\nAround noon we arrive at the San Jacinto Monument<\/a>, a very tall skinny obelisk in the middle of a swamp. There is a tiny museum at the base, which I might have enjoyed more if we hadn’t rushed through it. I did find out that Sam Houston was a Union loyalist and refused a commission from Lincoln, but lost his job when Texas joined the Confederacy.\n<\/p>\n \nThe drizzle creates a perfect condition for visiting the Battleship Texas<\/a>. Almost no one else is there so it’s easier to imagine that we are in the past on some cold sea. I’m fascinated by the living quarters: the laundry and the post office, the dentist and the operating room, the barber, the supply depot, and the toilets–which improved as one gained in rank. For the lowliest sailors, they were just seats over a common metal trench.\n<\/p>\n \n \nIt’s only a little after 1:00 when we finish walking around. We could have easily made the trip there and back in one day. But since we have hotel reservations, we decide to drive down to Galveston in search of lunch and something to look at. I never thought I’d find a place I’d like to live in less than Las Vegas. But then I’d never been to Pasadena, Texas before. In comparison Las Vegas is beautiful and Killeen, Texas a paradise. The third coast, at this point, is a mass of oil refineries and chemical plants. You can’t get away from the stink of it, even in the car with the windows rolled up.\n<\/p>\n \nWe drive into Galveston with no idea of where we’re going. We see a sign indicating tourist-y sites to the left, but AJM can’t get over three lanes of traffic. So we turn right and left again and go parallel with the main street until we see a streetlight. We turn on 14th Street and stop at the first restaurant we see, the Mosquito Cafe. It turns out to be a very nice California-style place. After we eat, we walk around the East End Historical District<\/a> looking at gorgeous 19th century houses. The vegetation is much more tropical than Austin. Two huge brugmansia were in full bloom outside one grand house.\n<\/p>\n \nWe find our way down to the Strand, watch a huge cruise ship leave port, see the tall ship “Elissa<\/a>“, and then<\/strong> find the tourist information center and a map that explains what we just did. Seeing Galveston makes me wish that the old Austin neighborhoods had been better preserved. We drive to the sea side of the island looking for a nice restaurant. The beach front is typically shabby-looking so we end up at the Mosquito Cafe for dinner.\n<\/p>\n \nHad I known we were going to end up in Galveston, I’d have made reservations at a B&B. Instead we have to drive back to Deer Park.\n<\/p>\n \nIn the morning, we wend our way through Houston. The exit for I-10 is closed and we go around and around the spaghetti bowl looking for a way to get home. On the drive in, AJM spotted an IKEA and we decide to go. Now this was not a trip where the husband said, “Let’s visit a battleship.” and the wife said, “Sure, if we can go shopping at IKEA afterward.” It just happened that way.\n<\/p>\n \nI’ve never been to an IKEA and my expectations were disappointed. I expected something more along the line of Marimekko<\/a> or Muji<\/a>. Although I liked some of the designs, I thought the execution was cheap and shoddy. Still AJM was bewitched by gadgetry and I had to hold him back, lest he buy again. In the end, we found matching lamps for our bedside (at last!), a duvet cover (with little blue flowers–a bit girly for me), kitchen shears, a paring knife, and two cereal bowls for the boy. (He’s such a fan of Fight Club, I thought he’d like something from IKEA as ironic gesture.)\n<\/p>\n \nAs we left IKEA and headed home, the sun came out. Around La Grange we saw the first roadside bluebonnets of this year. When we reached South Austin, I was so incredibly happy to be home. We live in one of the coolest places on the planet. I’m beginning to think the main reason to travel is to realize how lucky you have it at home.\n<\/p>\n \nAfter our usual Sunday visit to the Central library, we stop off for milk at Whole Foods. The place is a riot as it is the last day it will be open at this location.\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Birthday drive, and a series of firsts…San Jacinto Monument…Battleship Texas…Galveston…IKEA. Austin is always sweeter after a trip to east Texas.<\/p>\n![\"photo:](\"http:\/\/www.zanthan.com\/wordsintobytes\/photos\/BattleshipTexas1.jpg\")
This is not a black and white photo. It was just that kind of day.<\/i><\/p>\n![\"photo:](\"http:\/\/www.zanthan.com\/wordsintobytes\/photos\/BattleshipTexas2.jpg\")
The barbershop. I’m happier than I look. I’m just trying to hold very still to take the shot in the low light.<\/i><\/p>\n![\"photo:](\"http:\/\/www.zanthan.com\/wordsintobytes\/photos\/BattleshipTexas3.jpg\")
AJM came to see the big guns (which could shoot missiles the weight of a compact car 12 miles–they could hit the new Frost Bank Tower from the Arboretum). The engines were also interesting. I wouldn’t want to be working down there while the ship was in tropical waters.\n<\/p>\n