Galveston is situated on a barrier island, a sand bar, which is separated from the mainland. The ferry ride to the Bolivar Peninsula is very enjoyable. It runs every 15 minutes; it takes 15 minutes; and it's free. People throw bread to the seagulls, which come squaking by the hundreds, hovering just a few feet away. Up along the coast is Port Arthur, home to many oil refineries. You might say it has a rusty, oiltanky kind of beauty.

Sea Wall

Most beach houses are built on stilts, a lesson from the hurricane of 1900.

Surf

I stuck my tongue into the ocean, and it's salty, just like the encyclopedia said.

Sharks

Seagulls

School

Sunset

Shells

Scallop center. Clam upper left. The rest are Cockles.

Galveston Houston Port Arthur Texas