This is so cool

I know most people have already seen this on one site or another, but for those that haven't, it's a really cute video of a boy at the San Diego zoo racing with a sea otter. No coincidence!

In the Waiting Line

Galveston-Duck Tour

After the tours of the ships, we drove over to the Seawall to get on a duck bus/boat tour. I thought the kids would like it, but it was kinda long so they understandable didn't do well for the last 1/4 of it. They liked when it became a boat though!

   I think after learning about all the ghosts in this place, and haunted mansions I would like to go back without the babies for more tours. On this 1940's pier there used to have carnival rides and attractions which was approved to be built by Roosevelt as it would improve military morale. It was one of the first hotels to be built on top of a pier. The hotel did well but was damaged repeatedly by storms and hurricanes, and finally with Ike in 2008, it was damaged beyond repair and torn down last year. They are building another carnival pier with rides and more to open next summer called "The Pleasure Pier".

 

This was the flagship hotel, which was one of the many reportedly haunted buildings of Galveston.

 The monument for the 4 Texas battles for independence.

 Ready for the hour long tour...

 The pleasure pier under construction.

 Some restaurants...Many of the buildings next to the 17 ft seawall, were housing for troops during WW2.

 Beautiful San Luis Hotel.

 I just thought this Rainforest Cafe was cute.

 One of ten very old cemeteries of Galveston.

 This is when the bus turned into a boat.

And here's what we got to see while on the water--pelicans diving for fish, while the free-loading seaguls sat on their heads to steal some dinner!

Back on land driving by two of the remaining cotton mill machines from the civil war era!

 St. Patrick's church was damaged but ultimately survived the 1900 hurricane and was subsequently raised with the rest of the city 17 ft.

 Forgot what this mansion was, but i's haunted (it resembles the disney ride huh?)

Can you tell by my face that we are ready to get off? It was almost done, but the babies were both fidgety and hungry.

After researching a little about the great hurricane of 1900, I found some pictures to tell the story. It killed between 8,000-12,000 people, and the stench of rotting bodies could be smelled for miles. Very sad.

They had to haul away bodies in carts for burials at sea:

The church, with the altar in tact after the Hurricane:

A man's body found in the wreckage...very sad because many people didn't die immediately and their screams could be heard under the wreckage but were not reached in time....

The seawall of 17 ft to protect from future storms:

Very interesting place to visit with so much history. We will be going back often.

Pelican Island (Galveston)--Seawolf Park

This looked a lot prettier in person.

 John explained that this yellow powder is Sulphur which is the main impurity in crude oil. It is an export of Galveston, in addition to cotton.

Today we went to Galveston Island to take a few tours. The last time we drove through there, it seemed kinda run down and depressing, like it was a happening place full of history, but was beginning to look abandoned. I didn't realize how much damage was still being repaired from 2008's hurricane Ike. Some old buildings, over 100 yrs old, survived the storms, but many places were compromised by the flooding and had to be taken down. I noticed Galveston was less green than what we've seen of Texas--they had to cut down many old beautiful trees which were literally starved because of the salt water. Back in 1900 they had their worst Hurricane (THE worst natural disaster in the US to date) killing thousands. This place has just always built itself back up and the surviving residents remain loyal!

First we went to the Seawolf Park, where we got to tour and old Naval destroyer the USS Stewart and a sub USS Cavalla which were both used during WW2. While it was really cool to enter both ships, I felt sad while in the sub...I felt sad for all the sailors who had to live in these horribly cramped, hot, dangerous claustrophobic quarters, and for the sailors who gave their lives stuck in these subs/ships when they were sunk, whether by enemy or friendly fire. It was also very sticky and humid, and it was kinda musty and dirty, and dangerous in these small spaces...and the steps were SOOO steep and narrow-so taking the babies up and down them was scary. But upon seeing the destroyer and the memorials outside, it made me once again proud of this country and our military. And of my mom's dad who survived years as a POW, and my dad's mom who also endured Japanese brutalities as a a POW.
           Here are some pictures of our time---we stayed pretty long despite the humidity. Once we got on top of the ship, there was a nice breeze. The ships had a certain old smell to them.

It was kinda windy--Olivia's hat was a parachute!

 

The engine and missiles.

 

 So cute!

These plaques were in memory of all the submarines that were sunk--mostly in WW2, and Vietnam...whether by enemy, friendly fire or mechanical failure--like the 2 nuclear subs in the Vietnam war, which led to the Navy to implement a quality control program. (or so John says lol).

More in Galveston to come...

Kemah Again!

Being so close to the boardwalk, which is free and fun to enjoy with the babies, we regularly play out there and it's always a good time, especially when daddy has some time off to relax with us  share in the responsibilities of keeping 2 babies happy and safe :)

 We were smiling while watching a big crane thing being lifted lol.

 Lucas waves like he's a regular here.."I'm here guys, how's it goin?"

 "So I'm allowed to get drenched mom?"

 Olivia runs away from any water lol.

 Our free (packed) lunch lol.

 Arcade fun :)

  It was a nice day for all :)