Getting to Crystal Beach

[The Penguin]

From Houston (and points west):

you can take your chances going through Galveston and riding the ferry - but the ferry service has started doing random vehicle searches (Homeland Security BS). If they find gas cans, you will have to empty them, then rinse and fill with water...so I'd go around Galveston Bay (It's usually faster anyway)

Drive I-10 East towards Beaumont. Take the exit for Hankamer & Highway 61 (sorry I don't have the exit #, but it's one or two exits after crossing the Trinity River) There is a McDonald's and a gas station at the exit. Turn right.

Continue down this winding road, you will come to a 4-way stop. Go straight. After about 8 miles you'll come to a fork in the road. Bear to the left towards the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

Drive about 14 miles you'll come to a "T" intersection. Turn right towards High Island.

Drive 9 miles - you'll come to a "Y" intersection - bear right. (You can't go left, the road is washed out) There will be a sign that points to the right and says Galveston 30 miles.

Drive 18.1 miles and turn left onto S. O'Neal. There is a "First Stop Grocery" on the left and a Fireworks Wharehouse on the right.

From Louisana:

Drive I-10 West. Take the Highway 124 exit (There will be a sign that says "to the beach" with an arrow). Turn left.

Stay on Highway 124 (about 25 miles) until you come to a "Y" intersection - bear right. (You can't go left, the road is washed out) There will be a sign that points to the right and says Galveston 30 miles.

Drive 18.1 miles and turn left onto S. O'Neal. There is a "First Stop Grocery" on the left and a Fireworks Wharehouse on the right.

As usual - any questions...please PM me or post here.

[Bonzia Bob]

It looks like (according to map quest) If you are coming from Houston its exit#812. If you are coming from Louisiana it should be exit #829.

[The Penguin]

Between now and then I will be making a trip and can confirm exit numbers...but 812 does sound correc if coming from the west.

coming from the east - you can't miss all the signs saying "to the beach"

[subseawellhead]

Guess i'll have to fill my gas cans w/ water to be safe. Do I have to fill the ski's:frown: also. Got my cans across last Sept.:sneaky:

[Prem1x]

There was not much wait at the ferry last time for me, but we got stopped and had to turn around to fill our empty can with water.

[The Penguin]

Guess i'll have to fill my gas cans w/ water to be safe. Do I have to fill the ski's:frown: also. Got my cans across last Sept.:sneaky:
if your coming from Louisiana - you're not going over the ferry.

[Bonzia Bob]

We are just going to do the extra miles to avoid the fuel tank B.S. We will have seven or eight jugs so we'll take the long way around.

[All Stock]

Unless you live down 45S or are close to the ferry, there is not much reason to take that route. The drive from I-10 is not bad at all, and you can get cheaper gas off the island.

The way I see it is the fewer chances for trouble, the better.

[subseawellhead]

if your coming from Louisiana - you're not going over the ferry.
forgot,thatswhenirodeGalveston--spacebar-broken

[QuickMick]

Looks like they are only running two ferries. Hmmm
Here is the link to the info I found.
You can go to the bottom of the page and see what the wait times are.

http://www.crystalbeach.com/twoferries.htm

[jas870]

I live in Crystal Beach (and am excited to see this event down near my house).

Here's my two cents regarding getting here:

Like The Penguin and All Stock said, you're probably better off getting here via I-10 than going 45 to the ferry. They're running boats on an as-needed basis now, so they will be running more than two on the 17th-18th, but because that is also the last weekend of spring break, the ferry line is almost guaranteed to be at least two hours long. You can call the ferry office at 409.795.2230 to check.

If you're going via I-10, from Houston or further west, I would recommend staying on 1-10 all the way until you get to 124 in Winnie. From there it's just a straight shot south until you get to 87, where you have to turn right (only way to go, unless you try to drive on the washed out road). I just looked at a map and all of the back roads that The Penguin suggested from Hankamer and onward all run North-South or East-West ... meaning it's all right angles so you won't save any time by going diagonally. You will likely save time by not getting lost or getting stuck behind someone driving slowly on the backroads. But again, that's just my preference.

If you do come via 124, the exit is 828 from I-10 if you're traveling east (from houston) ... be sure to stay right when you exit, so that you get on 124 and not the other road (73). The exit is 829 if you're traveling west (from Beaumont or LA), and be sure to look carefully when you exit as you have to cross a two-way feeder. I almost got killed the first time I tried that exit. Not really, but it scared the hell out of me. Then you just turn left and go under the highway and you're on 124.

Hope that helps, and can't wait to see the skis. I'm looking to buy one (3-seater, $4500 or less), so PM me if you have one to sell!

[The Penguin]

jas - can you keep an eye out for some firewood for the bonfire? I'll be there on Thursday and can go pick it up.

[Peter123]

jas, you can try out my SJ and see if you'd rather go standup on your future purchase.

[jas870]

I'll definitely keep an eye out for firewood. I don't see too much around on the beaches and such, I will admit, but I'll definitely keep a lookout.

Peter, I definitely wouldn't pass up the chance to try out your SJ. I'm leaning toward a three-seater right now because I want to be able to wakeboard, and have something that can tow me (someone else driving) out past the breakers on my surfboard on the big wave days when the conditions are too rough to paddle out in. Still, I think a standup would be a lot of fun, and would love to try one out.

[The Penguin]

construction dumpsters are wonderful sources of bonfire wood :wink:

[jas870]

now that's a very good point ... those are much easier to come by around here :-D

i'll see what i can find ...

[The Penguin]

jas - you need a SJ! I need someone to ride with on a regular basis during the summer

[jas870]

Do you think an SJ would be strong enough to (slowly) pull someone on a surfboard out during big (5-8 foot) waves? That's what first started me thinking about getting a ski. We have these crazy stormy days out here with waves that would be so fun to surf (as I'm sure you've seen), but if it's too windy and the waves are all over the place there's just no way to paddle out through that.

I also really like the idea of wakeboarding, but I also have to imagine that it might be just as fun to do the same sorts of things right on the ski ...

So many options ...

[Prem1x]

Yeah, you can tow a person with a standup. but it takes some skill.

[sjkawgirl]

and then again after spending some time on the ski he just might give up the surfboard....he wouldn't be the first. :sneaky:

[jas870]

no!! i'll never give up surfing!! :lmao:

but the gulf sure seems to want me to sometimes ... it's been flat for over a week now, and summer promises months of it. i skimboard but that's getting boring too. so now it's time to add an engine to the mix!

[jas870]

Penguin ... I just had a thought ... are you planning on having the bonfire on the beach? If so, you might run into trouble with the sheriffs as those are illegal on the beach. Campfires are okay but not bonfires, and I've never seen a bonfire allowed to stay, especially when the beaches are crowded as they are now.

My apologies if I'm telling you things you already know :)

[The Penguin]

we're not talking "aggie bonfire" here. :wink:

[tursiops93]

we're not talking "aggie bonfire" here. :wink:

We are if you let me or Michael950 help with it!!!
:biggthumpup: :firedevil: :firedevil:

[The Penguin]

you? I need a "real" aggie to make a bonfire.

You went to aggie beach camp! :biggrin: