My boyfriend, Avery, and I traveled to Houston, Texas for a long weekend to attend his friend’s wedding. We had an early flight and ate breakfast at Independence Prime located in the American Airlines terminal at the Philadelphia Airport. I had a stack of blueberry pancakes which were good for $15.29. Our flight was short and once we arrived in Houston; we took an Uber to our hotel in Katy. We stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Katy which was nice with modern touches. We quickly settled into the hotel and then headed out again by Uber.
Our Uber took us to Athena Gun Club. This was my first time at a shooting range, and it was quite the experience. We had an hour time slot, used a 19mm Glock, and bought 100 rounds. Before we went into the range, we took a Firearms Rental Safety class which I definitely needed. During our class we learned the basics such as firearm operation and safety skills. The class cost $25 per person, the range fee on a weekday was $18 per person, per hour, and our total cost was $140. While I loved the concept of my first time using a firearm being in Texas, I was terrified of shooting. I did it and I was a good shot, but I did not like the sound (even with the bulky headphones on) and I did not like the shells that were flying everywhere. I enjoyed trying something new, but I do not see this ever becoming a hobby of mine.
Once we finished our rounds, we took an Uber back to our hotel which was conveniently located next to a large mall. We went to the mall to grab drinks and grub before we met up with some of Avery’s friends. We decided to eat at the Rainforest Cafe. I was super excited about this since I have never been to one and it had all of the stops; animatronics, decorations, and of course the erupting volcano. I ordered a strawberry mojito (Cruzan strawberry rum, strawberry puree, sweet and sour mix, fresh mint, lime, Sprite) for $14.00 and the shrimp scampi flatbread (alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onions, red pepper flakes, green onions) for $13.49. While we were eating, two of his friends met us at the restaurant and we had a fun time all together.
Afterwards, the four of us met up with three more of Avery’s friends and went to a local watering hole, Wildcatter Saloon. This was a recommendation from our bartender at Rainforest Cafe. This was a backroad bar with dirt parking. The drinks were affordable, there was live music was playing, rustic decorations, and delicious food truck tacos. I am so happy that we went here, I felt like a local which is something I always aim to do when traveling. I love to integrate myself into the culture and get off the beaten path. Upon researching the Wildcatter Saloon to write this article, after visiting, I found that this spot was featured on season 3 of Bar Rescue in 2014. This establishment was previously named Bryant’s Ice House, and it was known for rowdy regulars and rude staff. Clearly, there was a lot that needed to be fixed and I am proud to say that prior to my research, I would have never guessed that this bar had issues. I had a fun experience with nice patrons and staff. At first the location did feel a little sketchy but once we got past the rough exterior, the vibes were great.
While driving back from the Saloon, we stopped at Buc-ee’s which is a chain of country stores and gas stations. This particular location in Katy, Texas is massive with over 100 gas pumps, and they hold the record for the world’s longest car wash with 255 feet of conveyor. This location also features an extensive amount of clean bathroom stalls and a country store that feels more like a small Walmart complete with alcohol, clothing, fresh hot food, home decor, knickknacks, and snacks. We had a fun time looking around and buying snacks.
Buc-ee’s ended our first day and we headed back to our hotel afterward to get some much-needed rest.
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