On South Padre Island

Near the mouth of the Rio Grande

Just east across the bridge from Port Isabel, we camped near the southern end of the island. South across the bay is Boca Chita, where one can find the Southeast point of Texas, the SpaceX Launch Site, and the mouth of the Rio Grande. We did not go there, ~6 miles away, but >40 miles to drive. We stopped here to visit Brownsville, TX, where the first battles of the Mexican-American War occurred.

Visit to 1 new National Park Site:

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (#279), where, on May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have developed strong bonds and friendly ties since the war ended in 1848, these neighbors continue to contend with the legacy of the war. We learned more about the first battle of the Mexican-American War at the Visitor Center, then walked the battlefield at Palo Alto and then the battlefield at Resaca de la Palma.

US Battle Line at Palo Alto Battlefield
Mexican Battle Line at Palo Alto Battlefield
Monument at Resaca de le Palma Battlefield

We came for Palo Alto, but in 3 days also found (besides the obvious beach):

Elsewhere around Port Isabel & South Padre Island

Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site, the only Lighthouse in Texas that you can climb (67 steps) and on the site of the old Fort Polk, a U.S. Army supply depot during the Mexican-American War.
Serendipitous Timing…we attended the Sunday afternoon Rodeo Competion at the 35th Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo, the Best Little Rodeo in Texas! We saw Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Break-Away Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie Down Roping, Barrel Riding, and Mutton Bustin (that’s the competition for 5-7 year-olds under 55 pound). And…wandering around the accompanying midway, we saw a half-dozen Injury Lawyers advertizing their “wares”. Too funny.
South Padre Island Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, absolutley fascinating and one of two Alligator Sanctuaries in Texas. They keep “Nuisance Alligators”, those who have ever been fed by a human. After that, they don’t go back to “the Wild”, so…Don’t Feed wild Alligators! There is a hefty fine if you do. We went to a “Gator Talk”, checked out the Observation Tower, walked the 3,300+ feet of boardwalk, and saw many rescued alligators, some turtles & tortoises, and lots of birds.

Port Isabel Lighthouse
View of bridge to South Padre Island from Port Isabel Lighthouse
Los Fresnos Rodeo…YES we wore our Cowboy Hats…FINALLY! They have been in the trailer, unworn, since January 2023
Los Fresnos Rodeo Bronco Riding
Los Fresnos Rodeo Break Away Roaping
Los Fresnos Rodeo Midway-NOT joking about all the lawyers!
View of Boardwalk at the South Padre Island Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, from the Observation Tower
Public Safety Announcement
Big Padre, at the Alligator Sanctuary, is 56 years old
Tortoise
Great Blue Herons hiding in the Mangroves at South Padre Island Birding Nature Center