Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Texas Barrier Islands

We left Austin intending to head straight for Louisiana, but made an abrupt change and drove to the Gulf Coast instead. How could we come clear across the state and miss the coast? To get from mainland Aransas Pass to Port Aransas on the island you take a free ten minute ferry ride. Our van's maiden voyage.



We camped two nights at Mustang Island State Park. All you do is drive on the beach and pick a spot. The cheapest beach front rental I know! And the beach was beautiful with fine light-colored sand. No condos, no high-rise hotels but alas, no beach bars either. No matter, our van is full service. Just slide open the door.











Biking along the shore on Mustang Island- over five miles of open beach.



The next day we ventured a bit south to Padre National Seashore. Sixty miles of untouched beach, dunes, mudflats and bay. There are developed campgrounds on both the bay and oceanfront. Or, for $8 just camp on the beach. Most four-wheel drive vehicles can access any part of the beach. All vehicles, even large motorhomes, can drive along the first five miles. The bay is great for windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking and paddle boarding. We saw a lot of people fishing from the ocean shoreline. No license needed.















We exited Mustang Island via the ferry and drive up the coast to Galveston. We arrived late at night and woke to thick fog the next morning. The fog never really lifted that day. Philip worked and I biked to the southern end of the island. We stayed two days thinking we needed to sit out a storm that never came.



Our second day was cold and blustery and I failed to take any photos. There is a lot to see and do in Galveston. Miles of beautiful beaches with just light development, a city with lots of history, nightlife and shops and very good restaurants. Try Paco's and Rudy's for an upscale dinner treat, lunch at the Mosquito Grill and satisfy your sweet tooth at Patty Cakes. The Jamaica Beach RV Park (pool, hot tub, mini-golf but tight sites) is the nicest place to camp, but the state park is handy too.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

No comments:

Post a Comment