Alexandra to Galveston Tx

A good day of riding in great weather. 

Today was what I would call a journey man day. We wanted to hit the gulf coast and take a dip in the ocean. After all, what's a vacation without beach and palm trees? The morning sun set the tone for the entire day, sunny and warm. We start off in perfect riding conditions, 24C and clear sky. 

As usual for Just Touring, trip change:

The original plan was to "do" New Orleans at this stage. (gong)

The decision is that we want to include Big Bend Texas in the trip, so we decide to skip New Orleans. We can fly to New Orleans any time. Big Bend ... that's out of the way. Has some neat mountains and desert country.

We want to swim in the ocean so the second decision is Galveston.

There is no direct route to Galveston so we enjoy back roads Louisiana to the Texas border. The area is very nice, like touring in Peterborough (for you Ontarians). Every where we stop, people notice we're "not from here" and strike up a conversation. We hear about their trips, their wishes to do trips, advice on where to stay, eat, where to avoid, who to call if you get caught speeding. Life is slower here, but nothing beats Southern Hospitality. 

We cross into Texas

Photos to contemplate:

We are not in Louisiana any more. Texas is hustling and busy. Trucks everywhere. The highway turns into superslab and we jostle with heavy traffic for a long time until we get to the Galveston cut off. Its' a first for Ryan, and I'm concerned that he doesn't have a lot of hours in this stuff. One bad, misbehaved or angry driver, and it could get ugly. Heavy aggressive traffic is not very forgiving. Jeff stays back with him and talks him through the heavy stuff and he plays it safe. He's very confident for a new rider. This trip will give him better experience than 15 years of causal driving that most bike riders experience in their lifetime. 

We cut off at 124 to get to the coast. This road travels through the wetlands adjacent to the gulf coast. All of this land is the result of erosion from the mountains. The land is flat, grassy and wet. Ponds and channels are everywhere. We pass American Airboat. I know that inside, Jeff is jumping. He wanted to ride an airboat, but we simply do not have time on this trip.

We are facing a stiff wind from the gulf and it's getting warm. We know we're close when smell of salt water mixed with seaweed fills the air. Temps are climbing to 30C when we finally cross a little hill and see the ocean ahead of us. The palm trees announce we have entered yet another geography and genuinely lift our spirits. This is what touring is all about.

The ride along the shore is done at speed but we tilt the bikes to the sea in order to offset the wind. My helmet has a visor that seems to catch the wind just wrong and by the end of the trip, my neck is sore fighting the wind. The guys are weaving criss cross within the lane, a form of technical dance and a sign that they are grooving to the new scenery, temps, smells and music in their head set. Waves are pretty high, so there will be no swimming here. 

Homes with signs that proclaim their status "Rent Me", sit on stilts 30 feet in the air. The group strikes up a conversation - Wonder what it would be like to be up there in a Hurricane. They could easily survive a 20 foot surge. We agree it would be fun in a minor hurricane and stuff the idea in that "Things to do before you die (perhaps to bring along that event)" locker. 

The landscape is dotted with oil wells. Recreate on the top, make money down below.

This sea spit is separated from Galveston by a ferry ride, likely because they could not justify the cost of a bridge high enough to let freight ships and cruise liners to pass. On the one side is recreational country, not enough value for a very expensive bridge. 

Almost in Galveston

Enjoying our "yachting" leg of the voyage

Going the other way

One group of many waiting for the ferry

Blah, Blah - is that a cute girl?

Keeping an eye on the "stuff"

Tom and the notorious  "Black Diamond Sollak Riders" motorcycle gang

Galveston is like many beach tourist towns. Beach, Ocean and Swimming on the one side. Hotels, restaurants and stores on the other. 

We finally find Nick's, as recommended by someone we met. This is the Gulf and I have fried Oysters (not gonna get those in the Texas badlands). The guys love their burgers n' stuff. We find a Best Western up the beach and the rooms are $80. Clearly this area is for regular folks (like us) and it must be off season. How do you get a hotel on the beach for those kind of bucks?

I spend time cleaning and reorganizing the bike and the BDR Sollak gang head to the beach with Dave. They return with big grins on their faces, covered in sea weeds. Water is warm, waves are a bit tamer than the big water, but still exciting. They talk about big fish (picture an image of someone with their hands shoulder wide in front of them, indicating the size of the fish that got away). All I can think about is that fish like water, not air. When they are in the air, it's because the air is safer than water. The air is safer than water because a big predator is swimming around trying to eat them. I don't want to be in the water when 2 foot long fish are jumping in the air. But ... i wish i was there.

We plan the next day. Dave and Cipi need new tires and Tom finds a dealers in San Antonio and Houston. Their web sites say open to 9PM so we call ... and they're closed. We'll call in the morning.

I'm tired and fall asleep and the guys head to the next room for a few beers.