I never thought there could be a connection between Padre Island National Seashore and us from Harlingen, Texas. Imagine my surprise when I found this newspaper story from 1963. There is so much good our leaders can accomplish even within political turmoil.

Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas, Wednesday, February 20, 1963.

AUSTIN, Tex. (UPI) –“Sponsors of the Padre Island National Seashore Bill rammed it through tentative approval in the House Tuesday, past the attempts of some conservative members to cripple it with amendments.

Final passage is expected Wednesday. The Senate passed a similar bill 10 days ago. One or the other version must pass both Houses before it can be signed into law.

Rep. Menton Murray of Harlingen, sponsor of the House Padre Island Bill, guided it past attempts by Republican Reps. Henry Stollenwerck and Horace Houston of Dallas to rewrite the bill so that the federal government would have to buy the needed land from Texas. The bill deeds state-owned land to the government and provides for federal government purchase of privately owned lands.

Rep. Bill Hollowell of Grand Saline changed the bill to reserve civil and criminal jurisdiction in the park to the state.

He said if members failed to adopt the change, “then all the people from your county who go down to Padre Island will come under the jurisdiction of Bobby Kennedy and his crowd.”

A paradise far from hotels, condos, and crowds, this peaceful beach is a treasure in South Texas. How did we miss this place before? Getting a motorhome has taken us on an adventure away from busy highways and big cities into remote places. There is so much to see!

Padre Island National Seashore protects sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, and we have a Harlingen representative to thank for this beautiful place.

History lovers like me will appreciate the seashore’s Novillo Line Camp. It is located a few miles within the northern boundary entrance and was used by the Dunn cattle ranch in the late nineteenth century. Its bunkhouse is one of the few remaining structures from the Island’s ranching era.

You don’t need a motorhome to enjoy Padre Island National Seashore. You can visit for the day or bring a tent. We visit in June for an annual end-of-school-year trip with our granddaughter when it is warmer than we’d like. Because of that, we park the RV at the nearby Mustang Island State Park’s campground with electricity and water hookups. Mustang Island State Park is right on the beach and a short driving distance from North Padre Island and Port Aransas.

To enjoy overnight stays inside the park, we visit in November or December when there is no need for an air conditioner. Our most memorable nights RVing are at the park’s Malaquite Campground. It is dry camping (no hook-ups), which makes it even more authentic and enjoyable. Memories of the sound of crashing waves, sunsets, and the open night sky urge us to keep going back.

At one time, Padre Island was named Isla Blanca de los Malaquitas, a native tribe as documented by Spanish explorers in the 18th century. The tribe’s name inspired the name of Malaquite Beach and campground.

The campground is first-come, first-served. Campers with a paid site in the campground can pitch a tent either at the site or on the beach in front of the campground. Bird Island Basin Campground is also a good option, but it is not within walking distance from the beach but right on the Laguna Madre with great scenic views. Park entrance fees are required. A seven-day pass or annual pass is required for overnight stays.

During an evening walk, we encountered a coyote with an eye on a snake we had not noticed. It went straight for it. I’m not going to lie, but I was a bit scared when we saw it loping towards us.

We spotted ghost crabs among the dunes with their funny eyes sticking up from their tiny, “invisible” bodies. They are fun to watch. Ghost crabs are just one of 41 crustacean species documented in the park. Pelicans and a variety of birds kept us entertained throughout the day.

We caught a glimpse of a spotted ground squirrel, which was also our first. Fishing is a popular activity we have not tried yet. Maybe next time.

I am sure many visitors like us are unaware of the efforts made for us to have such a heavenly place in South Texas. Thank you, Senator Murray, from Harlingen, and all who supported this great effort.

If you have never visited Padre Island National Seashore, I highly recommend that you do, especially now when more relaxed weather approaches. Visit their website and plan your visit well. Visit nps.gov/pais/index.htm

ANNULAR ECLIPSE NEWS: this year, the US will see its first annular solar eclipse since 2012! It will begin on Saturday, October 14, 2021, beginning in Oregon and ending in Texas. Weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible from Padre Island starting at 10:26 am CDT and ending at 1:39 am CDT, with the maximum eclipse of 9.26% occurring at 11:59 am CDT. The next annular eclipse will be in October 2041.