TEXAS COAST AND RIO GRANDE VALLEY MARCH 23-30, 2026

 Monday, March 23, 2026

It has been a while since we went anywhere in the Trek, so we are anxious to get back on the road!  (Since Greg's back surgery in September.) We've decided to do a shorter, more local trip as our trial run... down the Texas coast and to the Rio Grande Valley, and we've waited till all the Spring Breakers are back at their schools.  It has been a few years since we've gone this way, so it will be some repeats and some new places.

First up is the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge which is just about a 2 hour drive, southeast of Houston.  Some nice wildflowers once we leave Houston behind.

We find the Visitors Center closed,  but there is a nice boardwalk/trail there and quite a few things to see!   Lots of ducks and other birds...

.. along with a few gators from baby size (we later learn that they were probably born last August) to some larger ones.  The little ones are very cute, about 18" long.

A few mosquitoes, so we don't do the entire trail, instead opting for the Auto Tour around The Big Slough (slough is pronounced sloo, rhymes with zoo).  

Dowitchers

Ibis

After the auto tour, we head to the nearby Cannan Bend Unit of the park.  This was originally a sand quarry, so is nearly 50' deep.  Fishing seems to be the main attraction.  We do a short trail through huge old oak trees and then move on.

Next is Sea Center Texas, which we find is closed Mondays.  But it has a nice outside boardwalk area, so we wonder around a bit.  Birds, fish, turtles.... more baby gators.

Little blue heron

gr

great egret

As we begin walking back towards the Trek,  I tell Greg I'd like to see a snake (from up here on the boardwalk 🙂 and not more than two minutes later, this guy comes into view.  I yelled "snake" which made both me and the snake stop abruptly for a moment.  Then it swam on and I followed and got a few pictures.

We are planning to camp on the beach at Surfside, but decide to stop in the Lake Jackson Library for an hour or two to stay cool and relax before heading to the beach.  Nice library.  Greg finds the magazine section and Beth connects the laptop and checks out today's photos.  We have found libraries great havens over the years, and everyone is always so friendly and kind!

It isn't difficult to find the public beach which allows vehicles and camping.  We are using a program called Roadtrippers, which includes GPS.  Only a few other rv's and a couple of tents, none near.  The sand is quite firm and the water far enough away that we don't worry.  

Lots of gulls and pelicans.

The pelicans coast on breezes so are often in formation.

Love the rhythmic sound of the waves and there is a wonderful breeze.   We have a few snacks, then some taco soup from home.  The temperature drops with the sun and we end up with blankets before the night is over!  Beautiful sunset.