Family Fun Time in the Big Easy

The family came to visit a couple of weeks ago. We took that oppertunity to head down to the Big Easy. Highlights of the trip included going to the Audobon zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, Mardi Gras World, the French Quarter, and a Swamp Tour. Fun was had by all... and there was some good eating too!

Labor Day Vacation means no Labor

Hi Boys and Girls! Time for an update from blog land! Last week I took off a few days and headed off to Houston for some fun with my visitors!

We drove most of the way to TX on Wednesday night, making a gas stop in Kenwood, LA (home of Brittney and Jaimie Lynn Spears). Thursday we finished the drive into TX and hit the beach in Galveston. It was pretty neat. I always think of Galveston as being particularly petro-chemicaly, or oily at the very least. Turns out it is just like any other beach town! We had lunch overlooking the gulf, and watched some dolphins frolicking out in the ocean. After eating a buger and some unsweet tea we went wading in the ocean. I really love the ocean, and I love water. Be warned, Palko clan, I may be inviting myself out for shore week again sometime soon!

While on the ferry to Galveston we saw a coast gaurd cutter -

Katie Grace, this is your shout out.

Thursday night we got to pick up Jane's new man Eric at the airport. This was my first chance to meet him and see if he passed the test. Friday was the beginning of the fun. Nik and I did a qick run by the Macy's across the street from our hotel. Seriously, that was awesome. Then we all met up and went to the Johnson Space Center. It was pretty neat to see the room featured in Apollo 13. I enjoyed the tram ride and looking at all the cool space stuff. It brought back good memories of my times at Space Academy in Jr. High. One of these days I need to make my way down to FL to watch a shuttle takeoff!

Me with a Saturn V rocket

The Mars Rover - You saw it here first!

Friday night I attended my first Cardinals game - AND my first Astro's game! The 'Stros won. I must say, their ballpark was neat! It has a really cool retractable roof. The engineer in me was absolutely loving it. Plus it makes cool inside during a hot TX game. They opened it up Friday night so that we could check out the post-game fireworks. That totally made my night. After the game Nikki and I found this really cool bar, The Flying Saucer. Check out their website! They had over 200 kinds of beer there. I enjoyed a semi-local Live Oak, brewed over in Austin.

Saturday morning Nikki and I headed over to the Houston Downtown Aquarium, which also happened to be across the street from the Hard Rock. The Aquarium was smaller than the Shedd, but well put together. Very cute! Plus we caught a nifty little presentation where a diver was in their Gulf of Mexico tank and talked about the fish in there and the advantages that oil rigs can bring to the aquatic community.

I also got to see a big yummy Red Snapper!!!

They had a cool Shark Tunnel too! It reminded me of one of the Jaws movies... although not nearly so large, and we were on a trolley.

Saturday afternon we took a tour of the park and saw another game. I don't really get why the Houston Ladies like Hunter Pence so much. He needs to learn what type of product is best for a curly mop like his! Sunday I grabed a flight home, read a good book (more on that later) and made it home just in time to prepare for the storm.

For some reason they had White Tigers at the Aquarium too. They were gorgeous, and about as lazy as smokie!

For more pics and videos check out Jane's blog at Jano Fabulous!