Miss Giddy's

In Comfort, Texas, there is a quaint and sweet shop called Miss Giddy's.  

Located in the Historical District, it is a store with a variety of sweet treats, baubles & beads, imaginative toys, kitchen sundries, lovely frocks, and precious journals.  

Serendipity

A shopper's dream.

Hungry?  Have  a slice of pie on the porch.

Miss Giddy's.  A reason to visit Comfort.  A reason to stay.

Fort Travis, Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County, Texas

Fort Travis

A ferry ride from Galveston, TX, to the Bolivar Peninsula brought us to Fort Travis, established in 1898 by the Republic of Texas and finished construction in 1943.  

The fort was used by the coast artillery after 25 October, 1899 and was defended by 4 batteries.  The firepower used ranged from two 12-inch guns to 3-inch rapid fire guns.

There were 27 buildings including those used as barracks and mess hall. 

After the 1900 hurricane, a 17-foot seawall was constructed on the Gulf side of the fort.  During WWII, a number of German prisoners were interred there.  In 1949, the fort was considered war surplus, and sold.  In 1973, the site was purchased for a public park, now called Seashore Park.

http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Travis_(2)

Exploring the Underworld of Calcite at Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio, Texas

On March 27, 1960, four college students from St. Mary's University in San Antonio began an underground exploration that ultimately would reveal the largest cavern system in Texas. Led to the site after hearing of an amazing 60-foot limestone bridge which would become the caverns' namesake, the students obtained permission from the Wuest family to investigate what laid beneath their ranch. Initially the students didn't make any remarkable finds, but on their fourth expedition they uncovered a long, narrow crawlspace that ultimately opened up into two miles of virgin caverns. 

Today, their discovery is recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and one of the world's premier show caverns. 

The Natural Bridge

When you think of limestone, what color comes to mind?  Well, limestone isn't green.  It is grayish, or white.  Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral calcite.  The rock is formed usually in clear, warm, shallow marine waters by an accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris.  

More on limestone:  MORE

The words stalactite and stalagmite can be traced back to the Greek word "stalassein," which means "to drip." This is fitting because it describes how both are formed in nature. Although they look lifelike and a little creepy, stalactites and stalagmites grow simply because of water running over and through inorganic material.

Limestone caves, where most stalactites and stalagmites are found, are mainly composed of calcite, a common mineral found in sedimentary rocks. Calcite molecules are made of calcium and carbonate ions, and are referred to as CaCO3, or calcium carbonate. When rainwater falls over a cave and trickles through rocks, it picks up carbon dioxide and minerals from limestone.

If we add water, carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate together, we get this equation:
H20 + CO2 + CaCO3 = Ca (HCO3)2

Ca (HCO3)2 is known as calcium bicarbonate, and the water carries the substance, basically dissolved calcite, through the cracks of the roof of a cave. 


Once water comes into contact with the air inside the cave, however, some of the calcium bicarbonate is transformed back into calcium carbonate, and calcite starts to form around the crack. 

As water continues to drip, the length and thickness of the calcite grows, and eventually a stalactite forms on the ceiling. It can take a very long time for most stalactites to form.  A piece the size of an ice cube takes about 100 years.


Here are some examples of the way we use calcium bicarbonate:  USES

Stalagmites grow up from the ground...well, not exactly.  The water dripping from the end of a stalactite falls to the floor of a cave and deposits more calcite into a mound. Soon enough, a stalagmite will form in a cone-like shape. This is why you usually find stalactites and stalagmites in pairs, and sometimes they'll even grow together to form one big column. 

Here are some examples of the way we use limestone:   USES

The Natural Bridge Caverns are worth the visit.  The guided tour is about 75 minutes long.  You can move at your own pace but want to stick somewhat with the group to listen to the interesting facts your guide shares.  The formations are amazing and other-wordly.  I cannot imagine what went through the college kids' minds when they first encountered these large underground caverns and huge mineral growths.  

When you take the tour, find one of the pamphlets located at any local welcome center or convenience store and take advantage of the $2.00 off adults and $1.00 off kids coupons.  Wear rubber-soled shoes.  Don't overdress. It isn't colder because you are 180 feet under ground.  The caverns are kept at a constant 70˚ with a relative humidity of 99%.  

Bring your camera.  It is lit down there, but a flash will white out the natural colors, so either diffuse it or don't use it.

There are a couple different choices of tours, The Discover Tour 
and The Hidden Passages Tour.

Credits:  

5000 year old evidence of bat tenants.

How Stuff works

Natural Bridge Caverns

Evidence in Blue

Buzzle

Geology

Petrified Bat Poop

Campground Review: Jamaica Beach RV Park, Galveston, Texas

Jamaica Beach RV Park

Galveston Island, 

Galveston , Texas

After checking in and spending a day sight-seeing, we booked a second month.  (February & March 2013). We had site # 103, which is located at the front of the park, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The sites are concrete with grass areas.  Not huge, but adequate.

The owners, Ron and Dora, do everything humanly possible to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable. During Mardi Gras, they set-up an RV and BBQ grill along the seawall parade route (11 miles from the campground) and fed everyone from the resort for free (tips appreciated). 

On Wednesday of each week, Dora takes people shopping.  The ladies usually get together and go to lunch and then shopping for the day; so, if you do not have a tow-vehicle, you can still get into town for groceries, or go out and get beads, yarn, clothes, or wine (again, no charge ~ tips appreciated). 

Weekend Movies

Also, twice a week they serve breakfast (Wed & Sat mornings) for a nominal fee. Pot-luck, during the off-season, is on Thursdays and is enjoyed by many. They have a communal fire pit where they sometimes host a hotdog and smores event (no charge). Plenty of other activities are scheduled (jewelry making classes; RV related seminars; swap meet; etc...) 

The beach across the street is within walking distance; also, you can drive your vehicle on the beach in designated areas. The fishing was great (our group caught plenty of whiting; pompano; catfish and an occasional drum).

The campground boasts two pools and a hot-tub. One pool is heated at the beginning of Spring Break; the other has a swim-up bar for the adults (this feature was not open during our stay). 

Resident Muscovy Duck

The laundry was efficient. The bathrooms were clean. Cost of propane was a little steep in my opinion ($26 for a 30 pound tank); but, it is the "only game in town" for propane. Overall, this is a wonderful resort. You are not "nickeled and dimed"; you can wash your RV for free. Electric was included in our monthly rate of $545 (taxes included). The owners just completed a major overhaul of the park, doubling its size, and there is still some debris in the back of the campground. WITHOUT HESITATION, WE WOULD RETURN! 

The island of Galveston is well worth the visit with lots of restaurants, shops, and miles of clean, hard-packed-sandy beaches.

 There is a Kroger's (get gas points) and Walmart in town.  But for quick needs, there is a small market a stone's throw away, next to a good restaurant, Nate's.

Pleasure Pier

Lots of shops, bars, and cafés.

dead fish

Horseback Riding 

Visit our Things to do in Texas page ...