Island Time
Between us, Live In Handyman and I took quite a few photos of Galveston Island. Fear not. I won't lay them on you all at once.
I have a semi-plan for sharing several with you over the next few Wednesdays. However, these photos are coming from three different sources, so you can bet a few will slip through the cracks and end up being a mish-mash on the last post, whenever that is. Just letting you know :)
For those of you who don't know or don't remember, in September 2008, Galveston was hit by Hurricane Ike. The Gulf of Mexico covered almost the entire island after rolling over a seventeen-foot seawall built following the 1900 hurricane that almost totally destroyed the island.
One of the structures Ike destroyed was the historic Balinese Room, home to illegal gambling from the 1940s to 1960s. The building sat on a pier and ran from the seawall out about 100 yards. This is all that is left - you can see a few pilings sticking up out of the water right beyond the sandbar. I hope you can click on it and it will enlarge so you can read the plaque.
The going has been slow, but the Island and its people are resilient. Galveston is rebuilding, better than ever. This eatery is on Seawall Blvd. overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Ike also took away more than 11,000 century old live oaks. Several of the residents had the trunks of these trees carved into sculptures. Here is one of them:
And one more, so you can see two of the hundreds of Victorian homes that line the streets of the Silk Stocking District.
But the island and the sea are eternal.
And every morning brings a new day.
And a new chance to visit a . . .
I have a semi-plan for sharing several with you over the next few Wednesdays. However, these photos are coming from three different sources, so you can bet a few will slip through the cracks and end up being a mish-mash on the last post, whenever that is. Just letting you know :)
For those of you who don't know or don't remember, in September 2008, Galveston was hit by Hurricane Ike. The Gulf of Mexico covered almost the entire island after rolling over a seventeen-foot seawall built following the 1900 hurricane that almost totally destroyed the island.
One of the structures Ike destroyed was the historic Balinese Room, home to illegal gambling from the 1940s to 1960s. The building sat on a pier and ran from the seawall out about 100 yards. This is all that is left - you can see a few pilings sticking up out of the water right beyond the sandbar. I hope you can click on it and it will enlarge so you can read the plaque.
The going has been slow, but the Island and its people are resilient. Galveston is rebuilding, better than ever. This eatery is on Seawall Blvd. overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Ike also took away more than 11,000 century old live oaks. Several of the residents had the trunks of these trees carved into sculptures. Here is one of them:
And one more, so you can see two of the hundreds of Victorian homes that line the streets of the Silk Stocking District.
But the island and the sea are eternal.
And every morning brings a new day.
And a new chance to visit a . . .
More photos next Wednesday!
Comments
Miss GOP
Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Miss GOP - Yes. And yes!
Becky - As the old show tune says, "Wouldn't It Be Loverly!"
Linda - I love the ocean. It lives and breaths. It moves. It sings a love song and totally captivates me. I hope you get to visit an ocean one day. Come see me ... we'll go :)
Joanne - Some of the live oaks remain, and they're lovely. I'm glad the owners created something newly lovely to honor them.
Terry - Good idea! Maybe June? I'll be in touch.
Manzanita - Yes, they used chain saws to make these carvings. Think of the strength it takes not only to heft the saw but to control it to make such fine cuts.
VR - My CP has been talking about Pizzolatto's GALVESTON, too. As dark as the book sounds, I may have one or two photos just for you :)
Holly - It was wonderful :)
Jan - Yes, I do.
Are there any tributes to the 1900 hurricane?
And, I'm over here in my writhing gown, heading for the Tiki Bar! First round is my shout! ;)
;)
http://photohome.com/photos/texas-pictures/galveston/storm-of-1900-statue-1.html
Maryann - We saw several places like that where nothing remains. They are slowly rebuilding. If you go back, go to the Visitor's Center and pick up the tree sculture brochure.
Talei - I'm so glad you wore your writhing gown. It's lovely! I'll have a Margarita :)
Alex - Thanks. More next week.
Lydia - Not only a Tiki Bar ... wait until next week!
Janet - Best time ever :)
P.S. I love the one with the indigo-coloured sky.
My blog's disappeared so my temporary home is here!
Talli - Yes, it is. What happened to your blog is horrible. Do you think someone hijacked it?
Stephen - Yay! Zip right over :)
Thanks so much for the link. It seems surreal when you see the gentle waves in the picture & then try to imagine what it was like back then.
I love what people have done with those old oaks. Just beautiful.
Hart - I'm glad about the recovery, too.
Ebendy - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I love these photos, especially the two penultimate ones. Yes, island and sea ARE eternal. Down with illegal gambling. Do we need that? Just give me the morning and evening sky, the ocean, and, always, the people.
Ann Best, Memoir Author