Tuesday, December 8, 2009

GALVESTON AND DICKENS ON THE STRAND 2009

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Friday morn about 10:00 am,  Sharon, Roy and I began our journey and adventure to Galveston for Dickens on the Strand, amid weather alerts of rain, Snow and cold weather.

We had reservations at a Bed & Breakfast and had already purchased tickets for a home tour, Bottom to Top at the Bishop’s Palace, The Oaks and the  others.

It rained and snowed on us nearly the entire way, but we were not to be denied.  We ventured to Kemah and the Boardwalk for lunch at Landry’s.  There were a few other brave souls there.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch, this is Roy’s.

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Then we traveled on to Galveston.  We were too early to check in, so I talked Roy into a quick trip to my favorite shop, Coastal Creations owned by the Deas family  for many years.  Many of the things in my lake house came from this wonderful shop.

These are my purchases.

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Roy bought me two Christmas presents…we don’t wait, he will be at work for Christmas.

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It is a beautiful glass serving dish, it is quite large.

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I collect pelicans and have many pieces by John Perry.

We then stopped at Wal-Mart ( no trip complete without ) to purchase some wine,cheese, crackers, etc for a late nite snack.

Then on to our B&B, I am not going to mention the name, our experience was not a good one, but she was a gracious lady, and I truly believe that under other circumstances things would be great.  It is a lovely home and was beautifully decorated.

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We had tickets  that night to tour 5 Victorian homes decorated for Christmas, so after hauling our clothes,  etc. upstairs to our room, we were off the the home tour.

The weather was nasty, but we enjoyed seeing the homes.  I am not showing these now, because I only have pictures of tablescapes and will save them for Thursday.

Our greatest problem at the B&B was cold, the small heater would hardly heat the bathroom and certainly not the room.  When 3:oo am rolled around, you would have found Sharon and I downstairs wrapped in quilts and still cold.  The thermostat was set on 62 and I did not feel free to raise it.

There was another serious problem, I will not tell out of respect for the owner.

Finally about 7:00 am we went back upstairs and I took a quick shower, we packed up, talked to the lady and left. 

Our next stop was the famous  Star Drugstore , that serves a great breakfast  and has an eclectic  assortment of unique gifts. The drugstore has out in front, the oldest Coke sign in Texas and is also the oldest drugstore in Texasstar3

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Then on to search for a room or two, we found a lovely suite with two great bedrooms, frig, microwave, sink , coffee pot , large bath and three wonderful beds and plenty of heat at the La Quinta Inn & Suites.la quinta inn and suites

The weather had improved, so we were off to Dickens on the Strand.

Our first stop once we entered the Strand was at the Elephant and Camel rides.  One of the things on my list to do in this life time was ride on an elephant…..and so I did.

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Her name was Paige and she is in her 20’s.  The elephants and the camels live near Conroe, Texas and work 13 weekends a year.

Now I can mark that off my list!

Dickens was back as big or bigger than ever.  There were people everywhere and tons and tons of booths selling any and every thing including great food.  Coral groups were singing carols on nearly every block.

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I have other pictures and stories to tell, but rather than bore you, I will post them tomorrow…

Needless to say, we had a great time and it continues……….new signature

14 comments:

Stacey said...

Hi Barbara. Your Galveston time looks like so much fun. I just love it there and haven't been in years.

Kitt said...

Looks like a great time was had by all...except for the B&B. We have stayed in a B&B there...don't remember the name and had a very good experience. B&B's are likely to be unpredicatable but we still take the chance once in a while.

Dixie said...

Sorry to hear about the B&B... but then, they're not really use to freezing temps and snow in Galveston! LOL... thanks the Heavens for La Quinta!

Love the photos of Dickens... those carolers are just beautiful. You guys take the best trips!

Stop by to enter my giveaway if you haven't already.. it's my 300th post! hugs. Dixie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Barb... what fun! Look at you on the elephant. I'm sorry about the B&B experience. I have friends in Galveston who own one, and I will send you the info on it. It has been completely redone. They own an inn in Cape May, NJ, as well and have been inkeepers for many years.

The Dickens festival looks like loads of fun! I went to Galveston at Thanksgiving once, but I've never been there at Christmas.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fun trip. Your pictures are all wonderful. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Hugs, Marty

Sue said...

This looks like such fun. I'm sorry about the B & B. You are different than I am...I tell the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to hotel reviews. I like to warn people when a place is bad. I think to expect you to pay to stay somewhere that was 62 degrees is not acceptable. It does look really pretty...so it is a shame it wasn't amazing for you. The food looks delish...and the elephant ride, you are so brave! I can't wait to see the tablescapes.

Sue

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara! Oh, I just can't believe we weren't able to hook up. Did you get my messages?
Sorry the B&B was a bad experience. It was cold, wasn't it?
Glad you could find a room at the motel so you could warm up your tootsies!
Maybe another time we can meet!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Simply Debbie said...

HELLO PRETTY LADY,
I LOVE YOU ON THE ELEPHANT...YOU LOOK SO TINY ON THAT BIG ELEPHANT....WAS IT SCARY
I AM SO SORRY ABOUT A ONCE AGAIN BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A B&B. EVEN JUST ONE HOUR OF BEING COLD IS TOO MUCH.
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COLLECT PELICANS. THAT IS A NICE THING TO KNOW.
I LOVE YOUR PINK FLAMINGO SIGN...THAT WAS AWESOME.
NOW THE HAT I WOULD HAVE TO WEAR WOULD BE THAT CAROLER WITH THE PEACOCK HAT....THAT WOULD BE THE HAT I WOULD CHOOSE HANDS DOWN....GORGEOUS...THE VICTORIANS WERE EXCESSIVE BOARDING ON ALMOST GAUDY AT TIMES.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR AWESOME TRIP.
I LOVE YOUR NEW BLOG DRESS...VERY PRETTY.
I HAVE A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AWARD WAITING FOR YOU ON MY BLOG. YOU ARE SO DESERVING OF IT.
ANGEL HUGS
LOVE
DEBBIE

Peggy said...

overall looks like you had a wonderful trip! I have never been there but will add it to my dream list.

Southern Lady said...

What interesting pictures, Barbara. I love the ones of you and Paige, your elephant friend. I'm so glad you got to do that -- it looks like you had a wonderful time.

I'll look forward to seeing and hearing more about your trip.

Inspired Comblogulations said...

That just looked fun... my nephew is the elephant trainer at the FT Worth Zoo. Now that's not your every day job. We call him the elephant whisperer, cause he does.
He has the elephant that paints for charity.
Amazing animals.
Fun post, Barbara!
Lee

DKG aka Scrappy Doo said...

looks like fun. to bad about the B&B exp.
Can ya believe it snowed down south?

Merry Christmas

Mimi said...

Hi Barbara!!!!
Oh my gosh, I loved Galveston when we went one year, we did a Texas vacation!!!!!We stayed at the Hotel Galvez, an old property but very historic and cool!!!! I'm so glad to see life in Galveston, I was worried after the hurricane!!!! The Dickens event looks like so much fun!!!! Sorry about your B&B experience, I have stayed at a B&B once it was a good experience and I 'm glad I did it, but I prefer a Hotel where I feel like I can do what I want!!!! Like heat or Air Conditioner if I want to!!!! YOu understand!!!!
I love the snow and rain but it did not ruin your day!!! Good for you!!!!
hugs,
jamie

Ginny said...

Barbara, What a lovely trip! Too bad about the B&B experience. There is nothing worse, to be unhappy with a special B&B. Have a great time as you continue your journey.