The Texas Coast

4/8/2018  This morning I wanted to reconnoiter the beach areas where I plan on moving tomorrow.  I first went to Port Aransas where I took the ferry across from the town of Aransas Pass. While driving on the Port Aransas beach I stopped to talk to a couple from Canada who had been staying there for several days. Although the regulations dictate that three days is the limit ($12 for a year pass), they informed me that the law is not enforced and they know of some camps that have been on that beach for several weeks. I then drove over to Padre Island National Seashore with its two campgrounds ($4 per day) having tables and grills but no power or water. The park allows free camping on the beach but it’s a narrow strand and very busy. It also seems that the beach was severely affected by last year’s Hurricane Harvey with trash still strewn about. I have never seen so many plastic shoes washed up on a beach. I believe I’ll settle on ????? You’ll have to read tomorrow’s blog to find out where.

4/9/2018  So long to Victoria, Texas and to inland Texas. I've relocated to Port Aransas where I established my residence on the beach.

Padre Island National Seashore

I was not sure how to get there; take the short route via the Port Aransas Ferry System that provides FREE marine transportation service from Aransas Pass, Texas or take the longer route via Corpus Christi then over a bridge and up the peninsula. I called the Ferry System and verified that I was allowed, with my trailer, use of the ferry. That is a much quicker route from Victoria to the small village (population 4,054) of Port Aransas. I camped along the beach road not far from the center of town. 
It was a windy, drizzly day with never one ray from the sun. I took the ferry back to the Wally World in the town of Aransas Pass. I purchased a BBQ grill for the celebration when the sun reemerges.  

Walmart #: 556360250

4/10/2018  My first morning in Port Aransas I woke to bright sunshine. I got a pretty good deal on the BBQ grill I purchased at Walmart last night. It was priced in the store at $13.97 I purchased it for their web price of $9.98. I assembled it this afternoon and I am now ready to grill anywhere. 
Since I am without power the thought of finishing the installation of the solar panels encouraged me to climb on the roof of the abode to gather some measurements. Since the solar panel installation cannot be redone I want to be absolutely sure of the installation. I am planning on installing one panel on each side of the roof, ie. one panel on the right side of the trailer and one panel on the left side of the trailer. Now my conundrum is where to mount the left side panel in relation to the slide out. I have, on occasion, had to sweep debris from the slide out roof prior to its retraction. Now I have to consider the slide out maintenance in relation to the solar panel installation. That was enough work for today so I went for a walk down the beach. Upon my return I stopped at the couple’s camp a short distance down the beach. They are the Canadian (Ian and Pat) couple that I spoke to during my Port Aransas reconnoiter from Victoria. We talked and had cocktails for a few hours. They are full time RV’s. They live in their RV in the Toronto, Ontario area until fall then off to their southern neighbors (USA) for the winter.

4/11/2018  Last night the 12 volt adapter for the television went "kaput" so this morning I found a replacement on the web at the Walmart in Aransas Pass. Before my departure I went next door to ask Ian, the Canadian, if he needed anything in Aransas Pass. I described to him my dilemma and the need to purchase a replacement 12 volt adapter. He said, “ wait a minute, I may have one”. A short search later and voila’, he produced exactly what was sought. If fact, the adapter he produced was a better replacement than I could have procured at the Walmart. To show my appreciation, and to replenish the Tequila I consumed the previous day, I walked into Port Aransas to obtain replacement tequila, Margarita mix, and limes. After my return, I turned to working on the slide out window repair. Upon opening the window about two weeks ago the top screw broke that holds the opening handle frame. At that time I called Northwoods Manufacturing and they said, “sure we’ll pay for its repair, just take it to a RV repair shop”. Well, for some reason the RV repair shops that I have visited can do the repair,”in about 4 weeks”. So I attempted, unsuccessfully, to repair it myself. The best I could do was to secure the frame with some Gorilla tape. Enough work for today, it’s two days straight that I have done something and this must stop “NOW”.  I took the tequila, Margarita mix, and lime to the Canadians and we calmed my ambition. Later, I used the new BBQ grill by cooking teriyaki chicken. I’m glad to report the grill works as intended.  Also, the 12 volt adapter fulfills its responsibility as the television works once again. 

 All is at peace once again in my camp.

4/12/2018  I am enjoying camping on the Port Aransas beach. The City keeps the beach and parking areas absolutely immaculate always grading and scooping sand to remove debris. I see City employees stop their trucks just to pick up trash. I believe some of the work is related to Hurricane Harvey. I see remnants of the hurricane all over town including buildings without roofs or windows with piles of construction scraps everywhere. The town is a buzz with contractors everywhere replacing siding, pouring cement, and especially repairing roofs. 
The Canadians, Pat and Ian, departed today heading for the Riverside RV Park in Victoria, Texas. Ian enjoys history so Pat and he are going to Goliad. They may return in a few days after being connected to full hookups as they needed water and to flush the system. I drove down to Mustang Island State Park to check the fishing areas there. He or she is allowed to fish in a Texas State Park without having to purchase a fishing license. I may possibly go back there tomorrow to try my luck. BTW the BBQ grill is still working well. 


4/13/2018 This morning is overcast with a strong breeze. I drove to the Home Depot in Corpus Christi to purchase a soldering iron which I need for the solar panel installation. I made a day visiting various stores in Corpus Christi; with a population of 305,000 it has a lot to offer. I then had a late lunch before heading back to the camper. Upon my return I found the wind intensely blowing a stinging sand. It's time to leave this area as the wind seems to constantly blow up the sand. 

4/14/2018 The wind blew exceptionally hard last night with periods of intense rain and occasional lightning. The night did not produce a good sleep. When I ventured outside this morning I found everything covered in sand. The heavy rain and strong winds pasted sand onto all of the vertical and horizontal surfaces. I began to ready the camper for tomorrow’s departure. The batteries are about as low as I should deplete them since I have been here a week without recharging them. The camper water supply is down to half empty with the waste tanks about half full.  I think I could boondock about two weeks if the solar panels were installed. Mostly I am getting bored of being in one location plus I am extremely tired of the blowing sand.

4/15/2018 I left Port Aransas with no particular location in mind, only a direction: East. Another important consideration was to wash the truck and camper as I could hardly see out the driver side window due to its covering of sand. After driving a short distance I decided to head for the ferry at Galveston Island intending to cross there to the Bolivar Peninsula. There is free beach camping on that peninsula or, if wanted, a $10 annual fee will expand the beach camping area. Since I needed to dump my tanks and charge my batteries, plus I have a Texas State Parks Annual Pass, I decided to stop at the Galveston Island State Park. Moreover, with the other Texas State Parks along the coast closed to camping due to Hurricane Harvey damage I wanted to get the $70 worth paid for the Pass. Additionally, I found a car wash about a mile from the Park entrance where I washed the truck and trailer. I paid my fees, $50 for three nights, and then proceeded to my camp site. My site (59) is on the bay side of the Park and it is utterly on the bay. After setting up, I performed my housekeeping duties by removing all of the sand from inside the trailer; I then did my laundry at a nearby laundromat. 
I feel salubrious now that the inside and outside of my mobile residence are clean once again.  

4/16/2018 It was pleasant to have a good sleep with no blowing wind or sand. The first item on my agenda was to check the propane tanks where I found one empty. This is only the second time I have had an empty propane tank since the purchase of this trailer. I started my day by driving into Galveston to explore the city. I found Galveston to be southern type city resembling New Orleans in its older section. Most buildings were built after the 1900 hurricane. That hurricane killed between 6,000 and 8,000 people which is a record for a United States disaster. I drove down a street in an older section referred to as “The Strand” where all the tourist shops are located.  This area is across from the cruise ship terminals and bay side waterfront. I wanted to visit the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA exhibit but unfortunately the ship was at the Tall Ships Challenge Race Series in Pensacola, Florida. I then took a web based, self-guided tour of Galveston; a clean town of about 50,000 that is a nice vacation spot with a lot of activities available for everyone. 

Afterwards, I took a ferry that crosses the main Houston ship channel over to the Bolivar Peninsula. I found the peninsula a sparsely inhabited area with fairly nice beaches. Camping is permitted on the Bolivar Beaches with an annual $10.00 parking sticker. 

I eventually returned to the Nash 23D in site 59 at the Galveston Island State Park where I watched the sun vanish over the horizon.

4/17/2018 I just could not get going this morning. I worked on the blog, fixed breakfast, fruitlessly researched today’s agenda, then readied myself for departure. I left my habitat still not knowing where to go or what to do. I started to drive aimlessly until my maneuvering finally adjourned in Texas City, Texas. I made an early dinner of a very good Cajun entree at Gus’ Restaurant. I then went to the Kroger grocery store across the street from Gus’. My intention was to purchase one item, American cheese, but I left with a full basket of goods. Upon my return to the park I realized that I'm in a very dangerous locale (see photo).

Since I am relocating in the morning I completed the day by researching tomorrow’s possible destinations.