Mardi Gras Galveston...

They say as you age you may be faced with lower expectations. If Mardi Gras in Galveston or as planned for next weekend in Shreveport is lower expectations compared to the good old like when me and Cathy went on our second date to Mardi Gras in New Orleans I'll take it. It certainty is easier to keep up with a grandkid on the Seawall or the family viewing area in Shreveport than on Bourbon St. 

This past weekend is considered Mardi Gras for the locals in Galveston. My son in law Tim works for Galveston County and we found a spot to watch the parade right next to one of his co workers and family. You can pay to get in The Strand area where there are food booths and live music but standing on the Seawall is good free fun.     

A crazy Mardi Gras Lady waits patiently for the parade. 

We drove down to Rose and Tim's, put the camper in the driveway, spent two nights and then all drove to Galveston with lawn chairs and a picnic lunch. Warren and Coraline had actually made a Mardi Gras in New Orleans when they were young, It was a trip when they were the only grandkids, everyone went early in the season and there were lots of walking parades and tuba players. They don't remember it. Fortunately there is a blog. 

A look up the Seawall toward Pleasure Pier. I think next year we bring the camper as there were plenty of people who did. Apparently you can set up on Thursday morning for a fee of $2 an hour during business hours which works out to similar fees in campgrounds and pay by the license plates on truck and camper from an app on your phone. You could dry camp and the Academy Sporting Goods across the street was generous with bathrooms but I think with Cathy starts cashing the Social Security Checks in May which will double our income the purchase of a generator will be on the agenda. See the guy with the political sign running for city council? he was two spaces from our set up and he cooked jambalaya to serve 200 people in an iron pot. It's that kind of party.      

Lots of good bands in the style of Historically Black Colleges and Universities bands which have a big brassy sound with blaring tubas. I made many good photos for my tuba picture collection including this guy who creatively used duct tape to continue the gig. I wonder if this is temporary or it's been like that all season.   

We stayed on and caught a second night time parade. 

We collected lots of throws and my grandson Ezra already has a pack picked out to put his beads from Shreveport next weekend. All these beads will be reused for our church Fat Tuesday Party on Feb. 13th at 6pm. There will be the Krewe of Sri Lankus Parade led by Father D, catfish plates by the KoC and I'll cook gumbo. All for $5. 

This may be lowered expectations compared to some New Orleans extravaganzas of the past but I'll take  it. As the Neville Brothers say, Mardi Gras to the world!