Travelog - Day 25, Feb. 25

We’re lazing around a bit this morning. Al has gone to use the office computer to locate the nearest computer stores whose fliers are in the thickest newspaper I’ve ever seen. Probably thicker than a week’s worth of The Ottawa Citizen. Once again giving new meaning to the word, large, in Texas.

This park has a very nice dirt roadway around the pond so off I go with the dogs. In an expanse of unoccupied field I let Leila loose for a romp which is better described as a gallop and did she go. She’s so much more obedient than Gypsy in returning to me when I call – well almost. As soon as she caught sight of the water, down the embankment and in she went. Then of course, didn’t she have to catch the scent of a very large fish and do what all dogs do. She rolled in it. Fortunately the fish remains are well dried out, so no harm/smell was done.

Today we go to Galveston, via apparently several stores advertising ‘sales’ on laptops. OK I’ll cut to the chase and admit we now own a new HP something-or-other laptop. Still in the box until we get back to the trailer where it must undergo 10 hours of charging before unplugging again.

Galveston. What can I say? Well first I didn’t realize that it is an island. Due to the low elevation (and not just here either), houses have no basements and in Bayou Vista are on what I call stilts with the garage being the main floor and the living areas starting on the first floor.

Our first stop is Moody Gardens, home of the rainforest and aquarium which are housed in pyramids, built to withstand hurricane forces. As first shift I get to see the rainforest ($7.95). Al then visits the aquarium at twice the price while I dogsit in the car. No pictures of the penguins unfortunately as the glass is too smudged. Never mind, the National Geographic web site probably has better pics.

The Seawalk Blvd. is a ‘must’ to drive and stop to check out the beach and water which I judge to be colder than around Padre Island. All sorts of surfers dressed in full wetsuits try to catch a wave, a good place to learn as the waves are somewhat gentle. Children are building sand castles, dogs chasing frisbees, and more than one family is fully immersed in the water. Wish it were me, I think. We pass by the Strand with its ironworks Victorian architecture from the 19th century, then catch a glimpse of the Elissa, a 19th century, 150’ tall ship which may be the only fully operational vessel of its type in the world. Tourism & conventions are Galviston’s second most important industry after shipping and agriculture and this is abundantly obvious with the magnificent hotels along the seafront. Before leaving the area we cross a bridge to Pelican Island to see Seawolf Park which offers an excellent view of the harbour entrance. Unfortunately it costs $5 each + another $5 for parking, so we do a U-turn. I wonder why this island is not more populated.

Back on #45 I notice Oasis RV campground which sits right next to Bayou Vista. Must check it out as I would definitely like to return to this area. That would be after camping out on the beach on Padre Island of course.