Galveston 1977 - 2022/04/14

Forty-five years ago this week I at the very last minute decided to spend a week down on the Gulf of Mexico.  I was working full time in a St. Paul suburb, had the Honda 750 packed and rode it to work Maundy Thursday morning.  At lunch break I mounted the Honda and headed south, arriving late at a very affordable motel along I-35 in Ottawa, KS Thursday evening  The following evening I was in a gulf-side motel in Galveston, even the air was full of salt.

Easter morning.....

Mom and dad were hosting the family for Easter so I found a phone booth and called home.  It was hotter in Minnesota than it was in Galveston that day.

The ferry from Galveston Island to Bolivar....

Of course I wanted to visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Interesting story here.....I arrived early and parked way out in the parking lot.  For some reason on my way in to the Visitor Center, I looked over to the opposite corner of the parking lot and noticed a Winnebago.  Two attractive young women were milling about outside and then two big guys opened the door and stepped outside to join them.  Without thinking any more about it, I continued through the parking lot and entered the building. 

Before very long those same young women were spending a lot of time admiring the same exhibits that I was.  They introduced themselves and were very friendly with emphasis on the very part of friendly.  I was trying to see (and learn) from the exhibits but they were determined to be my very good friends.  They told me about their parents' Winnebago out in the parking lot, wondering if I might be interested in some fun.  I told them I was very interested in our Space Program, that it was the fun I was looking for.

I spent more time in TX than I'd really planned on, left Galveston, heading east to New Orleans.  I stopped for a photo of Spanish Moss.  My only real plan was to follow the river north.

I didn't really enter New Orleans, saw Lake Pontchartrain took a left and followed Hwy 61 home.  I remember very little....the Memphis skyline... was anxious to slow down and revisit Hannibal, MO.

 

 

This wayside is just outside of Galena, IL.  Last Friday (4/2022) I drove through Galena on my way home from the visit with Dave and Tim.  I got a big smile when I saw this wayside again because a few of my motorcycle trips have involved a stop here, none as long as the one back in 1977 though.  My first time here was back in the summer of 1973 when my brother and I stopped here on our way to Texas (only made AR).

It was a fun week, I remember a lot more about the first half than I do the last half.  It was warm salty bliss along the Gulf.  But I've never forgotten this spot outside of Galena.

Happy Easter 2022 everyone!!