Houston: Land of Space Cowboys and...Wait, No Ocean?
Ah, Houston. Home to rodeos, refineries, and a whole lotta folks with their sights set on the stars (thanks, NASA!). But there's one thing you might not know about Houston, unless you're a particularly well-traveled pelican, and that's this: there ain't no beach right smack in the city itself.
Hold on to your ten-gallon hats, though, because that doesn't mean Houston is some kind of desert wasteland. Nope, honey. We may not be slapping high fives with the waves every morning, but we've got the next best thing: the mighty Gulf of Mexico just a short day trip away.
The Gulf of Mexico: Houston's Salty BFF
That's right, folks. The Gulf of Mexico is Houston's salty best friend forever. It's where we head for our weekend tan-acquiring missions, seashell-collecting extravaganzas, and our "pretend we're pirates" adventures (admit it, you've done it). The Gulf offers up miles of sandy coastline, from the fun-filled shores of Galveston to the quieter escapes of Crystal Beach.
Now, here's the thing geography nerds might point out: the Gulf technically isn't an ocean (sorry to burst your bubble, Sheldon). But hey, it's darn big. We're talking a body of water that stretches all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and provides the perfect playground for all our watery whims.
So, why no beach in Houston itself?
This is where things get a little technical, but we'll keep it light. The short answer is that Houston sits inland a bit, on a flat coastal plain. The long answer involves things like historic shorelines and alluvial deposits (don't worry, we won't quiz you on that one). But the important takeaway is this: a little distance ain't gonna stop a Houstonian from getting their beach fix!
Houston's Got Bays, We Got Beaches, But No Ocean? Hold My Stetson!
So, even though Houston isn't exactly cuddling with the ocean waves, the Gulf of Mexico is close enough to keep us cool and salty. And hey, if you're looking for a little hurricane excitement every now and then (maybe not too much excitement...), the Gulf can provide that too. Just remember to stock up on the sunscreen and seashells – Houston might not be on the oceanfront, but we sure know how to have a good time by the water.
