Galveston Ferry

chris3403 wrote:
Bumpyroad While anything is possible, I've ridden the Port Aransas, Aransas Pass ferry close to a hundred times and not once have I ever seen them direct anyone to a special lane to be searched. I have seen them direct RV's, semi's and people pulling boats to a different lane while they await space on the ferry that is long enough for them.

nazpaz yes I usually look for dolphins when I ride the ferry. I have also had them surface within 10 feet of me while wade fishing. Now that's something that will get your heart racing.

could be that Homeland Security jumps around all over the state/country at various venues, such as the mexican border and it was only by bad luck we were selected.
out of curiosity I googled it and came up with Jones Report



Homeland Security Conducting Illegal Searches at Ferry Checkpoint

JonesReport.com | October 17, 2007


Homeland Security officials in Galveston, Texas were caught on tape doing random vehicle searches on ordinary Americans at a ferry checkpoint.

Filmmaker Alex Jones videotaped a number of individuals undergoing searches and was himself searched on two occasions-- including once for 'asking questions.'
bumpy

looked at his video, sort of interesting if you discount the rabid/radical rantings. :) but it did show the extent of inspection.

just noticed that that was dated 2007. this has evidently been going on for 6 years and nobody else has been subjected to it?

The ferry is great, we do it every year on the way down and the way back. Never have had a problem. :B

John&Joey wrote:
...We enjoy Jamaica Beach RV park. There is a difference between the needs of weekenders and snowbirds in what they like. When your RV becomes your home for six months it's nice to have FHU/cable TV/swimming pool/hot tub/easy access/neighbors that are FT/PT'ers/etc...

True, and I should have differentiated between a weekend get-away destination and FT park. We have not been there in some time BUT the pool and hot tub was so nasty nobody used them. The water feature at the putt putt was so unkept the shark and rocks had inches of slimy algae growing on it. The common areas could have used some attention in regards to upkeep. JMHO

I shouldn't be knocking it. The employee's are very friendly and the landscaping at the front sites were nice. Kids would have a great time if the pool does make them sick. There are coordinated kid activities during the summer as well. Just not a place for us.
We are more comfortable at Dellanera.

2112 wrote:

We are more comfortable at Dellanera.

I used to stay there and my dish kept blowing over from the terrible winds. moved to the other side of the island to a park with good beach, not horrid winds, and a walk to restaurant.
bumpy

2112, We did not notice any of that when we stayed at Jamaica Beach for the month of March. Maybe it has to do with that time of year and the quality of the upkeep for that time period. There were a couple of winter Texans who were swapping work for rent, so maybe that made the difference or maybe things just changed since we were there :h

Bumpyroad wrote:

2112 wrote:

We are more comfortable at Dellanera.

I used to stay there and my dish kept blowing over from the terrible winds. moved to the other side of the island to a park with good beach, not horrid winds, and a walk to restaurant.
bumpy

:h No such place. The only beaches on Galveston are on the Gulf side.
You used to be able to boondock on Pelican Island but I heard that stopped after 9/11.
There is a park on Tiki Island but no beach.

The only park close to a restaurant would be Sandpiper.

John&Joey wrote:
2112, We did not notice any of that when we stayed at Jamaica Beach for the month of March. Maybe it has to do with that time of year and the quality of the upkeep for that time period. There were a couple of winter Texans who were swapping work for rent, so maybe that made the difference or maybe things just changed since we were there :h

We spent a weekend there in the summer of 2011 so in all honesty many things can and will change in that span. We pulled out saying there are better places to go and haven't looked back.

Not to hijack this thread but I would like to hear from anyone there now or have been recently. I could very well be full of you no what and spreading bogus info.

2112 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

2112 wrote:

We are more comfortable at Dellanera.

I used to stay there and my dish kept blowing over from the terrible winds. moved to the other side of the island to a park with good beach, not horrid winds, and a walk to restaurant.
bumpy

:h No such place. The only beaches on Galveston are on the Gulf side.
You used to be able to boondock on Pelican Island but I heard that stopped after 9/11.
There is a park on Tiki Island but no beach.

The only park close to a restaurant would be Sandpiper.

Sorry but there is such a place. perhaps "beach" was too generous, had shallow water with sandy bottom where you could walk out. nice and calm. 29 15' 44.15" N, 94 50'09.39W . don't remember the name of the camp ground, and the name changed since I was there. much nicer than delanarva. and when we were there last summer at a condo, the gulf side "beach" was nothing but a seaweed infested mess.
bumpy

Follow up post.
Well we did it. Took the ferry across into Galveston. Beautiful drive down the coast, almost no traffic and very good road.
The TSA was there and while they didn't search my RV they did make me get out and shut the propane off. However while we were sitting there getting ready to board we watched them search 6 other vehicles in the other lane. Make the driver get out and open the trunk and then under the hood.
Climbed the steps as was suggested and noticed there was something wrong with my OTA antenna.
Also noticed 4 dolphins as we crossed.
All in all glad we made the trip.

Bumpyroad wrote:
29 15' 44.15" N, 94 50'09.39W . don't remember the name of the camp ground, and the name changed since I was there. much nicer than delanarva. and when we were there last summer at a condo, the gulf side "beach" was nothing but a seaweed infested mess.
bumpy

Nothing at those coordinates except a apartment building, 7000 Seawall Blvd. Dellanera is just west of there a bit. Bet you were at Bayou Shores RV Resort on the sound side.