First Visitor!

This past weekend I had the incredibly exciting opportunity to host my very first visitor! Carolyn (Georgetown roommate) came to visit from NY, where she is anxiously awaiting her next big step: moving to Honduras for a full year of service. In light of the wobbly political situation down there, her departure date was pushed back to August 15th, and she had a few unexpected weeks of vacation left in the US. So she made the trek to Houston (who wouldn't?) to experience the heat. It was awesome.

We did some great touristy things, finally making it to the Menil Collection (really cool) and the Rothko Chapel (awesome). We had our very first "dinner partay," meaning we sat down together and lit candles. (Left, Carolyn and Molly enjoying said dinner.) We even went to a BYOB paint-your-own pottery place. Sorry to disappoint, but we did not partake in any merriment, our painting struggled as it was.

Then Carolyn and I trekked up to Killeen, TX. I had never heard of it either. But a special place exists between Houston and Killeen, and Carolyn and I could not help ourselves but make a detour to Georgetown, Texas! It was such a cute town: there was a historical town square with typical-looking old Texas architecture (think dusty ghost town western movies, but clean and with people in them). We walked around the square and took important pictures, like of a

sign celebrating Georgetown's title as the Red Poppy Capitol of Texas, and finally stumbled upon a whole-in-the wall winery. Of course, we couldn't pass by Georgetown Winery! We spent a good amount of time in that tiny place, sitting at the dark wood bar, pretending to know anything about the fine Texas wine we tasted. We met the owners, bought the obligatory bottle of wine after many tastings, and I got some souvenir glasses to begin a collection as eclectic as my mother's. (Right, Spencer taking a rest in Georgetown, TX on our way through the countryside.)

We met up with Carolyn's friend in Killeen, and before we retired to her ranch (with goats!), we hit up a real country-western bar. It was pretty awesome, but even with jorts on I felt out of place. I guess I need to break in my cowboy boots and hat before I go back. I tested my skills and followed Carolyn up to the raised dancefloor and tried to keep up with (apparently) the easiest line dance ever (I still had a hard time). The whole time I had my eyes peeled for the Riggins brothers.

It was a great weekend altogether - this whole post is like an advertisement for everyone to come visit. If you're lucky, I will post a Houston picture of you, too.