I was in my early 30's when I took my first trip by air, a quick business trip to Phoenix. I was amazed by how in just a few hours I went from the February frozen tundra of Nebraska to the bright sunshine and warmth of Arizona. I went for a jog that evening and told myself sometime down the road I want to go somewhere warm every winter. Well, 30 plus years later, we headed to the beaches of Texas and the beautiful city of Galveston to find warm weather. Galveston did not disappoint us with temperatures climbing to the 60's with an occasional 70-degree day. And, for the next 30 days I wanted to soak up the warm weather and explore this island that sits about 45-minutes south of Houston on the Gulf of Mexico. This historic island is filled with spectacular seafood restaurants, local dive bars, endless beaches, and a cruise port. Galveston Island has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation.
Galveston, oh Galveston
The miles of sandy beaches and historic downtown of Galveston make this a year-round destination for Texans and tourists. For much of the 19th century, Galveston was the largest and wealthiest town in the state, and for a brief period, it was even the capital of the republic of Texas. The seawall, downtown/Strand area, Pier 21 and the beaches all reflect the diversity of the island. The seawall is full of restaurants, bars, shops and the hustle and bustle of many people enjoying the beaches. The west end is more remote with beautiful sandy beaches and homes and condos sparsely surrounding the area. In the mid- 19th century Galveston was one of the country’s busiest ports. The east end historic buildings and homes reflect those glorious times and are a special treat to see. Pelican Island is a great place to just sit and watch the fisherman, ferry's and cargo ships pass by.
In 2008, hurricane Ike hit the island with a tidal surge with powerful winds uprooting the island's tree canopy that along with the saltwater damaging trees throughout the island. A few months later, sculpture artist began to create unique sculptures from the damaged trees. Now, 21 beautiful tree sculptures can be seen in the yards and gardens of the historic homes.
Here Comes the Sun
Without a doubt, my favorite time in Galveston was taking a walk with family and friends on the secluded beach to watch the sunrise. As we listened to the waves flow onto the shore as the sky began to lighten up with vibrant colors; time seemed to slow down and your mind was focused on this beautiful masterpiece that was unfolding right before your eyes. To experience this with friends and loved ones was an amazing privilege. I hope heaven is that spectacular!
The Times they are a Changing
I grew up on the music of the 60/70's; times were less complicated then and the music reflected a time when you listened to the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel or Led Zeppelin on the same radio station. Even country music was played along with the Beatles and Rolling Stones with stars like Roger Miller, Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell. Watch this video and enjoy the beautiful sights of an Island trapped in time and a classic song when times were much simpler.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Move on.
Mark
