Wayward Wanderings: Houston - The City of Water Fountains

I lived in Houston for a year in 2005. It was a great adventure getting to know the city. After LA it was a study in differences. Flat, water everywhere, politeness and different varieties of food. I never thought I'd live in the south. I loved Houston. And I still do.

It does feel a bit different. A bit more disheveled. Honestly, it feels like New Orleans used to...a mix of decrepit and posh just with a Texan flavor. I'm sure part of the reason is I'm staying downtown. And part of the reason is New Orleans moved to Houston, or at least a good chunk of it did. Then there's the remanents from Hurricane Ike. A visit with a local and I found out the are still people without power here. There was this huge building downtown with hundreds of its windows boarded up on the higher floors where Ike had blown them out.

I'm here for all of 36 hours for a trade show. Staying about a mile from the convention center, I walked over and back this morning. There's nothing like walking it to get the feel for a place. Houston has a modern rail system that runs thru downtown. On my meanderings I rediscovered one of my great loves in Houston - the water. Coming from Los Angeles, our glorious empire in the desert, water is an honored scarce resource. So the abundance of water and its grand use in the fountains of Houston just feels downright lavish to me. I adore lavish!

On one downtown street a whole block is taken over by water. The road itself (Main Street between Walker and McKinney) is closed to traffic. While the metro rail still runs thru this block it glides over open pools of water surrounded by geometric marble slabs that provide both planters and seating for passersby. Great geysers burst up towards the heavens. Just another splash of water in Downtown Houston.

Main St Fountains
Originally uploaded by Shay Haas

Once, before I lived in Houston, I was discussing my impending move with a shop owner in New Orleans. I'll never forget she said "Well, its definitely a well appointed state". That is absolutely true. On the walk to the convention center I passed thru Discovery Green which is an amazing park. Where again there was the ever present water in Houston. A small pond with carp and water lillies is set against the backdrop of the George Brown Convention center. I saw a beautiful Chinese dance ensemble at the Anheuser-Busch Stage.

Discovery Green, Houston, Texas
Originally uploaded by JWSherman

Then there's the interactive fountain where you can get a quick drench to stave off the Houston heat. Its almost November and it was definitely hot enough to join the fun today. There were about 10 people in this fountain when I walked by. And there's something different about the sunlight in Texas. It just made everything in the park glow. It was the perfect warm summer day right before Halloween.

It was a joy to be in Houston as always. Up next, for a nice change of pace: Vermont

Here's some more great water fountain shots in Houston: