All itinerary items were fulfilled on this not so stormy day, although prior evening and night's storming had left Houston wet and heavily puddled with gray skies.
Waffle House for breakfast (albeit a 12:30-ish breakfast).
I had the cheese eggs breakfast with a side of bacon. Friend had a pecan waffle and hashbrowns that were smothered and something else (Waffle House past tense verb for adding sauteed mushrooms). The waitress told us to pair our older in a way that would make it cheaper but get us the same stuff. We agreed -- and the total bill came out to $14.10, including the two coffees. Not mad at Waffle House for the prices and relatively good quality. Just wont get the eggs with Kraft cheese melted in them again, ha.
Waffle House was en route and close to the touristy destination of the day: the NASA Space Center in Houston. Technically in/past the town of Webster.
It was $30 to get in but they asked if AAA or military -- being a AAA member got us $5 off per ticket.
Overall didn't expect to spend as much time there as we did -- got into the place maybe at 1:30pm and were there until pretty much right up to the 5pm closure.
In additon to the indoor exhibits there was also an outdoor full size replica of the 747 plane carrier and space shuttle that we were able to board and check out.
They had two different tram tours through the NASA facilities -- definitely reminiscent of a University Studios Hollywood visit. Out of the two options for the tram tours (Astronaut Training or Mission Control), we picked the Mission Control tour.
It was an informative 40+ minute tram ride out through the different NASA buildings and entry into a mission control room. 5 minute or so talk from NASA employee about what mission control comprises. Room we were able to see had formerly controlled the International Space Station.
After NASA Space Center we headed back into Houston proper to check out Saint Arnold Brewery. Pretty sweet place with beer garden area separate from the actual brewery facilities.
Two pints each for us in the outdoor beer garden area. Ended up getting an employee to turn on an additional heater and hung out at near the outdoor water fountain. Pretty good breadth of selections of beers -- the two I had were okay to pretty good. I kept it light on ABV for the beers since I was driving. Definitely will want to check out more of their offerings. We did also get a free taster of one of their newest IPAs (two days tapped) that an employee was sharing on a tray of taster pourings.
After Saint Arnold, then on to midtown area (Museum District) for Viet Cajun dinner spot had found on Yelp.
4 lbs of crawfish and pound of shrimp were fully consumed.
I dont usually take pics of eaten food, but 5 lbs of sea life carnage is pretty epic. No pics of me but the medium level spice for the meal had me sweating profusely just a few minutes in, with many, many paper towels used to wipe down my face, head and neck during the meal.
Then back to the house for the final Houston night wrap-up and packing. Friend #1 to be dropped off the following day for 2pm flight, and I trek on for 6+ hour drive to spend the weekend in Mississippi with Friends #2 & #3.
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