HOUSTON - DAY 2

Redfish is a highly sought game fish found in saltwater on the Texas Gulf Coast and, after much searching, I found sautéed fillet of redfish at Massa’s Seafood Grill in downtown Houston—the fish was worth the search and Massa’s Grill was elegant and welcoming. 

On the left is the Metro ticket machine I mentioned; on the right, the Metro train. Public transportation is timely.

Ventured down into their tunnel system -- it's quite impressive!

The Heritage Society is an outdoor museum within Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Ten of the city's oldest structures are open for guides tours. I toured three -- actually four, if you count Alice's Playhouse:

Old Place - 1823

The 1823 "Old Place" is an example of early Texas frontier architecture. Roughly hewn cedar logs and mortise and tenon jointure define the structure. This cabin illustrates hardships faced by immigrants permitted to settle in colonial Texas in Austin’s Colony.

The 1847 Kellum-Noble House is the oldest surviving masonry house in Houston on its original site. The Louisiana Plantation style house is accented by a double gallery that spans the entire perimeter of the structure.

Kellum-Noble House - 1847

Nichols-Rice-Cherry - 1850

The 1850 Nichols-Rice-Cherry House is an example of Greek Revival architecture. Elegant furnishings define the lifestyle that was prevalent in Houston when one of the richest men of the period, William Marsh Rice, lived in the house.

Table legs: water was put in outer area of container to prevent ants in kitchen 

Alice's Playhouse - 1893

Inside playhouse

In 1893, Captain Baker built a playhouse for his daughter, Alice. This playhouse survived many owners.

The granite top of Heritage Plaza, this 53-floor skyscraper, was designed to imitate a Mayan temple; it is, however, not part of the Houston tunnel system.

Tomorrow, I plan on using public transportation to get to NASA which is about 45 miles away. It amazes me that a public bus has been designated for that route -- it'll be interesting to see how that works out.

HOUSTON - DAY 1

Houston Skyline

Learning a large cities bus/rail system can be frustrating/overwhelming--unless, the employees go out of their way to help get you to your destination. My experience was made positive by the bus drivers and transit passengers that went above and beyond to get me where I was headed. They were wonderful.

However, the fare collection for the metra (train) has a lot to be desired  There is a machine sitting on the platform that is not user friendly – requires exact change ($1.25) or a credit card and the little slip you eventually get doesn’t get looked at or given to anyone.  Unless you have a Metro Q Fare Card you pay $1.25 (exact change) for the bus and pay another $1.25 in that not user friendly machine for the Metra. You may ask, where can you purchase a Metro Q Fare Card --- well that’s another challenge – the Downtown Transit Center (which in a stop on the Metra) or some grocery stores are the only places.

My goal for day one in Houston was to get that magic Metro Q Fare Card that allowed my 3-hour transfer between the bus and Metra (saving $1.25 plus the frustration of using that darn machine). So before heading back to LakeView RV Park, I rode the Metra (without getting the machine to work, so no ticket) to the Downtown Transit Center (in the rain). Found the counter, got a friendly, helpful lady who lets me know that seniors get to ride free with their special Metro Q Fare Card.  High Five!!!! My next two days are going to be spectacular!!

Houston was named after former General Sam Houston

Increases in the Houston's harbor and railroad industries, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has made Houston the 4^th largest city. Houston is also the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions.

The Houston 7-mile tunnel system (purple dots) is a network of, climate-controlled, pedestrian walkways that link 95-full city blocks 20 feet below Houston's downtown streets, so the hustle and bustle of pedestrians on city sidewalks are absent.  

Also taxis aren’t seen parked in clusters – they must wait until customers call for them—so less pollution and traffic congestion.

Morgan Chase Tower, 75-story skyscraper at 600 Travis Street, is currently the tallest building in the city/state and the tallest five-sided building in the world.

Morgan Chase Towe

Walkways, pools and cylindrical water fountains at downtown Tranquility Park commemorates the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.

Sculptures brighten up the city streets

On November 21, 1963, President Kennedy spoke at the Rice Hotel, the day before his assassination.

Apollo 11 plaque inscription: "We came in peace for all mankind" is derived from the 1958 National Aeronautics and Space Act's, "declaration of policy and purpose.”

After my city tour, I was scheduled to go to NASA via Houston City Tours that I booked several weeks ago.  WELL, they didn’t have enough signed up so they canceled the tour – without letting me know. Not a happy camper was I.

I ended my day with an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts: "Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces From the Prado" featuring 100 works spanning four centuries. It was a wonderful exhibit; I enjoyed a delish lunch (with wine) at the Museum and became a happy camper again.

 

I then used my precious Metro Q Fare Card on the metra to get back to the bus to get back to LakeView RV Park – mission accomplished. 

GALVESTON TO HOUSTON

 

Decided to visit Galveston’s Farmer’s Market Sunday morning before driving to Houston.  I arrived at 9 a.m., when it opened, to be sure I’d find parking. Bought organic grapefruit and carrots (yes some carrots are purple).  

Garden gloves were a gift from one of the vendors.  Couldn’t believe I heard my name called and turned around to see Ginger (the woman who gave me a lift a few days ago). Small world isn’t it.

I also bought a pack of “Mud Cookies.” The vendor explained many Haitians reduce hunger by eating dirt. The pack of Mud Cookies (Chokola Raw) I bought will provide a child in Haiti a day of school and a meal.

Glad my drive to Houston was on Sunday morning – traffic kept moving and my wonderful GPS located LakeView RV Resort without a hitch.  




My campsite, #81, overlooks a 4-acre lake and the showers are outstanding (unlike the showers in Galveston—which I consider an all-time worst).

I'll try out Houston's bus/train transportation tomorrow morning -- wish me luck.

GALVESTON - DAY 3

Couldn’t resist parking along the Seawall and walking along the Gulf with Mac –
it was a another beautiful day in Galveston.

888 gets us around Galveston today.  First, we go to Big Reef Nature Park and check out a variety of birds.

White Pelicans (top) and Roseate Spoonbill (bottom right)

Cormorants

Egrets

Then a stop for lunch at a popular restaurant named Casey’s – next to Gaidos on Seawall Blvd. Both restaurants have been owned by the same family since 1911; locals recommend both of them. 

Casey’s is casual; Gaidos is dressy. I couldn’t resist getting the Gulf shrimp wrapped in cheese and a bacon strip – it came with rice and chessy potatoes. Glad I have a refrig for my “doggy bag.”

888 parked along Seawall (built after 1900 hurricane)

Lunch

After lunch, 888, Mac and I took a ferry ride across the Gulf to the Bolivar Peninsula.  

Boarding Ferry

The ferry service is free; we waited about 15 minutes to board and another 15 minutes to get to the other side.  

On Ferry

After departing the ferry, I drove the two-lane highway to Crystal Beach. In 2008, the hurricane “Ike” devastated this area with 25 foot waves. They are still recovering and rebuilding – all buildings have to be built on stilts. 

Pastures are still recovering from the salt water.  

I stopped at a Kite-Windsock store and met the owner, a young woman from Nebraska. She is getting married and building a home in Crystal Beach – she’s never experienced a hurricane. I bought a lovely windsock from her and wished her luck.

888, Mac, and I took the ferry back to Galveston. 

Another lovely day!

GALVESTON - DAY 2

My two major stops will be Bishop’s Palace and the Maceo Spice shop – both places are located off the normal bus route, so I’ll be getting my exercise today. And both open at 11 a.m., so I have some quality time before I “hit the road” – hopefully not like yesterday.

Speaking of exercise, yesterday consisted of exercise both vertically and horizontally. After much research, I found that the city bus stops a little distance from SandPiper where I’m RVing.  As I started my trek yesterday, I realized I had to cross the 4-lane highway and noted the next stoplight was past where I needed to cross.  So I attempted to “jaywalk” not noting that the highway blacktop was raised; after picking up my glasses and myself off the highway, I assessed damages – nothing was bleeding; nothing was broken – life is still good.  My knees got the worst part of the experience – so I walked like an old lady (no comments, please) from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Put ice on knees when I got back to 888; this morning they were puffy and colorful but feel much better.  I walked up to the stoplight this morning…

The weather has been upper 60’s and sunny each day – which is perfect because Mac stays in 888 with the windows slightly open and stays comfortable.  Taking public transportation takes time, but it also provides opportunities to meet locals that give the true pulse of a city. Locals have been friendly and helpful which makes everything come together nicely.  The food has been good too--the shrimp I had yesterday for lunch was from the Gulf and had a layer of cheese, then was wrapped with bacon – they were called “Shrimp Kisses” and I loved them. Ate them at a restaurant called Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking the Gulf.  Today, I ate at Saltwater on the other side of town and ordered catfish covered with sweet potato puree on top of spinach – first time I’ve ever eaten catfish and have to admit I enjoyed.

Started Thursday morning with a visit to the Railroad Museum (opens at 10 a.m.) which is located inside the former Sante Fe Union Station – the depot is cleverly populated with life-like “ghosts” of travelers-past waiting for their train. 

 1929 Anacapa Private/Business Parlor Car built by Pullman

Maceo Spice Company

I then walked to the Maceo Spice Company, not conveniently located, plus only open from 11 – 2 p.m. where I purchased a variety of spices.  Checked out some antique stores and art galleries in the area.

1894 Opera House

After my delicious lunch at Saltwater, I noted the Opera House across the street and asked if I could just look inside. The main floor/stage is elegant; in1993, it was proclaimed "The Official Opera House of Texas."

I later toured the 1886-92 Bishop’s Palace, a Victorian castle cited as one of the 100 most important buildings in America. It’s rare woods, stained-glass windows, colored stone, massive fireplaces are indeed breathtaking. Nice to learn it served as a respite for people who lost their homes during “The Great Storm” of 1900. 

Winged lion statue

One winged lion statue went missing for several years, but was returned to again to guard the gates of Bishop’s Palace.

Squirrel with acorn

I concluded my day with a short but sweet “tree sculpture tour.” Ike, the 2008 hurricane, uprooted many of Galveston’s trees. 100% of the “Iked” wood has been kept out of landfills and used for recycling project by Galveston citizens—this project consisted of over 20 "tree sculptures."

Crested Heron

Hunter, the Great Dane

Trying to find the nearest bus stop back to 888 with my free city map was challenging; Ginger stopped her car to ask if I needed assistance – then offered to drive me back to my neighborhood – locals like Ginger are among my many reasons for loving Galveston….