Jul. 5, 2008
Space Center Houston
Yesterday was great! We nixed the hotel and made it a day trip, since Derrick and Andy had to work early this morning. This is so much better on the pocketbook as well. We really can't afford hotels very well since the free nights points ran out. It really takes a lot to build up points again.
I liked the idea of going on a trip that is only one hour away as well. We left at a leisurely pace, but ended up traveling through a lot of heavy rain. The traffic was at a stand still once we got off of 610 onto I-45. So we got off and went north. That was the best call we made yet. We came up on Space Center Houston from the back way and by-passed all of that heavy traffic.
We paid for parking--for the last time. Derrick and Andy dropped Andrea and myself off at the entrance and went to scout out a parking space while I braved the long lines for tickets. We purchased a family membership for four. It was only $4 more than one day tickets, and we will get to go back unlimited times for a year...and have free parking to boot. With it being only one hour away, I think this year's trips will all be day trips to Space Center Houston and local museums. The exhibits change regularly as well.
Andrea was ecstatic that she was able to hold the light saber that Obi Wan Kenobi used in the Clone Wars Movie! She could even tell which one was which. I never could have done that. We all loved going through the Star War exhibit. Then we took the blue tram tour. We've seen them both before, but never tire of seeing history in the making.
I remember when I went with my Mother, Kerryn, Derrick, Bianca, and Riley when the children were really little. Andrea wasn't even born and Bianca and Riley were in strollers. I think it was 1991. Space Center Houston was not quite a reality yet. We were told it would be open sometime the next year. At that time, there was no admission and you just wandered throughout the various buildings and viewed the everyday life of Johnson Space Center. Of course, there were places you could not gain access to. But we went into a mission control center and were able to watch it in action instead of being told what used to happen in the room we were viewing. We were really seeing history in the making back then.
I like the new format, but I do miss the realism of the old format. Now, there is more security conscientiousness . There is a lot more tourist hype and it is definitely more fun for the children. There is more information available from museum type exhibits and guided tours, but the real-life flavor is what is gone.
I would really like it if there would be a way to have both styles at one. At any rate, we are going to take advantage of all that is offered to us now. I love going there and plan on utilizing the facilities quite often!
I liked the idea of going on a trip that is only one hour away as well. We left at a leisurely pace, but ended up traveling through a lot of heavy rain. The traffic was at a stand still once we got off of 610 onto I-45. So we got off and went north. That was the best call we made yet. We came up on Space Center Houston from the back way and by-passed all of that heavy traffic.
We paid for parking--for the last time. Derrick and Andy dropped Andrea and myself off at the entrance and went to scout out a parking space while I braved the long lines for tickets. We purchased a family membership for four. It was only $4 more than one day tickets, and we will get to go back unlimited times for a year...and have free parking to boot. With it being only one hour away, I think this year's trips will all be day trips to Space Center Houston and local museums. The exhibits change regularly as well.
Andrea was ecstatic that she was able to hold the light saber that Obi Wan Kenobi used in the Clone Wars Movie! She could even tell which one was which. I never could have done that. We all loved going through the Star War exhibit. Then we took the blue tram tour. We've seen them both before, but never tire of seeing history in the making.
I remember when I went with my Mother, Kerryn, Derrick, Bianca, and Riley when the children were really little. Andrea wasn't even born and Bianca and Riley were in strollers. I think it was 1991. Space Center Houston was not quite a reality yet. We were told it would be open sometime the next year. At that time, there was no admission and you just wandered throughout the various buildings and viewed the everyday life of Johnson Space Center. Of course, there were places you could not gain access to. But we went into a mission control center and were able to watch it in action instead of being told what used to happen in the room we were viewing. We were really seeing history in the making back then.
I like the new format, but I do miss the realism of the old format. Now, there is more security conscientiousness . There is a lot more tourist hype and it is definitely more fun for the children. There is more information available from museum type exhibits and guided tours, but the real-life flavor is what is gone.
I would really like it if there would be a way to have both styles at one. At any rate, we are going to take advantage of all that is offered to us now. I love going there and plan on utilizing the facilities quite often!