Padre Island NYE BOONDOCK Rally '08 ?

Gen Disarray · 08-26-2007, 06:06 PM

Anyone interested in a New Years Eve Rally down at Padre Island National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) Right now, I have very tentative plans to arrive there after Christmas and hunker down through the New Year. I wanted to do this last year but weather and family conspired against me.

If you are not familiar with PI, this would be boondocking right on the beach. The price is right, and so is the weather (60-70 degree days and upper 30s-40s nights).

If the rally works out, I am thinking we can work out support issues like water shuttling, and sharing generators to support those who need topping off.

Disclaimer: I have yet to camp there and all I know about it is second hand, so no promises, but then again it is supposed to be an adventure.

davidz71 · 08-26-2007, 07:16 PM

Sounds like you are ready to have a great time. I'll be in Corpus Christi, just north of Padre Island, during Thanksgiving. Hope you get a crew up to camp on the beach.

Gen Disarray · 08-26-2007, 07:29 PM

I will likely be in Bell Buckle for Christmas, we really should make a point of meeting this year.

davidz71 · 08-26-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I will likely be in Bell Buckle for Christmas, we really should make a point of meeting this year.

Sounds good. It is always good to meet another Airstreamer. When it gets closer to Christmas, send me your schedule and you can come over to the house or we'll get together one way or another.

thecatsandi · 08-26-2007, 09:11 PM

this sounds like fun. If it was later say late January I could make it. I will be in Florida during that time. The Second annual Can Opener is schedlued for Jan 4-5.

Gen Disarray · 09-30-2007, 10:39 PM

From the NPS website: In the winter, highs are commonly in the 60s, lows in the 40s and 50s. Winter cold fronts can occasionally drop temperatures into the upper 30s, rarely below that.

Sure would be a downer to be stuck on a beach new years eve. Probally have to build a fire to be comfortable.

christiandpatrick · 10-08-2007, 09:51 PM

We might actually be able to meet up with you. I grew up in Corpus and still go down there during the holidays to visit the fam. If anyone else wants to go, does not want to boondock, but still wants to be on the beach, Mustang Island State Park is right down the way and has a pretty nice (last time I was there) campground that is walking distance to the beach and still pretty secluded. It is maybe 20 minutes or so from the National Seashore.

TPWD: Mustang Island State Park

-Christi

Jaxon · 10-28-2007, 07:16 PM

This would be fun! We're in Pennsylvania for x-mas and new years... but I'll tell you what, a fire on the beach with gleaming 'streams in the background sure sounds good!

Gen Disarray · 11-20-2007, 02:37 PM

My plan is to boondock on the beach. I have 2WD, is this going to be a problem? Also, would lowering my air pressure in the tires make much difference? If yes, about what psi should I aim for?

The General is getting excited

2airishuman · 11-20-2007, 07:08 PM

well 2 wd might be a problem, especially towing...

but given how light your trailer is, perhaps not.

lowering air pressure in the tv tires isn't really useful,

and most of the beach/part attendants tell folks NOT to alter tire pressures.

IF you are gonna do this, stay low, on wet sand and maintain a constant speed, until you get to where ya wanna park,

then pull up above the high tide line...

cheers
2air'

Tin Diesel · 11-20-2007, 07:35 PM

We boondocked there last year right about this time.
Here's my thread (I think I mis-named the park).
Lots of 'first-impressions' about the area.
Update - boondocking on Padre Island National Seashore

A couple of quick points:
1. I don't think you'll have a problem with the 2WD. But rather than park parallel to the packed road like we did (we had to pull off into softer sand - see pics in the link) I suggest you back in - keeping your wheels on more solid footing. Also, if you do get stuck, it'll be easy for somebody to help - and they will be happy to.
2. If you want a bonfire, be prepared for high winds. Its pretty common down there (that's why they have a lot of windsurfing competitions). We had GREAT bonfires, but they were blast-furnace in nature.

Have fun. Wish we could go! But we're waiting for new axels and disk brakes in January before we venture out again.

pmclemore · 11-21-2007, 08:15 AM

You guys must have harder sand than we do out here. When you head off the ramp onto our soft sand, you'd better have 4wd and tire pressures dropped down to 18 or lower. And if you are towing a trailer you had better have cables and lots of friends.

Pat