Didn't get up particularly early as we had no real plans for the day other than travelling.
Had breakfast at around 9am. There were two other people there which was two more than yesterday. Luckily I managed to avoid throwing pancakes and syrup on the floor today. As we left, Ann stole things like plates and bread.
Cancelled one of our four different hotel bookings for Sunday night on the basis of the latest weather models. Likely we will need to head north out of Texas to get the best eclipse view. We checked out at 11am and made the short journey to the Fulton Mansion. Had seen a flyer in the hotel for it and seeing as we were travelling past it we thought we'd stop in.
When we arrived it didn't look like it was open as it was deserted. It was open, there was just barely anybody there. We paid to get in. Got a dollar off for being a teacher. Probably the first and last time being one will ever pay off. Looked around the small information area explaining about the family who built the house. We then made our way across to the house.
When we got into it a woman explained it was a self guided tour and gave us a laminated guide each. She also said that there were guides in the house to answer any questions. We thanked her and went into the first room. She followed us in and started telling us about it. I left it to Ann to try and feign interest in what she was saying. Luckily the only other visitors in the house came downstairs to leave and she had to go and get their laminated sheets so we were left alone. Said to Ann I thought it was self guided. We went into the next room and then she followed us in. And then into the next room. Not so much self guided.
Eventually we went upstairs and she didn't follow. However, there was another guide up there who proceeded to follow us into each room and not stop talking. We were very British in our politeness. Eventually we managed to escape and went down to the basement where there was no guide. Then we went out to the garden to have a look from the outside.
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| Something from a horror film |
It was nice enough but not like a National Trust house. Wasn't much of a mansion. Actually only about forty years older than our house. A lot of its life it wasn't even used as a house, the garden was a trailer park and the house abandoned. It also gets flooded during storm surges.
Went back to the shop and bought a magnet and then set off for Houston.
Stopped for lunch in Port Lavaca at the Lighthouse Café. It was ok, a bit tatty but the food was good. It was after 2pm so we were the only ones in there. As we paid, the waitress, who had obviously been thinking about it for the whole time we were there, said ' Australian?'. No, we're from England came our stock reply. I had not long mentioned to Ann that no one had commented on our accents so far this trip.
We then fuelled up and drove non stop to Houston. It was a nice journey on smaller highways meaning there was plenty to look at. Listened to varying stuff through Apple music which even matched the journey at some points.
Also saw ourselves in a shiny lorry.
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| Shiny happy Nissan |
Eventually arrived at the Fairfield Inn and Suites at Webster. Checked in. Went out and got some bits from a grocery store. Used the stuff Ann stole from breakfast to make dinner in our room.
She is still awake as I type this. Wonders never cease.
States visited - 2
