With the “Thanksgiving” month before us, where could a beleaguered employee or a harrowed Trump apprentice type go to vacation while missing out on the extremes of oncoming winter weather?  Ok, maybe you are just “average Joe” with an RV or six-pack camper and time on your hands ready to have some fun minus the cold weather.  Your destination is the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston Island.  With southern gulf winds to warm the air, tropical foliage, miles of beach, marine and bird life, coastal fishing, surfing, swimming, museums, historical homes, harbor tours, and art centers you’ll be so busy your past life will soon be forgotten and just another beach bum will be found soaking up the winter sun in this tropical paradise of Texas.

Galveston lies approximately 45 miles south of Houston, Texas and is considered the “escape destination.”  When arriving in Houston, find I-45 South, straight to Galveston Island.  Prior to arriving in Galveston you should contact the RV parks for availability.  There are four RV parks.  Bayou Shores RV located at 6310 Heards Lane, Galveston, TX.  77551, phone number 1.888.744.2837.  This RV park has 84 full hook-ups, restrooms and showers, laundry, picnic area, shelters, groceries, telephones, and a recreation room.  Call them for pricing due to seasonal price fluctuations.  Dellanera RV park located at 10901 San Luis Pass Rd. Galveston, TX. 77554, phone number 1.409.740.0390 or 1.409.740.0387, also has 84 sites, with 51 full hook-ups and 33 partials all sites are back in only.  This RV park also has the full amenities including showers, restrooms, laundry, picnic areas, shelters, groceries and telephones.  Seasonal rates will also apply for this park.  You may view this site by web cam at www.galveston.com and click on “lodging” then find “Dellanera RV park” to view the set up.  You’ll see miles of very nice beach front property with RV sites and a children’s park!  Galveston Island RV Resort located at 2323 Skymaster, Galveston, TX 77551, phone number 1.409.774.5464 has approximately 60 spaces with full hook-ups also sporting the full amenities of showers, restrooms, shelters, telephones, laundry, and recreational room.  Finally the fourth RV park on Galveston is Galveston Island State Park at 14901-FM 3005, Galveston, TX.  Spaces include 170 partial sites with restrooms, showers, picnic area, shelters, and telephones.  Be sure and call ahead to reserve your location and ask questions regarding the size of rigs the sites are able to handle, whether the sites are back in only or pull through and amperage availability since this information is not listed, seasonal rates, and seasonal office operating hours.  For reference, these sites have run around $12-$20 this past year.

Once you’ve settled in and get ready to explore the island, don’t miss out on Moody Gardens.  Although all of Moody Gardens belongs with the hotel and convention center, the pyramids and 3-D IMAX Theater are attractions which tickets can be purchased to attend.  I would suggest buying a two day pass with unlimited access into all Moody Garden attractions for those two days.  History buffs will find many historical sites and points of interest in abundance.  There are fabulous historical homes built in the 1800’s which have 23” walls and floors with wired intercom systems throughout the home such as the Bishop’s Palace and the Moody Mansion.  I would avoid taking small children through these historical homes.  The staircases can be spiral and in some places narrow.  There are delicate artifacts throughout the homes and small children will not appreciate the historical or     architectural lectures.  For those with handicaps, a cane would be accessible for assistance up the stairways in these homes, however, in some instances a walker wouldn’t fit going up into the second floor passages. 

Besides homes, the tall ship Elissa gives way to a bit of history to Galveston as well and can be seen and boarded; flight museums, Grand Opera House, local ferry and gulf tours, island shore tours, and WWII submarine Cavalla tour, only to mention a few.   After all this touring there are plenty of dining experiences ranging from MacDonald’s to a newly appointed Rain Forrest restaurant with active volcano and tropical rain forest ride, or BBQ, Asian, Deli style, Greek, Italian, Mexican, and of course numerous seafood restaurants including home of Landry’s Seafood House where it all begins.  I believe the aroma of the gulf makes the food taste better where ever you decide to eat.  

Galveston Island measures 32 miles in length and two miles in width at its widest point.  The island averages an elevation of 7 feet above sea level, and sports a population of around 60,000.  For such a compact island, there is a ton of fun whether it is on season or off season.  I’m thankful there’s a place within driving distance to escape from the winter cold, forget about the job, the employees, the boss, and become just another beach bum.  Forget winterizing the RV, I’m doing this every time a holiday or excuse comes up. Hey boss, surf’s up! 

Happy Traveling!