December 9, 2004; Galveston, Texas

Today's destination is Galveston and a youth hostel on the Gulf of Mexico. As I started out, the Texas I remembered started to reveal itself. The horizons started to grow as the hills flattened and the trees disappeared. Browns began to dominate, as did the oil wells.

I stopped for lunch between Houston and San Antonio and shed my long sleeve shirt and jacket liner. It was getting warmer. Warm enough to air out on the highway pegs. The pleasant weather lasted for about an hour until the heat started to get to me. Gotta have something to whine about. Soon the chaps were off and every vent in my jacket was wide open.

The ride to Galveston was industrial to say the least, but it didn't really matter, the Gulf was at my finger tips and there were palm trees. Frickin' palm trees! Life is more fun when you are easily amused.

The youth hostel does not have any other guests, which disappoints me somewhat. I was looking forward to sharing travel stories. Oh well, they have an internet and a washer. I am happy.