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One major component of S.' and my wedding registry was camping equipment. We like to camp and had planned a one-week trip to Big Bend as our honeymoon. About...oh...two hours after the wedding, we decided we were too tired to go camping and decided instead to drive to Galveston, where hotels, restaurants and beaches beckoned...
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On the way we passed through a lot of very small old towns, including La Bahia, which was holding a huge flea market/antique sale in their town social hall, which is in actuality the only building in town besides a few old farmhouses. There was a lot of good junk to be had; I collect old photographs and scored a bunch of good ones. Two faves: "Undies Girl" and "Guy About To Get His Eyes Scratched Out By A Cat"

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La Bahia is also where I saw a Schwinn "Fair Lady" stingray bike in dark pink with a flower-power banana seat which is the exact bike Santa brought me when I was six.

I wish I'd bought it.
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We skirted around Houston on the way to Galveston. Houston can be summed up in one word: UGLY. I did see some amusing/alarming signage, including billboards promoting the upcoming NRA Convention (HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF FIREARMS!!!) and signs for this seemingly homemade religion. On the way back from Galveston, we detoured through some of S.'s old Houston haunts and I came away with a slightly better impression, at least of the arts district, but not much. I will however be returning to Houston soon to go to The National Museum of Funeral History and The Orange Show.
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We got to Galveston after dark; Galveston is accessed by a long highway bridge; the first sign you see upon reaching the island is a sign for The Village of Tiki Island which, despite having a name that sounds like a Brady Bunch episode, is actually a village. Named Tiki Island. Who knew?
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Galveston itself is a wonderful mix of run-down seaside motels on one side and just-being-gentrified downtown area on the other. The run-down side is populated mostly by souvenir shops and fish restaurants. We decided, for no particular reason, to stay at three different hotels. The first was the lovely Commodore on the Beach which was apparently last decorated in the "exposed brick wall" era of interior design. It was a nice place and we had a balcony on which we sat and drank red beer and ate pimiento cheese, because that's the kind of people we are. It's also where we stole an ice bucket and some trays because we loved the Commodore's cheesy old-school logo. Sorry, Commodore.
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Our next stop was the lovely Flagship Over the Water, which, as its name suggests, is built on a pier over the water. Rather nondescript but it was nice to sit on the balcony and watch surfers in the morning. (Although "surfing" is a loose term as I don't think I saw a wave over 6 feet high the whole time we were there.)
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Our last stay was at the truly lovely Hotel Galvez, which has been lovingly restored to its original luster, and where there was a pool with a swim-up bar. We swam up several times then scooted over to the hot tub with our libations. Every evening, a flock of pelicans would swoop low over the pool on their way to feed at the seawall. Or perhaps they were hoping to snatch a small child out of the pool. I was drunk and didn't care.
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Our second night in town, we ate at a somewhat venerated restaurant on the seawall where our hyper waiter evoked memories of Will Ferrell as a Spartans cheerleader -- "Here's your TEA!" "Isn't that bread GOOOOOD???" Egad. Among other items on the menu at this place: Seafood Stuffing Balls, Fish Fingers and Chicken Fried Chicken Breast. I think that pretty much sums it up.
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We spent our sightseeing time checking out the old city cemetery, the Balinese Room - former hangout to the stars, and The Bishop's Palace, a Victorian home that has had virtually no renovation or updating since it was built. Very cool. The downtown area or "Strand" is a mix of abandoned buildings and "rejuvenated" sites that are being turned into chain restaurants and outlet stores. Ick. We managed to find a few cool local bars and thrift shops, though. 'Twas nice.
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The only vexing part of the trip was a problem that S. and I seem to run into anywhere we go together. People want to talk with us. A lot. And by "people" I mean anyone who waits on us or who we sit next to in a bar or who gives us the time or whatever. It's baffling. I blame S. because I am by nature a mean person and this never happens to me when I'm alone.
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**Go back a page for wedding pics or forward for more honeymoon pics.**
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