Travel with Terri

Houston:  A little bit cowboy, a little bit artsy and a whole lot of fun

By Terri Marshall

Zoo photos by Chris Farris

Other photos by Terri Marshall

The fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is perhaps most widely recognized as the home to the oil company giants.  It is true there are skyscrapers filled with engineers and oil barons, but Houston is much more diverse than the skyscrapers and surrounding oil wells would suggest.  Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Houston is finally gaining the recognition it deserves and was named as one of Budget Travel Magazine’s Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2011.  With cowboys, animals, barbeque, museums and a house made from beer cans – just to name a few – Houston, Texas truly has something for everyone! 

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Let’s start with the cowboys!  It would be a challenge to get through either of Houston’s airports without seeing someone wearing a cowboy hat.  This is even more true when the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is in town.  Every February, cowboys (& girls) participate in 13 trail rides from locations as far away as San Antonio, Louisiana and Mexico riding by horseback into Houston to kick off the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.  Starting in 1952 with just 4 riders, today the Trail Ride has over 4,000 participants.  The Trail Riders meet in Memorial Park in Houston for a campout before riding in the Downtown Rodeo Parade!  The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo runs for 3 weeks from late February into March.  The events start with a World Championship Barbeque Contest and continue with nightly rodeo competitions and music concerts by performers such as Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and even Kiss!  There are carnival rides, chuck wagon races, fried food of every variety and an enticing children’s section complete with Mutton Bustin’ competitions for future bull riders!  Yes, that’s right, Mutton Bustin!  Far less risky than bull riding but with a similar concept, little cowboys and cowgirls hop on the backs of restless bucking sheep in the corral and are turned loose in the arena to see how long they can hold on.   Mutton Bustin’ even has the requisite rodeo clowns on hand to entertain.    http://www.hlsr.com

Outside of rodeo season, there are plenty of animal viewing opportunities at the Houston Zoo.  Home to 47 endangered species, the Houston Zoo offers tours and special events to ensure a wild time for visitors!   The African Forest is home to a family of eight Masai giraffes including five males and three females.  Although not an endangered species in their natural habitat, there are less than 100 of them in North American zoos.  For a special interactive experience, stay overnight at the zoo with the “Wild Winks” events.  This unique event includes interactive activities, touchable animals, a pizza dinner and free admission to the zoo the following day.   These events are popular with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for completing badge requirements.   http://www.houstonzoo.org

Houston was home to an original species of another type.  John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad and the creator of The Beer Can House was definitely one of a kind!  In 1968 John decided to begin inlaying thousands of marbles and rocks to create unique landscaping for his Malone Street home because he “got sick of mowing the grass.” This little project soon spread to an aluminum siding project – only the aluminum siding was from aluminum beer cans.  For the next 18 years John continued covering his home with flattened beer cans.  He created garlands of cut beer cans to hang from the roof edges which reduced his family’s energy bills and gave the house a special song in the wind.  The front yard has a sign reminding us to live by the Golden Rule and a ladder with one black rung which serves as a reminder of the struggles we will all have over the years and reminds us to continue the climb!  John did not consider his project to be a work of art, or a champion for recycling – he was just enjoying himself!  His wife, Mary, and the neighbors got into the act by helping drink the beer!  Even the neighborhood children contributed their Mountain Dew and Coca Cola cans to the project at times.  John’s favorite beer was “Whatever’s on special”!   http://www.beercanhouse.org

During the time John was drinking beer and working on his creative redecorating project, there was another unusual house developing across town.  Houston postman, Jeff McKissack believed that longevity was the product of hard work and good nutrition.  He also believed the orange was the key to good nutrition and created The Orange Show Monument in honor of his favorite fruit.   An architectural maze of walkways, balconies, arenas and exhibits decorated with mosaics and brightly painted iron figures, The Orange Show Monument is a testament to creative thinking and proof that art can be found in the most unusual places!  Since the death of their creators, The Beer Can House and the Orange Show Monument have been maintained by the Orange Show non-profit foundation and are open to visitors and events throughout the year.  http://www.orangeshow.org

The Beer Can House and the Orange Show Monument are not the only quirky sights visitors to Houston will encounter.  On the corner of Kirby and Barlett in downtown Houston stands a giant silver armadillo – silver as in “mega bling”!   This massive creature marks the spot for Goode’s Armadillo Palace – a one-of-a-kind Texas saloon bringing you Texas comfort food, live Texas music and plenty of entertainment.  Across the street is Goode Company Barbeque which has been serving mesquite-smoked Texas barbeque for over 30 years and consistently topping the “Best of Houston” lists.  Save room for dessert because you are not going to want to miss the mouthwatering Brazos Bottom pecan pies.  http://www.goodecompany.com

If you are a chocoholic, Houston has you covered in chocolate at The Chocolate Bar.  Part retro candy store, part dessert café, part ice cream parlor and 100% delicious, The Chocolate Bar is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth!  Decadent cakes with names like Uncle Darryl’s and Aunt Etta’s beg for a taste.  Pick up a pizza – chocolate pizza that is – with white chocolate standing in for the cheese and toppings of nuts, candied cherries and other sweet delights.  It even comes in a pizza box.  If you are looking for an only in Texas dessert treat, check out the Texas Frito Brittle.  A legendary mix of Frito corn chips, pretzel sticks and chopped Texas pecans covered with milk chocolate, the Texas Frito Brittle is a sweet, salty, crunchy Texas “thang” not to be missed!   http://www.theoriginalchocolatebar.com

Houston is home to three professional sport teams, the Houston Texans football team, Houston Rockets basketball team and the Houston Astros baseball team.  It is also home to the Johnson Space Center and has a comprehensive Museum District which includes the Museum of Fine Arts and the Children’s Museum of Houston.  Houston’s culinary scene will please foodies of all varieties.  All of this combined with a unique Texas style and quirky artistic bent make Houston the perfect family destination for all seasons!   http://www.visithoustontexas.com

Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com