May 7, 2014 (16th Day)

Nice weather we woke up to. Caught sunrise just in time before the sun was up. It was in mid 70's with gentle breeze

It was not exactly a restful night's sleep for us because the air conditioning was not turned on until after midnite as it started to get humid inside the van.

After having breakfast we left the campground at 7:15 am. Edith wanted to go to Starbucks first thing to get her favorite drink before we begin sightseeing. Then we went to the town district.

We drove on Seawall Blvd and saw some interesting attractions.  This is a picture of 1900 hurricane statue. 

In 1990 a hurricane flattened Galveston. In 2000 this statue was dedicated. Then in 2008 a hurricane flattened Galveston again, but the statue survived. They said the waves were as high as the statue's head!

Other interesting attraction was this big fiberglass blue crab on top of the restaurant

On the roof of Giado's Seaside Restaurant

Large fiberglass shrimp near Giado's restaurant

Edith goofing around at Rainforest Cafe area

In the town district we saw Giant Trumpet on Tremont St

Perfect for brass instrument appreciators everywhere. Great photo op

This horn is about 6 feet hight and 20 feet long.

While we were touring Edith's friend reminded her to check out Galveston tree carvings in some areas, so Edith checked the internet for more information. From there we were able to find some carvings.  They were on Church, Ball and Post Office Streets. 

On September 13, 2008, hurricane Ike hit Galveston full force. The seawall held, but Galveston was not spared. Those wonderful oak trees that grew to grace the streets with shade and beauty were also gone, so what was left were carved into beautiful sculptures.

When we were satisfied with what we wanted to see in Galveston, we left the town around 10:30 am, got on Highway 87 to TX 146. On the way we decided to swing by Kemah Boardwalk. Edith went there with her friend Patty in 2004 and she had fun, but this time it was not as excited as she remembered. She was disappointed. Probably because this time there were only a few people there and it looked dead! We did not stay long.

Along the route there were several pelican statues in Seabrook, TX. Here is one.

Now on our way to Montgomery, Texas to visit and spend a couple days with our good friends Patty and Paul.  Edith and Patty knew each other from the time when they were little kids. The last time we saw Patty was in 2007 when she came to Jacksonville to attend our housewarming party.

It started to get overcast as we approached Montgomery.  After arriving Patty's house we walked up to the door and rang the bell. There was a sign right above the doorbell that says "If there is no answer please pull the weeds".  Well, Patty's husband opened the door and asked Edith if she went out and pulled the weeds. She replied that she did not because you answered the door.  It was good to see Patty and Paul again. What a lovely house they have.  Of course, we sat down and tried to catch up on the news.  Then I spotted a beautiful male hummingbird sitting on the pole where the hummingbird feeder is hung from, Edith quickly told Erwin to go and get her camera from the van, which he did.

Paul already had planned to attend a meeting in The Woodlands, so it was just three of us, we went out for pizza at Pizza Shack.  Chatted non-stop for few hours before retiring for the night.