Segways

We’ve have a great break.  We both had the whole week off and just took it easy and spent a lot of time together.  As part of our break we took a quick trip to Galveston.  The primary reason for the trip was to do a Segway tour we’d purchased a while back.    K had mentioned he wanted to ride them (neither of us had) and so when living social had a deal it was an easy decision to buy them.

We drove down in the morning and had time to do a little shopping before the tour.   We had a pretty large group (12 people) and it was intimidating at first – we watched a video that kept showing how easy it would be to tumble off and hit your head, and we’d signed a waiver that we knew the risks and saw the prices we’d have to pay if we damaged them.  After that we each had to get on, with everyone watching, and learn to ride it.  It was strange at first, but you really do get the hang of it after a few minutes -  it’s all about how you lean your weight (after you accept that this thing really can hold you up with 2 wheels) .   After we practiced in the parking lot we all got the hang of it and we were off!   The weather was cold and very windy, so we didn’t go on the seawall as the tour said we would, but instead we went through the neighborhood, which was better I think – we were able to see a lot of houses and scenery and we had no worries about driving off the edge!    Although it was called a tour it was really mostly just the experience of riding the Segways, just what we wanted!   We really did zip along on them.   I am glad we did a short tour as my feet and lower legs were hurting by the end of it, and we should’ve worn gloves.  I also should've thought to zip up my jacket BEFORE getting on, once I was on I couldn't figure a way to stay on and zip it, so unzipped I rode.  We’ll do it again, and I think we’d be ready for a true tour that many cities offer.

That afternoon we were able to meet up with a childhood friend of K’s that he hadn’t seen in about 20 years.  They’d reconnected on facebook and he and his wife came down to meet us.  It was a great afternoon with them and we hope to meet up with them again soon. 

We spent the night at the Hotel Galvez and before heading back home the next day we went to Seawolf Park, surprisingly it was my idea and not my historian’s idea to go there.  We were able to tour a WW II submarine and destroyer.    The submarine especially gave me a greater appreciation for those who served on them, they truly are tight spaces.

As a bonus, I get to play a lot with my new camera - I'm still learning how to use it and what the various settings do.