Galveston, Texas
Galveston, TX | 2/21/22 - 2/25/22
On the way to Galveston, we stopped in one of the many, highly promoted Buc-ee’s Convenience Store (billboards al throughout Texas). Our Harvest Host at VegOut Farm told us it was a must-see Texas icon. These things are, in full Texas fashion, Massive. The Buc-ee’s in Texas City had about 100 fuel pumps - no exaggeration, as well as ice vendors for Days! Inside the approx. 40,000 s.f. C-store is a huge jerky counter, clothing and housewares departments, and grocery. We had been telling Jeff and Brenda that we had not found BBQ we loved, and they recommended Buc-ee’s for pulled pork sandwiches. We tried it and it wasn’t bad (probably Mike’s favorite of all the BBQ), but it certainly didn’t meet the Texas BBQ hype. Mike’s very large bag of chips was stuffed with paper in the bottom third so that it would look full even though it wasn’t! Sorry Texas, we’re not a fan of Buc-ee’s either.
In Galveston we stayed at Stella Mare RV Resort on the Gulf side of Galveston. Nice place with many long-term RVs. The common area includes a very nice playground, swimming pool, and water fountain, with the laundry facilities up on stilts and a nice gathering area with games and various hang-out space below. Our spot was on an outside edge so we had an open view to an inland water way behind us. Galveston has a very long, flat beach on one side of the sea wall/main drive, with most of the businesses and hotels on the other side. This allows for great views wherever you go up and down Seawall Blvd. It was foggy and or rainy most of the time we were there but we still were able to enjoy the ocean and the beach. We had a really good seafood dinner at Landry’s Seafood House, and had a pretty good gumbo at Miller’s. We explored the inland side of town where the cruise ships dock, and enjoyed cocktails at Fisherman’s Wharf. The historic downtown portion of Galveston was preparing for Mardi Gras (which we avoided - we are such fuddy-duddies!). We drove down to East Beach where the fancy beach homes are. We felt really comfortable in Galveston and liked the beach town and historic buildings. Too bad it’s in hurricane area (and in Texas)! Though we really liked Galveston, it will not be a place for us to retire to.
Our last day in Galveston the wind really roared through. We heard a sudden slap on our big living room sildeout, and discovered the wind was yanking hard on the tarp on that slide. We carefully brought that slide in, watching to be sure the tarp rolled up correctly. Later that day we couldn’t find Carmine, our escape artist. We hadn’t gone outside so we knew he must be inside - he had figured out how to get up on top of the slide, the little turkey!
We took a whole day to go back toward Houston to the NASA Space Center - so much there we gave it its own page. Check it out!
Huston skyline
Houston traffic toward Galveston was at a crawl. We've decided we'd rather not live around a bunch of freeways!
Buc-ee's, Texas City. Everything's bigger in Texas
A jerky lovers dream! Bucees has a whole counter dedicated to them, with dozens of flavors to choose from.
large bag of chips...
...bottom stuffed with another bag! What th'!?
I think one of these 2 types of birds makes the sound of a slide whistle (slow slide up from a low tone to a high tone). We heard it all through Texas. If anyone knows - tell me!
Many Texan businesses fly both the American and Texas flags equally, often in the 20'-30' size. At Buc-ee's the wind was really ripping
Emily told us to check out a Texas cemetery for the above-grade crypts and old headstones. this is as close as we got
Stella Mare RV Resort
Resort driveway
the backs of these benches at each site flip up to become a table - pretty clever!
our back yard at Stella Mare
a fun common area at Stella Mare with corn hole, porch swings, and a bar
Gulf of Mexico
Seawall Blvd in Galveston
typical homes on stilts
Had to get a selfie with O'Mally's Pub - that's the name of the place we first met in person!
1894 Opera House - we didn't pay the $10 to see inside
enjoyed cocktails Fisherman's Wharf in Galveston
now that's a big private yacht!
downtown Galveston was preparing for Mardi Gras
Galveston has many mansions
"best blackened sea bass dinner EVER!" at Landry's
this parking space was so sloped even the asphalt slid off!
pretty development at East Beach
you shouldn't be up there...!