Last night I was in a private chat session with Astro when we both realized that we had some spare time on our hands for Labor Day. We agreed to do an explore but where to go? I had a few sites in East Houston in mind but hadnt researched or even looked for POE's yet when she suggested we explore a drain. My initial reaction was not no but HELL NO. When I began exploring I knew I would never do two things: 1. Rooftops (including cranes) and 2. drains. I explained that drains were not something I would ever do. When asked why I said that they are cramped, dark and I would probably get my fat ass stuck in some hole and end up getting my face chewed off by rats.
I was then directed to some photos of a local drain that looked like an airport terminal. It was spacious, well lit and even had the obligatory Starbucks (ok maybe not but it wouldnt surprise me - those things are EVERYWHERE). We agreed on a time and a meeting place and I signed to get some sleep.
Alas, sleep would elude me. Visions of deep dark holes under god knows were with raw sewage and body parts floating everywhere filled my mind. I then got to thinking about what I was doing the next day. I agreed to meet a total stranger from the internet, walk into a place we shouldnt be, where nobody knows were I am and walk through the best of what has washed off the mean streets of Houston, Texas. Further, I had no idea what was waiting for me. For all I knew I was to be the special guest star in the Satan Labor Day Sacrifice Special.
I awoke the next morning and began checking my gear and packing everything up. The hours crawled by and my nervous energy found its way to rechecking everything again. Am I forgetting anything? Did I pack extra batteries? Should I bring a towel? How much weight will that add and will it look stupid? Again and again these thoughts race through my mind until the hour had arrived that I was to depart.
I kiss my wife, leaving detailed information as to where we are going, when I should be out and any clue I could think of to help identify who my potential executioner could be.
As I get close to the neighborhood, my nervousness increased. I knew going in that it was a sketchy part of town but this place made downtown Bagdad look like Beverly Hills. I then arrive 30 minutes early and I am not reassured by the guy sitting alone in the parking lot with a large grill cooking:
1.
With 30 minutes to kill I get out and begin taking a few shots of the nearby park and then strike up a conversation with BBQ guy. As it turns out he was a really nice guy there with his family for Labor Day. His wife had taken the kids back home to grab some things (then typical guy complaints about their wives) and he invited me to have some chicken and hot dogs. I had to decline as I knew we would be walking and there was that vision again of me being stuck in a hole with rats on my face.
On my way back to the car I noticed some rather ominous clouds starting to form. In Houston that usually means that a deluge is coming that makes the one Noah endured look like a spring shower.
2.
At last the moment had arrived! Astro shows up and we introduce ourselves and quickly make our way to the drain entrance. We begin to get to know each other and my nervousness over meeting a stranger on the internet is quickly dispelled. We get to the entrance and ready our gear. As soon as we enter I see this:
3.
At this point the rats are back and I'm wondering if this was really such a good idea. Plowing ahead Astro jumps right in and assures me that this place is no big deal - and she was right. It was just as described: Large, open, light wasnt great but I had a good flashlight so it was well lit. Along the way we stopped a few times and we both took pictures (hers are better as I didnt bring a tripod - the weight) and looked at stuff on the ground. Here are the photos I took along the way:
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
About 3/4 of a mile (give or take) it begins to rain and shortly thereafter rain harder. At this point Astro stops and instructs me to stop chattering as she listens. Without warning she turns around and begins walking at a rather brisk pace which then turns into a full sprint (well it was for me not for her - I'm a smoker...). We get back to the area with the grates and she explains that we are probably ok but given the volume of water that may be coming we should get the hell out.
Disappointed that our journey was coming to an end, I wasnt about to second guess someone who is considered one of the foremost authorities in North America on drains. We did eventually make it back to the entrance safely (obviously) and found a dry place sit and chat while the rain subsided. I have to say that this was one of my favorite parts - just sitting and chatting and getting to know her and her experiences.
When things calmed down we emerged unscathed (and I'm especially happy to say un-sacrificed, unstuck and uneaten) and noticed across the creek another drain gushing water. Astro's excitement could hardly be contained and we crossed the bridge to go check it out where I snapped my favorite picture of the journey:
13.
I cannot say how much I appreciate Astro spending her Labor Day showing an old man a place I swore I would never go. I especially appreciate her sense of safety for my well being as well as respect for nervousness. Most of all I appreciate the time we got to spend together and get to know each other. Its something I will not soon forget.
