The Weather is against us

We drove down from Sandy Creek in our two vehicle convoy and had only been on the road for 40 mins when Ceil calls over the radio, "hey Ron there is a Dairy Queen place up ahead, do you still want your chocolate and peanut butter milkshake?", I have been craving this milkshake since we got here so a quick yes, we park and my craving is satisfied, thanks Ceil. We hit the road again and continue heading south to the island of Galveston Texas. As alert as I thought I was I once again missed the turn off into the park! It is no easy feat doing a u turn in this rig!

A rare shot of Chuck and I with something other than a beer in our hands



We had decided to stay at a state park and with everything in the USA it all changes depending on which state you are in. Texas is no different. At their state parks you pay a camping fee but then they stitch you up for and entrance fee, of $5 per person, per day so ended up costing us $35 a day not cheap for a site with no sewer hook up. They will however waiver the daily entry fee if you decide to join the Texas Parks for $70. As we are intending on staying in Texas for over a month we are sure to recoup that initial outlay. The woman at the park office would be the first person we have spoken to who was rude, she was obviously having a bad day and it showed. For example we picked a site and she snapped back, "that's a 90 degree turn site and you can't go across the grass!" Oh please there is grass growing though the cracks in the road, it's not as if someone has been trimming the edges and its some manicured park. We agree that Chuck and I would un hitch the Jeep and the girls drive up to check out the sites. Broomhilda (our new name for the park officer) snaps back "I can't guarantee the site you choose because if someone comes in before you return I may give them the site you have chosen! We looked around the office and given we are the only ones there, we decide to take the risk. Sites chosen we head off to set up.

Don't drive on the grass! Our perfectly manicured site!



For the next 3 days the wind blew, it rained non stop and the temperature plumetted, it was freezing, the heater was on 24/7. We ventured out one day for a drive and lunch but it was even too cold to enjoy it. We had planned to hold our own tailgate party and watch the NFL Cincinantti Bengals play in the play offs at Chuck and Ceils. Their motor home has an outside television. We were all set up but the weather forced us inside before the game even started! The Bengals lost the match but a few (too many for some!) comiseratory drinks and all was forgiven and forgotten!

Finally on the 4th day the sun broke through and we were able to go for a walk on the beach, be it rugged up in our hoodies.

The Gulf nearly had surf conditions!



NFL playoffs at Chuck and Ceals motor home



All good things must come to an end and our feet were starting to get itchy so we planned to go out for a farewell lunch with our travelling companions the next day. As Chuck had never tried fresh oysters and was keen to give them a go, we found an oyster bar called the Black Pearl. First up we ordered two dozen freshly shucked oysters followed by deep fried jalapeños stuffed with crab and shrimp and then Boudin balls, a mixture of rice and chopped sausage, again crumbed and deep fried. We were so impressed we have googled the recipes- these will definitely be on the menu to accompany a few drinks on the balcony at Spring Hill when get home!

Lunch at the Black Pearl



Our last day in Galveston was sunny but low temperatures so we all bundled into Ceil's V8 jeep and headed up to the NASA space centre near Houston. We did the full tour which included a view of the astronaut training facility as well as other parts of the US space program including the Saturn 5 rocket which propelled the Apollo missions into space. Very interesting and great value at $17.50.




"Houston we have a problem", for those of you that remember those famous words, the original control room for the Apollo missions has been preserved



The astronaut training facility is still used by all astronauts preparing for missions to the International space station


They even have Lego for the kids! I was going to build a replica of the Space Shuttle but Rose said we don't have time


Day 5, Rose and I had had enough of the cold, windy beach so we made arrangements to head further north away from the constant wind we had been subjected to for the last 5 days, so we said a very sad farewell to Chuck and Ceil for a second time, packed up and headed to the northern side of Houston.


- Posted by RnR on their IPad

Location:Stewart Rd,Galveston,United States