Texas, Day 14, Galveston to Silverdale

On our way for Galveston to Houston we stopped at a small town called Kemah.

It has an water tower that has been made to look like a lighthouse. The water tower is listed in a book of lighthouses Nina has so we stopped to get some pictures.

There was an amusement park there also. We heard there were many shops here but we didn't have time to go shopping.

We flew out of Bush Intercontinental Airport.

And flew into Seatac Airport. We were picked up by "Tonya's Limo Service". She now lives about 15 minutes from the airport. So we just called her when we landed and she was there by the time we go our bags.

Texas, Day 13, Galveston

Today we went to a place called Moody Gardens. It's like a large learning center. We only went into the tropical gardens.

Many flowers.

Birds, turtles and other stuff.

And they have a large water park.

I did a turtle video. I posted it just because I could.

Texas, Day 12, Galveston

See, I'm not the only one that feeds the birds.

They have many cemeteries in Galveston. They are required to weight the caskets to prevent them from floating up when the area floods.

We took a tour on the "Duck". Its name was "Miss Michelle". The lower left photo is for Tonya. Those ladies had knitted covers for the drink containers.

It took us to many areas in Galveston.

Then we went for a ferry ride to get picture of a lighthouse. They only have one lighthouse in Galveston and that one is not working. There is a park where you can go through two navy ships. A submarine and a surface ship.

Texas, Day 11, Galveston

Galveston Texas, April 26 2009

This is where we had lunch. They have animated gorillas and elephants inside where you are eating. There was lightening and thunder. They have snake hanging for the ceiling (Nina did not like the snake). Nina was trying to get herself a prince (top center photo).


There is a lot of damage remaining.

The drive in the beach, have strange houses, river boats and a water park for the kids. They have 3 large pyramid buildings that house flowers and an aquarium.

Texas, Day 10, Corpus Christi to Galveston

On Saturday we traveled from Corpus Christi to Galveston. That's about 300 miles and we took the back roads so we could see more barns, windmills, and lighthouses.

We saw some barns and windmills but no lighthouses. We went right by a park that Nina thought should have a lighthouse but not lighthouse. Oh well maybe we will have better luck in Galveston.

There were churchs, signs and strange signs. I do not know what the "Naked" sign had in store for the shoppers.

Then we got to Galveston. There is still a lot of damage remaining for the hurricane. The lower right picture is from our hotel room. We can see the waves crash into the seawall.

Texas, Day 9, Corpus Christi

We spent the day in Corpus Christi just looking around. The wind blew very hard and this reduced the number of activities and tours going on. There were no tour boats on the water. The wind did not stop people from getting in the water. The wind was a warm and the water was cool so the kids loved it.

I think the hurricanes cause the buildings to be built up on poles.

It is a beautiful area with lots to see.

Texas, Day 8, San Antonio to Corpus Christi

I have had a hard time getting a good Internet connection. So Day 8 is late.

On the way between San Antonio and Corpus Christi there were not very many barns so Nina even resorted to taking picture of signs about barns. But she got some barns too.

Today we saw why they say things come bigger in Texas.



This is what we saw in Corpus Christi.

Texas, Day 7, San Antonio

Mission San Jose. It's a national park and has been completely rebuilt. It is a beautiful example of a Spanish Mission. It's very large. It was amazing how large the enclosed space was. The Apache Indians would attack the mission so it's built like a fort.



We went up in the "Tower of the Americas" today. It was built for a Worlds Fair in San Antonio. It's a lot like Seattle's Space Needle.

Texas, Day 6, San Antonio

More "River Walk" in San Antonio.



Looks like they use the pigions as the clean up crew.

And the hats have gotten bigger. The center top boat is the river taxi. It makes a loop around the river and you can get on and off where ever you need to.

Texas Trip, Day 5, San Antonio

We found another one of those church buildings. So once again, can anyone help us identify this building?

Then we went to the Alamo. Cowboys have even gone hi-tec.

During the celebrations of the day crazy hats are the fashion. This group of ladies meet each year at the time of the river parade and the hats have gotten crazier each year.

The parade was about 50 boats going down the river with bands and just groups of people in the boats. Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun. They sell seats for chairs (17,000) set up on the edge of the river. All the money going to charity.

Texas, Day 4, San Antonio

This was "River Walk Day". We spent the day walking the river and riding boats on the river. The river is a very beautiful and interesting place. They have it set up as a major tourist attraction.

Texas, Day 3, Houston to San Antonio

We traveled from Houston to San Antonio and it rained. I rained so hard we stopped for a piece of pie and then took a 1 1/2 hr nap. When we took off it was raining but not as hard. It made the trip a lot longer.

And then there were barns. Nina can always find barns.

We finally got to San Antonio and river walk.

Texas Trip, Day 2, Houston

Photos from the top of our Hotel. That's where they have the pool, on the 23rd floor. The view was just great.

Today we went to the San Jacinto Park. They have a very tall monument there and an old battle ship. The park was very lush. Later we found out why things are lush in this part of Texas.

Then on the way home it rained. They seem to do everything bigger in Texas. They claimed they got as much as 2" in an hour. As I was driving in it I believed them.

Houston at night.

Texas Trip, Day 1, Houston

We got into Houston on Wednesday night and checked into a downtown hotel. There's just no telling what you will see in a big city. But, Bat Girl?

This is a aquarium that is made into a restaurant. We are going to eat here to night with some friends we met on our last Alaskan cruise.

Then we went looking for churches because we have been seeing a lot of pictures of churches in Europe. And we found a few.

Then we found this church building. Can anyone help us identify this building?

Tonya's Driftwood Cat Tree

Tonya come over to visited this weekend and we made a cat tree from some of the driftwood she got from the Washington Coast. It's about 4' high, so I hope it will fit in her living room. She says the one she now has, that she built, is about the same size. I hope this makes scully happy.