Take a Break

...and walk one of the several hike and bike trails being developed all around the city.

This one is along Buffalo Bayou Park just outside of downtown.

More Arches

This is the view of the Main Street Bridge as it crosses Buffalo Bayou near the historic birthplace of Houston, Allen's Landing. The concrete arched bridge, originally built in 1914, is still in use today.

Everybody Chuang Tzu Tonight

Kayaking and rowing on Buffalo Bayou have become recent past times for some citizens. Recognizing this, boat landings have been added along various points of the redeveloped waterway. Today’s photo shows a piece of public art that adorns the entry down to one of those launches near Allen’s Landing.

The sound of water says what I think.
Water Fountains Water Colors
Water Dreams Water Worlds
Water Garden Water Falls

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.

Bayou City

Just a simple skyline capture from the walkways of the Buffalo Bayou Art Park.

Would You Please Pick Me Up Some...

This isn't your average grocery list, but rather a monument to the goods that arrived at the original Port of Houston. Captured on the banks of Buffalo Bayou in the park that honors Allen's Landing.

Ship Channel

Far upstream from the hustle and bustle that makes the Houston Ship Channel one of the busiest port in the country, this portion of Buffalo Bayou lies between the docks and Allen's Landing.

A Bridge Not That Far...

The recently constructed Rosemont Bridge over Buffalo Bayou allows hikers and cyclists a means to cross over between the two hike/bike paths on either side of Buffalo Bayou Park.

Not to mention offering a fairly nice view of the downtown skyline.

James A. Baker

This unique point of view from the James A. Baker Monument in Sesquicentennial Park shows how his statue is actually looking over Buffalo Bayou at a similar statue of his friend, former President George H.W. Bush. If you look reeeeeeeally hard, you can see him on the knoll on the opposite bank. A native Houstonian, James Baker served senior government positions under three presidents which included Bush’s Secretary of State and Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff.

The Seven Wonders

Part of Sesquicentennial Park along the banks of Buffalo Bayou, Mel Chin’s Seven Wonders transforms the east wall of the Wortham Center into a glittering canyon of public art. 70 ft. tall and cut from 150 different stainless steel panels that depict artwork from local school children, they highlight different parts of Houston’s history.

Tomorrow, I’ll post some of the highlights of these columns.

Swing Time

This workable through truss swing bridge crosses Buffalo Bayou and enables high load barge traffic to pass this railroad crossing. Shame I wasn’t there to see it in action.

I just really enjoy the older bridges.

Am I Blue??

A little worse for wear, this geometric sonnet presented by local contemporary artist, John Runnels adorns the pavement that winds through the Buffalo Bayou ArtPark.

Located near the Sabine St. Bridge between Memorial and Allen Parkway, the park is a place for the rotational display of public artworks. Not to mention, just a lovely place to take a stroll.

McKee Street Bridge

At the time of its completion in 1932 the McKee St. Bridge was the longest unreinforced concrete bridge in the world. Spanning Buffalo Bayou in the Warehouse District, this low-slung, wavy crossing wasn’t always so festive. In the 1980’s it became artist, Kirk Farris’ pet project as he removed years of urban neglect and gave it the new trademark colors.

The Big Bubble...

This… water feature? Piece of public art? is the brainchild of artist Dean Ruck. Part of the Sesquicentennial Park development along Buffalo Bayou, it is an interactive work that highlights the importance of aerating our waterway and also reminds us that the bayou is a central part of the park.

There is a large unmarked red button along the Preston Avenue Bridge that tempts passersby.

What is it? Shall I push it?

Upon doing so, it activates a hidden compressor system and releases a large air bubble below the water’s surface. As the bubble rushes to the top, pedestrians along the promenade are surprised by the stirring of the water and its unmistakably loud BLURP.

You now have been officially warned.

This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by Houston Daily Photo

Buffalo Bayou Promenade

Buffalo Bayou runs through the heart of the city and now is home for the Buffalo Bayou Promenade. Thirty years ago, no one would ever think of walking its banks, but now after millions of dollars of private funding, it is a revitalized section of town as it is now used for live music performances, a place for public art and sculptures and a destination for canoeing (if you dare), as well as, jogging and cycling.

This “torch” is part of the promenade and labels where the bayou crosses underneath Interstate 45, just west of downtown. It is visible from both the walkways below and the freeway above.