Day 25: Houston area.

We got up early and headed out with Gary and Kathy to the Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, about 50 miles northwest of Houston. This is a medieval theme park that is open on weekends October through Thanksgiving. Check it out at http://www.texrenfest.com/dialup/home.html

All of the park folks and many of the attendees were in costumes, elaborate, extreme, or simple. You could rent costumes, buy costumes. I bought a crown of flowers, but Jim refused to wear it. Just kidding. Kathy and I wore flowers. The park is huge and filled with all sorts of food and craft vendors as well as a number of arenas for the numerous shows and even a jousting ring .

We enjoyed juggling shows, jousting matches, belly dancers, the Washer Women, and Ded Bob - a skeleton puppet. Everyone was in high spirits and speaking in olde English ( m'lord, m'lady, etc.). All the park employees joined in a grand parade at noon. We enjoyed walking through the park, watching the shows, and eating. We had fried mushrooms on a stick and Jim had a giant turkey leg.

After we left the festival, Gary and Kathy took us for some authentic Texas BBQ at Rudy's and a tour of the area. We had a great time.