Well the day has finally arrived and we always dread it when we have to pack up and head back. It seems sad the time gets away from you before you have time to do and see everything you had planned before heading out. Then there are the things you encounter along the way and that adds to the agenda and adventure. For example, we are driving along on our way to the most recent destination and there to the left of the highway is a huge statue of Stephen F Austin, out in the middle of seemingly nowhere. If you have ever seen the likeness of Sam Houston in Huntsville, then this is the type of statue standing beside this 4 lane divided highway with no other visible sign of humanity, village or enterprises around it. Seemed very strange to us travelers why this seemingly deserted location was picked to honor one of the earliest Anglo settlers of Texas who did so much to colonize the state with other US folks like him.
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| Statue near Angleton on US Hwy 288 |
So here is what we found out about this statue. Shortly after the Sam Houston statue was finished, a volunteer group dedicated to keeping the history of Stephen F Austin and the pioneer families' memories alive contacted the artist and commissioned this statue. It is on land donated by a family nearby and contains a museum manned by local volunteers. The area was chosen because it is on the coastal plain near the mouth of the Brazos river. This is the area where Austin and his first colonists landed and close to where he chose his first homesite. As we all remember from our Texas history classes, the first Texas capital is just a few miles up the Brazos river at Washington-on-the Brazos. So it seems appropriate and natural that Stephen is standing and staring at the area now that we understand the history.
So we learn something every single time we head out. There is simply not enough time to see and do it all. This is where some of the sadness comes from as we leave a place. But we have had a grand time here at the beach and learned a lot about the area. We are just about to leave when the place kicks into high gear for the upcoming beach season. Sort of the unofficial opening of prime time is St. Patrick's Day. They have an annual parade each St. Patrick's Day that is 'the biggest thing' around here. I noticed under 'events' in my latest issue of Texas Highways that Surfside Beach made the list with its parade. Just down the road in Galveston, the big doin's the last two weekends have been Mardi Gras activities.
We have experienced all kinds of weather while at the beach. From the cold stinging biting rain on the first day here to the off and on again sea fog throughout the stay to beautiful sun shining 70+ degree days and everything in between. We have heard many boat horns from the Intracoastal Waterway as we are situated between it and the ocean on a spit of land known as Surfside Beach. Last night, in honor of our recent visit to NASA, we watched the immortal Disney classic movie, Wall-E.
It has been a memorable place to be in February and a great time with good friends. We are thankful God has given us safety while traveling and great sights from creation to behold. Pictures do not do it justice but here is a small sample.
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| Walking on a cool blustery day |
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| Sandpiper lunchtime |
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| Oil Rig Platform headed out from Intracoastal Waterway |
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| Driving the beach in Betty Boop |
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| Sea Gulls watching everything and staring at nothing Kind of like us..... |
Until the next adventure, we will see you down the road.....
