A nice day for a trip to the nature center and a roller coaster ride

Lunch at the nature center

The four of us enjoyed another fine day here in San Leon Thursday, and this was a hot one. Well, at least it was up in the 80s today. (Note: I’m trying to catch up on posting so if you didn’t read about our trip to Galveston yet or see the extra photos keep scrolling down until you reach the last one you read)

Today’s start was the same as yesterday as we got up and got ready at our own pace. When we finally headed out we left about 11:15 a.m. and headed to Armand Bayou Nature Center which is only about 10 miles from here in Pasadena, Texas.

The property is located in the middle of a pretty well developed area both commercially and residentially, but the Martyn family wanted the large farm they once worked saved for generations to come.

Enjoying the nature at the center

We took the short “Discovery Trail” around the center and saw many interesting birds, lizards, an alligator, turtles and two large Bison. There were also displays with snakes in a couple buildings.

The pace was leisurely and we stopped several times to just enjoy the nature. It was a very nice place to visit. I think I may go back, with or without Joan to take one of the more challenging hiking trails this weekend, or next.

There was also an old family farmhouse with period furnishings that we walked through on the center grounds, so Denny and I finally got a chance to do our own home tour.

Bison

With the tour complete we headed back towards home and stopped again at the Kemah Boardwalk to see if we could ride the Boardwalk Bullet roller coaster. When we pulled into the parking lot it was running and so it looked like we picked a good day. Well, we had, but there was a short wait.

Once Denny and I purchased our tickets we headed to the ride and found we were the only ones waiting for the ride. Unfortunately we had to wait a few minutes as a mechanic was busily trying to tighten some bolts or fix something that was broken.

Before the ride

Denny, always the salesman tried to convince the ride operator that we deserved a second ride free for waiting so long for our turn. After riding the thing, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it again as my head was thrashed pretty violently the first time and I had a bit of a head rush.

It was a good roller wooden coaster though. Here's a link to a video someone else took of the ride.

We walked around the park for a few minutes and then headed back to the trailer for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

It hardly seems possible that the week has come and gone with Denny and Diane, but you know what they say: “Time flies when you are having a good time.”

We had a good time.

The ride

Joan fixed a nice pork roast for dinner and we ate in and spent our last evening together enjoying each other’s company. (Remember there are more photos of today’s activities and then another post below that and pictures below that after finishing this post).