Brazos Bend State Park: Best Family Adventure and Ice Cream in Brenham Texas

We left Thursday morning for Brazos Bend State Park and decided to stop in Brenham to tour the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory.

Blue Bell Ice Cream factory in Brenham Texas

What an interesting tour! While waiting for our tour to begin, we visited their ice cream parlor and for $1 a cup, we had a generous helping of Dutch chocolate, peaches & vanilla, and mint chocolate chip.

We watched a cute video on the history of Blue Bell creameries and learned that they only serve fresh ingredients - milk, nuts, fruits, etc - that are grown LOCALLY within a 200 mile radius -- including SEASONAL flavors. The most recent flavor they were manufacturing (while we were touring) was cantaloup!

After the tour, we got our free ice cream (another generous cup) and we sampled triple chocolate, old fashioned vanilla and cookies & cream. They were all so good, but we were FULL of ice cream. Each small town afterwards, we'd spot Blue Bell ice cream at the stores and gas stations and groan.

Thankfully, Brazos Bend was opened after tropical storm Eduardo, so we were able to secure a camping spot!

Keep distance from alligators

beware of alligators

alligator habitat

Would not swim at Brazos Bend

Alligators lurking nearby

The first alligator we spotted was from a pier.

After leaving the pier, we bumped into a children's author who stopped to ask us questions:

"Excuse me, but does this park REALLY have alligators??!" We reassured her it does and watched her visibly shudder. She explained that she was on assignment and needed to write a story (for Disney) about the area. I asked her if she was taking pictures, and she explained that she didn't do pictures, just write. I couldn't imagine visiting the area and not taking pictures.

driving to Brazos Bend State Park 

American Lotus 

I had to research on these beautiful plants! 

About American Lotus

American lotus is native to much of the eastern and central United States, including Texas.

It is known for:

• Growing in shallow lakes, ponds, oxbows, and slow-moving water.
• Producing large, creamy-yellow flowers during summer.
• Having leaves that can reach 2 feet across.
• Forming dense colonies from underground rhizomes.

Wildlife value

These plants are extremely valuable for wildlife.

They provide:

• Cover for fish and amphibians.
• Nesting habitat for ducks and other water birds.
• Food for turtles and other aquatic animals.
• Nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.

The seeds are also eaten by ducks and other wildlife.

Lotus vs. Water Lily

People often confuse lotus with water lilies.

The easiest way to tell them apart is:

• American lotus: Leaves and seed pods are held above the water on stiff stems.
• Water lilies: Most leaves float directly on the water's surface, and the flowers sit much lower.

When we first arrived to the park, we drove the speed limit 30 mph, but couldn't understand why everyone else was crawling at 1o mph. We then realized WHY. Throughout our entire stay at the park, we had to slow down to keep from hitting animals left and right. The last thing we wanted to do was hit another deer like we did at Pedernales State park.

Armadillos everywhere

Armadillo's on the side of the road.

Raccoons at Brazos Bend 

Wildlife and spiders at Brazos 

We stopped our car at one of the trails and noticed a raccoon walking towards us, getting closer and closer. It was odd looking (not the usual markings) and it didn't seem afraid. Not sure whether it had rabies, we had to climb into the car. It circled the car spying on us from the windows. We ended up driving away and parking at another spot. It followed us and kept approaching us. We tried to shoo it away several times. Thankfully it spotted a pick-up truck and climbed inside.
Golden Silk spiders were EVERYWHERE -- We dodged their webs while walking the trails. Some were 3 inches in size and very unnerving. Alan walked into one of their webs after dark. (One of the reasons why I refused to walk the trails at night.)

Overlooking one of the creeks.

Turk's Cap plant (I think)

A delicate rose-looking wildflower. I sure wish I knew the name of this plant. It resembled a rose bud.

Fishing off the pier. No fish caught, but lots of bites --- we did see some interesting fish jumping and hopping over the water. We didn't stay long as we wanted to tour more and set-up camp.

don't feed or molest the alligators

a great fishing spot at Brazos Bend State Park 

This racoon is stalking us 

Raccoons were very friendly --- thus the reason we weren't supposed to feed them. Some were very aggressive.

Where we camped at Brazos Bend

With the threat of a thunderstorm, we were reluctant to pitch the tent outdoors, so we secured a screened cabin.

Tent became our haven in a cabin

Unfortunately, after dark, we noticed HUNDREDS of bugs crawling all over the floor. To Alan's reluctance, Pamela and I insisted on pitching our tent INDOORS to zip out the bugs! UGH! After we turned out the lights, we could hear the raccoons circling our shelter and trying to open our door.

beautiful sunrise over Brazos Bend 

Early the next morning, we hiked and enjoyed the sunrise. Off in a pasture, the mist was thick and we silently watched a herd of deer grazing peacefully. It was so beautiful.

A bullfrog peeking up at us.

Love these American Lotus plants 

Plenty of deer at Brazos Bend State Park 

Beautiful trees all through the state park 

We walked a trail to the observation tower and I spotted this gator. It reminded me of a dragon.

Close up of a gator 

Click to zoom -- I call this GATOR SOUP. Everywhere we looked we could see alligators in the water.

Had to keep dog on tight leash with these gators around 

Gators were sunning themselves and unafraid as we approached. We had to step around them.

Overlooking from the observation tower.

Up close and personal with the alligators 

This is better than being at the zoo

What an amazing park! It was hot and humid, but well worth the visit! WOW! But we were anxious to hit the road. We stopped off at a small country cafe and ordered some amazing burgers. One of our favorite things is to visit off the wall places and to people watch. One patron looked like he wrestled gators for a living.

We drove as far south as we could, hitting the Gulf of Mexico. We stopped at the Surfside Beach to dip our toes.

Galveston Island state park 

We arrived at Galveston Island state park and rented a camping spot for the night. The day was perfect for sandcastles and beachcombing.

camping at Galveston Island beach

Galveston Island off the boardwalk 

After playing on the beach, we pitched our tent and drove to the boardwalk to find a place to eat.

Taking our flashlights, we walked the beach after dark and went crabbing.

Galveston Island Crab

About five-something in the morning, I noticed lightening in the sky. Worried we'd be packing in a downpour, we broke camp before the sun appeared. Feeling pretty good about getting an early start, we arrived at the exit and realized we were locked in! State parks lock their gates after 10pm and reopen at 7:00 AM. We couldn't locate the combination number that our ranger had marked on our entry pass. Finally, Alan had to search for an emergency phone number at the office bulletin and call for the pass.

We stopped in at the boardwalk to eat breakfast and then drove into Houston. From there, we took Interstate 290 all the way into Austin.

Driving through Houston, Texas 

We arrived home in time to shower, change and get ready for Josh and Caitlin's wedding shower. The shower was held at the farm potluck style. It was a lot of fun and I tried to take pictures. I had forgotten to clear my camera of our vacation pictures, so what few pictures I DID take, turned out blurry and my card said FULL. So no pictures! :(

We're already planning our next Texas state park trip!