Not exactly "deep in the heart of Texas", Port Arthur is just over the line from Louisiana. It also isn't the train wreck I imagined it to be in the wake of Hurricane Ike. I chose it because this was the closest Habitat chapter to Galveston and to be fair, Port Arthur was extremely lucky to be spared. Fifteen miles in either direction along the Gulf Coast things are pretty bad. The storm damage in town is mostly left over from Hurricane Rita. In any case, I'm working with some good folks trying to provide decent housing to people that need it.
After work I take the long way home and do a little exploring. The landscape is dominated by oil refineries and chemical plants. It's kind of like hell and explains a lot about people's outlook and disregard for the environment. It was probably a pretty tough place before it was settled but the heavy industries haven't improved it.
I'm staying at the local Y. Right now I have it all to myself. I'll have it to myself again next week and then share it with sixty or so volunteers. Without any TV or windows it will be nice to have something more lively to come home to. For now, I'm getting caught up on my reading. LOTS of reading.