The Penguin
triple secret probation
- Location
- down by the river
Lone Star Free Ride
Crystal Beach, TX
There are many websites and Facebook pages for Crystal Beach and The Bolivar Peninsula. Please visit www.crystalbeach.com or our Chamber of Commerce at www.discoverbolivar.com for lots of info on our peninsula/beach, house rentals, etc.
Approximate ride location, on the beach at the south end of O'Neal Road. (O'Neal has a few different spellings, so if you have trouble - try S. Jacks Road instead):
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=S+One...,+TX+77650&hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr
This is a "simple" ride with no sponsors. In the past, we had a group meal at my house on Saturday evening. I'm game if ya'll are.
All are welcome. Please be polite, pick up your trash, and don't break any glass on the beach. With this many people, you need to have good wave manners (especially large sitdowns). We don't want any injuries if we can help it.
There are no gimmicks, we just hang out and ride. In the past, we've had around 80-90 people - riders and families. There will likely be around 45-50 riders. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed on the beach - though I've never seen a leash law enforced. There will likely be too much beach traffic to let your dog run loose. This ride is during Spring Break for most of the Texas schools and colleges.
Beach Rules, etc:
Parking and camping is allowed on the beach with an annual beach parking permit. Parking stickers are $10. These permits are available at the local convenience stores (several less than 5 miles away) and from local "beach ambassadors" that drive the beach in a little black Roxor Jeep. The bald guy "Dale" is a dick. I (The Penguin) will purchase 40-50 stickers early - so they will be $5 each. Please see me at the ride to buy a $5 sticker from me.
RV's can drive and park (boondock) on the beach (no hook up's on the beach, but there are nearby RV parks). the beach is a bit wider about 1/2 mile or so west of O'Neal Road...near Alma Street, so and RV'rs may want to set up there.
The only real rule for our freerides:
Don't do anything that makes me stop riding to take you to the hospital!
A few safety suggestions for everyone: PLEASE READ! http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/28587
Q: I know many of you are local to this ride, so can we get an idea of what type of gas we can expect to be available near the ride? Or do we have to bring enough for the whole weekend?
A: 87, 89, 93 pump gas is available at several locations on the peninsula. I suggest purchasing gas from "The Big Store" as they have large turnover. DO NOT buy gas at TJ's - they have frequent complaints about water in their tanks.
Ethanol free might be available at one of the marinas. I will check on that if someone needs the info
Note that if you bring fuel and cross the ferry - you either have to disguise it carefully - or take the long way around Galveston Bay.
More on that: If you go on the ferry and they see you're carrying gas cans, they must be filled with water. Not only can you not take cans with gas across, but you also can't take empty cans across. They will make you turn around and fill them with water, and since all the gas stations charge for water, it'll cost you a few bucks to do so.
Q: Where exactly is the ride area?
A: The ride area is about 9 miles after you get off the ferry. Pretty much turn towards the beach at 9 miles - if you can't find us from there: you're blind.
Closest gas is 1.5 miles or so away from the ride area - so roughly 10.5 miles from the ferry.
Closest food is the H2 Brewhouse & Jose's Cantina. Up at the highway from the ride area, look to the left - there it is.
Basic beach rules (some from the actual authorities, some from Penguin):
Other info you might need:
my house is in the Bluewater subdivision - if you're renting a house and want to be nearby, look for Bluewater or Sage Road.
If you're renting a house When they say a house sleeps 6 - they mean it. They can kick you out of a rental for sleeping more people than the house can accomodate. Rentals may or may not include linens - be sure to ask.
Rental houses near me - www.bluewave.rent
also look for "Crystal Beach Rentals by owner" group on Facebook.
There are several RV parks in the area - links are on the CB webpage
if you need more info or help with anything, please PM or email me.
Crystal Beach, TX
There are many websites and Facebook pages for Crystal Beach and The Bolivar Peninsula. Please visit www.crystalbeach.com or our Chamber of Commerce at www.discoverbolivar.com for lots of info on our peninsula/beach, house rentals, etc.
Approximate ride location, on the beach at the south end of O'Neal Road. (O'Neal has a few different spellings, so if you have trouble - try S. Jacks Road instead):
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=S+One...,+TX+77650&hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr
This is a "simple" ride with no sponsors. In the past, we had a group meal at my house on Saturday evening. I'm game if ya'll are.
All are welcome. Please be polite, pick up your trash, and don't break any glass on the beach. With this many people, you need to have good wave manners (especially large sitdowns). We don't want any injuries if we can help it.
There are no gimmicks, we just hang out and ride. In the past, we've had around 80-90 people - riders and families. There will likely be around 45-50 riders. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed on the beach - though I've never seen a leash law enforced. There will likely be too much beach traffic to let your dog run loose. This ride is during Spring Break for most of the Texas schools and colleges.
Beach Rules, etc:
Parking and camping is allowed on the beach with an annual beach parking permit. Parking stickers are $10. These permits are available at the local convenience stores (several less than 5 miles away) and from local "beach ambassadors" that drive the beach in a little black Roxor Jeep. The bald guy "Dale" is a dick. I (The Penguin) will purchase 40-50 stickers early - so they will be $5 each. Please see me at the ride to buy a $5 sticker from me.
RV's can drive and park (boondock) on the beach (no hook up's on the beach, but there are nearby RV parks). the beach is a bit wider about 1/2 mile or so west of O'Neal Road...near Alma Street, so and RV'rs may want to set up there.
The only real rule for our freerides:
Don't do anything that makes me stop riding to take you to the hospital!
A few safety suggestions for everyone: PLEASE READ! http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/28587
Q: I know many of you are local to this ride, so can we get an idea of what type of gas we can expect to be available near the ride? Or do we have to bring enough for the whole weekend?
A: 87, 89, 93 pump gas is available at several locations on the peninsula. I suggest purchasing gas from "The Big Store" as they have large turnover. DO NOT buy gas at TJ's - they have frequent complaints about water in their tanks.
Ethanol free might be available at one of the marinas. I will check on that if someone needs the info
Note that if you bring fuel and cross the ferry - you either have to disguise it carefully - or take the long way around Galveston Bay.
More on that: If you go on the ferry and they see you're carrying gas cans, they must be filled with water. Not only can you not take cans with gas across, but you also can't take empty cans across. They will make you turn around and fill them with water, and since all the gas stations charge for water, it'll cost you a few bucks to do so.
Q: Where exactly is the ride area?
A: The ride area is about 9 miles after you get off the ferry. Pretty much turn towards the beach at 9 miles - if you can't find us from there: you're blind.
Closest gas is 1.5 miles or so away from the ride area - so roughly 10.5 miles from the ferry.
Closest food is the H2 Brewhouse & Jose's Cantina. Up at the highway from the ride area, look to the left - there it is.
Basic beach rules (some from the actual authorities, some from Penguin):
- Our beach rules have changed...ATV's, ROV's UTV's dirt bikes, pit bikes, etc are allowed on the beach. Golf carts require liability insurance. No insurance required for the other things. ONLY golf carts or street legal vehicles can be driving into neighborhoods. If you park it on the beach, it needs a parking sticker (if the beach ambassador comes by he'll sell you one)...if you park your ATV on a trailer that's parked on the beach - no sticker required.
- There are many golf cart rental companies on the Peninsula. See general links above - they all advertise on those pages. Suggested to stay away from West Canal Beach Buggies. They have a number of complaints.
- No Glass on the beach (that includes in a vehicle). Put it in a cup, or drink from a can.
- Beach speed limit is 15mph
- No smoking in my house if you come inside.
- Please do not litter - I will have free blue trash bags on the beach. Use them...especially for jello shot cups.
- For those coming from out of state - TX does not allow anyone in the passenger compartment of a vehicle to drink alcoholic beverages. That means driver, shotgun seat and rear seat occupants as well. I don't know how the law interprets that with regard to the bed of a truck. So - if you want to go down the beach to "The Zoo" (the spring break party area) - please be aware of that rule!
- The cops at "The Zoo" have absolutely no sense of humor. They will arrest you and put you on "the bus" to Galveston.
- There have been cases of dolphin strandings in Crystal Beach & Galveston. If you see a dead or dying dolphin (on the beach or a floating carcass) - please notify me so I can call the proper authorities.
- Please do not drive through my yard, unless I tell you it's OK. Golf carts and pit bikes are fine - but if you have a car, park along the road like normal people :biggrin:
- If you do go to "The Zoo" - bring a video camera - you never know what you might see! :bigeyes: Night vision on a video camera is a GOOD THING! :biggthumpup:
Other info you might need:
my house is in the Bluewater subdivision - if you're renting a house and want to be nearby, look for Bluewater or Sage Road.
If you're renting a house When they say a house sleeps 6 - they mean it. They can kick you out of a rental for sleeping more people than the house can accomodate. Rentals may or may not include linens - be sure to ask.
Rental houses near me - www.bluewave.rent
also look for "Crystal Beach Rentals by owner" group on Facebook.
There are several RV parks in the area - links are on the CB webpage
if you need more info or help with anything, please PM or email me.
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