Welcome to Houston

Goodbye Vaca, Hello HTown!!!!!

After leaving Carlsbad, we attempted to head south to Houston yet we were exhausted and dreaded the long drive.  I was happy to see the Texas sign....Yaaah..but I was not happy to be getting back to the yucky heat and humidity.  We felt forced to spend the night in the small town of Fort Stockton, TX.   The only decent restaurant in town seemed to be the IHOP.  Surprisingly we had to be placed on the waiting list! After our hotel experience, Fort Stockton soon became our least favorite towns.  The place was overpriced with a rude staff and Mike's biggest complaint, a hot tub that was very cold!! We were very glad to be on the road again the next morning!


Houston Skyline



Halfway to Htown, we decided to stop in San Antonio for some real Tex Mex food. Aaah! It was good to be almost home.  I hadn't been to San Antonio in ages but nothing had really changed - a crowded Riverwalk, traffic, and oops...almost forgot the Alamo!  We made a promise to come back for a longer visit. Within hours, we were stuck in Houston traffic on I-10.  What a wonderful welcome home!!



Though I am sad that my first real vacation has ended, the journey has only just begun. God blessed me with the adventure of a lifetime.  Seeing His natural beauty of this Earth and having a good friend like Mike to share it with has given me the courage to follow God's lead.  May the adventures continue.....until then....appreciate every moment of this life as if it is your last.  God Bless you. :)



Mike and I in San Antonio!





Aliens & Caverns

Welcome to Earth...

Me and an Alien

After reviewing the map, we were so excited that Roswell, home of UFOs and aliens, was only an hour away from the Carlsbad Caverns. Unlike our trip to Flagstaff, AZ, Microsoft Maps got us there right on time as expected.  I wish MS Maps could have also told us that it was a waste of time.  I don't remember even seeing a McDonalds.  We spent nearly $20 going through a tiny musuem filled with newspaper clippings, manikins, and authors promoting their alien experience.  The best part of Roswell, besides leaving, was touring the local gift shops and grabbing a few postcards and souvenirs. I did get a few pics in at the musuem before we headed on down to the caverns.

Alien Autopsy

Before planning my trip to AZ, my Geology teacher, Maclom Sandler, insisted that I see the Carlsbad caverns, discovered by cave explorer Jim White in the early 1900s.  Carlsbad Caverns was much cooler than Roswell...literally! We took an elevator nearly 750 below the surface to see giant limestone and fossils from thousands of years ago.  The tour took about an hour.  But after 30 minutes, all the limestone and springs began to look the same.  The site was amazing and a I took quite a few pictures.  However, my amateur photography doesn't give justice to the underground beauty and wonderment of the natural forming sculptures.  I think what amazed me most was the miners who explored this place and spent countless hours building the park.  I hope that this place and other natural parks can continue to be preserved for the future of our children.  Our Earth is an Amazing Place! We should take better care of her and each other before we all are extinct.



Natural Limestone Stalagmite

Next stop....Houston? :( Almost home.

Giant Crystals



Limestone Stalacties