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...