Galveston an "Iconic American Experience in Danger"

[citizen4rmptown]

Basically the article/slideshow is about the future of some of the best-known U.S. vacation destinations, and how you should do these because soon, they may not be possible.

The Daily Green writes that taking a tour of Galveston is something you need to do before its not possible anymore.

Galveston, Texas, situated on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico is a resort location -- complete with docks filled with cruise boats, hotels and shopping, 32 miles of beaches, theaters, gardens, an aquarium and historic architecture. Galveston's perilous relationship with the environment was tested in 1900, when a massive hurricane struck, nearly ending the community's hold on the island. Its will was tested again in 2008, when the massive Hurricane Ike swept through, killing a dozen people in Galveston (among the 100-plus it killed throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast and Caribbean), causing nearly $20 billion in damage to U.S. property, and closing Galveston's port for days afterward. No hurricane will ever be named Ike again, in deference to the storm's toll.

Hurricane damage has, in general, become more and more costly -- in lives and treasure -- as the U.S. population migrates to beautiful beach locations that happen also to be in the path of hurricanes. The wild card is global warming, which may or may not be increasing the frequency and/or intensity of tropical storms: the scientific verdict on that one is still out. (Sea-level rise in Galveston and other barrier islands will make any storms more destructive.)

Galveston endures and may endure successive hurricanes in the future -- but the Trust for Historic Preservation warns that the city's 19th century Greek Revival and Italianate buildings, characterized by the elaborate cast-iron storefronts in the city's National Historic Landmark District, may not survive long. Once the "Wall Street of the Southwest," this historic district took a serious blow from the 10-plus foot floodwaters that Ike spawned. This historic district is one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in the U.S., according to the Trust for Historic Preservation, which is supporting local groups in efforts to restore and protect the district.

Other iconic American experiences inlcuded Appalachia(and how mines are destroying the landscape), Glacier National Park(and its fading glaciers), Everglades(and its water issues), among other experiences.

http://www.thedailyg...tdg&ha=1&kw=ist

Good exposure, found it on Yahoo's homepage.

[citykid09]

I saw this on Yahoo, but didn't feel like posting it. They also mention the bats in Austin. Hopefully its all an exaggeration.