space the final frontier...

It was apropos that on the day of the last Space Shuttle launch, we were visiting Houston Space Center. So while Atlantis was blasting off, we were having breakfast and getting ready to learn and experience the wonders of space travel.

When we walked in, we realized that this was a much larger museum than what we have experienced previously on our trip. It was packed with kids from day camps and visitors from around the country and the world. There was a lot to do and we didn't have an abundance of time (our common problem on this road trip), but we were able to watch a film on the history of U.S. space travel and hear a presentation on the 30 year space shuttle program as well as see the future plans of NASA. Everything was very interesting and we got to see replicas and even some original vehicles and equipment. There were hands on activities to teach scientific principles, games and simulators, and a tram tour through the Johnson Space Center which was just down the road. We could have spent more time there, but the clock was ticking and we still had a four hour drive to San Antonio.


We arrived in San Antonio in time to drop Joe off at the San Antonio Missions baseball game - another minor league team for the SD Padres. Joe was happy even though the Missions lost. He had great seats and some time away to do what he enjoys. Zach, David and I headed down to the Riverwalk to explore and eat dinner.

The Riverwalk is just lovely. The San Antonio river runs through downtown, and the city is built above it. The streets cross over it, and down below are shops and restaurants as the river meanders through the city. It is miles long, but most of the business is in a two mile loop. The river is more like a canal and there are river taxis you can take to your destination (many hotels are built along the river as well) or you can just walk and enjoy the surroundings.


My doctor would be proud. We walked more than two miles along the river. It was a good jaunt and we had worked up an appetite. So after looking at the different restaurants, we decided to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. We had a table on a balcony that overlooked the river and the people walking and dining below. It was very relaxing, but Zach was a little disappointed that we didn't get an inside table where we could enjoy the loud music.


Our plan was to finish dinner and ride the water taxis down the river since the pilot of the boat shares info about the Riverwalk, but Joe texted us and said it was the 9th inning of the game. So we headed back to the car after a quick stop for a Ben and Jerry's ice cream cone (okay, so my doctor wouldn't be as proud). We picked up Joe and went back to the hotel to do laundry and catch a few winks (and I mean literally, just a few).


We are starting to drag a little, and we've got several longer days of driving. It's a 9 hour drive to Roswell, New Mexico (our next stop), so we are going to make a quick trip back downtown to visit the Alamo and maybe catch a river taxi ride. On our way out, we've got to stop at Lulu's Bakery for some cinnamon rolls that the boys saw on the T.V. show Man v. Food. You know, it's energy food to keep us going on the long drive to Roswell. Perhaps we'll save some for the extra terrestrials in Roswell.