We wanted a chance to park the RV on the beach and do some beach camping on Padre Island, but since we didn’t take the RV south to Brownsville (and South Padre Island) we decided to drive it over to Port Aransas. Our mission was two fold, to get a photo of our RV on the beach, and to let Rob’s cat experience the ocean. We actually have a magazine article that we wrote being published in Good Sam “Highways” and they may use an image from this shoot so we wanted it to be spectacular.
Taking the RV to Port Aransas by Ferry
Getting to Port Aransas and Padre Island by RV requires taking a ferry or driving all the way through Corpus Christi and around from the south west. Taking Victor (what we’ve named our Winnebago Vectra RV) over on the little ferry was interesting. It only holds about 20 cars and they put us in the middle of two lanes at the front in order to stay balanced. Funny.
Parking the RV on the Beach
We got to Padre Island and found a solid packed spot on the sand for us to park our RV on the beach. With memories of the other RVer getting stuck in the mud back in San Antonio, we didn’t want to risk it. Rob felt it was important that the cats got to experience the beach and the ocean. He took Pumpkin out near the water in the sand and I brought Boo out a few minutes later. They were none too happy about it and I wish I had video of Pumpkin backing up increasingly faster and faster as the water came towards her. (Rob here, um, we DO have video of that Dar) Then she almost left with a nice lady that stopped to pet her.
Cats On The Beach
Rob placed Boo in the ocean in about 1/2″ of water. She just sat there, motionless as the water came up to about 2″ and Rob had to go rescue her. And NO it’s not animal cruelty or cat torture – they are THE biggest chick cats ever and so far their RVing experience has helped them to be more daring and relaxed when things change. Now they will actually venture outside on their own, and not run and hide under the couch at even the sight of another person. So they have grown and this was indeed another experience for them. After the cats on the beach adventure, we got down to the business of getting the photos we came for.


The RV on the beach shots accomplished, we tried to find a spot near a marina to get some boats in the photo with the RV. It was hard to find the right angle, decent lighting and access with a 34′ vehicle. Not to mention by parking it in front of the boats – guess what – I can’t even see the boats, so it kinda defeats the purpose.
RV at the Marina

Around the corner from there we found some pelicans flying around and Rob even saw a dolphin out in front of a big freighter that was coming in. We love pelicans – find them fascinating birds. They’re so large but graceful and how they can fly just inches off the water is amazing.




With the sun setting we headed for Virginia’s (the place with the piles of oyster shells out back that I didn’t get to eat last time cause we found it too late) for dinner. Rob parked in the biggest lot we could find nearby and put a note in the window so people would know we were not planning on camping overnight there. Rob found an online RV Journal that discusses RV unfriendly towns and made note of a few of them. Apparently some towns are not RV friendly at all and in Flagstaff, AZ they may ask you to leave even if you just stop and park to eat dinner. So now I understand why he left the note.
Beach Camping
While the idea was originally to do some beach camping on Padre Island and then go to Mexico for the day (which we did do), we weren’t actually able to pull that one off this time around. We’d both love the opportunity for beach camping, to let go of the tethers, unhook from the sewage line and do what they call dry camping. To back away from the computer, put out the awning and read instead of type so much would be a wonderful experience. Because of our schedule and events as they unfolded, beach camping was simply not going to occur.
Parking the RV on the beach on Padre Island was not only a safe experience, it was great for the cats as well. Dinner was good with a great view of the sunset over the water. A great day in paradise.
I would sure like to get a copy of that magazine if your article is included. And Victor will be famous!!
it is going in for sure – we got a second one accepted about the Texas park in Portland. Are you Good Sam members? If not sign up and you get the magazine free. yes he will be famous
For those that don’t know – Glennis is the former owner of Victor, we bought him from her and her husband Alf last August and met up with them in San Antonio. Why did we not take photos of us all together???
Yes we are Good Sam members so we will watch out for it. And you’re right – why didn’t we take photos of all of us together? I guess it will have to wait until you come back to Edmonton….
We camped in rockport and took the ferry to port aransas but not with our Vectra. We would like to go back someday. Can you put your camper with a toad on the ferry?
What year is your Vectra? Looks a lot like ours which is a 1994 34′ pusher>
Hello Pump and Boo.
Very Happy to see you enjoyed the beach, but I must correct you. Port Aransas is on Mustang Island. See
http://www.portaransas.org/
Anyway it’s a great place – I work in New York, but have a house in Port A. Also for Rob and Darlene – GREAT pix’s and Blog!!
Ours is a 1996 34′ and yes, there is a lot of room on the ferry for RV and toad. You can also drive around through Corpus and skip the ferry all together
Robert, yes thanks for the correction. I thought they were all connected as Padre Island.
Hi Rob Saw the pic of you in June & July
issue of Highways. I have a Vectra 96 34ft just
like yours, love it especially the slide out.
@Larry, Your ’96 has a slide out? I’m jealous.
FYI for all Young Snowbirds readers: Road Trip calendars for 2011 are now available on my site. I had so many images and requests to have them that I have created a calendar of some of my favorites from the road. You can see all the images in the calendar and order one on my photography blog at: http://www.herviewphotography.com/2010/09/30/road-trip-2011-calendars.html