Fort Travis, Bolivar Peninsula, and a Free Ride

At the end of Galveston Island is the Port Bolivar/Galveston Ferry.  

The ferry is free, and a nice little ride.  Something to do if you want to just take a little water trip.  The ride, about 20 minutes, takes you across the Bay to the Bolivar Peninsula. 

The ferry is nothing fancy, but you can get out and wander up to the top floor to get a nice view of the port and coast.  It was a bit foggy the day we went, but on a clear day there is lots to see.

Even the birds use it to cross the bay.

SeaWolf Park: More on that later.

Ferry Ride

Not a cruise ship, although there was a  big one in port.

Now, Bolivar is not Galveston.  It's narrow, and surrounded by Gulf and Bay, has houses on stilts; but, that's where the similarities end.

There are a few campgrounds, but the beach is not clean, packed sand like on the island...lots of sea (and people) trash.  No cute shops or fun cafés.  

But, right after the ferry, near the lighthouse, is Fort Travis Seashore Park.

Here holds a history of fortifications dating as far back as 1816.  

The current forts that remain were begun in 1898.  In 1900, a storm damaged much of the fort, and a 15-foot seawall was constructed.  During World War I, the fort garrisoned troops defending the Port of Galveston.

In 1942, after enlarging the fort, 2,500 troops were stationed here during World War II.  After the war, it was sold and in 1976 acquired through a Moody Foundation grant (Moody is a prominent name in Galveston history).  

 

Now, the park invites picnickers and children.  Hurricane Ike damaged the seawall extensively, as well as some of the forts, and FEMA restoration is underway.

 (Incidentally, if you are traveling to Galveston, or Corpus Christi, coming from Louisiana or North Western Texas, and the GPS tells you to take route 124, to route 87, and then take the ferry...DO IT!  Even with an RV.  18-wheelers use the ferry.  

We didn't know this and traveled quite out of our way to Galveston.)