Thursday promised to be grey, not the best weather to go out gallivanting, but off I did go, leaving around 8AM. I got fuel and then drove straight to Aransas Pass to catch the free ferry to Port Aransas.
One of the goals of this trip was to see what it would be like in an RV and to scope out the boondocking spots. I’d already made the decision not to move Miranda there, but I wanted to know what I would be missing.
The ferry was very tight. I did see a ginormous fiver come off the ferry ahead of me, but I would not feel comfortable taking my rig on there as there is zero room for error.
Port Aransas is bigger than I thought it would be and full of colourful unique storefronts (see the gallery below). First stop was the Marine Science Institute, where there are a few free displays. They sometimes have free educational lectures and movies, too.
I met a wonderful lady traveling from Minnesota. We gabbed for ages and she was delighted that I’ve been through her state a few times and could easily point out her town on a map. We talked a little about my travels and she asked me if I’d ever been to Alaska, wondering how hard it is to get there. I explained that the Alaska Highway is super easy to drive and that there’s no need to over prepare to go north. She actually took some notes. I hope she gets up there some day!
Next, I came upon one of the many RV boondocking beaches in the area. You need to pay to boondock and you can only stay three nights out of every three weeks.
I drove out to another beach south of town. Both locations were lovely, but the ground was very soft and the tides more likely to come up very high. I really don’t feel like I’m making a mistake not detouring to Port Aransas to boondock, but I’m glad I checked it out.
I’d asked S for a lunch recommendation and she told me to try the pizza at The Gaff, so that’s where I went. Woah, what a place… It’s a shack (and that’s a kind way of putting it) with a pirate theme. It didn’t feel too clean and I’m not convinced the pizza maker washed her hands once between everything she was doing. That said, the experience was worth it and the pizza not bad! I was only able to eat a couple of slices and I took the rest with me. I knew it wouldn’t survive the trip to Harlingen, what with the truck sitting in the sun, but I was able to snack on another couple of slices and found that this is a pizza that’s best served lukewarm. I loved the sauce and cheese, the crust was so-so. The server had just started working there and had everything under control. We had a nice chat and she said that I should come on a Saturday night when they have beltsander races! I would never have tried this place had it not been recommended to me and I’m so glad I did!
It was coming on to 1:00 when I came out from lunch, so it was time to move on. Next stop, Corpus Christi.
Aim Low Insurance in Aransas Pass; the name struck me as funny.
Driving towards the Port Aransas ferry.
The road to the ferry is lined with instructional signs for using the ‘ferryboat.’ My favourite was ‘the ferryboat’s capacity is whatever it can safely carry.’
Good thing there is a little boat on the instructions, or I would have serious doubts about my GPS!
Waiting in line at the ferry. I was signaled to go ‘thataway’ with two fingers waving, so I deduced (correctly) that I had to go into the outer lane.
VERY tight squeeze on the ferry.
Leaving Aransas Pass.
Port Aransas
Ferry heading for Aransas Pass
Port Aransas
Desserted Island Ice Cream
Marine Science Institute.
Sculpture outside the Marine Science Institute.
I really enjoyed this display that showed the teeth of sharks that swim in these waters and offered humorous commentary on their diet.
There were a few aquariums with live fish.
Cute grumpy fish.
Nearly invisible flat fish.
Yummy red snapper.
You are so delicious smoked!
More hiding fish.
“Come on, inner peace. I don’t have all day!”
I had never heard of ‘sea beans’ before today. They are seeds that are carried to far away lands by sea currents.
More about sea beans.
A variety of sea beans.
More sea beans.
One of the RV boondocking beaches.
One of the RV boondocking beaches.
One of the RV boondocking beaches.
One of the RV boondocking beaches.
One of the RV boondocking beaches.
View from one of the RV boondocking beaches.
I missed a turn on the GPS and came upon this. Best store entrance ever.
Second best store entrance ever.
Another boondocking beach.
Another boondocking beach.
Another boondocking beach.
Sea turtles are endangered.
Rules for boondocking here, including have a permit and stay only three days.
The sand was a little soft in spots.
The Gaff Pirate Bar
I wouldn’t have ventured in this place if it hadn’t been recommended to me.
Decent pizza with good conversation.
