This morning we drove to Padre Island to visit the Texas Sealife Center. It was very windy and overcast so the views from the JFK Causeway were limited.
The Texas Sealife Center is a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to the rescue rehabilitation and release of coastal and aquatic wildlife. The organization was formed due to a recognized need for additional wildlife support in South Texas and the growing number of animals that are admitted to wildlife centers in the U.S. annually. Education is also a big part of what they do including taking selected animals to schools as ambassadors.
There is an indoor area in the main building shown above that is free to visit, and then for a nominal donation there is a guided outdoor area with various pools and habitat areas with all sorts of animals. Some are being rehab'ed and will be returned to the wild while other non-native animals that have been rescued and are living the good life here.
We headed outside with our guide who is a volunteer at the center. She introduced us to the various turtles being rehab'ed in the pools. Some had been injured by sharks and propellers. On Sunday they will be releasing a bunch back into the ocean.
Some pictures of the area behind the building:
Leaf lettuce in the tank for the turtles.
This one is being fed fish
Turtles are fed based on their weight which is checked weekly. They also check their blood chemistry and make adjusts accordingly. The green appearance of the water above is due to a broken filter assembly and parts were expected any day. Who would have asked that question?!
Another tank with specific turtles being rehabilitated
These guys suffer from some sort of turtle virus
We then transitioned down a path to another area of the property where we saw falcons, turtles, porcupines and other critters.
Porcupine quill
Donor porcupine!!
Each of these critters has a story. It is obvious the volunteers here really care about the animals and do everything they can to make sure they are cared for.
We headed back towards the mainland and visibility had not improved.
We stopped at H-E-B on the way back to replenish supplies a bit, and then back to the campground to put everything away. I scored a few bags of the elusive and apparently seasonal Old Bay flavored Gold Fish crackers!! They are awesome as are the Frank's Red Hot flavored version!
A bit later we exited the base to the west and stopped at the Black Diamond Oyster Bar for lunch. I wanted oysters on the half shell before we departed the coast and ordered a side of boudin balls which were awesome!! Doreen is not much of a fish eater, but she ordered whitefish with fries and said it was really good.
We fueled up on the way back to the campground on base and scored diesel for $3.179 on base! We also stopped at the Naval Exchange just to have a look. Back at the campground we made preparations to depart tomorrow including the normal draining tanks, stowing hoses, etc. I also scrubbed the bugs off the front cap and wrapped things off to exit in the morning. While I worked I was closely supervised by an inquisitive wabbit!
Tomorrow we will bug out and make our way north to College Station, home of Texas A&M University and also the home of my former commander Drew "Toto" Dehaes and his bride Dorothy. We are looking forward to seeing them again, breaking break together, raising a glass and even taking in an A&M baseball game!! Nothing better than reconnecting with great friends and military comrades!
Next freport, RV Haven RV Park in College Station TX!
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