Malaquite Campground in the Padre Island National Seashore fit our
needs perfectly for four nights. While there were no electrical or
water hookups, the gulf breezes kept the temperatures around 80 during
the day and around 70 at night. There was ample sun to top off the Brew
Hut battery with our solar panel. The amenities were flush toilets,
cold water shower (which felt refreshing during the heat of the day),
fresh water, and dump station–all for $14/night and $7/night if over
62. Of course the biggest attraction was the gulf view and wind
protection provided by the sand dunes buffering the beach. No Verizon
service, but I didn’t miss it.
On our second day, we drove twenty miles down the beach to Big Shell
Beach which had small shells. Little Shell Beach had no shells. We
found our biggest shells by walking a couple of miles up our own beach
by the campground. We also saw many crabs. Julia wanted so badly to
see a sea turtle, but the Turtle Patrol reported to us that only one had
been sighted so far this month–none during our stay.
We
found a little seafood shop with fresh local fish. One night, I cooked
red snapper. Another night, we tried black drum. Both were
delicious. I made French toast one morning that had Julia so happy that
she performed seaside acrobatics.
On our one overcast day, we took the Port Aransas Ferry to get to
Rockport, where we dined at Mac’s Pit BBQ. I had the sliced beef
sandwich, along with sides of bacon mac cheese and peach cobbler, washed
down with sweet tea.
The
manager was kind and welcoming, stopping to chat at our table when the
lunch crowd slowed down. In fact, he gave us his personal card, telling
us that if there was anything we needed during our stay, we should call
him. I think that’s a first for me at any restaurant.
We ended our day at Rockport with Julia leaning into the wind.
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