After our astronaut adventure, we had some extra time to explore.

And Rachel and I did not waste a minute of our time and jam-packed as much into our trip as we could.

Life’s too short to not do it all and see it all…know what I’m sayin?

It all started with a sketchy Uber ride. I really wasn’t interested in getting chopped up by a creeper, so my eyes never left the Uber app as I tracked our trip from NASA to downtown Houston.

Thankfully we made it and I could breathe again. And thankfully Rachel didn’t throat punch the driver over his overly political radio station. I do not have a good poker face, so I’m pretty sure she could read my mind saying, “please don’t say anything…please don’t say anything…”

But we made it. And lucky for you I can write the rest of this story.

We started our downtown adventure by floating around Texas.

Yes. You read that right. We floated around Texas.

In what was only the coolest lazy river EVER!

This beauty was on a 6th floor roof of the new Marriott Marquis.

You’re probably wondering how we learned of this rad place to cool off. Well, it wasn’t all that warm and it was quite windy, so we kind of froze. But for Washingtonions who left 28 degree Seattle, it was amazing to put on our suits and bask in the evening sun (warm or not).

Anyway, I’ve got to give a shoutout to my new friend with the super cool NASA job who gave us the lowdown on all the best places to explore in Downtown Houston. Thanks Nujoud…your advice was stellar (you know like stars in the universe).

Get it? Just a little space humor for you. 😉

After our Texas float, we got cleaned up and got lost in Houston after dark. Okay, we didn’t really get lost, but we did just wander around checking out art and fountains and looking for somewhere to eat.

We eventually ended up at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen for what I can only describe as the most delicious meal I devoured while in Houston. It’s also the dinner that officially derailed my detox. How’s that for alliteration…

I even tried calamari for the first time. Here’s the verdict:

 

The next and final day of our trip, we woke up early and headed to Starbucks (duh…we are from Seattle) and then rented bikes for a little mini adventure around town.

How cool is it that you can rent bikes at a kiosk and ride around in a city that has specially designated bike lanes and cute little bicycle shapes in the stop lights?!?! Oh and my husband was not impressed with my “mom” outfit. I just thought I was being practical…you know a new hat to protect my extra large forehead from the sun and my conference t-shirt because it was that cool. I’ve never denied being a dork…

We rode to Buffalo Bayou Park and did the 5 mile loop. There was a Rhythm and Blues Run going on that day and there were bands playing in the street all along our bike ride. We just lucked out and got in on that action. So not only did we enjoy biking in the 85 degree sunshine while you all were getting rained on back home, we got to bike past jazz bands playing on the street with big city buildings to our right and a bayou on the left.

We didn’t see any alligators, while in Houston, but I’m told they’re lurking around.

Houston, you are cool place. The pace is much slower and people are ever so friendly. I dig the vibe and I’ll definitely return (but I do have 36 more states to make it to in a little over 10 years, so it might be awhile).

These bucket lists of mine are exhausting.

And now I must plan the next half of my year and the remaining 18 of my 40 before 40.

Any suggestions?

Adventure awaits…