It's here, it's here! The one event I dream of all year - the International Quilt Festival - and once again, by the grace of God, I'm here! Woo-hoo!
This year the Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary - its Ruby Anniversary. There are red and white quilts everywhere. Although I never really cared for the plain red and white quilts by themselves, I am charmed by the collection together! I love red (and most other colors, too) and it is giving a startling effect to the Festival this year.
One of my favorite thing to do while here is get downtown early, get a cup of coffee and go to one of the second floor patios of the convention center. I have watched the skyline of Houston change over the years that I've been coming to the Festival. I've watched buildings go up as well as the implementation of the Discovery Green just across the street. The trees in the green are now well grown and provide cool shade and greenery to the downtown landscape.
Hurricane Ike went through just weeks before the Festival in 2008, but the show would go on. I remember sitting on the patio marveling at the broken windows and damaged buildings where work was already quickly underway to make repairs. I've watched new hotels and condominiums be built. This year a new Marriott is going up where years ago I remember older homes, maybe from the late 1800's, that were gently worn yet still elegant. Now they are gone and newness continues.
Many years ago I worked just down the street for a week; I stayed in the hotel on the left. Even then I was fascinated with downtown Houston; it continues today. This morning while enjoying the morning realized what an old citySan Antonio is - the Europeans came in 1690 and the missions were established in the early 1700's. We are a city of adobe buildings and many cultures. Houston was formed in 1836, but today it is the city of newness, of oil and glass towers. I love them both.
I always want to walk down toward Minute Maid Park and check out this church surrounded by a modern building. It reminds me of St. Joseph's church in San Antonio that is surrounded by River Center Mall. I think my feet will be too tired again this trip, but I'm thinking that maybe just a weekend trip when there is no Festival to keep me distracted from exploring would be most rewarding.
I've been to Conroe and Houston a few times. Watching my Braves play the Astros in their last game ever a few years ago was a treat. Turner Field will always be special to me (I got engaged there) but Minute Maid Park is truly something. I'm a country girl at heart and driving through all the congestion and construction to get to downtown more than scared me a little. There were times I just closed my eyes and said tell me when we get there. Once downtown it was neat to look and in my case gawk at all the buildings. I like vacationing away from the country but Houston is a test to even me.
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