| Montgomery and Houston [message #75837] |
Sat, 06 March 2010 21:48 |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
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This is an addendum to Rob’s comments about visiting the Johnson Space Center before or after the convention in Montgomery. While the tram ride doesn’t show you much on a weekend, the whole trip is worthwhile to see the Saturn rocket. It used to be outside, but they have built a nice, air conditioned building around it. This was used to send man to the moon and the size of it defies belief. It makes a city bus look like an ant. Incredibly we had this technology in the ‘60s! Oh, I should say, it is lying on its side, not standing up and it is divided according to each stage so you see all of the rockets. A memorable sight you will not forget.
Houston is the 4th largest city in the country and quite spread out. We have the Houston Rockets in the NBA, the Texans in the NFL, the Astros in the MLB and the Dynamos in hockey. We also have a port-55 miles inland-The Port of Houston. Lots of Volkswagens come in here.
You should see the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Astrodome, world’s first domed stadium completed in 1965. It is a beautiful building and was fun to watch baseball and football there. Other activities like the Rodeo were also held there. Then we have the ugliest stadium in the NFL built right next to the Astrodome. There is talk of converting the vacant dome into a hotel. I think no one has the nerve to tear it down.
If you car guys can sneak away from the convention for a day, we have the Corvette/Chevy Expo at the Brown Convention Center downtown on March 20-21. After that you can go to the 21st Annual Houston Auto Swap Meet at Trader’s Village, located at 7979 N Eldridge, also on March 20-21.
The NCAA basketball regionals will be held here in March at the Toyota Center downtown, but I don’t know the dates or the teams.
We have perhaps the world’s best medical center here, state of the art treatment for cancer and children’s diseases.
Houston is home of the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Southern University and several community colleges. Of course, the best university in Texas is only a hundred miles away, that being Texas A&M and we also have TAMU oceanography in Galveston, just 55 miles away. The Aggies even have their own ship.
As you travel South on I-45 to Clear Lake and the Johnson Space Center, continue on to Galveston on the coast another 35 miles South. Hit hard by Hurricane Ike, Galveston is bouncing back.
The best Bar B.Q, is at Pappa’s-several Houston locations. For Mexican food, we like Tony’s on Ella off the 610 loop and The Adobe on Westheimer off Hwy 59. For Italian, try the Spaghetti Western on N. Shepherd near our house. The best steaks are at the Texas Land and Cattle Restaurant on the feeder on I-10 West.
A word about Houston traffic nomenclature- I-45 North is called the North freeway, Hwy 59 North is called Eastex freeway. I-45 South is called the Gulf Freeway. We have the I-610 loop which has names like the North Loop West or South Loop East. This means-the “North part of I-610 going West” or the “South part of I-610 going East”.. Reminds me of my first driving experience in California when the sigh read “End Freeway”, I thought the road ended!!
We also have an outer loop called “Beltway 8”. This is a toll road, but it is an easy way to get around. There are feeder roads along side that are free-just expect stop lights along the way.
No trip to Houston would be complete without a visit to Lakewood Church. I guarantee Joel Osteen will lift your spirits and help you think of greater things in your life’s path. Located on Hwy 59 South near Buffalo Speedway Street and the I-610 loop, there is a lot for parking for large vehicles. Services are at 7p.m. Saturday night, 8:30a.m.and 11a.m. Sunday. The 11 o’clock service is the most well attended. Lakewood is located in the former Compac Center where the Rockets played basketball but was completely made over and is unrecognizable inside as to its former appearance. It will seat 16,000 but typically 12k show up for the 11 o’clock service. Five to seven thousand usually attend each of the other two services. Pastor Marcos Witt has a service is Spanish at 1:45p.m Sunday. This service typically has 6-8000. Don’t let the size intimidate you. Once you are parked, the rest is easy with lots of friendly faces to assist you.......Michael at GEMRECS
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