SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

The gulf coast of Texas is protected by a series of barrier islands, and the

southern most of these is Padre Island. At the south end of this island is

a resort city called <gasp> South Padre Island. It is a favorite target for

Spring Break; many of the "Girls Gone Wild" series were taped here. Tim

wanted to see the real thing, and we are having to wait for a day for US

Customs to clear the truck for export, so we took the 35 mile side trip.

Tim, night before, had secured a $35 double rate, which is about as good as

you can get anywhere in Texas. There are lots of high-rise (10 story)

apartments & hotels along the beautiful beach & we're across the street.

The city is basically deserted! Occupancy rate _maybe_ 20%, altho our Days

Inn filled up a little more after dark. I went looking for a really ethnic,

really Caribbean place and found it at "Dirty Al's Bait Shop & Seafood

Kitchen" Al is an ex-shrimper, 17 years in this shop and finally expanding,

cleaning up the dining room, but we sat at the bar. We had a dozen raw

oysters -- $7 -- but BIG oysters and then generous fried oysters & shrimp --

$5.50 -- Tim had a Po' Boy with a great big piece of fish -- four beers --

$30 total included a generous tip. Place was filling up with "Winter

Texans" -- we chatted with some from Ohio & Michigan. Al confided that he

sometimes had music on the weekend but "only country." I can live with

that!

Later, we went to the Parrot Eyes to watch the sun go down. (What a great

name, huh? Say it out loud.) Then to listen to the band "Pelican Bay" at

the Radison. 2 beers...$6.50...now the prices are getting more like San

Pedro. The band was wonderful, and the dancers, a mix of youngsters and

seniors, were enthusiastic. One extended beer and it was pushing midnight.

Slight delay today while I mail all these letters, and then we're Mexico

bound.

Chow,

RZ

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