GALVESTON'S
LOST
OAK TREES
It has been almost two (2) years since Hurricane Ike blew through Galveston, Texas (about a 65-mile drive from where I live in Houston). Much of Galveston was a mess. Naturally, the worst part were the many homes and businesses that were destroyed and the effect that destruction had on people's lives. What many of us never realized, however, was the devastating effect the accompanying winds (over 120 mph or about 200 kph) had on the many oak trees on this island community. I recently learned that there is an accomplished artist who has carved (and I presume still is at work) many wonderful wood sculptures using the remains of the many oak tress that were felled by Hurricane Ike. The trees may have been destroyed, but wherever there was enough of a tree trunk remaining, that is where this amazing wood carving artist went to work. On a recent Friday (July 16 to be exact), the weather in Houston was perfect - no rain in sight - and I was reluctant to work that day so I chose instead to declare one day of vacation and drove down to Galveston Island and took in as many of these works of art as I could locate. Herewith I present some selected photos of some of the more unusual carvings. ENJOY ....
Each branch was painstakingly carved into a bird!
This remaining tree stump was transformed into a mermaid. And the house alongside this tree carving was quite beautiful!
Even small tree stumps provided just enough wood with which to carve out an angel .....
The tin man (from the movie, The Wizard of Oz) ..............
One of the few surviving oak trees in all its glory. I am fairly certain that each of these trees must be over a hundred years in age.
And after a morning of tree viewing, I walked through parts of Galveston's west-side "Historic District". I hadn't been to Galveston in several years and I was amazed at how many of the old homes (many no doubt destroyed by Hurricane Ike) have been lovingly restored to their former glory. If you are ever in the Houston metropolitan area, please take a few hours the visit Galveston!! And bring your camera!
A picture perfect row of restored homes awaits you in Galveston's Historic District.
4 comments:
This is the neatest thing ever. I'm going to have to share it with friends.
TC! This is one of *THE* *COOLEST* things I've seen in awhile!!!! What great finds you bring us! Thanks for the treat!!
: )
Madame Lefty and Hindsfeet:
Thanks for the compliments! Always great to know someone out there enjoys what I am posting. It was a real treat to see Galveston coming alive again after the destruction resulting from Hurricane Ike.
Traveling Chemist
My heart breaks everytime I see old trees felled to the ground. What this artist in Gaveston did was cool and creative. He turned a catastrophe into a beautiful work of art. Thans for sharing, TC.
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