Day 2 in Galveston, TX.

It has rained off and on all day but we toured the town anyway. This morning we checked out the Ferry Terminal in anticipation of crossing on it to Bolivar tomorrow on our way to New Iberia, LA.

We had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf on the waterfront overlooking the ship channel between Galveston Island and the mainland.

Mardi Gras decorations are up in town.

We stopped at the Chamber of commerce for some info then walked across the street to the Rosenberg Library to see some of the local history displays.

We then did a driving tour of the old houses and mansions which were part of the Tree Sculpture Tour. When hurricane Ike knocked down many of the old oak trees on the island, the neighborhood decided to preserve what they could by having the stumps carved into figures. These have become the heart of the Tree Tour. You can view the sculptures from your car by following a map showing where they are located in each block.

Only a few of the 21 Tree Sculptures.

 

 

 House still needing repair.

While we were touring I remembered that I had been to a Catholic Church on the Island in the 1970's and there was a building across the street called the Bishops Palace. We found the church which is of an unusual Moorish design. The Bishops Palace is now open for tours. What made this memorable for me is that on my first trip to the island in the 1970's I had bought a packet of pen and ink drawings from a store in the historic district of Galveston which included a drawing of the Bishops Palace. This drawing hung in our house for many years. We still have it framed but now it resides in a closet.

 Bishops Palace.

 

St Mary's Catholic Church.

It was a great way to see the old houses, many of which are just now being repaired from the damages of Hurricane Ike.