Houston, TX

Even when one is vacationing, there are responsibilities. We cannot NOT go to Home Depot, Lowes, Kroger or Tractor Store! It has been more than 48 hours since we heard a meow. I guess our little feral cat has finally found a new home!
So Thursday was our shopping day; I still wore Paul out. I think vacations are supposed to be go, go, go! Paul thinks it means nap time EVERY day! So we normally go out in the morning and get back in time for his nap at 3! We are getting old... I remember when we would be going til dark!!
Anyway, by Friday I was ready to site see again. We went to Houston to the Space Center, NASA. A tram took us over to the Johnson Space Center. Having 1600 acres, it reminded me of a large college campus. The astronauts are trained here in simulators.


This is a Partial Gravity Simulator (POGO) There were huge tanks outside with nitrogen cooled to -250 degrees to create simulated space atmosphere.

More of their training is at another facility that has a huge swim tank that is three stories deep. They practice doing a lot of the jobs they will be doing in space underwater, as that is the most realistic on earth.

Besides simulators for training, the real thing was brought in while we were there! They opened the large doors and brought in the little white vehicle at the far left, just to the right of the flag in this picture. It is the Chariot Rover, which will be going up on the next trip.

Against the wall is a simulation of a space station which will be sent up in 2010. A filtration system is the only thing left for it prior to being complete.

Along with the training site, we were able to tour the facility housing the Saturn V



Back at the Space Center, which is the visitor center of NASA there were many displays both simulated where you could push all kinds of buttons,

Check out the bathroom on the right. One of the shows included how they had to adjust in space with no gravity. Interesting bathroom explanation!!

and real, including this moon rock,

Rocket Engine

and rocket ship


While there, we were also able to watch a live update on the current shuttle missions. The STS 125 third spacewalk was currently going on and we were able to watch the live feed. I cannot imagine floating out in space while working on something like that! I guess you just have to not think about where you are and concentrate on the job at hand! In the 1960's, it was front page news when anything was happening with the space program. I guess because it was so new. Now, I know I at least, do not know when a mission is happening! So to be able to watch this in real time is truly amazing! We have come a long way since the 1960's.

Saturday, we visited a small town northeast of Houston, Spring. It was started by Germans in 1840, and had a three block area of historical buildings with all of the normal tourist shops, as well as some unusual ones!

Besides the Amish, there was German, Dutch, Pet, Dog, wood, crafts, decorator, an amazing variety! Just could not take pictures of all of them!