We traveled to the coastal town of Galveston, Texas today. Despite the foreboding storm, we were able to visit the Ocean Star Off-shore Oil Rig, as well as the Kemah Boardwalk.
The Ocean Star Off-shore Oil Rig is a retired oil rig now used as a museum, set out from the Galveston coast by a few hundred feet. A short film explained the different structures used to hold the refining equipment as well as the people harvesting it. It also showed how the oil is formed, and what technology is used to harvest it.
The formation of oil was very surprising to me. Millions of microorganisms are born every day, and die within 2 hours. The remains decompose into oil, and eventually, after long periods of time, come together to form an oil field. These oil fields are then located by many tests, and are examined by scientists. The scientists look at the field and determine whether it is worth drilling. If the answer is yes, these scientists look at the size of the field and estimate the time it will take to harvest all the oil. From here, plans are made to get a structure erected, so that the oil may begin being harvested.
Once we finished at the Ocean Star, we drove through Galveston to get to the Kemah Boardwalk. Here are rides, shops, restaurants, as well as Stingray Reef. We rode two rides first, then went to Stingray Reef. Here, you can feel stingrays in a large, shallow tank much like you can at Sea World. After the stingrays, we walked in several of the shops along the back of the park. We rode one more ride before heading back to the motorhome.
2 comments:
Be careful!!!!! That storm looked bad!!! What are you doing on an oil rig in the middle of a hurricane!!!!???!!!! Be careful!!! aaahhh!!!!
Serioiusly, you guys are awesome with your blogs, and your traveling sounds fun!! East some crab and shwimp for me! love, Denise
We're in Houston and drove to Galveston yesterday (Tues, 7/22). The hurricane was hundreds of miles south at the very southern tip of TX. Rain & winds were only as far north as Corpus Christi which is only about halfway between Houston & Port Isabel at the southern tip. We're safe, Mommy! Here in Houston, we had a few rain showers today (which are very welcomed by the locals - it's very dry!), but no wind or anything severe. We'll be careful - we promise!!!
Love ya, T
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