Galveston, 4 yr's post Ike
I left Home last Friday here in Nola with my son Patrick Jr. and we traveled on to Galveston for a look back to Hurricane Ike in 08.
The route was familiar and we took in the Beauty of the ride and the scenic views as we rolled on to our destination.
I recalled the scene in 08 as I neared the Texas Border at the Sabine River and I remembered the tall pines on the right side of the road and told my Son as I got near Orange Texas, that the Sea Salt Spray had already turned the Pines tops orange from it by then.
As we passed Anahuac,Texas I recalled their devastation from surge and how the populace was exhausted and weary as it was 10 days post Storm.
We arrived and were welcomed by friends who always greet us with open arms, hugs and Hope.
But this trip was more of a recollection of then with the reality of now.Galveston was doing much better seemed. The Trip down 45 to the Island proper was one of trepidation and curiosity for me.
The town was surely alive this Saturday morning with locals and tourist busily going about the weekend activities and I stopped at a local Dollar Store for something I'd forgotten. I like dollar stores as one can find almost anything you need, or may have forgotten while traveling, in this instance, I needed fix-o-dent for my upper,er "smile".
I was wearing a Portlight/wunderground Ike relief T-shirt from 08 as well. I got some interesting "look's" I presume from it as some smiled and some frowned. People tend to hold their calamity close to their chest, and I asks the register clerk How her life Post Ike was going. She Smiled, and said, "well, we lost our roof and contents but we're actually better off today and fully recovered physically from Ike, but the memories will last the rest of our live's I suspect."
Your's truly, EmmyRose, BillyBadbird
She smiled again, gave me my change and fix-o-dent.
My first interview was complete.Another employee held the door open for me and smiled and said, Have a nice visit and come back if you need anything else.
She obviously had seen the Truck "La." plate and Saints Fleur de Lis sticker and I felt a kindred feeling of calamity was understood.
It was.
Now on to met a special Guy whom has been sort of a Beacon of Hope, Love, charity and self reliance.
After a wrong turn and a few questions to obvious locals, I found the ferry Road and called Billy Bad Bird on the phone.
He was coming over on the ferry to meet me. I snapped a few photos in and around the Large Ferry port and saw the long lines of Weekend folks awaiting their turn to embark to Bolivar.
Meeting Billy was a experience I'll never forget. Such energy, and Hope and excitement oozed from this fellow. Also he arrived with a Resident Ferry Pass so to da "front o da line" we went on the next ferry back to Bolivar.
We went to his modest Home and I met a Wunderful Lady who also survived Ike on the Island. She ran a bait Shop and ice/drink service out of a Trailer. But alas no beer was found and I asked why? She told me that the Local Govt wouldn't allow a Liquor License due to her Business being "on Wheels". And if she removed the wheels, she would have to elevate to the new code.
"Pfffth, where have I heard this before ?" I offered and she understood my sentence and smiled.
I Bought a Cold canned Soda for 85 cents. Where can one buy a soda for 85 cents anymore? Well, here I smiled as I told her to keep da change.
One could sense her pride and Billy's as well for their lil slice of Heaven on Earth. A cross was noted right on the shoreline there, and seems a man was found drowned there recently. A grim reminder that the sea, though wondrous and giving, still takes her toll.
As I scanned the area all I saw was a lot of Pilings where Homes used to be. Like the Stone monuments akin to Easter Island, they were a mute testimonial of what Ike took.A Lone raised Home was noted inland and at least one Family rebuilt up about 17 feet from the ground.
Billy took me to his Home and we chatted a few minutes about how life can bring calamity, but it's how one reacts to it that matters.
Billy was a survivor, a advocate for those without voice and he has a certain way of letting one know that life goes on. Albeit changed.
And one can tell easily, he was fine with his life.
And master of it.
My time in Texas this trip was short, but informative.
Also, it was a good way to experience the Galveston flavor and Summer smiles.Four years after a Hurricane I feel is a good time to measure the progress, be it economically or personal.
It all relates to one another seems.
Southeast Texas has weathered the post-storm years well and seems to be thriving and prosperous. I really like the new Interstate Digital signs that Help during a Evacuation and also reminds folks that the season is upon us and to be prepared.
So as I wind this down to a close I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute to all who we're lost during Hurricane Ike, those who suffered his wrath and to a special Texan who left us here on the wunderblogs way to soon.
I had the chance this past weekend to meet Katina Bordonaro, the daughter of wunderblogger Robert Bordonaro. Katina and her Soul mate were kind, thoughtful and full of pride over her Dads influence on the bloggers here.
I was proud to call Robert my Good friend, and we miss him dearly.
Travel safe this summer, take care of one another, and heed the Hurricane if and when it comes your way.
Have a plan, have a evacuation destination.
..."Calamity knows no Border's, only men's minds and map's do"...
Hurricane Preparation 2012
Create your own visitor map
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The next time you head to the island, give me a heads up. ;-)
What a neat trip for you and JR. Truly enjoyed the photos and reading your perspective four years post Ike. Thanks.
We had a nice visit and saw plenty of the area under sunny Skies.
Hope ya well up dere too!
"But this trip was more of a recollection of then with the reality of now.Galveston was doing much better seemed. The Trip down 45 to the Island proper was one of trepidation and curiosity for me."
We were only a few hundred feet away as you past the Dickinson exit
..I remember that exit.
It's good that there are still good people everywhere you look!
8. hfrancell
Thanx for stopping by, glad you enjoyed the entry.
You can sit out in the yard and watch the air show every October. You need to set up a stand and rent out your yard once a year. ;-)
Next big Cane that threatens the area, gonna get my lawn chair and sit at the AMOCO bank on I-45, and wave at all the gridlock going north
Thanks so much for sharing your thought-provoking insights and pics above concerning the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike to Galveston residents in 2008. The enduring spirit of those remaining survivors, who continue forging ahead to rebuild their homes and lives, is truly inspirational. We certainly hope that this and future hurricane seasons in all coastal regions South and North remain truly mild or non-existent for some time to come!
Not been on the blogs for a while but come the season I try to keep informed from some of the best.
Enjoyed reading your blog. I am at the Dixie Farm Exit before RitaEvac :) Thanks for all your help and PortLight.. you both are a light in the midst of a storm. No words of thanks are ever enough but going to make my donation now! I love the Island! Lived south of Houston all my life and would not want to be anywhere else. Again, thanks for supporting us in time of need.
14. Txrainstorm
Thank you for supporting portlight and thanx for stopping by here as well.
Se Texas was really friendly and we enjoyed our time and even saw the Shuttle newly Parked on NASA-1 at JSC.
Good chronicle!
Me and the wife still need to make our way down to NOLA for a visit!
Glad to see Billy is doing good, especially after the loss of Ryder.
Thank you, Pat. Loved it.
Good words Kori. :)
Pat what an excellent Blog. I loved reading every bit of your descriptions. I traveled along with you. It doesn't seem that long ago that we all were worried about Billy in his tent. What a happy attitude he has. Thanks you for the Bolivar update. I am just so happy some good things are going on there.
Me new fav gal's doin it my way.
And I likes it.
.."thinking bout my babies and my Happy home, ohhhh"...
Thanks for the post.
Hey,the Chinese guy's put a Women in the Spacecraft with the two men and they rode up and over the hill to orbit .
We needs that HLV/Orion..
Soon.
Oh my! Those ladies got it right.
P.M.that is. gotta make some lunch now but that music brought me up
Semper Fi..
Hope you're having pleasant enough weather in which to spend Father's Day! Have a good one!
This link works here.
Gonna take a picture of me Da's picture and post it on my blog
Independent Pat
Said Mother, ‘Jill, I have to go into town this morning, so take care of Pat and keep him good.’ And Jill replied of course she would.
There in the seaside garden shade, Jill with her little brother played; but soon she thought she’d take one look at her exciting story book.
The look went on; Pat walked away to where his spade and bucket lay, and, with them in his little hands went by himself down to the sands!
Arrived, he found a lovely pool of shallow water, clear and cool, and splashed and paddled all alone. Delighted to be on his own.
But oh, poor Jill! She running came, anxiously calling out his name. He went to meet her with what joy. She cried, Oh Pat, you naughty boy.
Then cuddled him and home they went, where Jill confessed quite penitent. But mother knowing she’d had a fright said never mind it’s all come right.
Jr. and all say "Hello" as well.
PS. You should write a book, your stories flow well ;)
Listen to Finn, she knows what she's talkin about.
I'm gonna give it some thought and consider immersing into it one day, maybe next Spring as the 2012 Season is just upon us.
Might be a chapter yet to come,..Hopefully not for the Basin.
Have you not heard, Patrick? You will need to finish your writings before 12-21-2012. Something about an end of season coming about. ;-)
Hope I can stop by Galveston once with my family.
i saw abraham lincoln last night. there was a scene at audubon park.
Indeed, most likely the Bridge as they were filming there last Summer for like a week.
How was the Film overall?
the bridge was in the back ground, they were having a picnic. it was good, i went into san francisco to see it. for some reason i felt i needed to see it an old building. :)
That's where I want to be That's where it all comes around
Watching the ships pass by me Friendships and small ships and hardships and dreams
That's where I want to be Here where it all comes around
Oh, my head is in the sand All my life passin' by
All of my days I have seen All of the tears and the laughter and dreams
Movin' before me Waves and the ocean and sea
Life is a big tambourine The more that you shake it the better it seems
This is my [not] wisdom These are just words from the sea
Oh my head is in the sand All my days passin' by
When I get older, settlin' down Would you come down to the sea
Ah-ha Carry me down to the sea again, ah-ha
Oh, carry me down to the sea again, ah-ha, ah-ha
Carry me down to the sea again, ah-ha, ah-ho
Carry me down to the sea again
Carry me down, carry me down,
Carry me down to the sea again
Carry me down, carry me down,
Carry me down to the sea, ah-ha, ah-ha
Won't-you-please, carry me down
Please, carry me down
Come on come on come on come on come on
Down down down to the sea, again, yes
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