Primitive Beach Camping at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Channel: KennethKramm
Date: 14/09/2011

We drove to Padre Island National Seashore for a 4-day tent camping trip on the beach. The island provides important habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including a number of rare, threatened, and endangered species. 

After arriving at the Island, we drove along South Beach to find a suitable camping spot. We found a great location ... very little wind ... so we thought. But, what we didn't know, is that every afternoon and evening, the wind would pick-up, becoming strong enough to make footprints disappear in 30 minutes. Wow, this was exciting. I could "age" animal footprints based on how much sand had blown over them, determining when they were made!

The wind also was great for kite flying. Meanwhile shorebirds were busy looking for food. Some dove into the water. Water temperature was warm, F 84 (C 29) degrees, perfect for swimming.

The wind calmed down and when I got back to camp, gulls were investigating the area. Unfortunately, birds have learned to associate people with food and have lost their fear of people. Feeding wildlife is prohibited on the island.

We decided to hike along a dirt road to the interior of the island. It was simply beautiful. Cowboys herded cattle on the island for over 100 years. Here you can see one camp built by Patrick Dunn. We walked back to the car and decided to go windsurfing This was our first attempt at this sport. It was sure fun ... and we want to do it again sometime.

It was now time to leave this beautiful and rugged paradise. Our camping trip had come to an end. Memories persist. I still have flashbacks of Padre Island National Seashore.

Videography by Ken Kramm, September 2011; Canon Vixia HF S20 Camcorder, GoPro HERO camera, FInal Cut Pro X.