Panama City Beach
We had offered to give our 2011 Toyota Highlander to Alex and Bethany since Rebecca would not be needing it in Boston and we didn't need three cars. We didn't know at the time Thomas would have his car totaled by a spare tire on the Atlanta interstates, so we ended up giving him Janie's 2014 RAV-4 and she bought a new car a year ahead of schedule. So after returning from driving that car to Atlanta, we turned around and began our drive to Houston. Our first stop was a few nights in Panama City Beach. We stayed at the same hotel we had stayed during our short trip last year but the service was abysmal. Our room was not ready at 3PM and the person checking people in was taking 25-30 minutes per person. By the time we got our key cards, since their digital key system did not work, there was a line wrapping around the lobby.
New Orleans
Becca never made it to New Orleans while at the University of Alabama, largely due to Covid restrictions and a lack of time. So we made it one of our stops on the way to Texas. We booked a few nights at the Hilton Riverside with a view of the river, and other than issues with the key cards at the parking deck, it was a good stay. We strolled the French Quarter, which turned Rebecca off for the city, ate beignets at Cafe Du Monde and took a streetcar ride out to Tulane.
Commander's Palace
After skipping Commander's Palace on our New Orleans cruise due to rain, we decided to go there for J. R.'s birthday. The dinner was excellent and they offered a free dessert. Rebecca took one of the pink balloons from the table home and scared us all when it popped loudly on the drive back to the hotel. We finished off the night with a nightcap in the Hilton lounge.
Museum of Natural Science
We made it to Houston where Alex and Bethany hosted us for a few days. Alex and J. R. took care of transfering the Highlander registration. On Friday, all five us of went downtown to the Museum of Natural Science and then headed to a local brewery for some drinks, thankful we took seats on the covered patio as it rained heavily while we were eating and drinking.
Houston Astros
The Vuyks invited us to Maddie and Jameson's engagement party since we were in town and also treated us to a Houston Astros game on Father's Day.
Fort Worth Stockyards
Janie and J. R. drove up to Fort Worth to see their friends Rusty and Sandy. Rusty met us at the coffee shop where he works selling real estate while Sandy is at work at the Stockyards. We saw the cattle drive and Rusty walked us around the Stockyards until Sandy finished work. Then we headed to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch and drinks before going to a coffee shop to chat some more.
Holey Moley
As a Father's Day present, Bethany and Alex treated us to three games of mini-golf at an indoor place in Houston called Holey Moley. We started with drinks in their bar and then played on their three courses. The hostess was impressed with our enthusiasm so she gave us all coupons for another free drink, which we had before starting the last course.
