[KevinFromTexas]

I generally dislike taking highway pictures. I'd rather be in downtown walking around at street level truly experiencing the city. Last Sunday though I wasn't able to do that as time was an issue. Luckily though Houston has no shortage of skyscrapers to be seen from the highways. So it worked out alright.

Sorry for the bug guts. Some of these were looking out the window at 60 mph, while others through the windshield.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Houston%20Highway%20pics/P1120803EDIT.jpg

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So long, Houston.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Houston%20Highway%20pics/P1120850EDIT.jpg

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[BigBird9]

Those are some top-notch highway pics :tup:

[jaga185]

Man, I need to go to Houston, I haven't been in years I miss that city. Fun shots Kev.

[NormalgeNyus]

wow that one building that is in most of your shots is huge. how many floors? does it just look big cause its all by itself?

[hookem]

That's the Williams tower, in the Galleria area -- 64 floors, 901 feet, I think it's like 10 miles from downtown. An homage to Houston's liberal zoning.

Great shots. I often work out of an office in Galleria I (copper-windowed tower to the right of Williams tower in shots 6 & 7), so I appreciate all the Galleria area shots.. great place to work, except the horrible traffic. Galleria I, Williams tower, the two Westins, and some of the other buildings are all connected via tunnel or over-street enclosed walkway to the Galleria mall, which is really cool. If you worked in one of those towers, and stayed at one of the Westins, you'd never need leave a/c land. Although, the Westin does have access to a running track that goes along part of the roof of the Galleria, around the glass cylinder top. There are also 2 helipads there.

You last shot looked like the reason why I avoid the 290 route back to Austin... especially if I'm coming back on a Friday night or something. There is a good stretch that is 70mph, fairly busy, with no center divider. For some reason, if it were just a 2 lane hwy with passing zones & a shoulder, I would have no problem with it... but those lanes on 290 seem small or something and it just feels more like someone is going to swerve out into oncoming traffic.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yes, that big blue tower is the Williams Tower, formerly known as the Transco Tower. As hookem mentioned, it is 901 feet tall with 64 floors. It's the 4th tallest building in Texas, (3rd tallest in Houston), and the tallest in the US outside of a city's downtown area. It's actually about 6 miles west of the center of downtown. It was designed by Phillip Johnson who designed many famous post-modern buildings during the 80s.

The Williams Tower does stand out massively because it kind of stands on its own. However, it's not all by itself. There are over 100 buildings in the Galleria/Uptown area. It's just that most of them are less than half the height of Williams Tower. Most are in the 300 to 450 foot range. But there is also the 562 foot Marathon Oil Tower and the 625 foot San Felipe Plaza which is Houston's 2nd tallest outside of downtown.

And you're right about US 290 being dangerous. On the way into Houston just before we got to Hempstead we saw a car just about swerve off the highway because one of his tires blew out. He was ok and quickly gained control of it. On a smaller highway that could have been worse.

[JManc]

you were like one mile from my house when you passed by the galleria.

[KevinFromTexas]

Haha. I remember you posting some pics from around the neighborhoods surrounding the Galleria and the Williams Tower above the trees once. I love how that building sticks up above everything. You truly know you're in Houston once you see it.

I wish I had had more time. I was itching to go downtown or the Galleria. We were only in town for about 3 hours though.

[Dragonfire]

Great pictures. Sadly, I've only been to Houston twice, even though I've lived in Texas since '94, although I'd like to go again. I love how the Williams Tower is away from downtown Houston, it makes it stand out more (I have a particular attraction towards it because my father installed many of the fire exits in the top floors among other things).

The two times I've driven on US 290, I hated it. I only drove to Brenham, but that stretch closer to Austin where there's no median is not fun to drive on, especially on a weekend when there's a lot of people going from Houston to Austin.

[Boris]

Hey, thx for killing some of our bugs. Just 3 trillion more to go. :notacrook:

[KevinFromTexas]

I did what I could. :D

[jordan]

I have not been to Houston, in almost ten yrs. You can spend a whole day there just checking out the diffrent skyscrapers all over the city. There is not zoning law. They have found a way to make the buildings blend in so well.

[OhioGuy]

Yay! I'll be back in Houston for a visit in just over a month. Can't wait! :)

[Jdawgboy]

I love the Williams Tower I so want a tower like that in Austin, :slob:

[Goothrey]

I am going to Houston to see the Astros this Saturday. It will be my first MLB experience as I shall see Bigio before he retires. Actually, I have never been to Houston aside from the Hobby airport.

[Texas Tuff]

Nice pics, thanks for posting them. I absolutely love Houston's skyline, I think it is by far one of the most interesting ones in the U.S. Some of Phillip Johnson's best work is there, no doubt about it.

[Superstar]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Houston%20Highway%20pics/P1120852EDIT.jpg



That 3rd to last picture is the best.

[Trae]

Could you not repost all the photos.

[KevinFromTexas]

Here are a few more photos I took of downtown mostly from US 59 on a recent trip to Galveston. Photos from 10/6 and 10/7.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Houston%20Highway%20pics/P1130152EDIT.jpg

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[Boris]

Nice.

I hope someone else was driving.

[DrewDizzle]

Nice pics but one of these days someone is going to get into an accident.

[KevinFromTexas]

Don't worry guys, I wasn't driving. We actually missed our exit to US 59 though, because I was paying too much attention to taking the photos and just being distracted by downtown. Haha, we turned around quick and got back on track.