South Padre Island, Texas

It isn't actually on our way going West but while we're here we thought South Padre Island, Texas seemed like a nice place to visit so that's where we went next.

It's been a little cloudy and very windy but it is 75 plus degrees outside and it feels wonderful. (Whenever I get a little homesick, I think about the snow and the cold weather.)

We went horseback riding on the beach at the Island Equestrian Center. It was an amazing experience.

Andrew & Spanky, Kelly & Goldie, Tom & Larry, Kaitlyn & Skylar

Andrew has never ridden a horse before and he did great. Although he pretty much just held on for dear life while the guide led his horse for him. Once he figured out he wasn't going to fall off, he seemed to enjoy himself.

Andrew riding along on his horse, Spanky.

Thanks to Kaitlyn's lessons, she was right at home on her horse, Skylar.

Kaitlyn and Skylar.

30 horses on the beach is quite a sight.

We also visited a sea turtle rescue center called Sea Turtles Inc. It's amazing how many turtles they nurse back to health each year. Some are sick from pollution (eating plastic bags or oil spills), some are hit by boats or caught in fishing lines while others are attacked by sharks or other predators.

Each turtles' story is documented so you know where they were found, what they are being treated for and what their prognosis is. Some can be returned to the wild while others cannot be set free again and then they find them a home at an aquarium. Apparently, they just placed a turtle named Buddy at the Columbus Zoo.

One unique turtle living at the rescue center is missing all but one of her flippers so they came up with a prosthetic flipper. Click here to see a video of Allison swimming with her bionic flipper on YouTube.

Allison and her prosthetic flipper attached to her shell.

It would be really exciting to come back in the summer and help with the baby sea turtle release program when they take the hatchling turtles to the beach and watch them crawl to the ocean for the first time!