If you go to Galveston you must ride the ferry to Port Bolivar (and back to Galveston of course). It's one of the few things to do that's absolutely free. And it's FUN! Five ferry boats make the 20-minute trip, back and forth, all day long. Each ferry can carry 500 passengers, 70 vehicles (or eight 18-wheelers!). In hurricane evacuations the ferry is the only way to leave Port Bolivar so not only is it recreation but it's the lifeblood of one community. The boats (except for one) are named for prominent former commissioners of the Texas Department of Transportation.
You can park in a TxDOT parking lot and walk onto the ferry or drive your car on. Many gull-watchers bring bread and other food to feed the gulls on the three-mile trip and as a result the gulls follow the ferries closely.
There's not an empty pole anywhere. I loved seeing this guy protect his territory!
Watching for dolphins.
And the ever present gulls!
11 comments:
Looks like a floating parking lot.
What a wonderful medley of photos, Kathy! We use a ferry to get to a favorite island in Wisconsin but the design is so different than the one you show. I love the gull pictures, esp the last one because you captured the path of the water so very well!
We love riding that ferry - we love FREE!! You should come back during the winter - the American White Pelicans are there along with other varieties of gulls. There's also a smaller (& still free) ferry in LaPorte that is on Battleground Road - very near the site of the Battle of San Jacinto (not to forget the Monument Inn - place to eat).
Love some free fun!!! So do the gulls! ;)
That ferry in the first picture is the same one we took to Galveston the last time we were there. I remember the name because when we were getting ready to drive on I was a bit nervous as the water was quite choppy and they had told us they were shutting down the ferry because of the high seas and we were the last ferry to cross. I was a little worried to be crossing in high seas on the Dedman. And yes, there were plenty of gulls. Again, great shots, Kathy.
i like the gull providing a perfect flag pole topper. :)
More great shots today. I especially like the gull on the flagpole.
Ah...water...and FREE!
FREE! That would make the trip all the more fun.
The last shot is wonderful! The lady's outfit that is watching for dolphins reminds me of an outfit my Barbie Doll had back in the 60's. Love it!
What a nice boat trip for free :-)
Your photo from the passengers is great! And wow, are there really dolphins to see?
Liebe Grüße,
Pia
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