Our family vacation in Galveston

I haven’t done much this past week.

As of late, when I say “I’m not doing a lot” I actually mean that not any one thing is a huge priority for me at the moment. More than likely I’m just hacking away at the top of my to do list.

This past weekend was different. My to do list included the usual, but at the top of my mental list were these words: “spend time with family!”

We had set aside some time to do just that. Spend time with family. But as I stated earlier, this time it was different. As soon as we hit the road for the hour long drive down to Galveston, I shut off the “work switch” and went straight into ” vacation mode.” It’s usually my job to plan the itinerary when going out of town, or in this case, planing fun activities for our mini vacay. I had planned just a few things that I never confirmed and pretty much winged it the entire time. I know my family well enough to know we just like spending downtime together. Usually watching videos, movies or just talking. We are home bodies in all honesty. And this time I wanted us to do nothing out in the open. I wanted these activities to take us down to the most relaxed cognitive state possible. We needed the mental break. That’s what we did. Nothing but spend time out in the open air, amid the hustle and bustle of other people.

Here are a few phone pictures from our 3 day mini-vacation.

Although we hardly ever get in the water, Galveston’s gulf coast is forever calling us to jump in. It’s a special place for us.

Boy in the lobby.

Scooters spotted on the Strand. Texas people are the weirdest. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Snapped this picture right after walking out of the theater where we watched the musical “Urinetown”. Yes, you read that title right. It was hilarious and just right for us.

We could not pass up the chance to visit the Rail Road Museum.

We also visited Bishop’s Palace and took the basement to attic tour, which allowed us to see even the tippy top of the mansion.  No one ever really gets to see that part of this historic home. This tour was mainly for me. Why, you ask? Well, because architecture, vintage things, home decor, paintings, etc. – my list goes on and on – are what make me happy. I really am grateful my family was willing to put up with this tour that in the end turned out to be wonderful.

This picture here was the highlight of our trip for me. As I looked back at my pictures I noticed this was the only picture I took at our beautiful lunch next to the water as a gigantic cruise ship was about to depart. The weather was picture perfect for bird watching and the water was glistening. I can still feel the wave of emotion and happiness that filled me in that moment as I watched them just being themselves. Quiet and solace.

One of our last pictures before our late night drive home. Playing Word Up at a local coffee shop.