Jack's Journal: South Padre Island

CBS News producer Jack Halsbond is behind the wheel of The Early Show's Winnebago Destination, traveling the country in July and August as part of the "Great American Vacation" giveaway road trip. Read his Web-exclusive road diary.

South Padre Island lies off the southernmost coast of Texas. It is the largest barrier reef island in North America. The fishing is world-class and the sunsets are truly spectacular.

We held our Great American Vacation at the South Padre Island KOA. One of the more recent additions to the impressive roster of Kampground Of America, the South Padre KOA is also one of the more beautiful. Located on a slim finger of land surrounded by Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with a sky that seems to go on forever, this gem of a campground has all the amenities that you could possibly look for in a vacation resort.

There is the excellent dining on the pier at Fish Bones Pier & Grill, where proprietor Toby J. Pils promises to cook whatever you catch. Try your luck on hooking a huge variety of fish on either bay king or deep-sea fishing trips with Osprey Fishing charters. Even if you're just taking in the beautiful sunsets and dolphin watching at The Plank on the pier, you are guaranteed a memorable visit.

While Dave was missed by the crowd Thursday morning, Brian Hale of KGBT-TV, our affiliate in Harlingen, TX, was more than up to the task. Way to go, Brian!

We had a great crowd turn out and they were treated to the sounds of a Mariachi band and the extraordinary art work of Andy Hancock and Lisa Porter, who created amazing sculptures from sand.

Lisa is the current Texas state champion and their combined efforts were brilliantly formed. The key to working with wet sand, according to Andy, is to start with a pyramid and work your way down. Duly noted.

The best part of traveling around the country is not just the places you see, which can be truly stunning, but in the end, it's the people you meet. And meeting great people and enjoying great camping is the not only the motto of KOA, it is the truth.

We have to extend a special thank you to Mike Gast of KOA, who has been incredibly helpful in setting us up in those KOA's along the route that we have visited. I want to give a special thank you to the fine folks from the South Padre KOA, Tom, Stacie, Phil, Linda and Gail. You folks are the tops!

Also, a shout-out to Eileen and L.R. Gilbert who now hail from Mission, Texas and who exemplify the spirit of America; they are seniors who, when not visiting with the children, grandchildren and soon great-grandchildren, enjoy their time together traveling around this bountiful and beautiful country of ours. Happy trails partners, and thanks for sharing that gorgeous sunset with me.

So now it's on to Keystone, South Dakota and the Mt. Rushmore National Monument for another Great American Vacation giveaway. It's a long haul, but I know I'll be seeing many more smiles to go with the miles and some rather famous faces as well. Hope to see you there.