April 9, 2024
April 9, 2024
When we were making plans for watching the eclipse, both of us thought driving 24 hours to experience a 4-minute event was a little too much even for us. So we decided instead to rent a car, continue driving east, seeing a few sites and then fly back. So we left early again headed towards Houston. Expecting stop-and-go rush-hour traffic, we were delighted to find an HOV lane moving swiftly. Further along it turned into the Katy Tollway and we didn't get off in time. I saw a sign that said EZPass only, while Aimee saw one that said HOV free. We got through the center of Houston in record time. We just don't know if it is going to cost us a lot in tolls, penalties, and admin fees.
From Houston we drove an hour northeast to the Big Thicket National Preserve. The Visitor Center was manned by a retiree volunteer couple living out of their RV. We watched the park film about the establishment of this first-ever National Preserve. After looking through the exhibits, we hiked a little on the Kirby Nature Trail. We didn't take it too far. It is humid and I kept getting bug-bit every time I stopped to take a photo. Plus Aimee doesn't like swamps.
From Big Thicket we drove 45 minutes southeast to Beaumont, TX, where we stopped at the Gusher Monument on the Lamar University campus. This miniature Washington Monument is dedicated to the Spindletop Oil Well drilled here in 1901. It truly was a gusher, spewing oil under pressure for nine solid days. The volume of oil was so great it ushered in the Oil Age where petroleum wasn't just a lighting source but a fuel, especially for the new automobile. We then tried to visit Spindletop Park, where the Gusher occurred. Unfortunately the entrance is blocked by a mile long oil tanker train that doesn't seem to be moving.
Instead we get back on the highway. We soon crossed into Louisiana. Finally! Texas is incredibly wide. For lunch we stop at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Lake Charles. Aimee has the Gumbo, while I choose an Etouffee. Both were delicious. I could easily eat my way across Louisiana.
We end the day in New Orleans. After checking into our boutique hotel in the Garden District, we walked to a local pub for refreshments and a delicious Fish Taco meal.
When we were making plans for watching the eclipse, both of us thought driving 24 hours to experience a 4-minute event was a little too much even for us. So we decided instead to rent a car, continue driving east, seeing a few sites and then fly back. So we left early again headed towards Houston. Expecting stop-and-go rush-hour traffic, we were delighted to find an HOV lane moving swiftly. Further along it turned into the Katy Tollway and we didn't get off in time. I saw a sign that said EZPass only, while Aimee saw one that said HOV free. We got through the center of Houston in record time. We just don't know if it is going to cost us a lot in tolls, penalties, and admin fees.
We end the day in New Orleans. After checking into our boutique hotel in the Garden District, we walked to a local pub for refreshments and a delicious Fish Taco meal.
posted by Mike and Aimee at 5:46 PM
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