Throughout history, a “mother’s day out” meant children piled into 1987 wood-paneled Chevy Caprice station wagons, packed their bologna sandwiches with salt and vinegar chips, and drove down the highway with the summer haze just lifting as they gleefully headed to the nearest beach. Well, that’s how it went for some of us.
What about the mothers who already lived in communities considered resort-like destinations like Clear Lake Shores? They didn’t have to spread open a travel map – the Gulf Coast was there, steady and glimmering, a fixture of life. Search archival decades of Galveston County news or Clear Lake Shores history, and it’s difficult to find mentions of the roles of mothers and Mother’s Day. These women raised children who became and still are growing as community leaders of the coast, the quiet champions of South Texas shorefront culture. These are the stalwart boat service technicians and restaurant owners and marina managers who exist as living libraries embedded with memories of the docks, the shores, and life on the water.
What shoreside memories of youth influenced them to anchor a community that exists on less than three-quarters of a square mile of land, but is pinpointed as the “yachting capital of Texas”?
So many of them were inspired by their mothers.
Marina Bay Harbor Marina and its Marine Service Center are centralized within the nook of Clear Lake Shores. Opening in 2003, their history as a destination for professional boat service and dry storage spans roughly one-fifth of Clear Lake Shores’ history, ever since the Houston Post Dispatch advertised 20 by 100-foot lots for sale at a cost of $69.50 back in 1927. Likewise, Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille on Aspen Road and Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack just over the border in Kemah, occupy a sliver of Clear Lake Shores’ history, but these are the people who have chosen to be the operational machinery of the present for the visitors who make Clear Lake Shores their getaway.
These steady community leaders and experienced and aspiring marine experts alike were interviewed over two weeks in April – in advance of Mother’s Day 2024 – to ascertain how their mothers influenced them into pursuing a life on the waterfront.
Here’s what they had to say.
On memories of boating and visiting along the Gulf Coast:
“My mother was an avid water skier and boater. My childhood was spent on the water with my family.”
― Hunter, Operating Partner, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“Yeah, like the dolphin tours in Galveston? Yeah, we used to do those all the time. Like we used to go three or four times a month actually. We’d go eat at Katie’s Seafood in Galveston and ride the dolphin tours.”
― Destiny, Manager, Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack
“Always going down to the beach with family and mom, and enjoying all of the times we had together.”
― Jack, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“The Texas Gulf Coast is a very unique boating environment. You can get everything from pleasure boating to bay fishing, to offshore fishing. And then there’s all kinds of restaurants and bars to go visit while you’re down here. I mean, just kind of bounce around. And it’s just a plentiful experience. If you’re from the Gulf Coast, you understand it. If you’re not, it’s just a very unique area.”
― John Schafer, Owner, Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille
On how their mother has influenced their approach to work ethic:
“My mom has taught me to be respectful to others. That has been shown in the way I interact with customers at the marina…My mom’s support has helped me stay in a good mood when challenged with problems at the marina.”
― Zander, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“Oh, yeah…my work ethic and the set of laws I have for myself, I learned all from my mom.”
― Destiny, Manager, Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack
“She has influenced my work ethic by showing me all of the hard work she does from her own work and also at the house taking care of everyone. Going nonstop until she finally lays in bed, and I’ve always wanted to be that way.”
― Jack, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
Jack, Dockhand at Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
On moments in their marina or management career where they have applied attitudes, wisdom, or advice drawn from their mother:
“Some advice I’ve gotten from my mother is to always be first when at work.”
― Zander, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“All the customers and the employees are always happy and getting along and everything, kind of like what my mom did with us and the kids.”
― John Judice, General Manager, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“How my mom never let any situation that was [stressful] to her affect me or my siblings growing up. Like she was always a…you know, ‘get it together’ mom no matter what, like no matter what was going on.”
― Destiny, Manager, Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack
“She always tells me to do the most I can with the time I have – sometimes whenever we are on one of our slower days, I’ll try to make up time by doing things other than boats like cleaning up the place. Her advice made me a better worker.”
― Jack, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“You pick your attitude.”
― Hunter, Operating Partner, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
On lessons that continue to resonate with them as approach their career along the Clear Lake Shores waterfront:
“We grew up with accountability. Accountability, responsibility, punctuality, work ethic, providing what we do, respect for others, respect for our elders.”
― John Schafer, Owner, Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille
“A lesson that’s been memorable to me is to treat others how you would like to be treated. This has helped me be a better employee at Marina Bay Harbor.”
― Zander, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“My mom taught me from a young age to always be kind to others because you don’t know who might be having a rough time in life or rough day.”
― Jack, Dockhand, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
“My mother raised my brothers and me. I use her lessons and wisdom every day.”
― Hunter, Operating Partner, Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center
The memories, ethics, and attitudes instilled by the mothers of a collective boating community at Clear Lake Shores are not displayed with sirens and fireworks. They are shown in a steadfast passion for life on the water and a dedication to helping to foster memories for those around them. As Hunter of Marina Bay Harbor put it:
“I believe that we have the opportunity at our marinas to make the world a better place by giving our marina members happy memories that can last a lifetime.”
Thanks to the community members of Clear Lake Shores for taking the time to speak about their mothers. Thanks to Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack and Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille. Thanks to the Marina Bay Harbor Marina and Service Center, the location for the most experienced team of boat service technicians anywhere from Houston to Galveston. Thanks to our mothers.