Galveston Island - Post Ike

As mentioned in my previous post about New Years Eve, I finally got to see a little of the Island post Ike.    I didn't get to do too much "lookie-lou-ing" (as my mom and her sister called it after Ivan) and picture taking because Ryan and I drove down in separate cars.  I had to work the whole day on NYE, he got off after lunch, and most of our friends were just off that day all together so they left in the morning.  

I got to Galveston right as the sun was going down so I didn't get to see much.  What struck me as I drove down 3005/San Luis Pass Road was the patches of darkness.  I knew there were houses on either side of me in many places, but everything was just so dark.  I have driven that road at night before and I knew the darkness was not normal.  It was eerie and sad because it meant that many people were still not living in their homes, maybe their homes would never be lived in again.

The next day, I was able to survey things a little better.  It was a beautiful day. In Suz's neighborhood, there were still piles of debris on the side of the road, washing machines waiting to be picked up, blue roofs, etc.  But they had power, water and there was a lot of activity in their area that day.  Life was, I guess, beginning to feel "back to normal" for these people.   

As I drove back toward Galveston and then up toward 45 to get to Houston, I could definitely see much more damage.  I have never seen the aftermath of a hurricane and can only imagine what it looked like in the initial days after the storem.  It was amazing to see the piles of debris still on the side of the road.  There was a home on the beach side that looked to have just fallen off its pilings and was sitting on the ground.  The side of another home was missing and I could see straight into a bedroom, complete with bed, dresser and TV.  

Of course, the most notable sight is the boats sitting in parking lots.  Boats that are not decorations for an ocean-themed restaurant.  Real boats... people's pride and joy boats... sitting in parking lots along the bay.  Here is a short video I took while driving 61st toward 45.