Day 7 Houston to La Grange bus tour

A bad start to the day. The next door neighbours getting up at  AM!!!!! The only good news was that it meant I could catch up on typing and posting for the day before.
We had an early start to the day anyway, but not that early. We had to catch the bus up at the Hilton at 7:30. We made it in plenty of time and joined a range of other ladies on a very large bus. Deb and I sat separately - window seat each. Lovely tour guide and great driver.

We drove through some lovely country side and learned about Houston/ Texas. Not too much data or  useless information. We did learn that Houston is surrounded by major rivers. The recent floods were mostly a result of releasing dam water through areas, which have been allowed to be developed, despite being prone to flooding in the past? It is a port and has many bayous, which accounts for the smell. Alligators are an issue! There are some not so safe places to go. Great public transport, a fantastic huge hospital system. The transfer of Texas to America was the biggest land transfer ever. (Don't mention it to the Mexicans who are still upset) They grow cotton, hay, sorghum, corn, wheat, rice, soybeans, peanuts and pecans, oil and cattle. Houston is the fourth biggest city in America. When we were driving we crossed over several of the major rivers. Mostly bigger than the Murray. No hills to be seen in any direction, mostly flat or slightly undulating. Lots of grass in every direction. And so many huge trucks on highway 10 hauling a variety of goods. The highways were in great condition.

We stopped at three quilt shops during the day. Each had something to offer, but I was very retrained with thoughts of luggage restrictions of upcoming flights. People might have to drive long distances but they are certainly well catered for. My most favourite one was the La Grange Quilted Skeins. Heaven: fabric and wool for knitting! 
We visited the La Grange Quilt Museum. No photos allowed for the main exhibition.The secondary exhibition by Susan Shie (reminiscent of Mambo designs) was fabulous. So much to see in each quilt and photo permission by the artist.

We had a delicious lunch at "Celebrations". The cook was a lovely lady, great food. I got such a surprise when the man serving the drinks looked so similar to my brother Kevin. I wandered around the town and even had a chance to get my glasses fixed at the optician- free! Deb got a bargain quilt at a second hand shop.
On the return trip we stopped at a painted church, -  heavily decorated inside. Clouds were gathering in the late afternoon sky. On the return, we passed by Buc-ee's, the largest petrol station in the world. Buses can't stop there. There are rows and rows of pumps and the inside is just as famous. 
The bus driver took us through some of the suburbs affected by the floods. The water marks have to be seen to be believed and all the parks are covered in a thick layer of sand. On the way to LA Grange we passed by a huge paddock covered in hundreds of water damaged cars- don't buy a car from Texas in the future.

We arrived back in town just as the sun was setting at 7 pm. We left just as it was rising. We walked to the Embassy Suites hotel to meet Deb's friend Jess, had a drink then walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Great enchiladas- almost as good as Mexico. Another late night back to the hotel passing by several homeless men asleep in the streets. Shower, washed our clothes and then I started downloading photos. But the internet wouldn't connect? Even so another late night. 

Almost back while the sun was setting