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Topic: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley (Read 729 times) previous topic - next topic

Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

We have just arrived in Corpus Christi from Nac, Bastrop, San Antonio.  Staying in a nice RV park in Portland Tex called Sea Breeze which says it all.  We are on our way to South Padre Island, and the Rio Grande Valley for my first trip though Texas born. After that, next stop- Las Cruses, Four Corners, and home.
My questions:  Anything special to know or do in the south tip of Texas area given all the stories about Drug violence, Drug War, etc. Places to avoid, Places to stay, Places to not to miss. Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks,
Larry Boyd, Alice and Fritz the Cat
'03 U320 40 "Brutus" / '08 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #1 –
Quote from: LBoyd –
given all the stories about Drug violence, Drug War, etc.

Please let's keep the discussion to where to stay/not stay/see/do.  Discussion of the quoted will be deleted.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #2 –
Larry:  I am planning a trip to San Antonio and the Hill country and CC and Padre Island.  Thinking of Big Bend but may pass as the Texas heat may be really hot in July.  Need someplace cool.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #3 –
South Padre Island only has 3 places to stay.  The huge county park with maybe 600 spaces is on the south tip of the island, and the only one with ocean views.  The KOA is just north of the country park, but on the bay side of the island.  At the north end of the developed resort areas, and just almost across the highway from the Birding Center is the very small county park with maybe 20 spaces.  It is a short walk to the beach.

From island around to Big Bend is a long ways.  Remember that some places in Big Bend close due to the heat.  They pull the help out of the Castolon general store in the summers last time we were in the park.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #4 –
Hi Larry, Donna and I were parked next to you at FOT a couple of weeks ago.  If you were to take Hwy 90 west from the Corpus area, you might check out Seminole Canyon State Park, west of Del Rio.  A good place to spend the night and take the morning tour of the Pictographs and cave dwellings.  A little further down the road is the little town of Langtry...you can visit the Judge Roy Bean Visitors Center.  An excellent leg stretch stop with cactus garden and original Roy Bean courthouse.  And between there and Las Cruces is the Marfa Lights, the McDonald Observatory at Ft Davis, as well as the historic fort and beautiful scenery.  Donna and I very much enjoyed this route and will take it again someday. 
Safe Travels,
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the info,

Dan,  Corpus is the first semi cool, semi dry place we have been in Tex. this trip. Checking the weather, So. Padre might not be too bad,
Dave, thanks for the run down on the camping.
Bill, good to hear from you again.  I made some notes last time we talked but the new list is a big help.  Are the Marfa lights worth a stop over? 

Is Larado worth a stop?
Larry Boyd, Alice and Fritz the Cat
'03 U320 40 "Brutus" / '08 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #6 –
Dan, we stayed two winters in Zapata area, traveled several times down to Mission and Donna area, went to Larado more than once, and had nothing but good times with everyone we met, be they Hispanic or whatever.
People respond to you the way you treat them. We loved all the Hispanic people we met. They were very pleasant, patient with us when we were trying to order Mexican items off the menus, and helped us when we needed help. Approach people  as equals and not demeaning attitudes and you will be pleasantly surprised with how nice they will be in return.
The DW and I love meeting people, even tho we are not the outgoing type.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #7 –
Well spoken.  That's been our experience in our travels.
Larry Boyd, Alice and Fritz the Cat
'03 U320 40 "Brutus" / '08 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #8 –
Never been to Larado Larry.  Marfa Lights?  Take a chair and binoculars...you will be more comfortable.  Nice viewing area (like a rest stop with restrooms) east of town.  The lights are interesting and give some food for thought. Donna and I are glad we stopped.  Safe travels!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #9 –
Born and raised in mcallen area...47 yrs here and it is safe as long as you stay away from Mexico...KOA at island is very nice...Pay extra for the Bay view it's worth it!
Mark Self
1997 40' U320
2005 LX7 Suzuki
USPSA-a18138
Ham radio-WM5S
Driving my Daughter Shea to Sporting Clay shoots is my Job!!!!
 

Re: Safety and Fun in South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley

Reply #10 –
Interesting information! Never been to that part of Texas, but it's definitely on our list of places to visit. Sounds beautiful!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186