Don Friedly planned this trip in 2014 but had to cancel it. Thanks to Don.
Trip Description: We will meet at Bayland Park, just over the Fred Hartman Bridge in Baytown, at 9:30 AM. We will launch at 10:00 AM. This is a short paddle rich in history. We will launch near the site of the Goose Creek shipyard, which built blockade runners during the civil war. We will paddle out into the historic Goose Creek Oil Field, site of Texas's first off shore rigs and one of the birthplaces of the Petroleum Age. This small field has produced to date over 150,000,000 barrels of oil, and is still producing, as we will see. Once across the Goose Creek field, we encounter the ruins of the Bay Town-La Porte Causeway, once the only way across this part of the Bay. Hurricane Carla destroyed the Causeway and Ferry landing in 1961. We will follow the Causeway ruins to Hog Island, where we can land and walk along the old road to the (now defunct) ferry terminal. Very life after people!
We will then paddle along Hog Island, stopping for lunch on the tip of Atkinson Island. This will give us a front row seat to busy port operations at Morgan's Point, and the opportunity for some beach combing.
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Directions: From Houston, follow 225 towards La Porte, take 146 north to Baytown. After crossing the Fred Hartman Bridge, bear right on Business 146 to take the first right after the bridge into Bayland Park. Or, if approaching on I-10 from the west, take Exit 788 onto Decker Drive/Texas Spur 330 South. Continue onto Hwy 146 South, then exit for Robert Lanier Drive/Missouri Street. Continue on Robert Lanier Drive to TX Hwy 146 Business North. Turn right into Bayland Park.
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Lat-lon of the put-in is: 29.71293N, 94.99406W
Hazards: This is an 8 mile Level 2 trip, 2+ if it's windy. Remember to dress for immersion. Tabb's Bay has very little boat trraffic. Oil wells, power poles, and debris keep powerboat traffic under control. There are submerged piliings and debris around the Causeway and in the Bay. I have never hit anything here, but be wary if you have new gelcoat. There could be mosqitoes on the islands, ship wakes are minimal due to low speed and the proximity of the port. The ramp is near some shabby looking apartments, be aware and don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Bring water, lunch, sunsreen insect repellent. Wear good footwear.