Trip Description:
Friday July 4: This is the Palacios, TX Independence Day celebration. In the afternoon, we will participate on the water in a re-enactment of Robert LaSalle's coming ashore in Matagorda County in 1685 to sign the Declaration of Independence. At night we will be back on the water for the Palacios fireworks show over Tres Palacios Bay. Afterwards, we can drive back home (late) or stay in the area. For those staying, there are two simple but charming historic hotels nearby. Make your own arrangements. Linda and I plan to stay Friday night at the Blessing.
The historic Blessing Hotel in Blessing has eleven rooms (~$35 cash only + tax) with a "full" size bed available as of June 13. A "full" size bed at the Blessing is ok for one person, or for two in a committed relationship. Good breakfast.
128 10th St, Blessing, TX 77419
(361) 588-9579
The historic Luther Hotel in Palacios has a few rooms (~$71.50) available but has a two night minimum for the holiday weekend.
408 S Bay Blvd, Palacios, TX 77465
(361) 972-2312
Location Map If LaSalle had been a HASK Trip Leader using Google Earth, maybe he wouldn't have missed the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Friday afternoon LaSalle Re-enactment paddle:
We will meet at 3:00 p.m. to be ready to put in at 3:30 p.m. From Houston, take Hwy 59 S about 95 miles. Take the exit toward TX-71/El Campo/Palacios. Drive south on Hwy 71 about 22 miles.Turn right onto TX-35 S. Drive about 12 miles into Palacios. You will drive past Blessing, TX on the way. )If you are staying at the Blessing Hotel, drive into downtown to check in and get your room. There is no night attendant. Remember, cash only.) In Palacios where TX 35 turns right, continue straight on Business 35 for about 1 mile. Where Business 35 turns right, you turn left onto E Main Street. Very soon, turn right again on E Bay Blvd following the bayshore northward. You should find the LaSalle group gathering at the parking area of wooden shelter. Park there and you will be given further instructions from the King of France. The event takes place around 4:00. Lat-lon of the put-in: 28° 42.268'N, 96° 12.564'W
I'm told that the landing re-enactment will be filmed for a future public television program, so you might want to dress up a little. Once we have LaSalle safely ashore, we will find a place for dinner in Palacios or maybe the Blessing hotel, then drive to Collegeport on the east shore of the bay to a quiet place to view the fireworks.
Late Update: Friday evening pot-luck dinner at the College community building, approx 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Bring a side dish or dessert. G W Franzen will talk about local history.
Friday night Fireworks Paddle:
From Palacios, we will drive north on Hwy 35 about 2.5 miles and turn right on FM 2853. Follow that about 5.5 miles north and east to Hwy 521. Turn right on Hwy 521 and drive 2 miles, crossing the Tres Palacios River. Turn right on FM 1095 and drive about 7.5 miles south and west into Collegeport. At the bayshore, turn left to the county boat ramp. We will put in whenever we get there for a sunset paddle to watch the fireworks from the water across the bay. This will be a short (2 - 5 mile) night paddle along a sheltered shore. If our side of the bay is too choppy, we'll watch the fireworks from the beach. I think we'll be off the water around 11 - 11:30 p.m. Lat-lon of the put-in: 28° 43.362'N, 96° 11.310'W
Coast Guard required gear for a night paddle is a Type III Life Vest, a noise making device such as a whistle or air horn, and a white flashlight or headlamp that can be directed towards another vessel. Pleae have all of these with you. I will also bring glow sticks to tie on our boats so we can keep track of each other.
Saturday July 5 morning paddle: Breakfast at the Blessing hotel is highly recommended. This will be a 5 - 8 mile Level 2 paddle in Turtle Bay just west of Palacios. From the Blessing Hotel, take Hwy 35 South (not Business 35) about 15 miles, through Palacios. You will pass the Palacios Airport and cross Turtle Creek and soon turn left on County Road 340 (Jensen Point Road). Drive 2.2 miles to the end of the road at Jensen Point Boat Ramp. Let's meet at 9:30 to put in at 10:00. We will cross Turtle Bay to the "lighthouse" and continue to scenic and windswept Jensen Point for lunch, returning to the put-in around 2:30 p.m. Lat-lon of the put-in: 28° 41.258'N, 96° 16.465'W
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This is a Level 2 trip. Night paddlers should be comfortable in whatever the bay conditions happen to be or should watch the fireworks from shore. Chop is a little trickier at night.
Hazards: Oysters, stingrays, beavers, swans, killer rabbits, pilings, boat traffic especially at night, mosquitos, fire ants, being locked in your room at the Blessing Hotel.
| Trip Leader |
Carl Kuhnen |
| Trip Assistants |
|
| Trip Rating* |
2 |
| Ready to Launch at |
3 p.m. Friday July 4 |
| Duration (hours) |
2, 2, and 3 hours |
| Paddling Miles |
10 |
| Emergency Initiator |
|
| Emergency Phone #s |
|
| Latest Expected Return |
3:00 p.m. Saturday July 5 |
| Auto Description/Lic # |
Blue Honda Element BP2_G469 |
| Distance from Houston |
107 miles |
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
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Here's the full schedule for the Palacios Independence Day celebration:
JULY 4 CELEBRATION
EAST BAY PARK PALACIOS
(NO ICE CHESTS ALLOWED )
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3RD
BINGO 5 PM - 9 PM
BOOTH 5 PM - 9 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 4TH
Flag Raising Ceremony – 9:00am
Kids Fourth of July Parade – 10:00am
Bar-B-Q Plate Lunch11:00 am - 1:00
Food and Other Booths 11:00 am – 11:00pm
Carnival - 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Helicopter Rides ($20.00 Per Person, 2 Riders) - 3:00 pm to Dusk
3:00 pm – 6:00pm Bingo - 3:00 pm – 9:00pm
4:00 pm - La Salle Landing Re-enactment featuring the La Petite Belle
10:00 pm Spectacular "Fireworks" Show
This is an ACA sanctioned event. Every participant must wear a PFD and sign a HASK/ACA Waiver. Click on link below to print out the waiver. Please complete prior to the trip so we can all get on the water a little quicker. HASK members who have provided a waiver to the HASK Membership Director within the last year do not need to complete a waiver.
o ACA Waiver - Adult
o ACA Waiver - Minor
Non-ACA Participants: You must purchase an ACA membership. Select the ACA menu item to join the ACA in advance or pay $5 for a single event membership at the put-in. Checks made out to the ACA are preferred to cash.
Non-HASK ACA Participants: You must provide your ACA number.