Yesterday, we drove over to South Padre Island to spend the day.

It’s just a bit more than an hour’s drive from our park, so it’s easy to spend a day on the Gulf of Mexico.

SPI, as it’s lovingly referred to by locals and tourists alike, has a long history of sea turtle rescue.

Art work depicting these much-revered and much-loved majestic creatures can be found in various locations across the island.

This one is in the entryway to the new visitor’s center.

“It all started with one woman. Former pilot Ila Fox Loetscher saw the need for the protection of sea turtles.”

Sea Turtle Inc