City Walks Houston

A quiet and thoughtful walk on the eve of a big holiday, this walk is considerably unspecified but could be a unique experience because of the sheer lack of people out in the middle of a busy part of the city. Come on out, we will have a nice outing one way or another.

Twilight Epiphany is an installation by James Turrell, "the veteran wizard of installations that involve illusory effects of light, both natural and artificial."(New Yorker). Though currently closed because of construction, we will just have to see what we can see.

Many meetup events have visited here and if you have seen it before, there is never a better time to see it again than now. If you haven't then it will be a special treat of abstraction. Because we are a walking group, we may also find that the experience of the walk through the natural and constructed environments of Hermann Park and Rice University will provide an interesting lead in to the abstraction of Twilight Epiphany.

All the rest of the details to come.

This is a walk along the Buffalo Bayou through the center of downtown. We will go over some of Houston's oldest and newest bridges including the McKee street bridge and the historic counter-weight railroad bridge built by the Strauss Engineering, who later constructed the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. We will go under an uncounted number of street, highway, pedestrian, and railroad bridges. Then we will have a look at the POST Houston facility in the old downtown post office. A nice Sunday afternoon walk and a great way to start the new year.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/

Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.

COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.

Gathering Place:
Platypus Brewing
1902 Washington Ave Suite E, Houston, TX 77007

Directions to Platypus Brewing and nearby free parking

Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.

The Hike:
We will follow the Buffalo Bayou to the far side of downtown and come back by way of the new POST Houston and 713 Music Hall at the old downtown post office. The trail is 90% paved and is a mix of sun and shade.

Weather Forecast:
The weather downtown

Hike map is in the photos.

After Hike Event:
Platypus Brewing
Directions to Platypus

The finish line is in sight! Join the four major Meetup walking groups in Houston on a joint quest to complete a marathon of hikes on the same weekend as the official Houston Marathon.

Look for the four hikes with
1. Thursday Evening Houston Urban Trekkers
2. Friday Evening NEO Houston
3. Saturday, Houston Area Trails and More,
4. Sunday, City Walks Houston
* Bonus: Free bottle of water to anyone finishing two marathons on Sunday.

The idea is to complete the four segments over the weekend so you can brag on Monday that you did a marathon over the weekend.

No need to say which marathon.

Hike Safety:
Hiking is supposed to be fun. If you don't feel well or can't keep up, tell someone right away. Stop walking so it doesn't become something serious. Contact the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.
Tom: 832-439-5797, Alan: 713-863-8038

What to You Need:
Supportive sports shoes, water, snacks and a hat.

Weather:
Weather in Downtown

Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with ideas and get the walk started. Take the same precautions you would if walking alone, including the fitness needed to make long walks. Then enjoy the day among friends.

Parking:
There is limited free parking on Sabine Street, the Fonde Recreation Center or across the pedestrian bridge on Memorial Way. Parking Lot H has raised rates and is now $20, payable by scanning the QR Code or on their app.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time.

Gathering Place:
Moved to Fonde Recreation Center
110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
Google Maps Link
Call or text Tom at 832-439-5797 if you need help.

The Hike:
The walk is over paved sidewalks, street crossings Mostly sunny.

Hike Map:
In the photos

Weather Forecast:
Click Here

Afterwards
The Bell and Crane, formerly Henderson Heights Brewing
908 Henderson St, Houston, TX 77007
Bell and Crane, formerly Henderson Heights

Home is where the heart is! And sometimes it is where the art is, or at least the creative expression. The Greater Montrose neighborhood cannot escape gentrification but there is still no better place in Houston to view homes with personalities. During our walk we will see the strangest things - origami and gargoyles, a cabinet of curiosities, a mixture of kitsch and art, the love and pride that the people of Montrose take in their homes.

For the A student:
(the list of "attractions" we will visit in order)
* 312 Bell - Miniature village in a tree and amazing fence and door
* 2002 Mason - "Rainbow building" and statue
* 306 Willard - "Cabinet of curiosity" (hidden by bushes, don't miss it!)
* 417 Willard - Painted gable
* 515 W Drew - Candy house
* 904 Welch - Origami house
* Cross Montrose 1206 Willard - Butterfly tree statue
* 1531 Welch - Snake in the garden
McDonald's on Commonwealth, break
* Bering church Hawthorn side - Rainbow railings
* Bering church Harold side - Rainbow steps entrance
* 3414 Yupon - Metallic bricks rainbow house
* 1507 Indiana - Old stone lions, 1703 - painted door (pictured in cover photo. Hidden behind gate, don't miss it!)
* Cross Dunlavy - raise your eyes to see the gargoyle
* 2028 Woodhead - "Everything but the kitchen sink" house
* 1905 Vermont - Crazy yard and statues
Back to 1422 West Gray - Cafe Express

Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. If you are having a hard time let someone know and you'll be helped. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/

Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.

COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.

Gathering Place:
Cafe Express River Oaks
1422 West Gray
Please do not park in front of the business.

Call or text Nomi 281-250 0305 if you need help.

Safety:
We will be walking on narrow sidewalks and cross several busy roads. While you are responsible for your own safety it is important to remember the obvious: DO NOT WALK ON THE ROAD. DO NOT CROSS IN FRONT OF CARS. Be courteous to drivers and other pedestrians.

The Hike:
We will first meander the streets to the east of Montrose blvd, then cross on Willard and walk to Bering Memorial United church, and back to our cars. For more details see the "for the A student" list.
Bathrooms at the start point and at the Commonwealth/Westheimer McDonald's, ~4.5 miles into the hike.

Weather Forecast:
Weather in the Montrose

No hike map - I will follow the "list for the A students" but because of the grid system of the streets I may improvise. If you are late follow the list and catch us.

After Hike Event: TBA