I went to Corpus Christi and Padre Island a few months ago, but it rained the whole time so I thought I'd make a whirlwind trip and try again. Perfect weather this time. I was there on a Monday in late September and the beach was deserted. Padre Island is part of the longest barrier island in the world so the beach stretches on forever.

This isn't exactly Hawaii's North Shore, but this kid could still get up on the board a little.

I took those pics from a fishing pier that sticks out about 100 yards from the beach. Here's the fishing platform at the end of it. Also, here's some seagulls patiently waiting for the next wave to deliver them some snacks.

From time to time the city sends out road graders and front loaders to get the sand that has been blown onto the parking lot and the road that leads to the beach. They stack it up here at low tide and the sea comes and put it in the proper place. Also, they are digging out the channel that goes from the Gulf to Laguna Madre, the two miles or so of lagoon between the island and the mainland. This way the boaters can get out to sea without having to go the twenty miles north to the other opening. They are actually pumping the sand that is being dredged through nearly a mile of big flexible pipes to widen the beach by the hotels.

So here's a couple of pics of the house I bought. Nothing special, but nice and neat and just right for me and the birdies. The island has mostly medium-sized homes, almost all built in the last ten years. There's also a really nice golf course. I don't play golf, but a golf course keeps the neighborhood nice.

I went into town, here's a pic of downtown Corpus Christi, right on the water, also of Corpus Christi Beach. It was windy and cloudy so there weren't very many people there, but when the sun came out it filled up pretty good.

Back on the island, looking for a cheap place on the water for lunch, I wound up at Holiday Inn of all places. Right on the beach with an outdoor bar and a band playing. Cheap drinks, hot dogs for a buck-fifty and rock n roll till dusk. Here's one of the band. For my exercise I walk about 1/2 mile down the boardwalk/seawall, walk back, get a Margarita, drink it, then walk the 1/2 mile or so the other way, then back. Then lay back and rock out for awhile. I'm a man of simple pleasures.

So I go to the bank and open up a checking account. They give me one of those beach chairs that folds up and fits in a bag. So I take it to the beach and cool off after my walk. This time down by the fishing pier. Here's the view from my chair, it's nearly sunset behind me. And a pic of what's left of an old pier down by Packery Channel.