Lone Star Flight Museum

Galveston, TX
I ventured down to the Flight Museum today. Someone really sparked my interest in it at work. So, I thought I would go down and see how restoration was going and just to see what might have been so neat! They had one of the hangers open to the public and the other still packed with the planes, engines, and other things that are still being restored or haven't really been touched since Ike ripped through the museum last year. The planes on display were really neat, and I enjoyed the trip.
It would have been neat to see more of what they use to have up. There were a few planes that could be seen through the door into Hanger 2 that would have been awesome to see. But maybe once its all back together. I asked when things might be back to normal as I was leaving, and was told "A couple of years or a couple million, which ever comes first." So basically, after I graduate in two years.

Anyways, Enjoy the pictures!

Haak Vineyards and Winery

The official Website of Haak Vineyards and Winery

Quickly visited Haak Winery today. I picked up a Purple Porous and a Pink Pelican. Mom got me a little knight holder for a bottle. I thought it was so cute. I love knights and dragons. Because deep down I've always had that dream of being swept off my feet by a Knight in Shinning Armour and he would be my prince charming for life. Too bad fairy tales never happen in real life. :-/ Anyways, Its hanging out in the kitchen until I return to the apartment.

Wish everyone the best, this will be the last adventure post for a while. As I hopefully start work tomorrow. :)

~Galveston~

We went down to Galveston today! I kind of showed mom some of the destruction Ike had that hasn't been fixed yet. Mom had never seen the Gulf of Mexico or anything similar to the Ocean before. So she was kind of in awe when we drove up the hill that connects to the Seawall at Galveston. We drove along the sea wall and got lunch at one of the fresh seafood places. The food was decent. We walked down to the beach at the Seawall and went down on to the beach. The lifeguard kept hollering at some body that was swimming. I thought it was funny.

The water was warm and the sand very hot. It burned my feet some while I was walking, and I had sandles on! We walked down the rock pier and I think mom didn't really want to leave. She loved the vastness of it and how small it could make you feel. I do rather enjoy just being there and enjoying everything. But it was really humid and my feet hurt. I was ready to go.
We decided to find the Railroad museum that is in historic downtown Galveston. We finally found it, only to discover the doors were locked. When we walked around to the back to look through the gate, it was obvious why they were closed. Their other buildings had been destroyed and were being gutted. The problems Ike caused are still seen all over down here. Between the ships still sitting on land to the building that look like they were torn in pieces.
Ended the day with a trip to Froberg's Vegetable and Fruit Farm for the fresh produce I will be cooking with the next couple of weeks. And a quick stop for ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery.

It was a good day! Hot, but good.

Tomorrow, the Haak Winery. :)

Houston Zoo

Went to the Houston Zoo today. It was really cool! The animals have nice exhibits. Most are larger and except for a few of the species, there were at least two of them out to be seen. It was really hot today though. They have a fairly large amount of animals, and its only $10 to get in. It was so worth the time ... just needed a shower when I got home.

Enjoy the pictures:
Jelly Fish ....
Injured American Bald Eagle .... She was but feet away from us.
Sleeping Lion ... Jonathan ... he was right up against the glass.
Me with the Komodo Dragon .... he was huge!
A mini Monkey my mom really liked ....
The baby elephant with a couple of others ...
The baby giraffe that was born my first quarter down here ...
The cheetahs ....

Day 2 toward Texas

Started the day out with breakfast at Loretta Lynn's Kitchen. Breakfast is really good there. Mom got a shirt for Aunt Loretta and I got a penny for my collection. The drive toward Memphis began, and fried chicken was eaten as Gus's. Gus's fried chicken is great, amazing, and so worth the trip for a few pieces. They have an amazing waitress. She has been our waitress both times we've stopped, and she actually remembered us. The river is muddy but huge, and I still like to marvel at the sheer size. Beale street also makes me want to actually come back and spend a weekend just enjoying the activity I know that occurs there at times.

The drive through Arkansa was long, but good. We had great weather, and besides getting tired and making mom drive, it was great. Saw Little Rock from a distance again. And got waved at by some guy in a car. [haha] Hit Texarkana and kept going on 30 instead of heading South on a state route (59 I think). Now we have ended the night in a place called Mt. Pleasant, TX. From Google maps its still about a six hour drive to Kemah. I am kind of ready to be there ... and yet this part of Texas is so beautiful. I hope to enjoy the drive!
So it seems, we have a fly that has hitched a ride from Ohio ... and he literally has followed us into both of our hotel rooms.

Back to Texas!

Started out later than originally planned. Saw a car accident on my way through Cincy. Had lunch with Cam and Kathy. It was fun. Stopped to drop off brownies for Jimmy's birthday. Got the chance to say a quick good bye and a wish I could stay. But then the drive commenced southward.

Hit a nice storm almost to Louisville. Holy shit if I couldn't see and we were all driving really slow and following lights of those in front of us. It was a little scary, but that was the only bad weather we saw today. The rest of the drive was clear skies and decent traffic. Just a little construction slow downs.

Mom and I had a few good chats and rather enjoyed the extra daylight we didn't get in December. Turns out Southern Kentucky is be-utiful. There are so many little tourist things I want to stop in do, or return to. Got a couple of little brochures to check out.

Just made it to Hurricane Mills, so breakfast at Loretta Lynn's Kitchen will be good! But now, its time to sleep. :)