City Walk Montrose Weird and Wonderful, 6.5 miles

UPDATE: there are going to be rather a lot of us this Sunday, so we’ll do things a little differently to keep things sane and the hike enjoyable for all:
· We will divide into 3 smaller groups, and have a staggered start, a few minutes apart. All groups start from the same starting point, no change.
· Each group is led by one or two of our organizers.
· Your task is to keep everyone safe: walk on the sidewalks, cross on green - we will wait if the light changes. Be courteous and give way to people who are not from our group.
Stay cheerful, add a dash of patience, and we’ll have a great hike!

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 fancy entrance
* 2002 Mason - "Rainbow building" and statue
* 306 Willard - "Cabinet of curiosity" (hidden by bushes, look or you’ll miss it!)
* 417 Willard - Painted gable
* 515 W Drew - "Pink flowers house"
* 904 Welch - "Origami house"
* Cross Montrose 1206 Willard - Butterfly tree statue
* 1531 Welch - Snake garden
Cherryhurst Park, 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 (Hidden behind gate, look for it or you’ll miss it!)
* Cross Dunlavy - before you cross- 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: Cafe Express