Galveston’s Weather is Like a Box of Chocolates

When I wake up each morning — almost anywhere in Texas, especially Galveston, I feel I could be quoting Tom Hank’s character in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump when he said, “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” If I could switch the word life for weather, the quote would be so appropriate for today.

Initially expecting 70-degree temperature, no sun, and rain all day with the never-ceasing coastal wind, I wake to find Michael outside having his coffee. The day is warm and balmy; there is not a breath of wind. So, I join him. Sitting here wearing no socks, no shoes, and lightweight clothes, I am comfortable. Cold-natured-me is comfortable.

With my coffee cup empty, I retire to the kitchen to prepare a simple brine for tonight’s pork chop dinner. I dilly and dally, make a mess, clean up my mess, check the computer and then look at today’s radar for Galveston.

It is almost 10 am, and the future forecast shows rain will begin to pour at noon. Michael is on the side porch reading his book. I stick my head out the door and say, “Let’s walk to the beach.”

We could hear the surf pounding in the backyard earlier, even though we are almost a mile inland. Pounding surf is always a draw, and I have wanted to do this ever since we arrived. I feel we must seize the moment! Carpe Diem!

Galveston Beach

We start walking the alphabet avenues in Galveston, beginning at 0 1/2, making our way to Avenue T and Seawall Boulevard. Walking down the O’s, the P’s, and the Q’s, interspersed with the 1/2s, homey bungalows painted in muted tones with neatly tended yards surround us. Occasionally there is the misplaced grand home in the middle of the humble.

Unknown neighbors, relaxing on their front porch, wave and greet us as we pass. A young couple pushes a baby carriage — they are permanent residents and they love it here. We turn down 37th street and notice a definite change in the vibe of the dwellings. The closer we get to the beach, the beachier the house.

Finally, we are here. The sea stretches on forever before us in all its silver-gray glory. Today is my kind of beach day — very few people, an ocean filled with sparkling water and magnificent skies! I love it. I’ve tried to capture this feeling in oils on canvas but always fail miserably. I’m determined to try one more time. Michael and I both begin snapping pictures.

Eventually, we perch on a backless, painted bench (aka a chair high slab of concrete) at the edge of the seawall and watch the world go by.