Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

Galveston Island RV Resort
Galveston, TX
January 29, 2018

Joe and I had no expectations about what we would find at Brazoria NWR.  It just seemed like a good destination.  The refuge is located about 48 miles from Galveston Island RV Resort...a nice drive...about an hour.  

Google maps had a bit of a problem finding the exact address so when we saw a sign for Brazoria we turned in.  The gravel road took us to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Headquarters for the park.

There is no way to enter the park from there so a very nice ranger gave us a map and an address Google would like.  He says it happens all the time.  

Once on the correct road (CR 227) the ranger said we might see Sandhill Cranes in the field so we were moving slowly with eyes wide open and sure enough...

So, if you are in the area and want to visit the refuge, enter 2022 CR 227, Freeport, TX 77541 to Google and it will take you right to the entrance sign.  You might even be as fortunate as we were to spot two Crested Caracaras in the trees there.  WOW !  We had already seen Sandhill Canes and Crested Caracaras and we hadn't even entered the refuge. 

Our first stop was the Discovery Center for maps and information.  Just behind the center is a beautiful walking trail...Big Slough Trail.

It starts out along a boardwalk that takes you over the marsh.  A mama alligator calls the marsh home, but it was a little chilly and we didn't see her.  The volunteer at the center said she had 20 babies a couple of months ago.

We were entertained by Common Gallinules (which we had never seen before)

 and Coots.  I just love the babies !

 The trail is a 1.25 mile lollipop hike...

so you get to do the boardwalk twice.  Heading out, we saw a Sora...a common and widely seen rail, but a first sighting for us.

From there it was off to do the auto tour.  At the Discovery Center we were given a map to follow with 14 stops to make.  We didn't actually make all those stops, but we did stop frequently.  We passed by several ponds on the tour.  One of the nice things about winter visits is there are no crowds.

 

Another first sighting was a White-faced Ibis...  

White-faced Ibis Adult Nonbreeding

 and Black-necked Stilts.  

Brazoria NWR has nearly 43,000 acres which are more water than land...both fresh and salt water.  It was established in 1966 to protect coastal wetlands for migrating birds and other wildlife.  The expanse of marshes, sloughs, ponds, prairies, and forests offer a feasting and lodging paradise for wildlife.

This concludes our two week stay on Galveston Island.  Joe and I have had a wonderful time and we agree another stay here would be nice.  While here, we have had 10 new bird sightings.  Galveston is rich in history with proud residents who have rebuilt time after time to keep their history alive.  Also, the local restaurants should be at the top of anyone's list of things to do when here...fresh seafood right from the Gulf is an important commodity here.  Galveston Island RV Resort has been a quiet and comfortable spot to call home.     

So, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Galveston, Oh Galveston !

Galveston Island RV Resort
Galveston, TX
January, 22, 2018

We landed on Galveston Island January 19th by ferry from Bolivar Peninsula.  


The Texas DOT provides the free ride which takes about 30 minutes. 







What a great welcoming committee we had !

A private company began the ferry service in1929 with two wood-hulled ferries which carried 25 cars at a time and made 6 round trips a day.  By 1930, the ferries were sold to the state and for more than 12 years charged 25 cents for a ride.  The rides became free around 1949 and have remained that way since.  Today, there is a fleet of 5 ferries that can carry up to 70 vehicles each.  Ferries run 24 hours a day 365 days a week.  I also read that according to the national ferry report, its the fifth largest ferry system in the U.S. 
Galveston Island RV Resort  is a perfect spot to call home with spacious, level, concrete pads and a large, clean off-leash puppy park.  It is located on the west end of the island.





 

Our first wake-up Saturday morning...looking right towards the beach.

We are across the street from the Gulf with easy walking access and the best part...the pups can go too !  

Looking left...our site backs up to a large open space.

Saturday was a busy "errands" day.  Our first stop was the Galveston Island Visitor's Center. 








It is housed in the 1859 Ashton Villa, one of the oldest brick homes in Texas.








In 2008, Hurricane Ike left it's mark.














By the time we were done with grocery shopping, etc. the fog had rolled in and hung around through Sunday with  on/off again rain showers as well.  No worries, we enjoyed a much needed rest/lazy day!

Monday dawned with cool temps and bright sunshine...yippee !  The plan...beach time and exploring the marsh along West Bay via FM 3005.  Seawall Blvd/San Luis Pass Road/FM 3005 are all the same road which parallels the Gulf.  It runs from one end of the island to the other.  It's a pleasant, easy drive with colorful homes on stilts, folks strolling along the tide looking for shells or fishing,  and some surfers enjoying the waves.  The best thing...no high-rises !      

At the west end of Galveston, there is a $2.00 toll both and bridge that takes you over to the mainland.  






This morning we headed that way to the Kelly Hamby Nature Trail just across the bridge.  

It is a short boardwalk through "a forrest" of salt cedars (ranchers planted them years ago for the cattle) and tamarisk trees with various sea grasses.     





The trail winds it's way to the ocean...

Joe and I enjoyed a quiet walk on the beach.  There weren't many birds... just a few Snowy Plovers 

 and a lonely Ring-billed Gull.

The waves were crashing...music to my ears...

and we were the only ones around !  Doesn't get much better.

Our next stop was also on the mainland...San Luis Pass County Park.  


We drove Pearl right down to the beach.  Did you know the beach is a public highway and the speed limit is 15 mph?  We didn't...that's pretty cool. 

We weren't the only ones enjoying a beautiful day.  The pelicans were happy too !

Once we returned to the island, we did more exploring in the marshes along West Bay.  I'll save that for another post so until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !