Lunch on South Padre Island

Lunch on South Padre Island

One day, midday heat made us lazy. We decided to drive to South Padre Island for some beach time. We packed coolers with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cold drinks, and hit the road. The drive across the valley into the coastal zone felt like transitioning worlds. At...
Photography & Silence

Photography & Silence

I brought my camera on this trip hoping to capture something more than postcards. On Day 5, I woke early and hiked the trails inside Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. The silence was deep, broken only by the drip of dew onto leaves, occasional bird song, and the...
Unexpected Encounters & Friendly Neighbors

Unexpected Encounters & Friendly Neighbors

I always tell myself: the best part of camping isn’t the place — it’s the people you meet. At Bentsen Palm Village, that’s proven true more than once. On Day 2, while adjusting my leveling jacks, a neighbor in the next row came over and offered a hand. We swapped...
Extended Stay: Living Among Birds & Butterflies

Extended Stay: Living Among Birds & Butterflies

We decided to stay for a full week. That gave us time to sink in, slow down, and get acquainted with the rhythms of Bentsen Palm Village. Morning routines settled in: coffee outside, strolls through the palms, journaling, watching butterflies drift through gardens. By...
Sunset Paddle & Evening Fireside

Sunset Paddle & Evening Fireside

Because Bentsen Palm Village sits near water systems and natural areas, we decided to bring along our inflatable kayak. On our sixth morning, we loaded it onto the car roof rack and drove a few miles to a quiet river access point near the Rio Grande Valley. We...