On to San Antonio

Yesterday we went back to the Strand in Galveston. Walked around for several hours looking at the old buildings and neat architecture. While there we went to a little theater that showed a short movie(Slide show type with voice narration) describing the devastation of the “Great Storm” in 1901.

At that time Galveston was only a foot or so above sea level. When what must have been a Class 3 or 4 hurricane came ashore the storm surge covered the whole island. The most populated area was on the north end of the island. When all was said and done, over 6000 people died. One description of the debris that it was a wall 200 ft. high. And the pictures looked like it. But Galveston rebuilt itself. For 6 million dollars they built a concrete seawall several miles long. It took only 3 years. Then they raised the level of the island by dredging sand and pumping it inland. They raised all the surviving buildings, some as much as 20 feet. Can you imagine trying to get agreement to do a job so large these days. Look at New Orleans.

We are now near San Antonio. Drove over today from Galveston. When we left there the sun was actually shining, but the temperature was cool with a stiff wind blowing in off the gulf. I was actually cold. By the time we got off the gulf a few miles it was quite warm. In one town we saw a thermometer that said 91. We drove with the windows down and I actually considered using the AC, but Joyce wanted none of that. She was concerned with gas mileage. Took us about seven hours to get to this campground which is about 10 miles outside of San Antonio. It is about 8:00 p.m now and the temp is 76 with a light breeze. Don't think we will need heat in the Camper tonight.

On the way here,we got into Cactus Country. Mostly Prickly Pears similair to what we have at home with one exception. These thing were big. Some as tall as 5 feet and stalks larger than a good sized man's arm. And there were miles and miles of them. When I get Joyce's pictures off her camera I will post one so you can see what I am talking about.

Tomorrow we plan to go into town and see the Alamo, and do the River Walk. That is supposed to be great. I will let you know how that is.