Back to the Gulf - Galveston Island, Texas

November 28 - December 2, 2018
Galveston Island, Texas

The nearby service center agrees to take us in first thing Wednesday morning. They're very busy, and we're prepared for a wait of several hours. First Watch is their recommendation for breakfast, turning the mirror repair into an unexpected bonus!

Making the best of an inconvenience.

A very busy place!

After a second cup of coffee we check back with the repairs and find it's all done! Anything RV took good care of us, and got us back on the road quickly.

That road is only 50 miles, and we're set up at Galveston Island State Park Bay Campground by noon. The views on the bay are beautiful, better we think than those on the beach dunes. 50 amp and water, level asphalt pads, with grass sites and large center shared space. The restrooms and showers are in the tent campground next door - not particularly convenient if you want to use them.

It's more "snug" than most state parks when other people arrive.

Beautiful unobstructed views from the backyard.

And from our dining room :-)

Unfortunately we're greeted by mosquitos. We're-in-Texas size mosquitos. They'll end up finding us most places we go in the area :-(

We've really enjoyed all the wildlife refuges we've been visiting, and there are a couple in this area as well. Thursday we head to Anahuac NWR, about 55 miles north using the free ferry to Bolivar Peninsula.

Fun to have the front spot on the ferry, even when it's not clear we're going to miss this large ship for a couple minutes. The ferry ride is 15 minutes!

Who do they make these signs for? 

Not far into the refuge we find our first gator. See him?

There he is! His teeth are so white.

This small one is beside the road.

Near the boardwalk we find number three.

She knows things.....

Over a dozen Whistler Ducks on the other side of the boardwalk. Their whistle is very different from the expected quack!

We talk to another couple, and a family of six arrives as we're leaving, but otherwise we have the place to ourselves. Except for the mosquitos :-(

Those back feet look too big to fit back in the shell.  So cute!

I can never catch these beauties in flight, but even with the zoom they are so pink - Roseate Spoonbills are favorites.

Although we've seen a lot of Egrets, this is our first Snowy Egret this year.

A juvenile moves through the water.

A very quiet, peaceful place.

While most of the ducks fly away when we get near, these bright beaked beauties are very bold.

One more before we go.

More traditional Texas critters.

Love this brindle steer.

Not being in front on the ride back, the view isn't quite as nice.

When we were in Houston a couple days ago, Kelli and Lindsey recommended we have a meal at Gaidos that has been here over 100 years. On our way home we stop to eat, and agree it's worth the hefty price!

Feeding locals and visitors for many years.

We're home in time to see the Cowboys impressive win over the Saints - Bill is very happy!

Friday morning while Ezra is on his way to school, we're off to Brazoria NWR (where we've heard the gators are much bigger).

The mosquitos are annoying at the refuge, but thankfully aren't biting.

Our little pre-schooler.

This delightful sculpture at the small visitor center is really special.

The largest gator we've seen - probably eight feet long, but well hidden.

Also well  hidden, we almost miss it.

This Glossy Ibis is our first.

One of many Great Blue Herons.

A very different refuge from others we've seen.

All the turtles wear a mossy cover.

Bands of fall color.

Another big gator up a small channel.

They rarely move, but they're always watching us.

We never see why they're hanging out here.

"What?"

Texas

Beautiful grasses waving in the wind make me happy.

In the middle of the road. We wait to see if this Eastern Rattlesnake moves on it's own - it doesn't.

Which of course means Bill has to go encourage it to get out of harms way. Defensive posturing, but no rattle until it's in the grass. Beautiful animal.

Tessa's eighth birthday is a sunny Saturday so of course we're off to the beach for zoomies!

She rarely gets her feet wet.

Around and around and around.

Time for a break in the shade!

Another beautiful place with just us.

Nature's artistry.

Shells of every size.

Shore birds entertain us whether they have short, fast legs,

or slower, long ones.

Or aren't even shore birds at all :-)

Colorful coastal cottages.

Our sunny day comes to a close with a stunning sunset. Happy Birthday Tessa! 

Galveston Island is a beautiful place that shares some of the better traits of Ocean City, Maryland, and Outer Banks, North Carolina. Lots of beach access, touristy things to do and buy, a very nice Kroger's grocery, large variety of eateries, wonderful natural space, and a large coastal community. We very much enjoyed our time in this unique area of Texas.

Monday we'll stay along the gulf to the southern-most place we've been in our travels. And have a surprise meet-up that's long overdue!