UPDATE! Videos added. Let’s hear it for better internet!
After another fun night of wine and Mexican Train, we woke up hungry for breakfast. We decided to try a popular place, and sure enough, we waited a while for a table, right along with everyone else. Miller’s Seawall Grill is known for their breakfasts, and ours didn’t disappoint. Brent was hungry for lunch, and they were serving that, too, so everyone was happy.
Miller’s Seawall Grill, a favorite since 1976
Waffles with sugared pecans and all the fixings. Yummy!
Denver omelette breakfast with marbled rye. Tasty!
Chili cheeseburger with mac and cheese. MMMmmm!
We did things a little backwards, seeing The Great Storm Movie today, rather than on the first day. It would have been better for Brent & Jill to have seen it before we started exploring this charming town. Steve and I had seen the movie before, and knew the story of The Great Storm of 1900 would give Brent and Jill a different perspective on Galveston. This movie is told in a slideshow style, much like a school lesson, but it’s still quite interesting.
The Great Storm theater is above Willie G’s. One day we’ll stop in for a cocktail.
Going to see The Great Storm movie.
Gal pals for life! Actually, she’s my soul sister.
We walked around very little after the movie, it was pretty darn cold down on Pier 21. We had heard Galveston Railroad Museum was a worthwhile stop, so we headed over to check it out. There’s 2 large model train displays that were donated to the museum by an avid model train enthusiast, and another area with historic china and other pieces of railroad history. Then there’s the actual rail cars. Guests are welcome to board most train cars, and there’s a little bit of information posted here and there. We had wished the funds were available to restore more of the cars, as well as provide more details posted throughout the cars themselves, but it still was time well spent. Having been in the trucking industry, Brent gave us a couple impromptu lessons. Our own private docent! Lucky us!
The Galveston Railroad Museum
The dining displays
Each railroad company had it’s own specially designed china. If you know me, you know my favorite was the pattern with yellow flowers.
I have older train menus at home, featuring jellied consommé and other bygone delicacies. The prices on this one suggest it’s not all that old.
Such a civilized time back then, with dinner chimes rung by hand.
The day/night model train display.
No detail missed. This display filled an entire room, and we were told by the security guard that the donor’s entire display wouldn’t fit!
Haha, teenagers getting into trouble for making out.
I have seen model train displays that mimic real sunrise and sunset, but this one was interactive. A little boy was having a ball turning day into night.
Out in the rail yard with the actual cars
More flood water level markers. Look at those handsome guys!
Inside a mail rail car
Brent modeling the sitting area before it’s made into a bed
And here’s the same sitting area converted into a very cozy bed
Notice the TINY bunks above the bench seats
“Fancy” sitting area
Given the year this was built, I was impressed by the kitchen car
The dining car certainly wasn’t outfitted with furniture appropriate for the year of the rail car, but we got the idea.
Men turn into boys at the sight of an engine.
Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, choo, choooo!
The bromance is strong
Brent giving us a personal tour
Sing it with me! The Atchison, Topeka, and the… Santa Fe!
This aged finish is so beautiful to me
It’s really too bad there’s no caboose anymore. We always looked for them as kids.
Our personal guide, er, Brent, shares his knowledge of rail cars
More great patina
I really wanted to see Star Drug Store. I’ve read about this place, and hoped to see the soda fountain, lunch counter, and period pieces from yesteryear. We arrived 10 minutes after closing time. Rats! Next time, Star Pharmacy. We’ll see you next time.
Just down from The Star was a really cute shop called The Kitchen Chick. You can bet the guys wanted nothing to do with it, but Jill and I certainly took a look around!
The guys sit this one out
Such a cute shop!
Kitchen Chick has a little bit of everything kitchen related
Here’s a diet tip I can get behind!
Back in the Jeep, we decided to drive by a few “Broadway Beauties” and historic buildings on our way out of town.
The Hero’s Statue
Moody Mansion
1895 Grace Episcopal Church
Back at camp we enjoyed sitting in the spa for a bit (sprinkles, you don’t scare us!), and another lively night of wine and Mexican Train. Brent and Jill would be leaving the following morning at dark-thirty to return their rented RV, so we said our farewells and hit the hay.
BTW, we couldn’t let them get away without morning hugs to send them on their way. My gosh, what a great time we had with these two!
Galveston’s Pleasure Pier
Even in the cold and rain, spring breakers are going to have fun!
See ya later, Galveston!