Dave Kitson and I decided we needed to get out on the water again, in sea kayaks, and to paddle by Pelican Island. Friday, June 1 worked for us, so off we went.
The launch spot was the “usual” from the Texas A&M University at Galveston campus. New for this trip was the requirement for paid parking; two flavors or locations. Next to the shell beach launch site is the Parkmobile spot. You have to download the Parkmobile app to your smartphone and pay that way. Option two is from the channel side of that first big parking lot on the right as you enter campus. That one has a kiosk pay station that will take credit cards. We paid about $8 each for the time we were on the water.
Paddling north from campus we soon noticed a lot of big birds circling in thermals above the bay – including at least 4 magnificent frigate birds. That was a good omen for the trip.
It has been some time since I’ve paddled this route and we decided to explore the impoundment with recently completed rock groin. At the water level of the day, only the south end is paddleable and we had to exit that way too. It was interesting to see how new beaches had formed since the impoundment and we enjoyed a brief walk atop the breakwaters. Several new islands had formed just outside the breakwaters.
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As we continued our northward paddle we started noticing a new feature on the skyline. It turned out to be a newly constructed palapa on the north end of “little Pelican”. No sign of ownership, but some rusting chairs and welcoming shade provided a wonderful private beachfront view of the bay for our lunch spot. Here are two photos that give 360 degree panoramic view.
But wait, the good stuff is not over yet. As we completed our circuit of Little Pelican and headed west through the ICW (intracoastal waterway) cut, we were accompanied by a pod of dolphins. AND I had my camera pointed at them in video mode as they surfaced. Click here for the video. How cool is that?
We got a second view of an oystercatcher bird as we paddled along; and in keeping with the general goodness of the day, look closer and you will see a little green heron right in front of the oystercatcher.
Behind us in the ICW a triple barge passed through with its own robotic lead boat to help guide it.
Back “home” at TAMUG, the Texas Maritime Academy training ship was at the dock getting ready for summer cruises, and behind it a regular forest of offshore rigs decommissioned or undergoing repairs while oil prices are in a slump. Or at least that’s my guess why there are so many of them.
Dave has provided a map of our route that day:
It was a beautiful day out there on the water, sorry you weren’t with us. The next several days brought heavy downpours in Galveston, so perfect timing for our paddle trip. The trip was just meant to be.
Natalie Wiest
This is a note from Bill Ohsie of HASK, with more details on the parking situation at Texas A&M Galveston.
I called Texas A&M police to find out the current rules on parking for any trip leader wishing to post a Pelican Island paddle. It is OK to park at the lot by the beach as in the past but each individual must pay (see info below). The trip leader needs to email the police front office ahead of time if there will be a group of 4-5 or more. The email address is Police@tamug.edu. If you need to call the police department the number is:
Front Office:
(409) 740-4545 #1
Officer on duty/after hours/weekends/holidays:
(409) 740-4545 #2
or cell phone: 409-771-5185
Parking:
You can pay using a credit card at a kiosk in the parking lot to the right as you enter the campus or by the mobile app called Parkmobile. No cash allowed Security did not know exactly how much ($5-8?) on weekends for credit cards. They did say the Parkmobile app was cheaper. I downloaded it. The code is 7733 for TAMG. You will see it when you open the app in the parking lot.