A Spring Break Trip To Texas

For Spring Break this year we wanted to go somewhere warm and check out a new place. We were super ambitious to take on Texas and try to go to three cities, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. I guess I thought it was like California where everything is an hour and a half away, it was more like every city was four hours away. But we got a taste of it and definitely know where we would explore more if we had the chance.

This place was closed when we got there, but it did not disappoint. There was so much to see outside so we weren't totally bummed. This store is located in Ardmore, Oklahoma and I would love to one day see the inside. Lately, I have been having respect for people that take on a large undertaking like this, it definitely helps a road trip.

Once we hit the Texas border we Googled the nearest In N Out and of course, that didn't disappoint either.

Ben digging his pack and play and the only toys that hotels provide.

The next day we drove to Houston/Galveston and spent way too much walking the "Pleasure Pier." The kids thought it was fun and I loved the foggy night with the pier looming in the distance. But seriously, go there to check it out, but don't pay to walk on it.

The next day we met up with my sister Kelly and my niece Megan and her kids and toured the Houston Space Center. It was a little crazy, but it was cool to check out.

  

That night we crashed my nephew Steven's birthday party and got to see more family and then headed on our way to San Antonio.

We had to go see if there was a basement in the Alamo, but the line was really long so we settled for walking around and figuring the whole place out by ourselves. I think all I knew about the Alamo is that it didn't have a basement...

Really cool doors.

The kids taking a quiz from Ryan about what they learned before we could go to the gift shop. 

On road trips, any form of bribery to get the kids to be cool is used.

San Antonio River Walk. Its really pretty and it would be a fun place to go on a date night. Maybe we will have to go back, just us.

Running with the bulls in Dallas. This park was one of the kid's favorite stops.
After running around for a while Sam asked if we could move here. As if we are always moving...

 Another stop in Dallas was the grassy knoll. (Above; the JFK Memorial)
Side story: We got a brand new MacIntosh computer when I was in 8th grade, it came with an encyclopedia CD-ROM. There was a section that had clips from history, JFK's assassination was one of them, I was amazed how everything around looked exactly how I remembered it in the clip. It was really interesting.

If you get stopped by someone while you are there, there are a lot of conspiracy theorist waiting to tell you their theory and show you graphic imagery of gun shot wounds. Just warning you to be prepared. Notice in the above picture that "allegedly" is highlighted pretty intensely. They're not kidding.

A really cool Greyhound station.

On our way home we stopped at a KOA in Oklahoma.
Benny's first time camping. Well KOA Kabin camping.

The crew.

We couldn't drive through Oklahoma without a stop in Muskogee.

None of our kids would stand by this Girl Scout statue commemorating the first Girl Scout cookie sale.

Ryan and Sam going to see what the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is all about.

Cool sign.

A Route 66 original that we had to stop and eat at. Located in Miami, Oklahoma.

Route 66 runs through a small corner in South-East Kansas, we were close enough to it that we I had to drive on it. I mean, have I said that the Disney animators drove Route 66 for inspiration for Cars? My kids are sick of that one but you can see so many of the references, it's really cool.

Another road trip in the books. I really love exploring this cool country. You can find cool and beautiful things anywhere. It's the best. And, I will say at this point, maybe I've covered 60% of Route 66? My goal has always been to drive it beginning to end. But going on portions of it works too. Until next time...