January 1, 2017. Beaumont to Padre Island, Palm Trees to Sand.

January 1, 2017.  Beaumont to Padre Island, Palm Trees to Sand.  We are here at our first destination.  The high temperature here today was 76 degrees.  We are reserved here for seven days.  Whether we stay that long depends on whether Annie Farkley can tolerate the signs warning of snakes.  I told her not to worry.  Snakes don't come out in January.  I am sure of that.  Well, pretty sure.

We passed through Houston and Corpus Christi to get here.  The traffic in both cities was amazingly light.  Maybe the locals were still nursing their New Year's Eve hangovers.  I doubt I will ever pass through Houston when there are fewer cars on the road than this morning.

We saw our first palm trees off Interstate 10 between Beaumont and Houston.  I think they are really palmetto trees.  The Internet says there are two major differences; the palmetto is about half the height of a palm.  And, the palm tree produces coconuts.  The palmetto produces berries.  I didn't know that.  I'll bet you didn't either.

We took a walk just before sundown.  The campground is uninspiring.  It is a sheet of asphalt with no trees.  We are backed up to sand dunes which separate us from the Gulf of Mexico.  The beach is about a quarter of a mile from the campground.  The campground is about five miles from restaurants.  There is little to do here other than bike in circles and walk the beach.  We'll see how long that keeps us entertained.  It doesn't take much.

The challenge is finding something here which will keep you entertained.  I'll try.  However, let me caution you to keep your expectations in check.  They will be easier to meet if they aren't too high.

I'll be back tomorrow night.  Goodnight for now.