One Couple’s 370-Mile Trek Across the Barrier Islands of Texas
A documentary series to highlight the beauty and complexity of the Texas coast.
In October 2023, Chrissy and Jay Kleberg and a team of cinematographers walked the entire length of Texas’ seven barrier islands. Along the way they spoke with community members, scientists, and natural resource managers about our living, working, resilient coast.
Journey
Beginning October 1, 2023 at the Louisiana/Texas border, the team made its way 370 miles down the coast by foot to the mouth of the Rio Grande River in 21 days. They covered about 20 miles a day, crossed 15 passes, and were the first to walk every inch of the Texas coastline.
Film Series
The six-part documentary series will premiere Fall 2024 in partnership with Austin PBS and highlight stories unique to Texas but not bound by its borders, like High Island’s migratory song birds, Galveston Island’s Ghost Wolves, Padre Island’s Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the Karankawa Kadla, and rapidly changing environmental factors.
Curriculum
In conjunction with the film and book, the Chasing the Tide K-12 curriculum will highlight the Texas coast and its diverse ecology and history. The units of study will be developed in collaboration with our diverse partners and follow Texas and national education standards to enable broad distribution.
Book
Our team will also publish a book with images, background on the coast’s human and natural history, and tales from the trek across Texas’ seven barrier islands.