5 Things I Hate About Texas

Like I said, I love Texas. LOVE it. I want to move there, hopefully in the next few years. I could live around San Antonio or somewhere further south, for a closer drive to the coast. I don't mind the heat one bit, as long as there's water around. And I LOVE the idea of mild winters.

But there were 5 things I could have done without:

1. Dallas Construction.

2. Dallas Traffic

3. Dallas Exits

4. Dallas, Getting Lost In

(not the most flattering picture.

It was disconcerting to be stuck on an exit

that we could NOT get off of. Ugh. Dallas.)

5. Dallas, because it's Dallas.

The hurricane didn't even make the list.


While in South Padre, we even came across an article that listed Dallas one of the Most Disappointing Vacation Spots. I don't doubt it. I briefly lived outside of Dallas, about 13 years ago, and it was just as irritating then as it is now.


Thankfully, the rest of Texas makes up for the one city I try to bypass.

I apologize to anyone who is actually from Dallas, and loves the area. Truly, I feel for you. ;-)

I'm sure there must be something redeeming about the place..... maybe....?

14 Days in Texas

I didn't do much blogging from the road, did I? Well, we're back now. It was the most fabulous First-Family Vacation that I could have imagined.

I have about 2 thousand pictures. No, I am not kidding. I just spent $40 to get a ton of them printed up.

And now that I'm back, with amazing memories under my belt, I do not feel like blogging. I know, right? It's not fair to withhold the good stuff. You see, I journaled it all. In 14 days, I wrote 22 pages about where we were, who we were with, and the funny things that happened along the way. I wrote and wrote and wrote, while we were driving between places. So my memories are recorded in awesome detail, and I can't bring myself to write it all over again, just yet.

I will give you the quick run down, though!

Day 1 We drove to Austin, TX and spent the night. Quite a drive with a 10-,8-,5-, and a 3-year old. Two of them rode in Mom and Dad's car and the other two in our car; we rotated when kids started bugging each other. For the most part, though, they used the activity bags we had packed for them, watched the portable DVD players, and slept.

(I could use some powder.)

Day 2 We went to San Antonio, to the Alamo, Riverwalk, the huge mall and Dinosaur Museum. I love San Antonio. I love the Riverwalk. And, truly, I want to move near that area someday. Love, love it. That night we went to my great-uncle & aunt's house. So huge and amazing. The kids played in their back courtyard for hours.

Day 3 Headed to South Padre. As soon as we got onto the island, we turned into the first beach access in sight, and ran into the water, clothes and all. I've fervently missed the ocean. We went every summer when I was growing up, and it's really become a part of me. Found the condo after that. Love that place. Large living room, full kitchen and laundry room, two bedrooms, two baths, and only a skip to the shoreline.

Days 3-10 South Padre bliss

On Day 5 of vacation we had major hurricane weather Watching the weather guy stand right on the beach we had just been on.We ate at Parrot Eyes, Blackbeard's, Pier 19. We visited the Nature Conservatory, Sea Turtle Rescue, Dolphin Study place at Port Isabel, Pirate's Landing... and so much more.

Days 10-13 Lake House in Horseshoe Bay, TX. Simply amazing. Awesome boat, two jet skis, pedal boat, incredible home and waterfall pool. We had such gracious hosts!! It was such a blessing to head straight there after leaving the beach.

Days 13-14 Drove to Austin to bring Papaw to the airport. Drove to Waco, to a hotel. Dinner out, resting time, and Mayborn Children's Discovery Museum the next day. First the Lego Castle, and then the actual museum. That place is amazing, interactive, and reasonably priced! Stop, if you get the chance. At around 1:30pm, we started for home, and made it back before 9pm, despite some heavy thunderstorms on the way back.

I've started to understand Texas pride. I love that place. I love the cleanliness, the friendliness, the history, and the beauty. Granted, I went to a lot of tourist attractions, but that doesn't change my five star rating. I've been to a lot of tourist-y places in the US, and Texas ranks high on my list.

There were only five things that I didn't like about Texas...

stay tuned for the next episode...

South Padre, before the storms started...and after

I have hundreds of pictures, and many of them are from the first few days of travel, spending the night in Austin, and then a day and night in San Antonio. I'll get to those later. For now, I'm starting with the South Padre pictures, taken Monday through today.

First day on the beach:

When the hurricane warning was announced, businesses started shutting down and boarding up. Most people left; we're the only family left in our condo. The Queen Isabella Causeway is now closed, due to hurricane winds. It's the only bridge into the city.

The sky looked pretty ominous yesterday evening...

and it started to storm last night...

This morning, when we woke up around 6:30 am, the storm was in full gear.

We spent some time on one of the patios, during a break in the harshest weather.

Below, the rain was so hard, it was impossible to see down the street. The winds pushed us back against the wall. A street sign flew off, singles came off of the house across from us, and the neighbors next to us lost their fence. Our power went out for several hours, came back, and went off again. I doubt we'll keep it through the night, as the storm gets worse and worse. When Hurricane Alex makes landfall in Mexico, they are predicting a major storm surge here. As they say, "you haven't see anything yet!"

Please pray for safety, power, and that our vehicles won't flood.

We're safe on the second level, but our cars are not. We have plenty of food, water, flashlights, and we're enjoying this memorable family time.

10 things that make my day...

(Keeping with the spirit of>Color Me Katie, and inspired by the Woods...)

10 Things That Make My day

1. Old men in wigs.

2. Sister Nights, with the most wonderful gals on earth3. Shoes as bright as flowers

4. Watching children at play
5. Helping my Man conquer the world 6.Sleeping children. 'Nuf said.


7. time with books.
8. Beautiful buildings with huge windows and amazing art (a museum, in this case)



9. standing in awe before the power of storms

and

10. Gifts from my children What makes you happy?