The Port of Houston…
With the move to Houston, I set a Texas Bucket List, my friends are now rolling their eyes saying, “Of course she did!” Smile.
Among the many things to do, is a 90-minute tour of the Houston Ship Channel. What is even more exciting…this tour is free!!
I heard they had over 28,000 passengers that took the tour in 2013, through one of the busiest ports in the world.
The M/V Sam Houston boat is named for the legendary military commander who led the fight for Texas independence from Mexico and later for statehood.
During its long journey, the M/V Sam Houston has attracted stars from around the world. Among the many, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, President of Chile, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and so many more.
So of course, our little group had to join in the fun, and see the bustling exporting area of our country.
This 52-mile deep-water channel from the Gulf to the fledgling community of Houston was built a Century ago, the visionary leaders understood the importance of having a marine link to the world so that Texas commodities could be traded throughout the world.
The Port of Houston hosts the largest petrochemical complex in the nation and Texas has been recognized as the leading export state for 13 years in a row.
Keeping the port a strong economic engine that provides jobs and opportunities is their mission we were told.
After witnessing a couple of strong downturns in our economy over the years, my heart soared to see this bustling ship yard.
We also learned that they are trying to obtain permit for the deepening and widening of the facilities , so that they can be ready for the larger ships that are likely to call on this facility after the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2015!
Here we are, getting ready to board the M/V Sam Houston. Can I tell you, that Texas girls are a lot of fun and very adventurous.
I hope you are having some type of small adventure in your life today…
Laurie
XXOO
Pride in Photos 
I love the lighting in these images and your processing. What a beautiful group of ladies…
Thanks for the tour… and yes, it’s important to make every day an adventure, big or small…
They look like beautiful paintings. You Texas girls look like fun and then some!
Wondeful photos ❤ Everything is so peaceful and gorgeous in the pink-tone color theme. Thanks for sharing 🙂
My old stomping grounds from 1977-1983. Doesn’t look like much has changed………..LOL
I didn’t realize Houston was your old stomping grounds. Thanks for sharing that with me.
Moved there after graduating from Texas A&M University. I was in the export business, exporting American goods to American embassies overseas, as well as American stores.
Very cool my friend.
I greet and wish you a nice Sunday
Wow, what a presentation of gorgeous ship photos. Thank You.
Holy moly, I love your photography! I used to follow you last year, but life got crazy once I had my baby! But I’m back into blogging again, and I would LOVE to keep in touch and comment share on latest posts! If you get a chance, stop by and say hi sometime! http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Nice location. You really picked a perfect time of day to shoot.
Awesome shots and tour Laurie and so great that it’s free. Wish we had more ‘free’ sights around here. 😀
Love the rosy glow of your photos Laurie, the light seems magical over the port! I never knew Texas had to gain independence from Mexico (back to the history books for me! 😉 I think it’s wonderful to be able to go on this tour showcasing a leader in the US economy …and it’s free! You ladies look great!!
Gotta love a free tour … especially on the water … but I’m not too sure about the collection of wild passengers. 😉
Thanks for the education on the Port of Houston. LOVE the pic of you and your Texan girlfriends!
Werk it ladies and who doesn’t like FREE! Can’t wait to see the other adventures you have on your Bucket List!
What lovely soft colours for those hulking great boats, Laurie 🙂
Loved this post Laurie – your photographs are iconic in a way with the pinkish/salmon cast hoovering over the harbor and boats. Real beauty in these scenes.
The best part is that the tour is free. How often do you get anything for free these days? What a wonderful outing.
Hi Laurie, great shots and it sounded like fun!
Hugs Paula xxxx
Looks like a great day! Love the group shot
I love the pictures – they have a really nice softness to the color. I do not know how to describe the color – other than softness.
What a wonderful history, and your photographs are so beautiful, Laurie!
Awesome pics!! I bet there’s lots and lots,of things to do in your big beautiful city or state!! I would love to travel there sometime and experience the food!!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
What a sassy looking group. LOL I can only imagine the lively conversations. Love the photos.
Lovely shots and nice light. Enjoy your adventure.
Hamlets, harbors, ports, they are all so fascinating – really enjoy spending time such places – and really enjoyed your photos – wonderful – and the “girl gang” really look ready for adventure… 😀
They are giant. Magnificent shots, Laurie! The leading export state for 13 years in a row, Awesome!! 🙂
Hi Laurie, Glad you are being so adventurous and loving Texas. Suzy will be in Miami Thurs. and Fri. for her job and then spend the weekend with us. She is running the New York Marathon on Nov. 2. Her first time!!! She has been training since the end of June. We are so proud of her. Best to Matt. Miss you. Love, Annie
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Really like the quality of the images (pollution?) that soften the girth of the ships. What a group and what fun…
No, not pollution….just LOTS of lens flare coming into my camera…smile.
How cool to do that tour! Love the hazy-ness of the pictures, gorgeous!
What great pictures and enjoyed seeing them. Houston had been a popular town for our signal flags but before this had never seen the port. Glad that you were able to visit!
I didn’t realize that Houston had been a popular town for your flags…awesome.
Yes, small business sometimes hang them in the window. Corpus Christi had a scavenger hunt with the flags for clues.
Gorgeous photos, Laurie. Your port has quite an amazing history, and certainly deserved a visit from you gorgeous Texas Gals. 🙂
Thank you my friend!
Sometimes when I take pictures over there, I get stopped by Homeland Security.
Yes, it is very protected as well as it should be. I think the only place you can take photos is on the free tour boat.
So glad you’re enjoying the move to Texas and seems you’re very busy with family and other things, and it is appreciated that you share. Did not know about this vessel. One disappointment on my trip to California was that by the time we made it to the ship that you could tour in San Francisco, they were closed so we didn’t get to see the inside, but did take pictures of the outside. 🙂
Terrific post! I too enjoy learning about New York Harbor and have taken many boat trips with my camera documenting my adventures!