Galveston

About three weeks before Hurricane Ike decimated Galveston and the surrounding country, we were there for a quick visit. We got to go to our favorite state park, which sustained "catastrophic damage" in the storm. That means that in the background pics, the surrounding structures are no more. They have been washed here and there in the great tidal surge that flooded the island. The state park is not protected by the seawall that was built after the last great hurricane in 1912, so the surge moved everything around and in general, destroyed the roadways, the boardwalks and the facilities at the park. I understand in the wake of such destruction, people lost their homes and even their lives, so to be sad about a state park is silly. But this state park had become part of our family lore, and we visited every year except the year that Molly Ann was born. Jack visited there when he was in my tummy, and again when he was 10 months old. I have several pictures of them in the circle part of the structures at the park. For Jack's 4th birthday, he chose to visit Galveston instead of a having a party. We went in March of this year for Spring Break, and again just weeks before the Hurricane. I am thankful they are rebuilding the island, and I pray that those who have lost their homes and family members will be comforted. It is easy with all of the terrible things going on in our economy to just forget the loss the TExas coast has suffered. Personally, I am sad, but hopeful that it will grow back stronger and better.