I went on an overnight business trip to Houston to last week.
Sunrise at the Tulsa Airport.
Ugly duck on campus of a customer.
I went on a walk from our hotel to do some geocaching before dinner. I came upon this bus stop. It may be the most expensive bus stop in existence. Lots of structure but seats for only two or three people and not much shelter from the rain. What’s up with that? Also look at the sidewalk. My walk from my driveway to the front porch at home is wider than that. Not many people use the sidewalks anyway, service workers from the local hotels and restaurants and geocachers.
While I’m picking on Houston it is almost impossible to cross the streets. See the stripes in the road? In most cities that would designate a pedestrian crossing in Houston I think its a bonus points area. Look at the pipes oaring over the boulevards. I don’t know, are they unfinished pedestrian bridges or are they bridges for acrobats? Or is it a benefit project for unemployed welders and pipefitters? Or maybe they are actual pipelines and its cheaper to span the road than go underneath? I need to know.
Below is the intersection a pedestrian is supposed to use. Me, I think its for the birds. A pedestrian trying to use this to cross the street would be the frog in Frogger.
Below is Williams Tower in the Galleria area. It’s over 900 feet tall and is supposed to be the tallest building in the country outside an urban core.
One customer we called had a model of a production platform in their lobby. The model was very impressive. I would love to see the actual facility. My educated guess that the total package including the platform, topside facilites, and the drilling and completion of the wells cost around one gazillion dollars. About the same as the bus stop.
If you didn’t like that, they had their own inhouse jungle nearby. No geocaches though. They need one. Be nice to look for a jungly cache with no snakes.
Time to head back to Tulsa.
For views of planet from all over the world please check out That’s My World.
Great visit to Houston, Yogi! I was there last summer for a family reunion. Can’t deal with the heat and humidity, but it does have some interesting points of interest and you showed some of the best. I love all your shots! Have a great week!
Sylvia
Although Houston isn’t one of my favorite areas, I do think some of their artsy additions, to what would otherwise be a very boring city view, are a nice touch, but I agree… what’s the point of a crosswalk or a bus stop if it’s not even usable! Silly city.
I like the indoor jungle. 😉
Sounds like it was an interesting trip!
Sometimes a concrete jungle can have a beaut and charm to an island dweller who is surrounded by green. That first one owul make a great skywatch shot too.
Yogi: Nice captures from your Houston trip. That duck was incognito and wearing a mask.
The duck looks like it is half vulture.
Good post, you caught the essance of the city. I’m not fond of Houston though I’ve been there several times to visit Hubby’s relatives. No mountains, the highest point is a highway overpass and the underpasses flood when it rains.
that duck exudes too much personality.
takes for taking me to houston this week.
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My veggie stand lady has a bunch of ducks like that one AND some other rather gruesome examples. They are friendly however, their personality making up for their looks, lol!
“Bonus points.” That’s hilarious!
That is hilarious, to be sure. What a great journey.
I hadn’t thought of it until your post, but geocaching would be a good way to see a new area. Thanks for taking us along.
BTW, I think that’s a muscovy duck – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovy_Duck
Thanks for showing me Houston. Enjoy your day.
I love shots of architecture, living in the forest as I do! Great shots!
that duck looks so unique. interesting architecture shots you took, Yogi. I can’t help but smile at your comments to them too:) my world entry is here.
Yogi, thanks for your comment on my MWT post! I had to look up geocaching before I got your post which I certainly enjoyed and enjoyed MORE when I read about what geocaching is. What fun! 🙂
Beautiful shots of the place. Sunrise shot is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
look at all those great photos!!!! i remember my one time trip through houston last summer…it wasnt pleasant OMGosh the traffic LOL
Was it hot or cold? I really can’t say! I always assume Southern US to be warm in the winter but I may be wrong. Warm and warmer than Canada are two different things.
One of my first few times in North America, I was in Houston briefly, busing from Canada to Mexico. I remember these big skyscrapers and the modern skyline.
The model is very cool, but it sure looks complicated. A gazillion dollars, at least.