Visiting Houston

We arrived at Kristin and Chris' Friday night.  Because they installed 50 amp service for us we are able to park right in front of their house and haven't had to unhook the car.  It also has allowed Monet to have a place of her own to go to.  Kristin and Chris have 3 dogs of their own so you can just imagine the chaos that we've had.  Most of you know that Monet doesn't play well with others, but after a day or so of wearing her muzzle, she has decided that maybe, just maybe, she could like dogs.  She really has done a terrific job of adjusting to all of this.

Saturday morning we got up and went to the Kemah Boardwalk about an hour away.  I've never been to Coney Island in New York but to me, this is what I'd imagine it would look like.  Had great appetizers and margaritas at the Cadillac Bar.

For Father's Day Van got to watch golf and eat steak and potatoes.  Boy was he a happy man!  Unfortunately, Van couldn't get an American to win the US Open. 

Chris was kind enough to take off work on Monday so we all headed to NASA and the Space Center. The initial computers were about the size of a bedroom and one app on a current iphone has more capability than the entirety of that original computer. It is hard to imagine that these astronauts entrusted their lives to such a seemingly inadequate system. 

Since Kristin had taken off work all week to be with us, she and I had set aside shopping time on Tuesday and Wednesday, and boy did we shop.  Since she and Chris had just moved into their new home (Van calls it a mansion) our goal was to decorate her entryway.  We succeeded!  Their style is modern traditional and what fun that was to shop for.  Most of you know that I absolutely love decorating and arranging houses.  Poor Chris!  He's been so good to tolerate all my ideas and suggestions.   Van had some great ideas for decorating also, so Kristin and I begged him to go all over Houston today with us to look. 

Begging turned to bribing, so we took him to the  Beer Can House and the Art Car Museum.  The Beer Can House was right in the middle of houses and it was the strangest thing we'd seen in a while.  But, was pretty cool at the same time.  Then we headed over to the Art Car Museum.  In Houston there is an Art Car parade every year and the Museum houses these cars.  They are working, drivable cars that are adorned with everything from skulls to pool balls, including various types of jewelry and animals.  The animals included, buffalo, alligator, foxes, fish and snakes.  Kristin then drove us through The Heights, which is a very, very popular and eclectic area.  Then we went through River Oaks, where George H.W. has (or had) a home, or should we say where all the mansions in Texas are!  Everything really is bigger in Texas.  Had to eat, of course.  Van had been talking about wanting to try boudin balls and Kristin knew the place.  We went to Ragin Cajun restaurant.  The food was great but Van decided that boudin balls or boudin links were not his thing.

We plan to go to the Miller Outdoor Theater Friday night to watch the Houston Symphony.  Can't wait.  We will have to head out early Saturday and I'm not certain I can leave my girl.

Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.  We send our love.