What) Galveston Island is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Houston. The island is about 27 miles (43 kilometers) long and no more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide at its widest point. The island's main access point from the mainland is the Interstate Highway 45 causeway that crosses West Bay on the northeast side of the island. The southern end of the island is separated from the mainland by San Luis Pass. The San Luis Pass-Vacek Toll Bridge connects the San Luis Pass Road on Galveston Island with the Bluewater Highway that leads south into the town of Surfside Beach. (1)

    Why) We had just taken a bridge beating in the Rockwell Mixed Pairs so we decided to take the day off bridge and go swimming at the beach.  The March ocean water was actually quite pleasant. We liked it so much that we did it again on Sunday after we took another beating in the North American Pairs.


























We drove through Tuck's Landing but the beach did not look as nice then as it does here. (2)















We did not walk under the pier at Surfside Beach either. (3)












We couldn't help noticing that most of the houses on Galveston were built on piers. (4)







I I guess there is a reason for it. This image is from page 184 of the book "Ripleys Seeing is Believing". (5)
Gilchrist is just north of Galveston.