< Previous10 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 I f locals and tourists had a relationship status, it would be “complicated.” In the realm of modern love, that’s a state of am- biguity open to interpre- tation. Complicated could mean any- thing about a relationship. It’s on and off, budding or on the brink. One-sided and unrequit- ed. Fragile. A hot mess. In some cases, complicated means parties in a relationship are fully committed but need a break. The love is there, it just needs some breathing room. That’s just about where the relationship between locals and tourists is when fall arrives. After months of accommo- dating millions of people — about 7 million for the island alone — we’re ready for the beaches to clear, traffic to thin and lines at our favorite restau- rants to shrink. Ask some islanders — as we did in this issue — about their favorite part of winter, and you’ll quick- ly, invariably hear: “Fewer tourists.” “No tourists.” “The quiet.” One reader summed up the sentiment neatly by citing Jimmy Buffett’s song, “When the Coast is Clear.” But as with any strained relationship, time apart can be healing. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. In late winter, some of us begin to miss the crowds and the energy of the high season. By Mardi Gras, we’re dancing and reveling with thousands of tourists who had pretty much worn out their welcome by summer’s end. We fall in love all over again. The truth is, tourists need us and we need them. Hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees de- pend on visitors to sustain our economy. Tourists remind us why we live here, giving us a renewed sense of wonder. In turn, they need what we have — serene days of waves crashing on the beach, seagulls squawking and the peace and refreshment the Gulf of Mexico and bays have to offer. As with all relationships, both sides want to feel appreciated. Although summer is high season, visitors are catching on to all the upper Texas coast has to offer in the winter, including quiet retreats either via a traditional beach house or high-end hotels. They’re here for architecture, spa packages and — just like us — a winter walk on an uncrowd- ed beach. This issue is dedicated to locals, tourists and their everlasting hot and cold love affair. LAURA ELDER Coast Monthly editor FROM THE EDITOR A HOT AND COLD LOVE AFFAIRCarolyn T. Gaido REALTOR ® CLHMS, CRS, RSPS, SRS 713.851.3377 CarolynGaido@sandnsea.com CarolynGaido.com Sand `N Sea Properties, LLC Top Agent Since 1999 Michael J. Gaido, III REALTOR ® 409.457.4900 MichaelGaido@sandnsea.com MichaelGaido.com Kimberly A. Gaido REALTOR ® , SRS 713.498.2020 KimberlyGaido@sandnsea.com sandnsea.com 23009 BUENA Spacious 2-3BR/2BA home has beautiful views of the beach. 7216 AVENUE N ½ Build the home of your dreams on this Spectacular Bayfront lot. 3831 PERIWINKLE Come see this beautiful beachside lot in Beachside Village. 4115 GREENWING TEAL COURT Magnificent bayside treasure sitting on 1.5 lots with 5 bedrooms (2 primary) and 5 ½ baths. 7718 BELUCHE Spacious 5BR/2.5BA lakefront home in Havre Lafitte. 11847 SUNBATHER LANE Custom designed 4-5BR/5BA Mediterranean style beachfront home. Gaido R eal e state G Roup12 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 SHORELINES WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: I always thought Galveston was more beautiful in winter. The cold fronts/winds from the north often make the beaches look bigger and the water bluer. And you can sometimes have a big stretch of beach to yourself. Brian Grant Walk on the beach at low tide looking for trea- sures. Galveston clean-up crews keep the beaches beautiful. early morning sunrise over Gulf of Mexico is spectacular. Leona Pleasant Fog season. Galveston is both eerie and beautiful in the deep fog. It always reminds me of being a kid here going to bonfires on east beach and 47th Street. Reid A. Nelson Walks on the beach in Foguary! Wendy LeCornu Morgan Listen to Jimmy buffett’s “When the Coast is Clear.” There’s the answer. Don Walker Golf all year. Scott Kusnerik Turning over rocks at low tide for stone crabs. Michael Banuelos I’ve always said that a sunny day with calm surf and the super clear water that comes in during the winter is like a special treat for locals to enjoy when it’s not tourist season. Taylor Wilson Tank tops in December! Lesley Finney Spradlin beachcombing, sea glass, magical finds on a quiet Wednesday morning. I miss that. Janet Cohen Warm weather mostly. Marsha Canright If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. It will change. Mary Branum I enjoy quiet walks on the beach with all the tourists gone, and the occasional dolphin sighting never gets old. Nikki Pattillo Walking on the beach and watching beautiful sunrises. Kathleen Brennan The white pelicans! Amanda Ross Strolling the Postoffice Street galleries and meeting new, wonderful people. Also, hunting shark teeth on the West end beaches. Jerry Jones Calm and quiet. Patsy Hays Spend the indoor days in my garage, repairing, repurposing and refinishing all the “junk” I dragged home from alleys and thrift shops. Also, making Mardi Gras masks, à la Danny Morgan style. Forest Riggs Neighborhood jogs around the lakes are so refreshing in the crisp air. Eric Froeschner Fewer tourists and usually mild weather. We crank up the fireplace and make a pot of Texas chili with no beans. Jim McCurdy What he said! Tia McCurdy I love how happy and frisky the dogs and horses are. Plus, their fuzzy winter coats make them look fat and sassy. Lilly Van Jones Wait briefly for it to get warm again. Judy Buxton Elmendorf Sunrises as I go to work. Shrub Kempner Two words: Mardi Gras. Hal Rochkind Oyster season! Susan Chapa What’s your favorite thing about winter on the upper Texas coast? What do you do for fun in the cooler months? PHOTO: DAILY N e WS FIL e Some locals look forward to fog season and fewer tourists on Galveston beaches during winter months. Advanced Care for BACK AND NECK PAIN CLOSE TO HOME Spine Specialists Serving Clear Lake If you suffer from back and neck pain, you have options when it comes to treatment. The specialists at Houston Methodist Spine Center at Clear Lake are experts in treating back and neck pain — from everyday discomfort to complex conditions and injuries. And, during the coronavirus outbreak, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit. Our Spine Center provides: • A multidisciplinary team of board-certified doctors • Advanced treatment ranging from nonsurgical options to minimally invasive surgery • Expedited appointments (within five business days) • A dedicated navigator • Personalized care conveniently located close to home Visit houstonmethodist.org/spine/clearlake to request an appointment online or call 281.523.3355 .14 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 WINTER RETREATS From beach houses to full-fledged resorts, there’s something for everyone S ummertime still is high season in these parts, but that doesn’t stop vacationers from flocking here for rest, relaxation and to take in the sights during mild winter months. With an inventory of luxury and historic hotels, condominium resorts and beach-house rentals, there’s something for everyone visiting popular tourist destinations on the upper Texas coast. Here are just a few of the many accommodations available: COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 15 CO ur T e SY: MOODY GA r D e NS Moody Gardens Golf Course in Galveston features a seaside tropical feel with 18 holes meandering through upland and lowland native areas and natural wetlands habitat of Sydnor Bayou.16 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 MOODY GARDENS HOTEL & SPA Defined by three glistening pyramids, Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Conference Center plays host to a concentrated collec- tion of activities for even the most indeci- sive traveler. The property, 1 Hope Blvd. in Galveston, is a short hop to the Moody Gardens Golf Course. A lot of golfers got new gear for Christmas and the mild Gulf Coast winter provides the perfect chance to try out new clubs, Moody Gardens spokeswoman Jerri Hamachek said. “A lot of people don’t think of golf during the winter, but we have good weather down here,” Hamachek said. Families often get packages to Moody Gardens’ educational pyramids and other waterfront activities, Hamachek said. Moody Gardens has direct access to Offatts Bayou, where guests can take a spin or a dinner cruise on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, a replica of an 1800s paddlewheel boat. The bayside site also attracts some of Galveston’s abundance of bird species. Birders can see birds in nature or on the big screen, through Moody Garden’s 3D theater, Hamachek said. “It’s got a big focus on coastal birds, a lot of what you’ll find here in Galveston and FEATURE even on our property,” Hamachek said. For visitors who would rather stay inside, the hotel’s spa offers the chance for couples or friends to unwind, she said. “We’ve got a lot of different options for treatments there that will range from Swed- ish therapy to hot stone therapy to hydro- therapy,” Hamachek said. – Keri Heath CLIPPER HOUSE INN & COTTAGES A five-minute walk from the excitement of the Kemah Boardwalk sits a peaceful collec- tion of small cottages. Acquired in November 2020 by owners Jen and Matthew Laverdiere, the newly renovated cottages at 710 Bradford Ave. have quickly become popular, filling with guests every weekend. (Above) Moody Gardens in Galveston offers a variety of activities for the family from the Aquarium, Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids to the IMAX 3D and 4D Theaters and Palm Beach. (Top) A blue-faced honeyeater eyes members of the Texas Ornithological Society during a birding field trip in the Rainforest Pyramid. (Opposite, clockwise from top left) The Flying Cloud Cottage at the Clipper House Inn & Cottages in Kemah is light and airy; the cottages overlook a secluded courtyard with relaxing seating areas and water features; Alexie Laverdiere feeds the fish in one of two courtyard water features; a bottle of wine and a cheese plate await guests in The Elissa Cottage. PHOTOS: J e NNIF er re YNOLDS COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 17 “You’re right in the middle of Kemah,” Jen Laverdiere said. “You get your own little parking spot, you get to walk anywhere you want, but you’re not in the middle of it all, so it gets quiet.” Built in the 1930s, the four cottages are each named after a famous clipper ship and, in addition to a spacious bed and bathroom, include a refrigerator, TV and a porch facing the inn’s courtyard where events can be held or guests can gather for a relaxing night under the stars. Before guests arrive, each cottage is stocked with a bottle of wine, breakfast box and snacks catered to guests’ preferences. And for those looking for something sweet, Boardwalk Fudge is right next door. “The whole idea being when you get here, you don’t have to go anywhere else,” Laverdiere said. “There’s plenty to stay com- fortable in the cottage and hopefully make it fun and specialized.” For those who feel like strolling Kemah’s streets, the cottages are a short walk from Clear Creek Vineyard and a wide selection of restaurants such as T-Bone Tom’s. The inn also has a partnership with the neighboring spa SkinFit Face and Body, and guests who book two nights get a free visit. “Overall, it just enhances the weekend,” Laverdiere said. “So, if you go to get away for something and then you pop in and get a massage or a facial, I just think it’s another small indulgence that makes for a really great getaway.” — Emma Collins18 COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 FEATURE DIAMOND BEACH CONDOMINIUMS At the end of Galveston’s seawall, past the hustle and bustle of the most popular beach- es, families can escape to Diamond Beach Condominiums, 10327 FM 3005. Unlike many other seawall resorts, Dia- mond Beach guests can walk right onto the beach without having to cross the street, one of the tower’s best attractions, said Gay- le King, president of the Diamond Beach Homeowners Association. “It’s immediately out the back gate,” King said. “People love that, especially with their little kids.” The 117-unit resort opened in 2009 where the seawall ends and meets sand. “We have kind of our own beach that’s much more private,” King said. “The beach extends west from the seawall.” Diamond Beach owners are a mix of peo- ple who live there and those who rent out their units when they’re away or year-round. The condominium units are perhaps best known for the outdoor pool and lazy river, which is between the beach and the prop- erty. During the winter, King recommends the resort’s indoor amenities, which include a theater, indoor pool, children game rooms and workout center. Although the resort can offer a quiet re- treat, guests still are close to restaurants and (Clockwise from left) Diamond Beach Condominiums is a resort on the west end of the seawall in Galveston. Its cascading pool and lazy river are just two of the amenities at the resort; Diamond Beach has its own game room with arcade-style games, a pool table and foosball; the indoor pool has a view of the island’s West End beaches. PHOTOS: J e NNIF er re YNOLDS COASTMONTHLY.COM | FebruArY 2022 19 grocery stores, which allow them to easily do their own cooking, King said. Although the resort has a full-time staff, the long-term residents enjoy helping guests learn about the island’s charms, he said. “Quite often, I meet people at the front desk and I’ll show them around and answer their questions,” he said. “We try really, really hard to make people comfortable here.” – Keri Heath SOUTH SHORE HARBOUR RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER A 185-foot pool complete with a swim-up bar and private cabanas. Fine dining op- tions from several restaurants. And a quick drive to some of the north county’s most popular attractions. All of those await guests of South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, 2500 South Shore Blvd., in League City. “It’s just a wonderful little hub where you can feel like you really get away at a resort,” said Stephanie Polk, manager of the League City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Only 30 minutes south of Houston, the resort is next to Clear Lake, the country’s third-largest boating destination. And guests have a stunning view of South Shore Marina full of yachts. If boating isn’t in the cards, the 237-room hotel is a quick drive to the Kemah Boardwalk, complete with an amusement park, shopping and plenty of dining. For those who feel like relaxing in the hotel, the pool is open year-round, although it isn’t heated, and entertainment is provided every Friday night at the Lighthouse Bistro. For those looking for something a little more active, the NASA Johnson Space Center is only a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and Tanger Outlets in Texas City is less than 30 minutes away. “It’s just like a perfect little spot to get away,” Polk said of the area. “It’s close to a lot of things, but you also don’t have to deal with the traffic.” — Emma Collins South Shore Harbour Resort is on the shore of Clear Lake in League City. PHOTO: ST u A r T VILLAN ue VANext >