Surfside Beach Vacation - Day 4 Exploring a Bit

 It's time to make the donuts.  Hahahaha.  That's kind of how it feels when one is up and dressed and out wandering when it is still oh so dark out.  However, the best part is that some of the other creatures are also still out from their evening forays and that gives us a chance to say howdy.  Hey there little one.

Color starts to show up and I'm going to let you watch it play out for a few pictures.

The color comes - the color goes.

And then, the pretty lady makes her appearance.

It' is funny when clouds decide to become the star of the photo.

After coffee and breakfast, we are off for an bit of exploring today.  The beach is amazing, but there are other areas around and finding them are a part of vacation that we both love.  We have no itinerary, just heading towards Galveston and we'll see how it plays from there.  Up and over the toll bridge we go.  Yep, we are on the Bluewater Highway.

We've been to Galveston before, but have never just followed the Bluewater Highway until it ends.  This time we do, just to see.  Turns out we are at the Galveston Jetty.  Who knew?

We spot a grey heron down along the rocks and also see a fisherman heading that way.  He does not know the bird is there.

Bye now - 

He doesn't fly far though and when he lands, look what else we see.  This dolphin was going back and forth in the causeway but I never caught it on camera again.

Ships heading out. 

A little education now:  "The northeastern tip of Galveston island has seen defense fortifications since the early 1800s.  Crude Spanish and French forts (1816-1818) gave way to small sand forts and batteries constructed by the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1844.  In 1863 the Confederate Army built sandbag breastworks and an earthen battery name Fort Point.  All traces of these early fortifications were destroyed by the strong winds and tides which regularly reshaped the sandy tip of the island.  A more substantial fortification call Fort San Jacinto was built here by the U.S. Army in 1897.  After the fort was destroyed in the 1900 storm, the Galveston seawall was extended northward in 1921 to protect this area.  The fort was rebuilt and new gun emplacements were added for the defense of Galveston during World War II.  The round, concrete base of one of these 90-mm gun emplacements remains here today.  Fort San Jacinto was decommissioned in 1959." 

From here, it's into town for a bit just to drive around.  The Bishop's Palace is always picture worthy.  Someday, we might even tour it.

I spot this wonderful turtle and have to find out what's up.  This Turtles About Town LINK will show you many more.  Next trip down, I'll have mapped these out and it will be one of our adventure days.  This particular one was created by Presley Pyles and is Chef Mamacitta.  Too cute.

One more trek down a couple of fascinating street and this building just looks fun.  Wouldn't you like to have a shop here?

It's lunchtime and we would love to check out a local brewery.  However, the ones in Galveston don't open for awhile so the choice is made to drive north a bit to Galveston Bay Brewing in Dickinson, TX.  It is rather out of the way, but, oh well.  The first thing we notice as we drive up is that it is across the street from a very large school.  I'm sure there is a story behind that.

In we go and are greeted warmly.  Lots of choices here.

Captain Coffee Stout is the one for me and I chose so wisely.  It is super yummy.  Mister has a Horchata Stout and although sweet, it is also just wonderful.

A call from my  mom takes me outside for a bit and when I return, Mister has ordered us food.  Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings for me and a Shrimp PoBoy for him.  The fries are to share.  Lots of one color food, but oh so good.

A peek into the brewery.  They do small batches.

And the place that created our mouth-watering lunch.  Kudos.  (See the school - yes, we asked.  The brewery was here first.)

There is a quilt shop in Dickinson, so a stop must be make.  You can read all about it in my Teo's Treasures LINK.  

Then it's back on the road -- back roads all the way and we come across this sign that has Mister wanting to walk in - no way.  He is also laughing because at first glace he though alligator hunting was allowed.  Turns out - no.  We don't go in and drive on by.

A little further down the road, we do see the sign to enter the Brazos National Wildlife Refuge.  Neither of us puts two and two together as to the Alligator Marsh sign, but in we go.  As we are driving down the entrance road, this little lady is sitting in the middle of the pavement.  Well, that' won't do at all.

So, she must be moved and relocated.

Just making sure she is alive and then I place her in the marsh at the side of the road.

The next stop is the Discover Center - which is closed but we do manage to find a sign that shows the way around.  Here is where the Alligator Marsh sign comes into play.  Duh.  The highway was on the backside of it.

We are at Number 1 - The Discovery Center

There is a landing overlook nearby and as we walk up --- yep, yep there are pollinators present.  There are several more nests, but we just pass by quietly and they have no concern towards us.

On the other side there is a walkway into the reeds and this is what is on the other side.  Oh my.

It is so pretty and the water is crystal clear.

Lotus flowers just waiting to open up.  It's crazy calm here, few sounds, and no bugs.  The occasional rise of a fish or the wings of a duck are the only things our ears pick up.

From this point it's back into the car and we drive the Big Slough route.  Unfortunately, there is not much to see from the car along the road but there are a ton of walking paths at each spot.  Perhaps, once again, another day can be set aside and walk in the cooler part of the day.  For some reason, this October is just not very cool.  It's 90 degrees today.

By the time we have driven the route, the day is going and it's time to finish out the drive.  Here is a map of our journey today.  All in all -- a delightful adventure.

Ahhhh, we're back and this is the 6:00 picture.  I know, it's supposed to be at 5 but we just hadn't returned quite yet.  If you look REAL close, Mister's head can be seen in the water out front.  After taking the picture, I put my suit on a joined him for a little wave jumping.

Feet up, take a breath, and enjoy the sunset that is just beginning.  It was a very good day together.  See you tomorrow.