Breakfast on the Beach and Treasures in the Sand

The sun had just risen as we made our way down to the shoreline by golf cart, the early light casting a soft golden glow across the sand. We parked near the water’s edge and sat for a while—catching up on life, chatting about everything and nothing, enjoying bites of homemade pie straight from the container, sipping from our pretty little glass bottles, and simply letting the moment unfold.

A red flag waved in the breeze, warning of rough surf—but to us, it only meant more dramatic waves to watch. The crash and pull of the tide was mesmerizing, its rhythm both powerful and soothing. There’s something about the ocean on a red flag morning—the sight, the sound, the salt in the air—that quiets the noise inside you. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t productive. But it was exactly what my soul needed.

After our "breakfast" we walked barefoot in the cool sand. I let the waves roll across my feet and the salty breeze fill my lungs. There’s something about the rhythm of the tide that clears your mind in a way nothing else can. The world slows down. The lists can wait. As we walked, we searched the tide line for shells—small treasures left behind by the sea. My friend collects them to make jewelry, looking for those with natural holes already “drilled” by tiny marine creatures.

Quick side note (Nerd Alert): those holes can be formed by mollusks, worms, sponges, crustaceans—even sea urchins—sometimes for shelter, other times in search of calcium carbonate for their own shells. Nature has a way of helping to make the perfect pendant.

I collect shells for the joy of discovery and the simple pleasure of passing them along. There’s something quietly meaningful about finding something beautiful, unexpected, and whole. (Sand dollars are my favorite—those delicate little disks of mermaid money.) More than anything, that last-minute beach breakfast was a reminder: simple moments like these are their own kind of treasure. And when shared with a friend? Even better.

Our Summer Scavenger Hunt is still underway at Padre Island Art Gallery, and we’re inviting you to find a treasure of your own.

Clue Number 4:

Currency from the sea, smooth and round—this hidden gem waits to be found. A whisper of the ocean inside, tucked where art and tide collide.”

(Hint: A sea treasure has been hidden in the gallery. Be the first to find it and win this week’s prize—plus two entries into the Grand Prize drawing on August 20.)

Every correct guess earns one ticket, and gallery purchases over $25 earn you a bonus entry. The grand prize? A $100 gallery gift certificate and a private after-hours wine & shopping experience for you and up to six friends.