I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles~Audrey Hepburn

Monday, February 8, 2010

Happy days in Galveston. Murdoch's is back!

Galveston Texas is one of my favorite places to visit. We go there often and love to spend time at the beach. One of the best places to see was always Murdoch’s. It started out as a bathhouse that was built in the 1900's. Bathhouses such as Murdoch’s, which were located on the shore, rented bathing suits and provided showers for the Island visitors. It had survived many storms and hurricanes. Now it sat as a store full of shells, beach clothes and toys. In between the two buildings there was a breezeway and porch over looking the beautiful gulf of Mexico. Relaxing with your friends and family. It was a great place. We had to go there every time we visited the island.

Then came Hurricane IKE on September 13, 2008. It destroyed a lot of Galveston leaving buildings and houses full of water. A lot of what use to be on the Sea Wall including Murdoch's was gone. All gone. It was heartbreaking. So much history and it was destroyed in just a few short hours. I remember crying when I saw the news on the television because this place meant so much to me.That sadness was quickly gone when I learned they would be rebuilding. Better yet they got things going even earlier then planned and I was lucky enough to visit again just a few weekends ago.It's back. It looks just like it always did! Me and my daughter were so excited!!
Another place in history, The Balinese Room is still gone and sadly not returning.In the distance you can still see the Flagship Hotel that was also destroyed. Yet still standing, it has not been reopened.I use to love shopping at Antique stores in Galveston. When we arrived I noticed a lot of the stores I use to visit were gone. The hurricane had destroyed them so badly with water damage they never recovered. I was able to stop by a couple, however I didn't find much.Galveston has so much history. I always enjoy driving through the different neighborhoods and seeing the beautiful homes, some B&B's that have stood there for so long. Here are a few of my favorites.



Aren't they dreamy? I love these kind of houses. I think they are so beautiful.

There still seems to be so much that needs to be fixed still. There are many buildings that made Galveston the fun and wonderful place it was that have simply disappeared. That makes me a little sad to know that some of this place I adored may never be like it was before. But they will continue to rebuild and get their lives together and I will continue to visit and show my love for this place that always has made me so very happy. Murdoch's is proof that Hurricane IKE didn't destroy the spirit of some. And just that alone makes me appreciate this place so much more then before.

10 comments:

  1. Great pics of Galveston. Can't wait to go back!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those are beautiful pictures !! I have only been to Galveston a couple of times and loved driving around and looking at the beautiful old homes ~ Thank you for sharing such pretty pictures ~
    xoxo
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have never been there - but you sure made it come alive for me and made it look like a place I would love to visit........Thank goodness for the people with the spirit and finances to be able to rebuild. It is so sad to see some of the beauty of days gone bye destroyed and not brought back to life again. It is wonderful to see the old as well as the new combined to create a beautiful area. Blessings......Pauline

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just found your blog -- Love, Love, Love it! I also Love Texas! haven't been able to visit in several years, though! :( I am adding you to my blog list!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wish I were there instead of here, where I'm buried in snow up to my behind!

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow that looks like a beautiful place to visit! It kind of reminds me Cape May in NJ alittle. I love old fashioned beach towns with big victorian houses like those. Glad you had a great time, thanks for following, I'm following you back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow thanks for this... i never realized Tx had such a treasure!!!! it's beautiful and I'm adding it to my do go list!!! lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You brought back memories when I read your post. I attended a small private college in Houston back in the 70's and one of my favorite pastimes was to head to Galveston. Great memories. Very sad too about the destruction and some places not able to reopen. Glad Murdochs did! I always loved the old homes. Thank you again for sharing. Have a Happy Valentines weekend! Patti

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for posting these! I was heartbroken, too, when I had heard that Murdoch's was completely washed out to sea. We have such memories from there. We would drive down from Dallas County for the fun and relaxation of the beach. I ended up buying my husband a white Adirondack chair like theirs so he could relive the memories. I am so glad that it is back! Thanks, again. Jann - transplanted Texan currently living in frigid Colorado.

    ReplyDelete