"Well how much do you charge for a new cap?" I asked, and to myself "...that I suspect you now keep a handy inventory of around the corner!"   I suddenly felt like Clark Griswold after he drove the family truckster off the desert road and found himself in front of the shady mechanic who demanded all his money for the repairs:

So I paid the $8.99 for the new and improved gas cap that looked oddly similar to my old one and went on my way with my passing grade.

2. your horn is too weak.  I guess I can understand this one because it's probably a safety issue, but when it happened to Eddy this morning he was a bit at a loss as to what to do next...  So he came to Mechanic Mikie and what ensued should really be the next entry on "There, I Fixed It.com" although since there was no duct tape invovled I think that's an automatic dismissal:

          Eddy: So they said my truck wouldn't pass inspection with the horn not working... Got
                   any ideas?
          Mikie: Have you checked the connections?  Let's do that first...
          [They check the connections, realizing the horn is shot] 

The end result?  Eddy's vehicle is now equipped with a boat horn...  Guess that's what happens when you go to a nautical store to outfit a truck...  And in case you're wondering if that sort of thing is acceptable per the Texas Department of Public Safety, just ask newly legal driver Eddy to give you a demo!

We caught up with REM and EM (empty-nesters from Northern Virginia) who were on the Island in May visiting family.  They also timed their visit so they could catch the 2010 IBC Beach Revue which was, for us, an added bonus! 

Me: "Why did you choose Grace Manor for your Island accommodations?"
EM: "It came highly recommended from many Islanders as well as the Beach Revue promoters so we gave it a shot and really enjoyed it."
Me: "IBC was very proud to have GM as an official sponsor of the Beach Revue again this year!"

Me: "What impressed you most about GM?"
EM: "The elegance and history of the mansion... Barb's gracious manner in taking care of all her guests... The wonderful front porch and talking with the interesting visitors... And the presence of Gracie and Joe, wonderful additions to GM"
REM adds: "...and the outstanding breakfast!"

Me: "What was your favorite part of the weekend?"
REM: "Perusing the Strand area shops, eating at the waterfront, visiting the Hotel Galvez, and getting to watch the Beach Revue."
EM adds: "and visiting with our children and grand dogs of course!"

Me: "Would you come back to stay at GM again?  How would you rate your experience overall?"
EM: "We'd love to return - it's an outstanding place!  I'd recommend it 100% to anyone planning to visit the Island."
REM: "We'd happily stay there again - had a great time!"

Michael and I have had the pleasure of being daytime guests at GM and experiencing Barb's hospitality.  We'd definitely recommend it for your own of town guests - or even if you want to "get away" without leaving the Island. 

Basically, we've done stuff in order of what naturally seemed the most important:

1. shelter: get the thing stabilized and make sure it doesn't fall on our heads.  start by manually pumping off the 30,000 gallons of water on the roof.  check.
2. water: be able to successfully flush...  which may or may not require (in our case, it did) the additional assistance of a very resourceful friend who's simply not afraid to get dirty... I'm talkin' sewer pipe dirty here and that's a whooooole different breed of dirty... check.
3. electricity: although not totally essential to survival, being able to plug in a cell phone charger, laptop and eventually credit card machine do come in quite handy when trying to operate a legit biz.  West End Electric - check plus.
4. climate control: HOLY. FREAKING. COW.  I LOVE YOU. 

Since September 13th, 2008 we haven't had climate control.  I know a lot of folks have been in the same boat so I certainly can't complain - in fact, I will readily admit that it truly hasn't been that bad.  I mean our former East End house was built well before climate control of any kind existed - shoot it was built before water ran through any pipes.  So really it was designed with balmy Gulf Coast summers in mind - lots of windows, shaded porches, and hallways that shot straight through the center of the house so air circulation was a cinch. 

But, since we sold the house (small amount of sadness, but we know she's in good hands with the new owners)  and have continued work at the new shop sans such fancy advancements like "windows that open" or "climate control", many people have looked at us like we're crazy.  And I now realize they were right.  All of them.

On Wednesday, our office took a giant leap into the 19th century and became air conditioned.  Check, check and check.  Man, is it glorious.  It's our one little personal piece of heaven now - aside from our fave watering hole next door, of course.  But they insist on you wearing pants over there, so it's not completely the same.  (I don't think Will was privy to that memo...) 

All I can say is that we are truly blessed.  And man is my husband handy... 

It got me thinking.  What strange things have I experienced since living in Galveston?  For your reading pleasure, here's a few...

One Xmas Eve the lady and I were traveling down our street with a friend returning from an errand and lo and behold what did appear (nope, not Santa and his magic reindeer)?  Coyotes.  In the middle of our street.  In the Silk Stocking District.  Classic.

And then there's the time I played chicken (you know the driving game where you drive toward one another and whoever swerves away is the chicken) with "wheel-chair Ricky" (local homeless fella prior to the storm) at a gas station.  Sucker wouldn't move as I pulled in to grab some gas.  He just sat there, so I kept inching closer to him until he realized (in his stupor) that he wasn't winning against Mr.  F-150.  Just silly.

Watching a funnel cloud from our gay-bour's front porch as it danced out over the Gulf (it, in fact, made its way on land and tore apart Dolphin World on the Seawall).  Sheesh.

Shortly after we moved into our house there was a spell that I constantly woke at 3 a.m. every night for months it seems.  I never quite figured out why.  Even after walking through the house to see if I was supposed to "find" something or someone.  Crazy.

And finally, last Halloween night I watched a young man get tazed.  Not once.  But twice.  Now that was a strange night.  Strange indeed.

Now.  Share with us your strange shenanigans.

1. Marry a good Catholic girl.

2. Join the Knights of Columbus.

3. Drive on the right hand side of the road.

Two of these wishes, I have completely ignored.  The third, i try to do my best with.  However, the second is the subject of which this blog addresses.  Grandpa was very proud to be a fourth degree Knight and wanted dearly for his children and grandchildren to be involved with and support the organization. 

Well, i found my way to fulfill this wish.... sort of.

The first friday of every month at 7:30pm, the local Knights of Columbus (1912 Winnie) hosts a Texas Holdem poker tournament.  It is $25 to enter and pizza and beer (tips encouraged) is supplied for free.  So September 3rd, if you're not busy (and not scared), I'll see you at the Knights of Columbus!

Usually Sunday mornings involve a whole lot of nothing for us Culpeppers.  Feed the dogs (or suffer the consequences which include cold, wet noses contacting any exposed facial skin followed by loud, never.ending.barking), go back to bed, and eventually open up the Nautical shop at 11am. 

This Sunday morning, however we did things a bit differently.  I wanted to share a little bit about one of our personal favorite "touristy" things to do on the Island, but to be honest, it had been a while since the last time we had the opportunity to ride the "Treasure Isle Tour Train" so I wanted a refresher first.  (This being the Sunday morning after a Galveston Artwalk, it was especially challenging to rouse ourselves for the task at hand, but it was truly worth the effort!)

The unmistakable pink Treasure Isle Tour Train has been operating on the Island since 1962 - our friendly driver and tour guide, David, was quick to point out that in 48 years of operation, the Tour Train has never missed a year of service!  Although I was sad to learn that the locomotive-looking Jeep that used to pull the "train" was lost to Hurricane Ike's floodwaters in 2008, it doesn't seem to have dampened the spirit - or enjoyment of the Tour Train experience one bit.

At 9:30am, the sun was already heating things up when we left the pickup/drop-off station at 25^th and Seawall to begin the tour, but the steady breeze we enjoyed for the rest of the trip made the ride pretty darn comfortable.  The Tour Train began its journey along the historic Seawall with a recorded narrative of the Island's historic beginnings, notable landmarks, and local facts and trivia thrown in live by tour guide David.  It wound through the Island's historic districts and past some of the oldest homes, churches and noteworthy sites including the 1839 Samuel May Williams Home (36^th & Ave P), the Texas Heroes Monument  (*I beg to differ with this link's 1st line description of "formerly-great", just for the record) @ 25^th & Broadway, and along the waterfront at Pier 21 for a glimpse of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa.

Overall, the tour lasts roughly an hour and 45 minutes, give or take a bit depending on traffic.  It truly has something for everyone - information for the history buffs, great scenery for the shutter bugs, and for the kiddos, well who wouldn't have fun riding an open-air train?!  There's even a brief pit stop downtown at one of my favorite places - MOD coffeehouse if you want something to sip on for the 2^nd half of the ride.

Before bidding farewell to the pink train, David mentioned to me that he's had long time Galvestonians admit that they too learned something new about this great place we call home while aboard the Treasure Isle Tour Train.  I know I sure did when I learned how one solitary drummer was instrumental in the successful 4' raising of Trinity Church (22^nd & Winnie) in the early 1900s. 

So whether you're visiting Galveston or you're a local looking for something fun to do on any given day of the week, think pink and hop on board the Tour Train.

What are some of your favorite Gtown touristy things to do?  

I mentioned that Postoffice Street between 20th and 25th would not disappoint (plenty to eat and drink along that stretch, including some of the neatest shops).

Shrimp "n" Stuff on Avenue O.

Sonny's at 19th and L (the quintessential hole-in-the-wall).

And Bistro LeCroy (which although on the Strand still seems to be a hidden delight).

And let's face it, when August rolls into town and the heat feels like you're walking through lava, all you want to do is find a nice cool place to sit and enjoy yourself with food and drink.

I know to find some of the local haunts it seems like you need a treasure map (even for this local), so I'm asking.  Where is your favorite local lookout?

(Back on track)  In actuality the ferry rides were tolerable (although the mosquitoes got a little rabid during the night time trip back).  It seemed to take less time than I remembered.

Our destination at hand was dinner-ing at the Stingaree restaurant.  Now I haven't really set foot on the peninsula since my baby's mama and I honeymooned there way back in 2002.  And I also realize that ol' mister Ike brought the warpath.  But I must say, Bolivar seems to be alive and bustling.  And I say this based on the experience we had while dining at the Stingaree.  I mean, after all, shouldn't the crowd at a restaurant be able to tell you something about how things thrive in a town?  I think so.

The place was packed.  So packed that after we were seated (by a window with a thrilling view of the waterway where we enjoyed watching barges and skiffs droll by) we had to wait about thirty minutes before we made them assign someone to our table.  Apparently our decision of heading to the Stingaree on what we thought was an "off" night was the same decision everyone else had.  But we managed fine (as our beers arrived and a nice crispy basket of buttered toast, and of course nothing but frozen lemonade for the pregnant lady).  I mean c'mon, we're Islanders, so we know about a little thing called Island time.  But I think we were ready to gnaw on each other's fingers by the time our food arrived.

All in all, we really enjoyed our time on the peninsula.  It was a swell outing.  Good friends.  Very interesting conversation (to be a fly on the wall).  And tasty sea creatures cooked in various fashions.  Oh, and a slab of meat for my lady.

So if you ever you get a hunkering for something different float on over and visit BP and make a memory.