There's a lighthouse on a hillside....That overlooks lifes' sea...

Today was a museum day. There are 3 small but interesting museums between South Padre Island and Point (once Port) Isabel. This is the Point Isabel lighthouse, built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago and the barrier islands. In 1952 the lighthouse was opened as a State Park and remains the only lighthouse on the Texas coast open to the public. The Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage, on the grounds, houses the Chamber of Commerce.

This is a view from the top of the lighthouse....it is the bridge that connects South Padre Island to Point Isabel.

We also decided to check out the Whaling Wall and the nature trails......There are over 452 species of birds that come to this area to winter. We had the best hike and saw several as we journeyed along the mud flats......

This guy let me walk right up to him....


Some one told us we needed to go and see the Whaling Wall (I'm thinking wailing wall....).

AWESOME......

We visited the Port Isabel Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art facility located in the Champion Building, built in 1899.

I have always been interested in American History, but for some reason never really pursued the Mexican war. Was a very interesting visit, which we followed up the following day with a visit to the Palo Alto Battlefield.....

The Mexican and American uniforms.....

Never knew this......

This ivory tower was so unique. Every floor has a different size Buddah geared to the size of the room......