I spent part of the afternoon at Sea Turtle Inc, a rescue operation smack dab in the middle of South Padre Island.

The building is weather-beaten and worn out from a lot of use. Inside, right past the messenger bags made from recycled plastic, are huge round plastic tanks counter-top high. Look down and come face to face with any one of several dozen turtles  too busy doing rehab to stop for a chat.

Living in the shallow waters of the gulf isn’t one big picnic. Over 110 sea turtles were treated at the facility last year. Here’s Karma, an Atlantic Green turtle who has really upped her activity; she plans to be outta there by spring break.