Saturday the Houston-area had a lot of closed freeways but beautiful weather. Since some of our routes were blocked by TxDOT, we headed to "Isla de Fertitta." While the new causeway wasn't open yet, we did see it.
We parallel parked for free on the Sea Wall and proceeded to take in the sights and sounds of the Gulf. Here is a shot straight down one of the jetties. This part of the beach is free. Stewart beach is allegedly nicer, but you have to pay to get in there.
After soaking in the rays and smelling the salty air, we took a leisurely stroll down the sea wall itself. It was pretty full of spring breakers. In fact, we had to dodge the many rented carts full of families and tired peddling parents.
I hadn't been to this part of the island since September 2005. The city was evacuated and it was the Wednesday afternoon/night before Hurricane Rita was set to hit land. The town was eerily quiet but not on the Sea Wall. Here you saw satellite truck, after satellite truck, after satellite truck. Thirteen's truck was between CNN's Anderson Cooper and CBS News. The photographer and I had just driven in from the Texas City area where we had been shooting stories all day and were kicked out of our hotel (as was everyone else). I wrote the stories on a park bench, got them edited and fed back to the station. The only place to get food was at the San Luis Hotel (no, make that Resort) and there wasn't that much variety (vegetable lasagna).We crossed the street and took a look at the San Luis Resort (this is the Tillman Fertitta part of the story since he practically owns this block - he has a Rain Forrest Cafe and a Landry's across the street). We entered this classic hotel through he pool entrance (but only after promising to the on guard security force that we weren't trying to sneak into the pool). Pretty nice. We then went inside the lobby which is nicely decorated. After visiting the facilities it was back out to the street.
We got the car and drove immediately to Fish Tails. This is a pretty good seafood restaurant with a nice bar and ice cream parlor. You don't see those very often. Even before 5 pm, there was a wait. While waiting for our name to be called, we hit the bar. I got the Mardi Gras Punch and let me tell you, it did pack a punch. I followed that up with an Ocean Breeze (manly, I know). Once seated on the 2nd level outside deck, we were ready to order chips with crab/avocado dip. Then the main course - shrimp poboys. That was followed up by waffle coned ice cream. Then it was time to hit the mainland. (See full Galveston slideshow)
On the way back, things got geeky as I had to stop by Fry's to get some supplies. Hello 1 GB miniSD card for my phone. Oh yes. CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here
