Getting Away From It All

Well... not exactly.

These very European styled fountains are actually part of the Tivoli Gardens in front of the Portafino Shopping Center near the Woodlands.

A vacation of sorts without really getting away.

Yeah... I've got nuthin'

This... um... sculpture sits next to the hike and bike trail along Buffalo Bayou. It's un-named and un claimed and I have no clue to what it even is.

Trees For Houston

I've addressed the local drought on a couple occasions. Trees For Houston not only plants new trees, as seen here near a newly fallen mature tree, but also waters trees in various public places.

Good Luck.

Take a Step Back

From HERE to see today's whole image.

Danger!!!

With the way the baseball season has gone this year, perhaps this sign should have been more appropriate earlier in the season.

Well... There's always next year.

Riding the Wave

This pedestrian bridge is part of the White Oak hike and bike trail and has a distinct water feel to it as you actually cross the bayou.

No surfboards required.

To the Future!!

Engineers, that is...

This is the view in front of the Cullen College of Engineering on the campus of the University of Houston.

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way...

You just never know what you will stumble across if you let yourself get lost. Located just off the Elysian Viaduct in the city's Fifth Ward is Blumenthal Sheet Metal, a fabricator that in the 90's decided to diversify and began working with individual artists helping them reach their imaginative goals.

This screen is part of their own display entitled “MetalHenge”, a series of screens bringing character to an otherwise barren street corner.

If I Were Taller...

You could tell that the shade pattern from this sunscreen just outside the Central Library downtown actually spells out Houston.

I'm Prepared...

Are you?

This is the Sam Houston Council of the Boy Scouts of America Cockrell Memorial Training Center. Resembling a lodge, this 56,000 square foot volunteer service center is located on 6.8-acres and trains more than 11,000 adult leaders each year.

Power to the People

Well... if you really need it, that is.

These re-charging stations seem to be popping up more and more around town.

Since It's the Weekend...

It must be time to roll up the sidewalks.

This subtle, yet clever sculpture sits on the grounds of Continental Center (or is it now United Center?) in downtown.

They Were Serious...

I mentioned a while back that we were under Stage 2 water restrictions due to this year's drought.

Just ask my lawn... but this image was from this past weekend when the city obviously is doing their part by shutting off the Wortham Fountains in Tranquility Park.

See them HERE in their former glory.

FRIEZE!!

It's amazing how much detail there is in some of the older buildings downtown.

If one looks close enough.

This is just one of the many friezes that adorn our City Hall building downtown.

And Then There Were None

First there was THIS and then there was THIS, and finally today's photo is all that is left of what was the Downtown YMCA.

9-11-2011

Last year... I decided to do something less "patriotic" HERE, but today I couldn't help but feel the spirit of the day.

Something about spending it with 70,000+ spirited Americans.

The NFL made sure on today's first game of the 2011 season that we would not forget.

Sign of the Times...

Combine one of the worst droughts in recent memory with two of the hottest months in HISTORY and this is what you get. It is predicted that the city my lose close to one million trees to this past summer's stresses. This tree in T.C. Jester Park seems to agree with that assessment.

Not Horsing Around...

In 2009, the city opened a much anticipated, state of the art facility for the Houston Police’s Mounted Patrol and canine officers. Located on the northside of town, it provides all the dogs and horses that support our local police force.

What Time Is It?

School's are in session.

Cooler temperatures (well... NOT 100 degrees).

I wonder why no one is playing in the dancing waters?

These are from the fountains at Waterway Square in the Woodlands.

Bathed In Light

Well...

if the lights were on...

and it was dark... maybe.

Larry Young’s “The Bathers” is located in front of the Neurosensory Center at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

What Better Way...

To spend a Labor Day holiday than on a nice shaded bench away from all one's troubles.

You'll have to supply you own bench, I'm afraid.

It's Not My Fault...

That there's nothing on television theses days.

Taking while out and about the Fifth Ward. Specifically, Hardy St. near the Elysian Viaduct.

True Love…

Nothing says I love you like having a building constructed for your life-long partner. Mellie Esperson had this Italian Renaissance building designed for her late husband in 1927. The Niels Esperson building is one of the most recognizable buildings downtown with its visible cupola and its massive columns, urns and terraces.

The third tallest building in the United States and the jewel of the Houston skyline for years when it was first built; it now is shielded from clear view by its taller skyscraping neighbors. However, it has a unique way of popping into view as one makes their way around the downtown area, especially at night when the cupola and upper floors are adorned with light.

Oh… and it is also said that the ghost of Mellie can still be occasionally seen strolling about the halls and lobbies of her lasting gift to her husband and to the city.

September Theme Day – Perspective

This month's theme for the City Daily Photo community is Perspective.

It’s been over a year since I first discussed the Rails-to-Trails initiative HERE. Today’s image is towards the end of the Heights Hike/Bike trail near the county jail. The best part of this section of trail (in my opinion) is the newly renovated truss bridge that spans Buffalo Bayou just down stream from Allen’s Landing, the “birthplace” of Houston.


Click here to view thumbnails for all participants