Good morning from the balcony once again. Happy Cinco De Mayo! Today is our “flex day”, as Derek so simply put it. As you can see by the pic, Monday is “business as usual” on the walk. I woke up today to the sound of the compressor helping the power washer 5 stories below.
Yesterday was must more relaxed than Saturday. Our plan was to swing over to Walgreens (3 blocks away), then see where the rest of the morning took us. After our fiasco with HEB, I wanted to visually verify the location of Walgreens. So, me being the smart fella I am, I brought up the google map of it, and switch to street view. Those images are only a few months old. Satisfied, we made the walk. Laughing, we talked about the pile of rubble that once was Walgreens.
Stopped at a little gift shop nearby, then over to RiverCenter. Mom called then. They’re about an hour or so out, but wanted to take a quick nap once they got here. So we putzed around the mall some. Had to stop at the Disney Store (Marriage Liscense, page 3, paragrah 2, section 4) where we saw some cute stuff (use of the word “cute” covered and explained by addendum 4). Moved on down the walk with no particular place in mind.
Stopped at Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, where I had a salad. Yes. Me and Salad. What the hell’s happening here? C was as in shock as you are (for those not in the know here, I’m a “meat and potatos” kinda guy). She was so in shock, she needed to document said event.
And on we go, down the walk. Mom calls. They’re here. We get back, and housekeeping is in our room, straightening things up for us. So I drop off the bag, and we head up to the pool so C can soak her feet for a while.
After we get done with the hot tub, we call mom to tell her to come on down. She obliges. Mom meets grandbaby (still in wrapping). We shoot the shit for a while on this balcony, then head down to the walk. We make it to the RiverCenter again, and board the History Tour Boat. It was neat. Would have liked a little more info, but they can only fit so much into 40 minutes. Bugged us that the guide, at the end of the tour, made a comment alluding to tips.
Note to all who appreciate tips in the service industry: Don’t ask for it. Earn it. Outside of dinner, we have tipped our shuttle driver (twice, because he definitley earned it by not trying), our cabbie, and the baggage handler*. We have been “asked’ for tips twice. If you ask for a tip, then you’re unsure you deserve one.
*The handler asked. But, as he was the one checking in our bags, we felt we had to in order to guarantee their safety. Shady at best.
More riverwalking (it becomes a theme here). Sat down for dinner at Paesano’s on the Walk, at a table “in the 90s”. Its one of only 3 tables directly on the river. How on? If I leaned back, I’d be in the drink. We broke bread, chatted, and drank water. No sooner did we place our orders did the rain begin. So inside the pavillion we went. Upset tummy prevented me from finishing dinner. Ah well.
Back to the hotel we go, then up to the rooftop to soak in the hot tub again. Hang out and chit chat for a bit with mom, plan for breakfast, then off to bed (again, with the upset tummy).
All in all, the visit was nice. Was good to see mom and Dave. As this is our bonus day, we’re going to send them on their way after breakfast, and enjoy each other as much as possible.