"Try and leave this world a little better than you found it..." ~~Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts

I have no idea what this is and I don't think I want to know!

Instead of shells we've been picking up a bag of trash, some quite interesting, each day!

Thanks to Lisa I have another set of sculptures to explore in Galveston. In 2008, following the saltwater storm surge from hurricane Ike, 35,000 trees had to be cut down. Many of these trees had been planted after the devastating flood of 1900. They gave the trees a year to try and recover and then began planting replacement trees, but they wanted to do something to preserve the memory of the trees that were lost. Three artists began carving sculptures in 27 of the remaining stumps of downed trees. Many of the sculptures are on private properties, some pay homage to local heroes, and others have personal significance.

Where are the Piepers now? Galveston, TX

My big TV apearance was on Romper Room with Miss Joyce. She asked us how we could make money. My response? Rob a bank!

We made it out with some of the money before the police arrived!

Thanks to my sons' mother-in-law I found this wonderful shop. I would say it had a little bit of everything, quilting, felting, beads, embroidery, and yarn, but at least in the quilting section, it had quite a bit!

Friday night we picked up Emma and Lilah and headed to "The Escape Room" in Kemah. A new experience to all but Lilah. We used up all of our clues but got out with $440,000, which we felt pretty good about. Most importantly it was fun spending time with the older two girls. 

Lilah had a softball game the next day but Emma spent the night. 

The Texas Crew, minus Lilah, came down to Galveston Saturday to hike at Galveston State Park, followed by a trip to The Strand, a must stop on any trip to Galveston. It was a fun day all around!

We've had some pretty nice days here in Galveston, and all have been better than up North, but I think this was the best. It was in the 70's, the sun was intense, no trees, and it got hot quick. Toni went tbe furthest and even did some jogging. Aunt Sally joined us for the hike too.

We ate lunch at the Shark Shack, walked The Strand, did a little shopping and concluded the day with ice cream, chocolate, and popcorn at La Kings Confectionary. 

By evening it had cooled off so we sat around the fireplace, with the full moon, visiting with the best friends! So happy to have Sally/Mike and Lisa/Terry at Dellanera with us.

Alexa with the Memorial to the Eskimo Curlew, not seen in over 50 years. The last picture of one was taken in Galveston in 1962 and the last confirmed sighting was in Barbados in 1963.

The Carnival Jubilee was in port for its christening on Saturday. We weren't present but you could see the ship and hear a little from the stand. Capacity of 6,631 people, 5 swimming pools, a roller coaster, 18 passenger decks, 21 restaurants, plus weighing 183,500 gross tons, it is the largest Carnival cruise ship. Most important to Texas is it sails out of Galveston. Lots of dignitaries on hand, of course the president of Carnival Cruise Lines, the mayor of Galveston, and the Jubilee's ceremonial godmother, Gwen Stefani. 

Lots of people on the beaches today. At 5:30 p.m there was still a long line of cars on the vehicle-allowed beach section near our park.
Where are the Piepers now? Galveston, TX