Spring Weekend 2026 – Day 3: The Best Laid Plans …

Neither hubs nor I have ever been involved in a spring break celebration, so we thought that a Sunday visit to South Padre Island during spring break might be a good way to wrap up our weekend of welcoming spring 2026.

Out of curiosity, the morning that we planned on leaving, I decided to consult professor Google as to what we might expect in terms of crowds. I’m so happy I did that.

Sunday, March 24 this year just happened to be the apex of the Texas Spring Break and this is what we should expect: possibly fifty thousand high school and college students in full and noisy party mode, heavy traffic (including complete jams) for both South Padre Island and the causeway going to and from the island, two hours or more waits for food, and zero parking at the main venues.

We decided to nix the trip and spend our last day of celebrating spring by watching nature programs on TV in the comfort our A/C’d living room, with snacks available immediately, and silence on demand as soon as we decided to mute the TV and have a nap.

The header photo for this post came up in Google Images when I looked for Claytons Spring Break Celebrations 2026. Claytons is one of our favourite stops for food and entertainment.

This photo was all that either of us needed for a “hard no!”

I guess we’ll complete life with never experiencing spring break.

I’m perfectly OK with that.

Comments

24 responses to “Spring Weekend 2026 – Day 3: The Best Laid Plans …”

  1. Lana Avatar

    LOL! That photograph reminded me of Bournemouth beach during covid times on a particularly sunny day when people were told to stay home. I was expecting a surge in covid deaths which were being reported daily on news yet it didn’t happen. You made the right decision staying away Terry, relaxing in peace 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      Thanks, Lana! We had no regrets staying away on that particular day.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Betty Avatar

    These spring break vacations are out of hand – in my opinion. I like your other ways to celebrate Spring.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I agree 100% Betty. I’m so happy I researched before we headed out!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Edward Ortiz Avatar

    Those parties get insane. I read that some parts of Florida are banning those spring break parties, way too much trouble, and neighbors are getting tired of dealing with all of it. It seems like you went with the best way to celebrate spring break.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I know we went with the best way, Edward. I don’t understand why young people would want to expose themselves to this. When I was that age, if I’d ever have come across anything like this (by accident because I’d never have considered intentionally attending), I’d have been terrified and looking desperately to get away as quickly as possible. I guess it’s definitely different times. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Edward Ortiz Avatar

        I went to a small gathering at the beach during my freshman year of college, and that was the last time. Even a small group of rambunctious college kids was too much for my introverted soul.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. mary Avatar

    Yikes! I’d rather be in the woods.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      No doubt, Mary! Me too but because we’re a bit short on forests down here in South Texas, TV and A/C were the order of the day.

      Like

  5. Charla Avatar

    Oh my goodness! Great save by checking before you left. That is way too crowded for me, too! Well, you celebrated Spring Break by doing exactly what you wanted and there is nothing wrong with that. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      It was a very lucky break that I’m known as the Queen of Google around here, haha!

      Like

  6. Mid-Life Mama Avatar

    😄Whew! Good thing you checked before heading out! Day 3 was perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I agree, Elena!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. explorenewness Avatar

    Ya, that would’ve been my choice too! Craziness!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I’m not even sure if this would have been something I’d have wanted to do in my younger years, Lenore.

      Like

  8. A Creative Spirit Avatar

    It would also have been a definite no from me as well. As an aside. Just imagine the queue for the toilets!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      Exactly, Carole and that toilet issue was my automatic first thought and suggestion to hubs!

      Like

      1. A Creative Spirit Avatar

        LoL My friends says I’ve got to buy a shee wee

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Darryl B Avatar

    Oh, man! I used to love Ft Lauderdale for Spring Break, not far from my home town about 30 miles north. Scratching my head wondering what I ever liked about standing in this sort of crowd… wow 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I can’t imagine it, Darryl!

      Like

  10. Phil Strawn Avatar

    We used to take the kids to spring break at the family beach house in Port A. I wouldn’t go near that place now. Back in the 60s we called it Easter break, and it was all surfing, The Beach Boys blasting on portable radios, Crisco oil and iodine and bikinis on the beach. My son and his family live on the beach on North Padre and they left and went to the mountains for Spring Break; they never stay there during those hectic times.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      I can see why locals would leave. The 60’s version would definitely be more my style, Phil.

      Like

  11. annemariedemyen Avatar

    Smart move, Terry. Your Day 3 celebration sounds perfect to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Terry Avatar

      Thanks Anne. Like I said, zero regrets.

      Liked by 1 person

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