Life After Ike

We finally made it back to the beach in Galveston. I was worried about going back because I thought it could never be the same. It isn't. But it isn't bad, either. Some of our favorite ocean-side restaurants and gift shops are gone. There are still some signs of damage here and there, but mostly, it looks and feels the same...only cleaner, somehow. The water was beautiful and clear. They have already replaced the sand on the beaches in most areas. The restaurants opposite of the seawall are in full operation.

These posts are where Hooters and a popular gift shop used to be. We would sit out on the ocean side decks and enjoy frosty drinks, crab legs, and hot wings. I imagine they will rebuild before long.

The water was cold, but it felt soooo good to walk in the sand barefoot (Never mind that Chad had to wipe my feet for me when we got back to the car...couldn't reach!). There were a lot of seashells, which are usually harder to find on Galveston beach than other beaches nearby. It smelled fresh and crisp and clean and wonderful.

We ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Fish Tales. I got my crab legs fix and we both enjoyed our "Shrimp Kisses" appetizer. (Melt in your mouth!)

It's amazing how quickly things have gotten back on track down here. I know MANY people are still affected by the hurricane, though. You still find blue tarps on rooftops...people on a long waiting list to have their roofs repaired. We saw random sailboats in odd spots along the roadway -- left behind by the receding waters.

We go through moments where we think we want to move towards Dallas, but then we have an evening like this and it makes us wonder: "Do we really want to leave this?" Sure the refineries are ugly and Baytown certainly won't make and travel channel lists, but we do love the beach life. Who knows where we'll end up!