water, friendly hospitality and relaxing activities come together.

The resort area of South Padre Island offers a spectacular array of accommodations suitable for every taste and budget. Whether you prefer the service of a world-class luxury hotel or the convenience of your own private condo, the island has a vast selection from which to choose.

After arriving on the island, I checked into the Casa de Siesta Bed & Breakfast Inn where lush landscaping and a splashing fountain greeted me in the interior courtyard, complete with a swimming pool and tropical flowering plants. After securing my room key from co-owner Lynn Speier, I entered my room (The Saltillo) and knew I was in paradise. The rooms at Casa de Siesta are designed and decorated using “vigas” and carved spiral posts with corbels. The ceilings are tongue and grooved Ponderosa Pine. All rooms boast saltillo floors and hand-painted tile from Mexico and Texas. Large stained-glass windows framed in carved stone bring in outside light just enough to fill the room with a cool radiance. All rooms come equipped with cable televisions, telephones and small refrigerators for your convenience and enjoyment.

The next day, I planned a trip to the 47^th Annual Beachcombers Fine Arts Show, Sea Turtle Inc., the Laguna Madre bay to watch the dolphins swim and to the beach to relax.

My first stop was the upscale continental breakfast at Casa de Siesta to start the day off right. The breakfast consisted of fresh fruit, pastries, juices, yogurts, breakfast tacos, egg casseroles, biscuits and gravy. Then I headed over to the Beachcombers Fine Arts Show where more than 100 artists from all over Texas—including Houston artist Deborah Harris—participated in the show. The Beachcomber started back in 1960 and was originally held on the beach in Isla Blanc Park. In 1992, it moved to the South Padre Island Convention Centre. It remains the largest and longest continuously running annual art show in South Texas.

Next, it was on to Sea Turtle Inc., a place where all species of sea turtles—endangered or threatened—can find a safe haven. Founded in 1977 by Ila Loetscher, better known as "The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island," Sea Turtle Inc. was formed to aid and assist in the protection of Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, and to ultimately restore the ridley population to a level that will ensure its survival. On this day me and about 15 visitors listened to Marty the tour guide teach us about the different species, how to identify them, how they’ve become injured and what we could do to help protect them.

When noon approached, I could feel the sun getting hotter, so I made my way toward Sea Ranch Dolphin Watch Headquarters where I spent two hours touring the water off of South Padre in search of spinner and bottlenose dolphins. I learned more about dolphins—from the legends and history of their relationship with man to social dynamics, feeding habits and environment during an entertaining presentation by an on-board marine biologist. Three trips leave daily from the Sea Ranch Marina. Enjoy sunshine and salt air along with refreshments and an educational presentation on dolphins aboard the 60' cruise boat M/V Diver I.

As soon as the tour ended, I was famished, so I drove a short distance north on Padre Boulevard to the bay side of the island to a restaurant called Amberjack’s Bar and Grill. Amberjack’s features waterfront dining with a postcard view of the bay and bridge and television for sporting events. Try the Shrimp and Crab Enchiladas ($14.95). They are superb!

In South Padre Island, you really do get the best of both worlds. This 34-mile long stretch of white sand is bordered to the east by the Gulf of Mexico and to the west by the Laguna Madre bay.

By 6 p.m., I was ready to take in the natural beauty of the island’s beaches and experience the miles of pristine island terrain that draws thousands of visitors to the area each year, and that caught the attention of the Travel Channel which named the area one of America’s top beaches in 2006.

For four hours, I sat and watched the waves roll in, observed the wildlife that inhabit the area and watched the sun set.

When Sunday came, I did not want to leave this beautiful tropical paradise. While driving to Tom and Jerry’s Bar and Grill for lunch (try the coconut shrimp—they’re huge, plentiful and taste great!), I was thinking of when I could escape here again soon.

With year-round moderate temperatures, South Padre is the ideal vacation spot for everyone. Whether you are a family looking for a week-long getaway, a winter visitor looking for a warm spot during the cold months in the northern states, or a college student looking for the best spot to relax during Spring Break, South Padre Island is your choice.

As the saying goes, “Some say it’s paradise. Some say it’s God’s country. Most just call it “the island.”

PLANNING A TRIP

South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://www.sopadre.com Administrative Offices, 7355 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX 78597, 1-800-OKPADRE or 956-761-3005

Getting There: By air, Continental Express, 800-523-3273, www.continental.com If traveling by air, vacationers can fly into Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport (30 minutes) or Valley International Airport—Harlingen (50 minutes) By land—from Houston, 367 miles.

Casa de Siesta Bed & Breakfast: 4610 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597, 956-761-5656, www.casadesiesta.com info@casadesiesta.com Owners—Ron and Lynn Speier. Seasonal rates—Low season (October, November, December, January)—$99; Mid season (February, April, May, September)—$125; High season (May, June, July, August, holidays and special events)—$150. Pets are welcome—$15 per day per pet

Sea Ranch Dolphin Watch Headquarters—The Original Dolphin Watch: One Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597-6402, 956-761-4243, http://www.theoriginaldolphinwatch.com SCHEDULE AND RATES: $13 and $18 adult / $15 child. Rates vary depending on time of day you take the tour. Check the Web site for more information and to book a reservation. Ages: 0-2 years old are free, 3-12 Child, 12+ Adult. Group discounts available with parties of 5 or more of $15 not including the FIreworks Cruise which is always $25 adult and $20 child.

Sea Turtle Inc.: 6617 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597, Daytime, 956-761-4511, After hours, 956-761-1720, www.seaturtleinc.com seaturtleinc@yahoo.com Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., educational presentations and daily feeding at 10 a.m., guided tours, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A tax deductible donation of $3/adult and $1/child is used to care for the sea turtles and to fund other sea turtle projects.

Amberjack’s Bar and Grill: 209 W. Amberjack, South Padre Island, TX 78597-6915, 956-761-6500, Category: American & Caribbean; Price: $3.95 - $21.95; Payment: Visa, MasterCard American Express; Specialties: Seafood, take out; Amenities: TV, Live Music; Hours of Operation: 7 days a week 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Company Information: Overlooking the Laguna Madre, this fine dining restaurant is known for their gulf shrimp, Texas sweet onion blossoms, Ceviche, and steaks. They are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Tom and Jerry’s Bar and Grill: Home of the indoor beach party, 3212 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX 78597, 956-761-8999

http://www.spadre.com/tomandjerrys.htm
A Rio Grande Valley Original! If you’re looking for a casual, fun, and friendly atmosphere then Tom and Jerry's is the place to go. If you're not into watching sports, the restaurant offers free NTN Trivia for those intelligent folks. Tom and Jerry's offers a family friendly atmosphere that makes it perfect for kids of all ages.