Galveston Because Its In The Way

As we leave Corpus Christi this morning it is 18 C. and sunny, but some rain is expected this afternoon so we are on the road early. We want to avoid congestion around Houston so are heading east on TX-181 across the strait between Neuces Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. We will hook up with TX-35 and head north east to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge about an hour and a half away.

We are not sure where we will sleep tonight, but somewhere in the direction of Beaumont, where we anticipate staying several days. It will be a base from which to do day trips. Beaumont is in the top-right of this map and, as you see, Galveston is in the way. This clip will remind you what Galveston is famous for.

One of the ways Bonnie and I pass the hours driving is to do the Times crossword. As you can imagine, its a great concentration exercise for the driver. We are not often stumped but here's one for you readers:

Clue - Type of garden pests, caterpillars - L _ O_ _ RS

Email us if you have the answer, preferably before we reach our first destination today.

Our first stop is at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, winter home to one of N. America's rarest birds, the Whooping Crane. Although it is late in the season to see them we are fortunate in catching a glimpse of two tardy birds.

Whooping Crane populations had fallen as low as 22 birds by 1942, largely as result of human actions, such as over hunting and the development of shorelines and farmland that led to habitat loss. Vigorous efforts by the USGS at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center have led to the reestablishment of this species in the wild with a population of more than 700 birds. The original program was started with 12 eggs from Canada where the flocks nest.

The technician in the photo is using a momma crane puppet to accustom the young cranes to an ultra-light which will used to teach them migration routes when they are older. The jobs some people have!

After some Tex-Mex for lunch at Palacios Mexican Restaurant we continue west passing two wildlife refuges in quick succession. There is just too much to see.

Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh

Mad Island Preserve - A great siting of a Greater Yellowlegs

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

San Bernard NWR - beautiful walkways through the marsh and woodlands

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

Brazoria NWR - This flightless water fowl is found in abundance here

Galveston at last. We are really ready for supper so were looking for a restaurant on the way in. We ended up at Yaga's Cafe and Bar and had some excellently sensational awesome-ness for supper.

Mango Cajun Salad at Yaga's

We haven't got a pre-arranged hotel here so we chose the Hotel Galvaz and Spa. That's our ride out front.

Galvaz Hotel and Spa, Galveston, Texas

The hotel is across the road from the shore so after dinner we walked west toward that intriguing structure waaayyy down the beach.

It was quite a walk but here is what we found. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, complete with shops, rides, and a Bubba Gump's.

Time to wrap this up for the day. Tomorrow we start with a ferry ride and go to the place we've been heading to all along, High Island, which is neither high nor an island, but may be one of the most amazing places on earth.

(Try to hear that last sentence as if David Attenborough had read it. : )