South Padre Island :: Small Town Texas
Buckle in for a long post, folks. I was particularly inspired while on vacation (novel phenomenon, I am sure) and found some interesting parts of the island to add to my Small Town Texas portfolio. As usual, lines, colors, and juxtapositions dominate the work I did while I was there.
I saw open; I saw closed. I wandered around “success” and “hard work” and also saw “For Sale” signs. The island is mysterious, riding an economic rollercoaster through tumultuous ups and downs. It is a wonder how anyone can make a living there. But at the same time, what it offers to its visitors is much peace, colorful happiness, and damn good shrimp, so much that it cannot be invalidated. Hopefully this photo story will take you there, if you have never been.
love these! especially the floating flag and the palm tree shadows. Makes me miss S. Padre. Also so nice to see YOU in photos below too. Pretty girls. Sweet Mom. Cute fam. Miss you!
Stunning pictures, Kate. My trips to South Padre began around 1950. There was no causeway. There was no commerce–except for the little man who took his cold drink stand across on the ferry every day. I remember riding the ferry with him. The Palmetto Inn stareted elsewhere in the Valley but has been on the Island a long time, but not as long as the little man who pushed his cold drink stand. Your pictures preserve the feeling (myth or not) that what is there is still real.
Thank you!
Mary Ann