Galveston

Galveston Texas, a nice place to visit. Galveston is another city right on the oceans edge, with a sea wall to hopefully hold back the water. Unfortunately during hurricane Ike the wall did little to help as many homes were flooded, thankfully the water did not stay very long. Ike did some damage but not nearly to the extent of the great storm of 1900 when most of the city was completely levelled and around 8000 souls lost their lives.

Thursday we visited two of the homes that were built before 1900 that had survived the great storm. The first place we toured was now called "Bishop's Palace" and was built in 1892 for Walter & Josephine Greshem by renowned architect Nicholas Clayton. From 1923-1960's the house was used as the residence of the Archbishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. The house was amazingly beautiful, there was so many different kinds of woods that were used both in the floors, walls, doors, ceilings and builtins. The details that were put into this home was awe inspiring and it looked just as good today as it did new.

The next home we visited was called "Moody Mansion" which as bigger in square footage but not nearly as intricate in detail. This home was completed in 1895' was designed by William H. Tyndall for Mrs. Narcissa Willis who only lived in the home for about three years until her death. Her daughter sought to sell the home afterwards and had an offer of $20,000 (their were more offers before the great storm but this was the only offer remaining after) from W.L. Moody Jr. The house originally cost over $265,000 to build. Mr. Moody and his wife Libbie lived in their new home with their family for over 50 years. The remaining descendant sought to restore the home and turn it into a museum, it was completed after her death.

Both homes had electrical and indoor plumbing and rooms for their servants to sleep. Both had a dumb waiter to bring food up from the basement kitchen. My preference was the Bishops Palace for all the intricate woodwork and details.

Tim and I really do enjoy touring these old homes and we were also able to take out our bikes and tour around the neighbourhoods and see many more beautiful homes. We also rode along the boardwalk after our lunch of shrimp and fish.

Upon leaving Galveston we took another ferry, although this was was a bit longer of a ride than the last one, and continued on our way passing many homes that were built way up high on stilts. We did see some that had been damaged from previous storms and just left. There were also house trailers that had been put up on stilts which did look kind of funny. We drove on along the Bolivar Peninsula until we reached the city of Port Arthur where we spent the night, oh you know where. It's free, remember.

It was another beautiful warm day and we almost hate to leave the warmth and head on as we know the weather is cooler in Alabama but we must and so on we go.

Thank you Lord for all your goodness.