First step on our trip was Houston. We were considering re-planning our holiday's following the significant flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, but decided to visit once our friends in town had confirmed it was all clear.
So on Thursday morning we awoke nice an early to take the 15 hour + flight to Houston, to land on Thursday lunch! We were met at the airport by mum's friend Gin, who we first met back in Singapore before the girls were born! Gin & Matt (and Sierra and Piper) were nice enough to welcome us into their home for our long-weekend in Houston!
As we arrived in the afternoon, we were at the Clugston's house in time for the school bus, and our first 'Howdy Y'all' welcome to Texas.
In Houston we got to get around and experience a little of life in Texas... Most of our destinations involved lots of good food... and we had an awesome time with the Clugstons. Here are some of our highlights...
Wings @ Plucker's
A breakfast of Crepe's at the local crepery... The girls demolished the crepes before we got a chance to take a photo... so here's a shot of them waiting in the cafe.
We visited the NASA Space Centre, as what would a visit to Houston be without a visit to the famous room. It was surprising to see the size (not that big) and the technology (barely any) in the room which guided and controlled each of the Apollo missions all those years ago, and where the amazing individuals helped respond to the famous call, "Houston, we have a problem".
The girls on the NASA tour... And I just noticed how they are sitting in the same order as the photo above).
We visited Rocket Park, and although there was an outline of the Saturn V rocket on the outside of the shed, we were all shocked when we entered and realised the full scale of the rocket.
We were able to view a full replica of the Independence Space Shuttle...
Which was sitting atop the original shuttle carrier, a modified 747.
After NASA, another truly Houston experience... Rudy's for smoked brisket, ribs, sausages, pulled pork and more. Where you buy the meat by the pound, get a loaf of bread and just dig in.
And after gorging on meat, what better way to end the night than with Houston's finest donuts from Shipley's!
The next day was time to experience a true American tradition, a day at the ball game...
We tried a few of the specialist cuisine's...including hot dogs and snow cones. And both Keira and Mum got Astro's hats (Keira as she needed a hat, and mum as how could she resist a hat with a H (for Hanna) and a star!!!
After the game we went to a Patio Bar (Texas for beer garden...and ironically called Bier Garten)...
And followed by burgers at Fuddrucker's, where the kids got to experience a soda fountain where you could select from no less than 25 different flavours... Although they still stuck with plain coke!
Alas, our last full day in Texas came around very quickly, so we took the opportunity to visit a few different areas of Houston, each a little more feed and just enjoy our time with Sierra and Piper.
We enjoyed taco's at Torchy's, which as the picture says... were Damn Good!
Unfortunately the Beaver's Ice House had been damaged by the floods, so we had to settle for a photo out the front...
And Piper insisted she have a photo with her "new dad"...
While driving around, the girls were talking about their favourite Ramen store (from Austin), which was rumoured to have opened recently in Houston, and we happened to drive past... so we couldn't really say no to a round of Ramen!
On our last day, after spending some time playing Nerf with the girls, watching Sierra & Piper go to school on the typical American Yellow school bus, a last minute shopping session at both Bed Bath & Beyond, and a touch of cow-girl shopping at the Boot Barn, it was off to the airport for our next destination.
But the day didn't quite end there... At the airport, while trying to enjoy tacos and rice, we heard a final call for the Beaver family... we started running, commandeered an airport shuttle car, and made it to our gate only to see it closed... After a little pleading, and some very nice staff, the doors were reopened and we were allowed to head on out to Washington!
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