Ever since I was a kid, I've been going to North Padre Island on the Coast of Texas. I LOVE that beach! There is no other beach in the world like it! I've been to West Coast Beaches, East Coast Beaches, Tropical Beaches, Hawaiian Beaches.....there is just no comparison. I'm sure part of it is the sentimental value of it all, but as I've gotten older, I know that just isn't all of it. You can DRIVE on this beach, CAMP on this beach, Catch Blue Crabs, Live Sand dollars, See countless types of birds, Go FISHING, walk in Sand Dunes, the list goes on. And North Padre Extends SIXTY miles!! Though only 4 miles are rated to drive on without a 4 wheel drive. My mom and I Made it all 60 miles once...what a long, bumpy road that was! Cause you can't go more than about 15 mph, and it's in sand as deep as my shins in some places. Last year my husband and I made it 20 miles before I could no long take the swaying back and forth of all the bumps. (not to mention we had a 7 year old and a 1 year old in the back that were bored! LOL)
.....I'm getting off track! (easy to do when I talk about the beach! ;-) ) Anyway, ever since I was a kid, I've had an intense fascination with these shells. I'm not sure what they are REALLY called, but they've always looked like Angel Wings to me, so that's what I call them.
The shell is actually 2 halves making a whole. It's a type of clam, or snail. They bury themselves on the shore, and when the waves come and wash away the sand on top of them, they dig down again. They are mesmerizing to watch. And it's unusual to find many still stuck together. However, On this particular trip my daughter and I found MANY in all kinds of colors opened wide, and "flying" on the sand. Its was fun to listen to my daughter get just as excited over finding them as I can remember getting as a child! Maybe THAT'S why I love this beach so much.....I get to relive my childhood through my children!!! :-)
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I remember these clams!! We collected some of thier shells, never together though at Long Beach and made a mobile out of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memory!!
I always loved finding shells on the beach.
ReplyDeleteI love these shells also. I love this photo. I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and have been to Padre Island but it has been many years. I think it's time for another visit!!
ReplyDeleteGreat name for them! That's what I always thought they were...clams. Anyway, great photo of it! I'm not much for camping on the beach tho I have done it many years ago! LOL I only like the beach if there's a nice condo or my RV nearby for me to get out of the sun and to wash the sand off of me. Guess I wouldn't make a very good beach bum. Ha, ha.
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