Galveston - we've moved on

We were supposed to head to MS this week, but the weather looks iffy and we love our sunshine. We always joke, we'll be at the home that has the better weather! Well, once we decided not to travel, Lucy says to me "Do you want to head to Galveston so you can get your beach time in?" Well, that one caught me off guard; she said that several more times but deep down I think it was she that really wanted to go. I've bugged her for years that we hadn't been in way too long and I missed it, so ... I'm in. Quick weather check, look for a Marriott hotel since it's only for couple of nights and we're booked. There are at least 4 Marriott properties down there now, I'm a couple of nights from Titanium Elite Status (currently Platinum) so I'm focused on this brand for five more nights in the near future. I knew there is a Springhill Suites over where the Interstate rolls into Broadway, and they put a Townplace Suites and Couryard next to each other on the West edge of Town near Jimmys on the Pier, but didn't realize there was a Residence Inn Closer to Gaidos more in the center of town near the Seawall. I probably should have booked the Courtryard due to their Pool area, but Residence got my vote. It's actually, about a 1/2 block behind another place on the Seawall so walking distance, but .... not Ocean View 100%. I chose not to use points so I could get an 'ocean view' room, but got a room upgrade anyways to a 1 bedroom suite Ocean View. Guessing had I just used points for the cheapest room, probably would have still got that upgrade? Never know the way those work out when using points vs cash though.

Well, we head South Tuesday morning and five hours later we're rolling into the Residence. I'd forgotten how much I disliked Houston traffic which is about an hour of chaos. And, I have little patience for morons that don't travel on the Interstate with their cruise control and / or hang in the left lane forcing traffic around the right of them. Those idiots seem worse than ever on our highways. Well, check in and we're on the top floor, end of the hallway away from any noise. That view. Yep can see the the "ocean" lol. And the seawall traffic and the parking lots. But, I knew what I was signing up for. We'd thought of jumping in the pool, but wasn't calling our name as we thought it would. So, jump in the vehicle and head out to grab a small bite and drink. Find ourselves at the Brickhouse a long time fav' and sit outside on their patio. Our young not so bright waitress takes our order .... and returns telling me they don't have my wine. So I pick something else which is confusing because she doesn't know the drink menu. Finally, I just order a house margarita when she comes back again .. and the problem is.. well isn't my drink afterall .. they don't have Lucys' Prosecco. Any Prosecco. She doesn't know what Prosecco even is... So, I canx our food order, and we walk out. Hmmmmm... back in the car and I see Nicks' has parking out front, doesn't look too busy so we roll in there. Hell, their patio area is much nigher anyways, nice breeze, good tunes out of the speakers and we're soon sipping a Prosecco and Sauvignon Blanc. Feels like we're on Island time finally. Couple appetizers and ... back to the room to freshen up for the evening. We'll find ourselves on the Strand headed to Hearsays, an old fav'. We've got to park a few blocks away so get a nice stroll in. Noticing some shops have closed and reopened as new faces. Some new restaraunts where some old ones didn't make it. I remember when Tusnami's tequila bar had a cool air about it, now it looks like a shithole. But Hearsays is hopping and as nice as always; and packed. I talk Lucy into sitting at the bar vs the long wait and we're soon smiling and reminiscing. After some awesome food, we're our way back to the room.... this traveling stuff wears me out nowadays.

Got to admit, my last few breakfasts at Marriotts have been pretty good ( the lobby provided free version). Eggs are cooked just right, bacon or sausage, and all the other stuff folks normally have. Quick plate of protein, grab some coffees and head back to the room. After we finally get moving it'a a beautiful, sunny ... beach day! Pack a cooler, beach bag and we walk around the corner and across the street, down the stairs to the sand and ... good times await us. As most beaches do, a vendor is setup on this section with Umbrellas / Chairs and a few Sea Doos for those that want to drop upwards of a $100 for 30 min? (I would have if my buddies had been here!). I'm getting old because I remember them chair rentals as $20, but .. $40 is what it's going to cost me for 2 and an umbrella. Worth it of course .. but ... I still ask for a military disount. Okay ... an old Fuker' discount. Nope? Young guy smiles, apoligizes and takes my $40 .. lol . Next four hours we're enjoying the breeze, the ocean smells (which on this day were good), some adult beverages and ... we're both reading our books. Totally relaxing. But ... gotta eat right? Eventualy pack it up and head back. They've put permanent restrooms up on the seawall so mama's happy (old days you might have taken a nice walking into the surf for ulterior motives?). Back in the room, relax and prep for dinner ..... but ... that pool is calling our name. Okay... hour or two later, we're back upstairs...

I've been going to galveston for 3 decades but have never been to Gaido's Restaranut. Tonight that's going to change! It's literally a 4 minute walk away and we're headed over. But damned it looks a notch busy. "Reservations?" she asked as I stepped in. Ummmm.. no .. it's a Wendesday evening. Wrong answer. Hour wait? Ummmm... no. But next door is Nicks where we'd sat down the day before. Five minutes later we'd be sitting in the same area, same waiter and great food and drinks. Still, Gaido's was calling my name! Next time! Well.. probably not.... But the bar downstairs is hopping at the Residence so ... one or two ..then upstairs.

Damned.. Thursday morning already. Another good breakfast downstairs, more quality java, and we've soon packed Biggun' and we're rolling North. Using Waze ensures we minimuze the crazy traffic and by 3:30 we're back home. But on the way home we had some interesting conversation. We'd touched on some it the last 48 hours but ... hey five hours, gotta' talk about something? That something is ... we've moved on mentally from Galveston. We had so much fun .. so many good times down there with friends and family over the years. We've owned two homes down there but sold when the property values soared as well as the Property Taxes. The annual Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (attended around ten times) is still calling my name, but not Lucys'. And at one point she made a statement that ... well ... I sort of agreed with. " Feels Ghetto." I'd heard this area referred to as the "Redneck Rivera" and I laughed about it then .. and now. The Ghetto comment is a brutal one and it's not. But... it's lost that aura for us. And to be honest, we've both gotten very spoiled with "All Inclusive Resorts" south of the border. No coolers to pack. No driving to dinners. No snickering at small hotel pools. Awesome poolside and beachside service. We've just .. moved on to higher ground I guess. So, as a couple I'm pretty sure that was our last trip to Galveston. We closed out on a good, positive note. But I can't imagine why we'd ever go back ... well... for a good motorcycle rally in the future? Maybe ....