It is the morning of June 1, 2010, and we are on the north beach, on Andy Bowie Park on South Padre Island.

As you can see, the beaches on this part of the Gulf of Mexico clearly have not been affected by the BP oil spill. There are families and children playing on the beach. A couple is fishing here on the shore.

What you are seeing washed up on the beach is actually sargassum, commonly known as brown seaweed, which certain businesses here on South Padre Island, such as the La Quinta, clean off the shore and strategically relocate in order to form dunes from the blowing sand. This helps to prevent the effects of beach erosion, which has recently become a problem on Gulf Beaches.

South Padre Island, Texas is a popular Spring Break destination for college students from all over the United States, a popular family vacation detination during the Summer months, as will as a popular destination for seniors from the northern United States during the Winter months.