Driving on the Beaches

One hundred and fifty years ago Galveston was one of the biggest shipping ports in North America.  Today the number of ships passing by the east end of Galveston Island continues to impress. Nowadays though, Houston is the much bigger port. Ships must pass through Galveston Harbor to reach Houston.

We were surprised to learn that we could drive our car on the beach.  Even though the sand is very hard packed, there was no mistaking that the surface was moving under us.

This section of beach upon which we drove this morning on southeast end of the island was practically deserted.  It is not hard to imagine what this island and its beaches looks like when run over by spring breakers.

In 1785, a navigator for Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish viceroy in Mexico City, named the Island: Galveztown.  The island was originally inhabited by cannibalistic Karankawa Indians who preyed upon stranded wrecked vessels in the area. 

Galveston Island has been tormented by hurricanes in 1867, 1900, 1915, 1961 (Carla), and 2008 (Ike). The 1900 hurricane was the most devastating and the 1961 hurricane was accompanied by 26 tornados!  

It appeared to us that houses built in the past 15-20 years are built about 1 story above ground level.  

Houses built since 2008 appear to be even higher!

This afternoon we decided that all beach parking on Galveston Island is actually on the beaches.  It saves Texas money.  They don't have to build or maintain any parking lots!