South Padre Island's Whaling Wall #53, seen on an outside of  their Convention Center, was a great start to a g-r-e-a-t day!

While treking 1500 feet of Laguna Madre Nature Trail's boardwalk, I was thrilled to see this beautiful egret and male alligator--both enjoying the sunshine.

Sea Turtle Inc. is dedicated to educating the public about endangered sea turtles.

This turtle with a prosthetic fin -- has to be watched when it is put in tank several times a day so it doesn't accidentally turn upside and and drown.

Port Isabel Lighthouse -- closed in 1905 was reopened in 1952. This is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast open to the public -- the view from the top was worth the climb. 

Port Isabel is linked to South Padre Island by Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway -- 

an impressive and free two and one half mile long bridge.

 While exploring this southernmost tip of Texas, I enjoyed eating freshly caught Gulf tuna and shrimp.