I've been in touch with the Galveston County Park Board and Kelly de Schaun's office regarding the County embracing the return of DBBB to East Beach.

One of the members on the park board runs the Galvestonian condo on the East End, and they've noticed the lack of recent kite activity. This got back to me through my connections at Kites Unlimited. Word is they want the kites back, as it is a draw to local business.

I gave Kelly the run down of why the group most likely would not come around anymore, base on the recent negative interactions local kite folk have had within the park.

I suggested the following conditions must be allowed before a return would be considered:

1. Allow kite buggying, landsailing, and any other kite related activity at East Beach during the week of November 21st through November 29th.
   
2. During this time period, allow members of the group to bring campers and stay overnight.
   
3. Allow a fire pit at night.
   

I'm told the overnight camping ban is a City ordinance, so it would require the Park Board to seek approval of City Council to waive it temporarily.

Park Board management is in discussion about these issues and should be in touch soon. Seems like #1 & #3 will be easy, but #2 is the trick pony.

Cheers,

Chris

Best reason I can see for having Turkey Day at East Beach is access.

I drive a truck so SLP access is fine for me... but not everyone wants to drive through water, and over the rough terrain and ungraded road at SLP.

If people want camping, they'll stay at the state park or the next county to the south. Fire pits and the social atmosphere that comes with it are a thing of the past since camping is banned on Galveston. Even a open bowl fire pit with a cooking grate on it is up to the interpretation of the cops on duty, with some insisting you have to put it out.

At least at East Beach instead of SLP you can drink a beer with the feast legally, even if the beach there is not as nice. It's still the beach... and any day at the beach is a good day.

Since DBBB is now more of a one day flash-mob gathering of kites, friends, and good food... I'll go to either end of the island for it on Thanksgiving. If the winds were SE (and that's always a luck of the draw) I'd rather be in the other side of SLP on any given day. Beach might not be as wide, but you can camp, have a fire, and relax...

Just my two cents worth... I'll go wherever everyone else wants to go. The only advantage East Beach has is the access roads to it, as not everyone is comfortable with the conditions of the path to the beach at SLP.

It sure would be nice to be able to camp again at East Beach.

Can you still buggy on the north side along the ship channel up towards the bridge? That run was always nice when the winds weren't necessarily out of the SE.

So where will the T-Day Dinner be? East Beach or SLP? We all bring stuff... so where do you want to bring it to? If the winds would cooperate I'd be west of SLP so we could all camp and enjoy a fire since Galveston does not want us. Were talking five miles or less from SLP. I love buggying.. but miss the group camping/hanging out more than I do buggying. That's why I say Galveston does not want us... but you tell me where T-day will be and I will show up.

Chris started this discussion and is a great guy that anyone in the kiting community can respect.

I wish him success in his efforts.

The facts are that Galveston does not want camping on it's beaches anymore. Texas used to have an open beaches policy, yet the prevalent political environment of Texas put a stop to that. We are welcome to camp below the high tide mark, provided we do no erect any kind of shelter. It will only get worse... but these are the policies and politics many have voted for. You get what you vote for.

I'm throwing in the towel. Since the city of Galveston bans overnight camping on their beaches, it would require an act of the City Council for an exception. The Park Board doesn't seem interested in getting too involved and assisting with that. As I wrote above, the Park Board is fine with #1 & #3, but not #2 (it's not "their" rule). Bottom line is members of the Park Board would love to see kiting again at East Beach (or so I'm told), but they are either unable or unwilling to assist in making an exception for us to camp.

I am also willing to be at either beach. I want to be with friends. I especially loved SLP last year for the mostly empty beaches and room to spare. I would like to know where we will be as soon as possible so we can rent a place to stay that is reasonable close.

I was just watching this video on the dbbb Facebook page at SLP last year and noticed much of the beach was underwater. Did they have rain just before the event, or unusually high tides, or has the island sunk that much?

Is access going to be that much of a problem?

Son went fishing at East Beach last night. People were camping and bringing pallets to make a bon fire. Yet they have done the same thing other weekends and watched the police tell people they cannot camp and to put out the fire. Hit or miss.. roll of the dice... at either beach.

Turkey day is for everyone. I agree with Cat that the empty beach and solitude of SLP makes it better, but I am showing up where ever everyone else is. We cannot predict the weather that far in advance, and the entrance to SLP depends on recent conditions.

Soon we need to start a thread on who is bringing what... but I know people need to know where we are going to be to make reservations as well.

That.. and do we want T-shirts for this year

Let's look at this video that follows. No one knows what the weather will bring. Best thing to add... is that if we are doing SLP, those with trucks and others who successfully cross any obstacles are willing to drive down and pick up others at the pedestrian access points near the condo's... and give a ride back. The event is for everyone, and we all pitch in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykGzVUWHlzw

Ok. I'm going to stay at SLP. Thanks for your efforts Chris. East beach was great, but it seems that it is no longer an option for the campers. That's too bad.

Steve.

I'm down for whatever. But I like the idea of doing Thanksgiving Day at East Beach if we can unite with others that only come out for the day. Booked my tickets last night. Arriving Monday afternoon and departing Friday afternoon.

FYI - There was a big thunder, rain storm last year on the Saturday prior to DBBB.

Me and Sarah have plans to be at SLP for the week . I have no problem with a trip to East Beach on Thanksgiving .

There is a new provision on isle by the way .Stewart Beach has a new Special Use Beach . It suites our needs very well as its drivable with a dead end , allows launch of small watercrafts and allows fishing . its located at Stewarts -The Islander East , which is the old small condo , east end .

Its usually deserted except for walkers . I'm not suggesting its the place for D.B. but its pretty good for the occasional buggy folks daily use .

Look forward to seeing all y'all again.

Getting closer....whats the verdict?

Quote: Originally posted by windthing2

Me and Sarah have plans to be at SLP for the week . I have no problem with a trip to East Beach on Thanksgiving .

This is what I will be doing.


Herb,call me .Tomarrow is going to be a killer day at the beach.
It would be real cool if you could come down.
Beaches were empty today... wind out of the east...

General consensus is DBBB at SLP, with Thanksgiving Day East Beach.

Sounds good to me. I'll be at a condo near SPL and camping out for a night wherever everyone else is.

Steve.

I like SLP - we have a place just across the bridge again. I wish we could get some ideal about numbers and if we really need to be a East beach for thanksgiving or SLP? Has anyone been down to SLP lately? How is the drive? We were thinking East Beach on the Saturday or Sunday after thanksgiving.... but our plans are flexible.
How come only a few people are registered as riders ?

Thanks for mentioning registration, Cat. I cleaned the list up. I guess it hasn't been advertised.

Alright folks, sign up! Definitely a good reference for how many people will gather at meals.

http://www.deadbirdbuggybash.com/index.php

Entrance to SLP had the usual puddle, about 4-6 inches deep this time (shallow compared to last year).

That puddle needs to stay a puddle. Hopefully we won't get torrential rains to turn it into a pond like last year. Thanks for the update.

Right now,access is good on the North side of the bridge.The Point is a big huge hardpacked Delta so there is some good terrain for winds other than S.E.

I'll add a picture in a while Sarahs got the charge cord and she's sleeping.

SLP sounds good to me with Turkey day at East Beast. I'm checking it at the Super-8 in Galveston Sunday night (22nd) and checking out Friday after Turkey day. If the winds are good I'll stick around & sleep in the back of my truck the following weekend. I'll have my tow strap with me & can pull people through the pond, if there is one. Or, if I'm not out in my buggy or Manta, I'll be glad to ferry people from the pedestrian access point if necessary. Will Work for Beer. :cool2:

Joe

Quote: Originally posted by Taper123

Let's look at this video that follows. No one knows what the weather will bring. Best thing to add... is that if we are doing SLP, those with trucks and others who successfully cross any obstacles are willing to drive down and pick up others at the pedestrian access points near the condo's... and give a ride back. The event is for everyone, and we all pitch in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykGzVUWHlzw

I clearly remember there being a monsoon the night before the event, making auto access at SLP risky for 4X4s and pretty much impossible for my old sports hatchback, which forced me to park at a concrete lot 2 miles northeast and kite the rest of the way there (as seen in my video above). :P

I bought a new stability rod for my camera, planning on (hopefully) making a new movie for this year's event if I get enough footage and a good idea for the music to be used.

Won't be here for Thanksgiving unfortunately; me and my family ultimately decided to have turkey dinner at our new home we moved into a year ago.

Pano picture from the point. Big and flat right now.I'm thinking this flat would be a good site.

Mary and I are parking the motor home at the state park bay side the 21st through the 26th and then going into galviston to the bayou RV park for the 27th and pulling out on the 29th, I will be using the jeep to get around and to the beach.
Well we will see you there all week with my blokart and some stunt kite's on the beach.

Quote: Originally posted by windthing2

Pano picture from the point. Big and flat right now.I'm thinking this flat would be a good site.

That's awesome, Rick. :singing:

We are bringing 2 - 6' tables for food. Should get to SLP on Sunday! So excited - the beach looks fantastic. Has it been decided where Thanksgiving will be at? ( I would vote SLP)

I'm OK with having Turkey Day at either end of the island. But with no gratitude or support coming from the local authorities on East Beach for the wonderful aerial display we provide, why reward them? The people at SLP may be more appreciative of our presence, and much more deserving of our beautiful sky art.