Texas

The Hubs and I decided to getaway and spend a few days exploring the Lone Star state with the hopes of falling in love with it, and possibly planting a seed there.

                                                        Here's to falling in love with TX!

Texas you ask? Well, my family owns property in Orange, TX and Granbury, Tx, and my parents have always dreamed of retiring there. So after a few hundred talks with the Hubs, I was finally able to convince him to take a trip and check it out. Thinking, perhaps we would be the push that my parents  need to get to their dream retirement destination. During the researching and planning of this trip, the Hubs reminded me that this trip was strictly business, and that we were only going to look at homes, land, schools, and employment opportunities. That we were not there to go sightseeing, or to catch any special events, and to stay away from Groupon and Living Social. Of course, I crossed my fingers when I said, yes Babe.  Not only did I plan for our strictly "BUSINESS" trip but I also included a few fun activities that eventually I knew the Hubs would agree to doing. I mean, is it really going to take 10 days to figure out whether or not you want to move to Texas?
             
            ♫♫ The Stars at Night. Are Big and Bright. Deep in the Heart of Texas. ♫♫
 

If you know me by now, I "aaawwww" and "wooooow" to just about everything. When we landed in Austin that afternoon, we went down to pick up our luggage and before we got off the escalator, I told the Hubs, "Awwwww look how cute those guitars are!" Perhaps you're not into the whole airport decor, to me it's like getting a sneak peak of the state before you've even left the airport.

After we picked up our luggage and our rental car, we checked in at our hotel. Now some of you may know, I loooovvveeeee to travel, and exploring all the things our Creator has given us. However, when it comes to hotel searching, it's like preparing for your SAT's. So I usually prefer to stay at hotels where I think it's the safest. Google is my bestfriend, I swear by it, I google stuff like, where's the safest areas to stay, eat, explore, etc. What is the rate of kidnappings, and break ins, you know stuff like that. My husband tells me that I shouldn't worry about the looney's, instead the looney's should worry about me. Anywho, so I decided to stay at a hotel by the airport, figured how much safer can you get; without realizing that everything would be miles and miles and miles away. #IMALOSER 

The few days in Austin we stayed at the Hilton Austin Airport. The hotel was super nice, the beds were comfy, and most importantly it felt really safe. However, from this trip I learned that 1-2 days max are okay to stay at an airport hotel. This hotel was really far from the places we wanted to see and from attractions and not to mention you can hear all the planes taking off and landing.

The first thing we do every morning religiously, is turn on the tv and watch the news. So we did just that, attentively waiting for a report on the latest crime scene. To our surprise, the only crime committed that week was some guy who stole a bicycle. Too good to be true!
We went off and explored some of the areas and homes we had researched online prior to our trip. Some of the homes were very pretty while others were a bit scary. We came across a very nice family neighborhood, there were children playing on the street with other kids, a father and son playing catch at a near by park, other kids playing basketball, exactly the area we dream about when we think of raising our own kids. It felt just like home. Although the Hubs wasn't at all convinced. 

Next, we decided to check out the Downtown Austin area. We stopped at this McD's for a quick bite and I totally loved the LongHorn Statue.
                              

That same afternoon we decided to take a drive to Downtown Austin for dinner and take in some of the sites, and to our surprise *wink wink* "The 10th Anniversary of Austin's Bat Fest" was that same day. How could we give up on this opportunity and would you look at that, we both wore our batman shirts that same day. Coincidence??? 

Bat Fest, Austin TX 08-23-14

During this event approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge at dusk.
                                                                                                                                   

"Bat Cycle" 

Cooling off in the shade while waiting to see the bats

                                                                      And they're off....

Definitely something to experience. So happy we got to experience this!

The next day we decided to do some sightseeing, 

and what better way than on a Double Decker Bus. 

This lady was our tour guide

At one of the stops on the tour, we decided to get off at the Texas State History Museum

I really enjoyed looking at their displays, a lot of the items they had there, 

reminded me of some of the things my parents had while growing up.

                               

After the bus tour we decided to get our car and head back to the Downtown area, to check out Franklin' BBQ for lunch. When we picked up our car at the airport we asked the lady at the counter to tell us the best place to get some good BBQ, she recommended Franklin's. Well let me tell you about Franklin's now before I get lost in all the other places we seen. 

We tried eating at Franklin's BBQ for 3 days and the first 2 days they were completely sold out by 2pm and the 3rd day we decided we would get there before they opened, and the line to get in went around the block. We couldn't believe it! We asked the people in line and they said they'd been there since 8am. Maybe next time we're in Austin we'll just camp out. 

The next day, we took a drive to Orange, Texas; which is on the borderline of Texas and Louisiana. My parents own a piece of land there, maybe this is where we would fall in love with Texas. Well there's lots of tttttrrrrrreeeeeeeesssssss!

The area is still growing, a little to far away from civilization if you ask me, but it has lots of potential. There's 1 gas station, 1 hardware store, a real estate office, and a donut shop.
That's it! I will definitely consider going back, after a few years.

Reunion Tower, Dallas Texas

Today we explore Dallas!!!!!! So remember how this trip was strictly business???? Well after 2 days of driving around looking at homes, and lots of land, the hubs agreed to have a little fun! FINALLLYYYYYY!!!!

We visited Downtown Dallas, and some of their monuments, and went to the Reunion Tower. Beautiful views of all Dallas.

 I must confess, although I'm afraid of heights, I love going to observation decks  where I can take in the beauty of the cities/ Not sure where I get the courage to get up there,
I just know, that I never look down.

We had lunch at Cloud Nine at the Reunion Tower
(very similar to the Space Needle in Seattle) 

Definitely a cool experience.

From there we visited Pioneer Plaza

 The large sculpture commemorates nineteenth century cattle drives that took place along the Shawnee Trail, the earliest and easternmost route by which Texas longhorn cattle were taken to northern railheads. (Source: Wikipedia)

Then we went to Dragon Park

Of course google and the reviews did not match what this place really was. It was more like a little garden, with a few statues of dragons, at the time it was not well kept. It did have some benches to sit on and a small waterfall.

From there we checked out The Mustangs of Las Colinas

These were pretty cool too.
To read more of the history of the mustangs click below.
 (The Mustangs of Las Colinas)

Along the way, we made a quick stop in Waco, TX and visited the Dr. Pepper Museum.

 I have to admit, I had never ever tasted Dr. Pepper before this visit,
and now I AM HOOKED!

You get to see the different styles of cans, bottles, the different names of the products, the machinery used to make the drinks. The museum was pretty cool. 


 As a kid I remember my grandpa coming over on Sundays and he'd spend hours watching football. This is where I found my love the Cowboys, not to mention the crush I had on Troy Aikmain.  I never imagined yet thought it was ever possible to watch a Cowboys game live! And this trip was going to make one of my childhood dreams come true.

Although it was a pre-season game, and a Cowboys loss,
it was definitely a day I will never forget.

The next morning, we did the Cowboys Stadium tour.... 

  

The stadium tour was really cool!
A must do if you're ever in the area, even if you're not a Cowboys fan!

After 10 days exploring Texas, there were some things we loved but there were a few more we didn't love so much. Sad to say, Texas will not be our next move but  for sure we will visit again.

Catch you later!

Luray Virginia & Washington DC

Over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend the Hubs and I decided to visit my cousins in Virginia and get lost in their part of the world. They live in Newport News, Va that's part of the Hampton Roads area. This is my second trip to Newport News and it's so calm and quiet here. No honking, no traffic, or road rage. Definitely the complete opposite of Miami for sure. Our first day in Virginia we went out and did a little shopping while my little cousins were in school. After school, we picked them up and took them to lunch at one of their favorite burger joints. They say that this place is always packed and they very rarely get to eat here, so we thought we'd check it out! Their menu was ahhhhmaaaazzziiiiinggg!!! They had a menu of 40 different milkshakes, how can I choose just one?!

  After lunch we continued shopping and then went home to rest and catch up. The next day we were off to Luray, VA to explore the Luray Caverns. This place is incredible! 

 

 The Luray Caverns was originally called Luray Cave. It is a large commercial cave just west of Luray, VA and has drawn in may visitor since it's discovery in 1878.  The temperature inside the caverns is about 54 °F (12 °C).

 The cavern is yellow, brown or red because of water, chemicals and minerals. The new stalactites growing from the old, and made of hard carbonates that had already once been used, are usually white as snow though often pink or amber-colored. Several stalactites exceed 5 feet (1.5 m) in length.

There is a spring of water called Dream Lake that has an almost mirror like appearance. Stalactites are reflected in the water making them appear to be stalagmites. This illusion is often so convincing that people are unable to see the real bottom. It looks quite deep, as the stalactites are higher above the water, but at its deepest point the water is only around 20 inches deep. The lake is connected to a spring that continues deeper into the caverns. 

Can you see the reflection in the water?

This place was by far one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

After the Caverns we walked over to Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. Here we went back in time and got to see some oldies. Here are a few of my favorites.

This place will take you back in history. There were cars, bikes, carriages, rolls royce, bugattis, cadillacs, way back from the 1700's. Lots of cool stuff to see.

Next Stop... The Garden Maze

 This was by far my favorite from this trip. As a kid and even now as an adult I remember reading or hearing about garden mazes, but somehow thought that they only existed in movies and books. And I got to experience it. As you go through the maze you have to find your way to each goal box. At each goal you stamp your card and receive a clue to your next goal.

Final Stop...Luray Valley Museum

At this museum you get to step back in time and discover the history of the Shenandoah Valley. At the log Stonyman building you will see items from the 1920s. Check out the Hamburg Regular School, the area's first school for African American children. 

 

 

 It's crazy to think that they used small chalkboards to write down their notes and lessons.
Other than that they're classrooms are very similar to the classrooms today.

 

 

Neon Shoe Lovers

 

This place had beautiful scenery of the mountains, and lots of green land.

 
This view is breathtaking.

We ended the day having dinner at Speakeasy Restaurant and Bar at the Mimslyn Inn

This laid back cozy bar/restaurant features pictures of Charlie Chaplin and other famous people, they play live music, and the food is reasonably priced.

If you're ever in Virginia a trip up to Luray Caverns and Attractions is a must see and do!

Best of all, all the attractions are included with your admission to the Caverns.

Day 3~ Exploring DC

We were so exhausted from our trip to the Caverns that we got a late start on our drive to DC the next day. By the time we got there we were only able to visit a few museums and monuments. The little that the Hubs did see he loved and can not wait to go back.  Here are a few of the pictures we were able to take while in DC.