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| Everybody say Buc-ee's! BU-CEE'S!!! |
First things. It ain't a Texas trip if there ain't a Buc-ee's stop! According to Eric, that is. The boy has an obsession. He was going to buy something and this trip it was another t-shirt. I think he's starting a Beaver T-shirt collection. We also grabbed two sandwiches from the Texas Round Up (aka, BBQ zone inside of Buc-ee's). It's not the best bbq you'll find in Texas, obviously, but it definitely hits the road trip spot. These stops are never quick, because Eric has to make sure he has seen every piece of merchandise with Buc-ee's face on it before we can leave. Seriously, I think the boy needs help. Suggestions welcome.
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| Another Buc-ee's Shirt for Eric'c Collection |
Because we're planners, neither one of us had cash on us and avoiding toll roads became the name of the game. No tolls + Time to Kill = Galleria. Eric was really curious about the celebrity that, in his mind, must have been in the Gucci store. No celebs. Only two people are allowed into Gucci at a time. This concept was foreign to Eric. This was a mall. Eric judged those people in line. To himself. But there was judgment. Nordstrom has a Gucci goodness. They're just not as pretentious, perhaps? Eric made me say that.
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| Where's the Famous Person? Just Kidding. It's only the Gucci Store. |
We snagged another great hotel deal on Priceline. We stayed at The Hilton - Americas Houston. Side note: Did you know you can actually only bid on hotels now on Priceline? RIP cheap rental cars, and flights. Anyway, we arrived an hour early at our hotel, but the friendly staff got us in our room early. Settled in our room, we started to check for tickets to the Astros' game on Stubhub. The Astros were having a Star Wars themed night so Eric was suddenly living his best life Star Wars and baseball!
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| The force is strong with this pic. |
The walk to Minute Maid Park from our hotel was less than 10 minutes. If you're ever in town for a game or a weekend series then this is a great hotel for you. You're right next to Discovery Green and (another selling point) there's a Starbucks in the hotel lobby! We headed to the park a little early, so we could survey the lay of the land (ie. food and souvenirs). We did not know ahead of time, but to Eric's dreams come true, it was Star Wars night.
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| Evil empire was in town. |
Star Wars night at Minute Maid Park was fun. You could take photos with members of the Republic or Resistance. God help me for knowing that much Star Wars information. The JumboTron had the players mocked up in Star Wars costumes instead of their uniforms. The food offerings at the park were mostly standard (though, there were the Tex-Mex exceptions). The Astros played a great game and defeated the Cleveland Indians 4-1. However, it was a Friday night and this meant fireworks. These weren't just any post-game fireworks. These were Star Wars choreographed fireworks! Eric added the exclamation point.
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| Star Wars Fireworks |
Saturday morning we took our time getting up. We headed to the Cullen Sculpture Garden. A friend suggested it and she made mention of the Cloud Column. Apparently, Houston's version of the Chicago Bean. We enjoyed looking around the garden, the art, and taking photos. We were glad we went in the morning. It would get pretty warm later in the day. Side note, the garden is free (whoop whoop!).
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| Shiny |
After taking in the sculpture garden, we popped into the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. The museum is free, but they gladly accept donations. I love art, but I just didn't love the art in here. I almost felt sad and uninspired viewing the art. I mean at least the art made me feel something, and that is the point of art, but feeling sad and depressed isn't how I like to spend my time.
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| Eric making friends. |
We headed to MidTown for lunch and to meet up with friends of mine. They moved to Houston a few years ago. I so miss Megan dearly. I was happy when she suggested that we meet up for lunch at a chill spot. We met at Luigi's Pizzeria. It shares a beer garden/courtyard space with Axlerad. The pizza was delicious and Eric appreciated the beer selection (at Axlerad). The beer garden is filled with hammock chairs and other fun seating. We hung out for a while, but ultimately found a picnic bench in the shade to enjoy the pizza with friends.
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| Chillin' in the Beer Garden Hammock Chairs |
Stuffed bellies, after catching up, we headed back to the museum district. This time to The Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Park in the parking structure if you're impatient, because parking is hard to come by especially (in the afternoon). We had only two hours here, as the museum would be closing. We needed more and one of us needed a nap (looking at you Eric, not to mention names). The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, we will be back!
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| The Rocks by Van Gogh |
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| Old Stuff we Whizzed Past (we only had 2 hours) |
We had noticed, when leaving from the hotel parking garage, graffiti a few blocks from our hotel. Naturally, we headed over that way. Graduation season upon us, it seemed every high school graduate was in cap and gown and camera crew (aka mom and dad) in tow ready to take photos. We managed to get some good shots and enjoy the art so much that we went back the next day when we were headed out of town.
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| Proof we were in Houston. |
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| Vibrant Graffiti Walls |
Now it's time for some truth. Dinner was the main reason for this trip. You see, over a year ago we watched an episode of Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods show. Crawfish & Noodles was featured. We then made a pact to go. However, crawfish season eventually ended and we never made it. Then, it was everywhere! Anthony Bourdain was featuring Vietcajun crawfish! David Chang's Ugly Delicious went to Crawfish & Noodles! We had to go! Especially since Vietcajun was slowly starting to trickle its way over to Louisiana (see the evidence). We had to experience this for ourselves from the Godfather of the Vietcajun Crawfish.
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| Vietcajun Crawfish Coated in Butter Magic Sauce |
Spoiler: GO! Eric was, unknowingly, feeling extra bold with his spice choice when he ordered for us. We had a late lunch, so we both had 2 pounds each. Eric ordered Spicy for me and medium for himself. It should be noted here, I probably would have ordered medium for myself and mild for Eric. When I am trying a new place, I usually go medium to play it safe. I can eat Thai hot with the best of them, but sometimes I just like to get the lay of the land first. The crawfish arrived piping hot. Bibs and gloves were options, but we're from Louisiana. We're experienced. We turn our noses up at such trivialities. Neaux, thank you.
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| So Good...So Spicy! |
So we semi-scorched our fingers peeling the piping hot crawfish. They were so good! Unlike any crawfish I've ever had! The buttery, hot, spicy, garlicy, lemongrass touch was so delicious! I'm not sure I can go back to traditional crawfish. No joke. If I'm invited to future crawfish boils then I hope people don't mind when I show up with my own Vietcajun butter magic sauce. Sorry folks. I see your tradition, but I prefer this amazing magic sauce now! We strongly suggest the crawfish. They have a special if you order 5 pounds you get the 6th pound free. Also you have to get them cooked all the same spice level. However, if you want Spicy you can request the spicy sauce on the side. Tables around us were also ordering the Salt and Pepper Crab. When we make it back to Crawfish & Noodles, I plan to order. It is supposed to be the second must-have on the menu. Tips: arrive hungry and arrive early! We got there on a Saturday around 5:30. When we left at 7:20, we had to push and shove to get out the door. Please let us out. It just means a table for you! Logic is lost on so many.
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| Discovery Green |
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| Discovery Green's Monument Au Fantome |
Discovery Green was having its 3rd Saturday of the Month Flea Market. We hit the hotel room to digest. Our hotel room overlooked The Green, so we could see the festivities building below. We headed down after recuperating from the Crawfish & Noodle goodness. We walked through the goods for sale and checked out the food stalls. A band was playing, so we sat on the lawn and enjoyed them. Nearby people were enjoying the setup they had for a movie in the park. Jumanji was the movie they were showing. Everything in the park was free. My friend suggested we bring chairs and bug spray. We were pretty fortunate that we didn't need either. After the band wrapped up their gig, we called it a night.
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| Cover Shot if Eric had a Rap Album |
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