It was an 8 mile, 23,553 step kind of day!

The Powell Arch at 24th and Mechanic is a colorful structure of mast, rigging, and pennants, suggestive of the sailing ships of Galveston during it's days as a major seaport.

We started the day with a 5+ mile walk on the beach.  It was a beautiful morning and we quickly realized we should have worn shorts.  

We have noticed that several buildings and houses by the dunes have basicly lost their dunes and are experiencing foundation erosion.

 

What us northerners call "snow fences" are being used in an effort to protect current dunes and rebuild others.

I love the colors of beach houses.

We had a quick lunch and headed into Galveston to learn about it's historical buildings via Let's Roam.  I love learning about the history and art of the towns we visit and have fun finding the next spot and answering the challenge questions.  

Pat, not so much.  He was tired from our beach walk and was not impressed that it started us off several blocks away from the starting point at the Powell Arch.  It was a little confused.  Then he didn't understand why with so many historical buildings close together it took us on a 2.1 mile walk, which of course was 3 miles since it started us in the wrong spot.  Along our route, as usual, we saw a lot of interesting things including some Mardis Gras decorations.

The Stone Trumpet was created by David Adickes for the 1984 Louisiana World's Fair Exposition in New Orleans. In 1986 it was moved to Galveston for the opening of  a jazz restaraunt.

Absolutely Equality was a powerful mural.  Pat and I often comment on nature and those darn trees that block our view, and in this case, your view. 😁

One of our stops, the Lyceum of Galveston,  was built in 1945 and is a wedding /reception venue.  Lyceum refers to ancient Greeks and gatherings.  The project was part of an education movement that built meeting halls in communities.  This building survived the great storm of 1900 and served as a shelter for the homeless.  Our challenge?  We didn't have to get married, but we had to take our picture in front of The wedding chapel.

Across from the library I was able to cross another turtle off of my list.  Guardian of the Galaxy, was created by Isabella Carlin Alvarado. 

Another stop was the Rosenberg Library, built in 1904.  We had to submit to Let's  Roam a picture of us with the statue of the library's patron, Henry Rosenberg.

Lots of Mardis Gras beads line the fence.  Fat Tuesday's evening parade is the last of the Mardis Gras season.

St. Joseph's Church was dedicated in 1860 and deconsecrated in 1968.  It was the first German Catholic Church in Texas and the oldest wooden church building in Galveston.  We had to  walk around the church and count how many of the old palm trees surrounded the building.

The 1882 Bishop's Palace is located in the East End Historical District.  The Victorian house was built between 1887-1893 and has 19,000+ square feet.  Originally the Greshsham Mansion (that was our challenge question), it was built in stone.  It survived the 1900 hurricane and housed hundreds of survivors.  It was bought by the Catholic Church in 1923 and was opened to the public in 1963.  A beautiful building, but I will agree with Pat, what a waste that the Catholic Church bought this extravagant building when the money could have helped so many. 

We didn't have to travel far for our next challenge.  Sacred Heart Church is across the street from the Bishop's Palace.

Darragh Park is a neighborhood park that offers a beautiful garden in the East End Historical District.

This turtle was created by Kathy VanDewalli.  It is located in the East End Historical District and wears the gate of Darragh Park.

Not part of our tour, but we walked past the old Greek Revival-style, Galveston Custom House that was built between 1858 and 1861.  A new custom house was built in 1891 and this was used for other purposes.

Where are the Piepers now?  Galveston,  TX