Ike's Ire!!!

Today we headed south on H45, through downtown Houston and on to Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico. The island is only 32 miles long and 2.5 miles wide.

We found we had ambivalent feelings towards Galveston. It is still struggling to get back on its feet after being devastated by the fury of hurricane Ike in 2008.With much of it annihilated and many not being able to afford to start again or rebuild it lost 25% of its population. Many buildings, homes, shops, piers etc stand derelict, deserted and boarded up. You notice the treeless landscape, bar a few hardy or replanted palm many trees were uprooted in the powerful winds or died because of the salty water. Galveston is a holiday resort destination still struggling to get back to its former glory after suffering from Mother nature's wrath! Hopefully that will happen!

But the food was good! We lunched at the very popular "The Spot", a great little casual restaurant along the seawall, and savoured some southern specialties! Pete loved his Po Boy - a shrimp sandwich southern style. Delicious!!!

We are looking forward to partaking in some more  tempting southern fare over the next week - Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish, Dirty Rice and Muffaletta.

Also there are some beautiful historic 19th century homes which survived the hurricane, as well as colourful Gulf Coast cottages and long legged beach houses on the island which are really interesting.  Some are architectural gems!!

Ashton Villa built in1858.
Victorian architecture.
It was the first brick house built in Texas.

Moody Mansion built of limestone and brick.
28,000sq and 32 rooms filled with opulent furnishings and heirlooms
from one of Texas's most powerful families.

Historic downtown and the Strand district.

Boarded up and forgotten after Ike.

Colourful Gulf Cottages

A derelict Pier

Beach Houses - waterproofed, but perhaps not hurricane proof.

One of the few functioning piers that is left along the Gulf foreshore.

Concrete steps ripped away by Ike and still sitting on the beach waiting....waiting....

The seawall and beach at Galveston

A Po Boy

The Spot

A Gulf Cottage with carved bird on porch -
very significant carving!

..

Ike destroyed much of Galveston's beautiful tree canopy,
including the mighty oaks that majestically lined the streets.
Sculpture artists have breathed second life into something
Mother Nature attempted to destroy by using the wood
from the trees to create whimsical sculptures that are tucked
into gardens and nestled in yards for the public to enjoy. 

The Colonel - a paddlewheel steamboat at Moody Gardens which steams
Galveston Bay.

Moody Gardens Pyramids.
Rainforest Pyramid recreates inside the primitive rain forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Discovery Pyramid has interactive exhibits where you can discover the mysteries of science.
Aquarium Pyramid - well that speaks for itself - fish!!

Some local Galvestonites!

The Pyramids at tourist attraction Moody Gardens.

Crossing the bridge over Galveston Bay on the way to Baytown

Sunset from the Baytown KOA -beautiful spot to camp

Sunset over Galveston Bay

The sun sets on Baytown and the bridge crossing the Bay