After my last New Orleans breakfast on Sunday I packed up the car, thanked my buddy for the hospitality and hit the road. I had roughly a six hour journey traveling west on I-10 towards Houston, Texas. My mother, the day before forwarded me an email saying that I should stop and stay with one of her dearest friends from Perth. They now live in the greater Houston area which was right on my way, I gladly made the stop. The drive was uneventful, most of my drive was in Louisiana, but I did cross the border into Texas! One last thing I had to do while I was in Louisiana was stop at a Popeye's Chicken "Louisiana Fast." For some reason I wanted to see if their chicken tasted any better in Louisiana....it doesn't. Not worth the stop haha.
I arrived at their house, just outside of Houston around 5 pm dressed in Marti Gras beads (which I brought for the kids, I had seen enough beads). The children were adorable, twins, a boy and a girl, seven years old. Having more energy than they knew what to do with and a strange new comer to entertain I was quickly rushed out for a bounce on their trampoline. A much appreciated bounce after 6 hours in the car. Then we toured the backyard saw the kids vegetable gardens, played some basket ball and skated around in the driveway. Then it was inside to play. Similar to myself at this age the boy was very into his lego's and showed me all of his creations (very cool). I guess I haven't mentioned the house yet, it was incredible, art everywhere, large flowing rooms very nice/expensive fixtures haha (even commented on how much I liked their door handles, they were glad I noticed because they had to replace one the other week $300! what! for a door handle? ... they were worth it:)
Soon it was dinner time, my mothers friend had been slaving away in the kitchen all this time. I was once again spoiled. The dinner was amazing, we had chicken, ham, pasta, carrots AND salad. It was very gourmet with the spices and presentation. I believe I have a photo of it even. I will upload it. I have always been an early riser and being tired from the travel that day I was glad to have an early night. We all went to be shortly after dinner.
The next morning I stayed and walked the kids to school. They are first graders at the school across the street! How cool is that? They can literally leave three minutes before school starts. It reminded me of when I used to live in El Dorado Hills, CA. When I was in 6-8th grades I jumped a fence to get to school, livin the dream. After chatting for awhile with mom's friend I was off on the road again. Next stop was Austin, Texas. Being a big country music fan I needed to see Austin. I heard that 6th street was the place to be. Mom's friend also said that she was married in Austin in a church right next to the capitol and gave me some restaurants and sights to see. I was off toward Austin!
I did not see much of Houston, but driving through it looked like every other major city. With a unique difference there are oil refineries everywhere! Driving through Texas you notice how relatively inexpensive land is and how the cities never seem to end. It is just strip mall after strip mall, big box store after big box store. There is nothing wrong with that, but one day I would like to live in a city and not have a car! Doesn't look possible in much of Texas.
I arrived at their house, just outside of Houston around 5 pm dressed in Marti Gras beads (which I brought for the kids, I had seen enough beads). The children were adorable, twins, a boy and a girl, seven years old. Having more energy than they knew what to do with and a strange new comer to entertain I was quickly rushed out for a bounce on their trampoline. A much appreciated bounce after 6 hours in the car. Then we toured the backyard saw the kids vegetable gardens, played some basket ball and skated around in the driveway. Then it was inside to play. Similar to myself at this age the boy was very into his lego's and showed me all of his creations (very cool). I guess I haven't mentioned the house yet, it was incredible, art everywhere, large flowing rooms very nice/expensive fixtures haha (even commented on how much I liked their door handles, they were glad I noticed because they had to replace one the other week $300! what! for a door handle? ... they were worth it:)
Soon it was dinner time, my mothers friend had been slaving away in the kitchen all this time. I was once again spoiled. The dinner was amazing, we had chicken, ham, pasta, carrots AND salad. It was very gourmet with the spices and presentation. I believe I have a photo of it even. I will upload it. I have always been an early riser and being tired from the travel that day I was glad to have an early night. We all went to be shortly after dinner.
The next morning I stayed and walked the kids to school. They are first graders at the school across the street! How cool is that? They can literally leave three minutes before school starts. It reminded me of when I used to live in El Dorado Hills, CA. When I was in 6-8th grades I jumped a fence to get to school, livin the dream. After chatting for awhile with mom's friend I was off on the road again. Next stop was Austin, Texas. Being a big country music fan I needed to see Austin. I heard that 6th street was the place to be. Mom's friend also said that she was married in Austin in a church right next to the capitol and gave me some restaurants and sights to see. I was off toward Austin!
I did not see much of Houston, but driving through it looked like every other major city. With a unique difference there are oil refineries everywhere! Driving through Texas you notice how relatively inexpensive land is and how the cities never seem to end. It is just strip mall after strip mall, big box store after big box store. There is nothing wrong with that, but one day I would like to live in a city and not have a car! Doesn't look possible in much of Texas.
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