December , 2007
We finally made it to South Padre Island. The day was beautiful and
the smell of the fresh salty air was perfect to clear the lungs.
While we were here, I learned a bit about South Padre Island. "Padre Island
off the south Texas coast is named for padre Jose Nicolas Balli (1771-1829)
whose family migrated from Spain in 1569 and became large landowners in the
lower Rio Grande Valley. In 1800, Balli applied to King Charles IV of Spain
for 11 ½ leagues of land on the island and in 1804 started the first settlement
Rancho Santa Cruz. Padre Balli served as collector of finances for all the
churches in the Rio Grande Valley and founded the first mission in present
Cameron County. Padre Balli’s ministry was a great influence on the lives
of early south Texas settlers."
It didn't take long before I tore off my close and enjoyed the feel of the warm
sun and warm sand on my skin and the refreshing cool water of the ocean. My
human decided to bury me in the sand and then thought it funny to make me
look like a mermaid! Does it look like I'm laughing?
If you want to learn about South Padre Island, you can visit here:
South Padre Island
