Memorial Day Walk

It's been a busy month, and I have been neglecting exercise, so I decided to go for a long walk rather than a short run today.  Being Memorial Day, I saw so many homes with flags out in remembrance of those who gave their lives.

Vacation Day 3

Today is the last day of vacation.  Originally we had planned to check out of the hotel and then back to the beach for a few hours before heading home, but after yesterday's hours in the sun, we were all sunburnt, and figured we probably shouldn't spend too much time in direct sunlight.  (By the way, sun block that has been expired for 6 years is no longer effective.)  So we slept in, and took our time getting ready at the hotel, and then headed out of Galveston through Houston, once again enjoying the buildings, and on to The Woodlands Mall.  We have been here once before, and it is just a huge mall!  If I didn't love Galveston so much, I would probably spend more time here when we're in town.

While at the Woodlands Mall, we watched Men in Black 3 in 3D.  I did not have high expectations for this movie-I loved the first 2 movies, but it seems like when sequels are made they just aren't as good as the original.  I was pleasantly surprised-they did a great job on this one.

Next-back on the road!  We drove through Huntsville past Sam Houston again.

We stopped in Madisonville at Buc-ee's to stretch our legs.  I just had to take a picture of this sign.

We even stopped in Fairfield at a road side stand to pick up some peaches on our way home.  It was such a great, relaxing vacation!

Gumbo Bar

Last night we visited another restaurant that we discovered on our last trip to Galveston-The Gumbo Bar.  It is located in the downtown area of Galveston, which is referred to as The Strand.  There are lots of shops in the area, as well as live music, and it's just up the road from where the cruise ships dock.


The Gumbo Bar has a simple menu which consists of 4 types of gumbo to choose from, and a few other items.  They had a seafood gumbo which includes oysters, shrimp, and I believe crab, a prime rib gumbo, a chicken and sausage gumbo, and a "Mumbo Gumbo" which included all of the above.  We both opted for chicken and sausage gumbo, and ordered a side of garlic bread to share.  It was as tasty as I remembered it from last time.

Benno's Cajun Seafood

This morning we drove along the seawall looking for a parking spot, and it seemed like there were none to be found.  We finally found one, and went to the first non-chain restaurant we could find near our spot-Benno's Cajun Seafood.  

Here you walk up to the bar to order your food, and then find a seat, and they bring you your food.  I ordered red beans and rice (not as spicy as I would have expected),

and my hubby had a PoBoy.  I tried a pice of the fish, and it was so good!

We decided to eat inside today since it was already a little hot, and we knew we would be out in the heat all day.  We still had a great view:

The inside of this little building was kind of tacky, but since the food was food, I would not be opposed to coming back at some point in the future!

Vacation Day 2

Today was a day full of one thing:  the beach.  We enjoyed the water more, I got worked on getting some sun, my husband played his guitar, and the boys enjoyed the surf and the sand.  Another day I chose not to bring my camera with us to the beach so the sand couldn't hurt my phone, but I did get a few pics on our way to the beach.  This one always makes me laugh every time I see it. The statue is to commemorate the storm of 1900, but since it only shows their torsos, I just imagine the rest of their bodies stuck in the sand below.

We visited a few stores on the beach.

But the best part of our day was spent right here:

Texas City Disaster of 1947

When we vacation in Galveston, we actually stay on the mainland where the hotels are significantly less pricey.  This makes us just a short drive from the beach still, but allows us to stay longer.  This year our hotel was in Texas City.  After we chose the hotel, I checked for nearby letterboxes, and there was a series about a mile from our hotel.  When we woke up this morning, I took my youngest son while my hubby and older son slept in.


These letterboxes were The Texas City Disaster of 1947 Series, a series of 3 boxes, but since the first was listed as missing we only search for and found 2 letterboxes.  I had never heard about the enormous explosion that took place here so many years ago, so it was neat to hear about this little piece of history.  These boxes were located at the Texas Memorial Park and Cemetery.  Click this link for more information and pictures of the disaster. 


We found the letterboxes quickly, and enjoyed looking at all the memorial park had to offer.

Casey's Seafood Cafe

One place we have eaten at every time we have gone to Galveston is Casey Gaido's.  It is actually 2 restaurants in one:  Gaido's Seafood Restaurant and Casey's Seafood Cafe.  We always choose Casey's.  And what a great place to celebrate my hubby's birthday!

They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and tonight we chose outdoor-overlooking the bay.  Here is the view from our table.  So close that sea gulls stop by and steal food if you're not watching close enough!

I also always choose the same thing-crab cakes.  I guess I just stick with what I know here-because it really is tasty!  Here, mine is served  with au gratin potatoes and some crispy potatoes.  What a great choice!

Vacation Day 1

A few years ago we took a vacation to Galveston.  It was my first time to visit the Texas coast, and I fell in love with it!  I am from the east coast, and there is just something about the waves crashing on the sand, the salt water, and the sea gulls that just gets in your system and you can never get it out.  No, it's not quite the same as the ocean, but it certainly feeds that need for the beach, especially when it's only 5-ish hours away.


My hubby had taken off a few days of work, and asked if I wanted to go camping or to the coast for Memorial Day weekend.  And while it has been quite a while since we've gone camping, the coast is always my first choice-especially when the weather is in the upper 80's.  Before getting to Galveston we have to go through Houston.  Houston always intrigues me-it's a place I think I would enjoy exploring, but have never stopped-mostly because I know the beach is an hour away.  I love the skyline!

And I always try to get a picture of the Texas version of Mt. Rushmore, but it never quite works out for me.

And just a short drive later (well, it seemed short to me since I was napping-my hubby said we were sitting in typical Houston traffic), and we arrived to cross the bay onto Galveston Island.

By this time you can smell the salt water.  This area reminds me of back home.

And here we are at the sea wall!  Just look at those waves!  Gorgeous!

Since it was about dinner time, I knew we needed to eat before we could go swimming, but I couldn't eat without first walking down the the water...

...and putting my feet in the sand.

Lots of seaweed this year as you can see.  After dinner, we came back for a few hours and enjoyed the gulf-swimming, catching waves, building sand castles, flying kites, collecting shells, and in general just being beach bums.  No pictures of that though-last year I ruined my phone by getting too much sand in it, so I left it in the car this time.

In N Out For My Sons Birthday

My youngest is turning 14!  It really is amazing how quickly time flies!  He asked to go to In N Out Burger for his birthday-and as you can tell from the picture, he was very happy about going. 

First Day in the New Building

So, today was not the official first day in the new building, it is still moving.  But I had a work meeting nearby, so I stopped by to drop off a few boxes, and I was there to see the delivery of my new desk.  It looks great!  I am looking forward to starting next week!

Mo's Corner Diner

While in Maypearl today, my hubby and I stopped at Mo's Corner Diner with my boss and his wife.  It is a restaurant in a gas station-which normally means no good-but I have to tell you, I was actually pretty impressed.  The menu had a wide variety of food options-Mexican food, burgers, sandwiches, pasta.  I had a club sandwich, which was particularly tasty.   I am sure I will be back!

Wordless Wednesday: Last Day at Work!

Shirley Temple

I almost never want soda anymore.  It leaves me thirsty, and hurts my stomach.  But tonight I had a craving for something a little bubbly.  I keep ginger ale around the house for times like this.  And then I remembered the grenadine in the fridge.  Why, yes, I think I will enjoy a Shirley Temple tonight!  Yum!

My Last Day of Traffic?

Stuck in traffic on my way home from work tonight, and I just couldn't get annoyed with it.  Could this possibly be my last time stuck in traffic before the office moves?  I sure hope so!  I am so ready for my long commutes to be over!

Concert & Barbecue

At the concert and barbecue in Durango, there is always so much to do!  Fishing, bounce house, Redneck golf.  I look forward to going every year!