The Pecan Park Eagle

Bill and Norma on the beach.

Thursday was one of those golden family days. Norma and Neal and I took off for Galveston on the day following Norma’s birthday to do nothing, but spend time with each other and plenty of it. I think we can say today that we fairly put a successful “Mission Accomplished” banner over that one. It just felt so good to be with the two most special people in my life and to unwind at a different beat from the busy shared life we all live here in Houston.

Neal and Bill at the new Pleasure Pier.

We had lunch at Bubba Gump’s on the new Pleasure Pier. The seafood and pasta were not the best quality and a little on the price side, but the atmosphere and view of the Gulf and beach from the east side outdoor dining area made the stop there worthwhile, even if turns out to be a one-time dining adventure. Watching the seagulls, a few pelicans, and a couple of young people attempting to surf was almost worth the time we spent there in itself.

Neal and Norma at Bubba Gump’s.

Folks, this is almost the middle of October, but yesterday felt a lot more like the last two weeks in July. Our ugly eight month long heat and humidity season just may be expanding until it tags all of Southeast Texas as the land of endless summer, but that didn’t matter yesterday. The weather was perfect for a day trip to the Island.

The Strand historical area is still a fun place to get lost in forgetting about the clock. It contains a number of places to tourist-shop, buy affordable good food, and learn something about the City of Galveston and its history – especially with storms.

On the surface of things, Galveston seems to be recovering nicely from Hurricane Ike. The new construction and fix-em-up paint variation on all the old gingerbread houses was a remarkable testament to the rebounding spirit of the Galveston community.

Visitors can even play chess on the Strand these days. We got too lost in our meanderings this time to visit the new flight museum, or tour the harbor, or check out Moody Gardens, but that’s OK. Galveston is no longer a one-gulp jump-in-the-ocean town.

The new Pleasure Pier now rises over the beachfront horizon like a symbolic fist in the air from Galveston to all future storms. “C’mon, monsters,” it seems to say as the voice of Galveston. “Do it again and I will get back up again before you’re even a lost memory.”

Galveston of 1900 and 1908 had to rise again. The world needs the view she gives to us on all that is right and beautiful in life.

… and sometimes a day of rest on the way to spiritual rejuvenation begins simply with a peaceful walk on the beach, breathing in all of the healing restorative power of the saltwater air. The McCurdys thoroughly recommend the Galveston day trip.

Have a nice any day, everybody, and a “hallmarky” signal of peace and love too, even if you refuse it!