Thank You Mom For Letting Me Borrow Your Car!
The next morning, we set off on the open road for Austin and San Antonio. The last time we were in Texas was Dave's first time and we only saw Lufkin. This time, I wanted to show him more of why Texas is such a great state and where all my Texas pride came from. I would take him through Austin and San Antonio, major cities referencing major historical events. But we had one stop before our road trip was underway – we had to visit my ‘second parents’ Dr. Neal and Mary Ann Naranjo, the parents of one of my best friend’s Katie Naranjo.
Dr. Neal is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. For over 40 years, he has been digging and collecting dinosaur bones. This year, he and his wife opened up East Texas’ one and only dinosaur museum! We arrived to see him giving a speech to over 50 5th graders from Garrison, a city nearly 45 minutes away! It was so good to see them both and working towards something they are passionate about; leaving a legacy that would educate and enlighten the community.
Mom Saves the Day By Letting Me Borrow Her iPhone!
We were finally on the road by midday and stopped once to fill our bellies with Sonic Drive-in and once again to fill up on gas. We arrived in Austin at 6pm and waited for Katie at the W Hotel bar.
Katie is another dynamic person that is not only my friend, but someone I look up to. She went to University of Texas at Austin, made a big splash on the College Democrats scene, worked on various political campaigns and worked for a senator in Washington D.C. The last time I saw her was in D.C. during her semester there. Since then, she has still been a huge influence in the College Dems and in the last 3 years built her own consulting business for campaign management and digital marketing. She just launched a new arm of her business to help lawyers with their brand presence and marketing strategies. Now that Katie is her own boss and a boss of 6 others, she is taking the reins and it was so wonderful to see her passion and resilience in having a growing company and employees to think about.
View of Austin From Katie's Condo
Her condo was amazing. It sat on top of the W Hotel and overlooked Downtown Austin and beyond. I could say, “What a lucky girl”, but she's not...well maybe she is. She's a hard working and determined girl who deserves the best.
Texas Pride All Over this Beer Menu
W Hotel Austin
We caught up that night over delicious guacamole, soft tacos and drinks. Afterwards, we met up with her friend Amber, whom I actually met in D.C. when I visited her! We walked through the Trail of Lights, Austin’s display of Christmas cheer and decorations. To get back we walked through Zilkder Park and through the downtown to Amber’s apartment. We shared Saint Arnold's, a local Christmas beer and were off again to 4th street. We enjoyed live music, Mexican martinis and Amber bock at Cedar Street. According to them, we hit almost everything you needed to do on a night out in Austin. We ordered room service back at Katie’s apartment and laughed at old high school pictures of us at graduation, our last day in Lufkin and beach trips before college.
Enjoying Austin's Trail of Lights
Katie & Me
Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Park
Saint Arnold's
Texas Beer
Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World
Enjoying some Country Music at Cedar Street
Late Night Eats
So Miss Cheetos!
Austin CBD View from South Congress
The next morning, we said our goodbyes because we were on our way to San Antonio and Katie had a full work day ahead. We walked to South Congress, the hipster part of town with galleries, treasure/junk stores and more food trucks than the stomach can handle. For a winter day, it was hot! I could have worn a t-shirt and shorts and would have been perfect. We were sweaty and exhausted walking around 3 miles that day to South Congress and back again to the Capitol.
Warm Winters Day at the Texas Capitol
Entering Senate Chambers
Floor to Ceiling
Sitting View in the House Chambers
The Capitol was impressive. Seeing the names and portraits of past governors and heroes of Texas’ history brought me back to 7th grade when I learned about these people who made Texas what it is today. I explained to Dave how the theme park Six Flags over Texas derives its name and how Texas was its own country. (The six flags are from the reign of Spain, France, Mexico, USA, Texas and Confederate States of America if you didn't know). Dave was breaking in his new boat shoes and could barely walk at the end of the day. We picked up our car at the W Hotel and began the 1.5 hour journey south to San Antonio. This 1.5 hour journey turned in a 3 hour journey due to an accident and the clean up. We didn't mind too much because we had been walking all day and built our hunger for a large Cajun meal I had planned for us.
This is a Starter?
Aligator, Crawfish and Salmon
Seafood Platter for One?
Everything is Bigger in Texas!
We arrived at Pappadeux's Cajun restaurant on the north side of San Antonio at about 7 pm. There was a 15 minute wait, but we didn't mind to be standing after the 3 hour traffic jam. I wanted Dave to try not only one of my favorite restaurants but also something truly southern; craw fish. We not only had craw fish, but had alligator! This was a true testament to why ‘Everything is bigger in Texas’.
That night we slept hard in a big suite only a 5 minute walk from the Downtown San Antonio. The next day, we woke up to a freezing city. How could it be t-shirt weather the day before and coat and scarves weather today?! We set out for the one thing you should see in San Antonio; The Alamo. It was a lot bigger the last time I can remember, which was when I was 12 on a family vacation. Dave got a good education on where Texas came from, the battles fought and how it became the great state it is today.
Standing in Front of the Alamo after 15 Years
Dave Learning About Texas History
Our next stop was a trio of silly attractions; Guinness World Records, a haunted house and a ride killing mummies with lasers. It was really corny, but the look on Dave's face when we were getting scared in the haunted house was priceless!
World's Largest Man
The Most Decorated Hockey Player
Inside a Hotel on the Riverwalk
Small Falls Along the Riverwalk
Canals on the Riverwalk
Beautiful Day for a Stroll on the Riverwalk
Selfies on the Riverwalk
Taking the Stage at Arneson Ampitheater
San Fernando Cathedral
We shared a classic lunch of salt and vinegar chips, a 6 inch sub sandwich and iced tea. We walked through the next best attraction after the Alamo; the Riverwalk. I think the hotels or at least the Marriot carved out the downtown for the river to flow through creating a mini-Vienna with restaurants and retail stores. We went to the mall and walked around and decided on our last night, we would enjoy a movie. The Hobbit had just come out and was available in IMAX. It was only $14 per person, half the price of seeing an IMAX movie in Sydney!
This was the first movie we had seen in the States since our last trip seeing the disappointment Invictus. We got a large popcorn and pumped butter 3x and shook popcorn salt 3x as well. This was a mistake. It was good to see the Lord of the Rings saga continue with the prequel. I enjoyed the story line and the graphics, but was a little disappointed with the ending – however it is a series, so I will be there to see the next edition.
We were a little hungry and stopped at Hooters just for a small bite. We ended up ordering 10 wings and an appetizer platter of fried pickles, mozzarella sticks and onion rings. We walked out with bellyaches – I think we've had enough of American food. Is it too soon to say that?
Riverwalk Lights at Night
View of The Tower of Americas from the Riverwalk
The next day, we set out for home. Again, there was one stop to make and this stop was the retail therapy I have been craving. San Marcos is a retail mecca of more than 140 outlet stores by any shop you'd see in a mall. The best snag was a 50% off sale the lowest ticketed price sale at Banana Republic. Dave finally replaced his work pants with two new pairs, and I gained another set of work clothes. One top was $6.99! We thought we dominated the outlet stores, but at a second turn, we found a whole new section of even more stores. My dad to call to ask if we’d be home for dinner. We said “Yes.” A few hours later, he called again and we said, “We’ll be home late, but leave us a little.” He called us one more time and it was already dark out and nearly time for dinner. “Dad we’ll be home around 11pm. We found another section of the outlets and had to stop.”
Shopped for 7+ Hours Fueled by Taco Bell
The Outcome
Packed the Miata to the Brim!
We drove back to Lufkin and stopped at College Station for one of my favorite fast food places; Shlotzskys Deli. Dave loves sandwiches as he worked at Subway all through college and this place had the best, refreshing, healthy and super yeasty sour dough bread. We befriended the lady at the counter because it took me more than 15 minutes to make a decision. We ended up getting roast beef sandwich and a Cinnabon. We were half-way through our meal and she came over with an extra pizza that no one had ordered and gave it to us! What a treat!
We arrived back at my house a little after 11pm. My mom and dad were awake. My brother was at my aunts spending time with my cousin and her friend from NYC. Catfish, coleslaw and fries were ready on the table. We were so full from our dinner and still guilty from all the Cajun and hot wings we had on our road trip, but we ate a plate anyways. My mom shows her love through her food and we showed our love back by enjoying every bite.
The Sweetest Way to Ask a Friend to be a Bridesmaid
Saturday was our last day in Texas. Dave left for the afternoon to shoot guns with my dad. I finally got in touch with Catherine, one of my best friends from high school and soccer. She came over to my house with a package. Emily, our other best friend had left it to her during Thanksgiving to give to me. I opened it and it said “Be my bridesmaid?” It was such a thoughtful box of treasures including a well-written thoughtful explanation of our duties and expectations. We hadn't seen each other since our senior year when I flew out to Kansas from NYC for her homecoming. No matter the miles and time between us, we still are great friends and I was happy to represent her past and usher her into her future.
We sat at Olive Garden with an appetizer sampler and unlimited salad and bread sticks. Strangely we didn't reminisce at all, but talked about the present and the future. We both have had a trying year with loved ones who passed away and finding stability and happiness in adulthood. We were teenage friends graduated into adult friends. The conversations were different, but the feeling of friendship was the same.
Targets at the Shooting Range
I Wasn't There, but Dave had a Great Time
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