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Local Interest USA - Texas Off-roading in South Padre Island with my Toyota FJ Cruiser
Local Interest USA - Texas Off-roading in South Padre Island with my Toyota FJ Cruiser
Off-roading in South Padre Island with my Toyota FJ Cruiser |
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| Written by Ross Alvarez | |
| Sunday, 17 September 2006 | |
 South Padre Island is located at the southern tip of the USA, close to the Mexico border. In my opinion, this is the best beach destination in Texas. That is if you're willing to drive 10 hours from Dallas. But when you get there, I can assure you that you'll enjoy it. Specially if you're vehicle is a 4x4 that can drive to 20 miles of beach sand.  South Padre Island Map  Dallas to South Padre Island South Padre Island, TX Satellite View Me and my fiancee headed to South Padre Island last labor day weekend. On the way is San Antonio, so we decided to stop there for the night and hang out at the river walk. Then we took some pictures of tha Alamo the next morning. When we reached South Padre Island, we stayed at the Sheraton Hotel, had a late lunch then headed to the beach. Padre Island extends 113 miles along Texas Gulf coast. Padre Island comprised of stunning dunes of fine white sand, thriving grasslands, saltwater marshes, and myriad wildlife. With 70 miles of natural beaches, 133,918 acres of which are protected in the National Seashore, Padre Island is one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in the United States.  South Padre Island Beach The next day, we took my Toyota FJ Cruiser (4x4) around the island. There's 20+ miles of pavement on the island. But you can go to the public beach access for $4 dollars entrance fee and drive another 20+ miles more on the beach sand. Off-roading with FJ Cruiser  Us and FJ Cruiser, South Padre Island Beach  FJ Cruiser in the Sand Dunes So there we go, we headed to the sands along with the other tourists. Eager to try if my Toyota FJ Cruiser can cruise the sand dunes, I seperated from the other vehicles and drove to the deep sands of the beach. Oh man! It's lots of fun! It's like roller coasting on the wave of sands. Getting Stuck on the Sand Dunes  South Padre Island Sand Dunes Of course we need to take some pictures of us on the sand dunes. That is why I brought my digital SLR. And now our trouble begins. After taking a couple of pictures, we went back inside the vehicle and start the engine. This is my first time going off-road so I made a mistake. I just stepped on the gas and now we're buried on the sand! I should have given it a little push first, gone back and forth, or turn the wheels. But it's too late.  FJ Cruiser, South Padre Island Beach The car just sunk on the sand dunes and it already touches the frame. Two cars tried to help us but they got stuck too before they even reach where our car is located. We tried to dig the car so we can put a wooden plank, but it's just to hot to do some digging. So we ended up getting a hitch 8 miles back to the beach entrance to call for a towing 4x4 truck. As you might have guessed, the charge was just ridiculous! But that's ok, off-roading in the sand dunes is lots of fun.  Me and my FJ Cruiser Definitey, I'll schedule a trip back to South Padre Island. And if you got an FJ Cruiser, let me know. Maybe together we can do some off-roading. (If you got some vacation articles, do not hesitate to post it here and share your experience with the Filipino community. ) |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 30 October 2006 ) |
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