Road Trippin 3

To finish off the trip we put on our swimming suits and headed to Barton Springs.  It's an outdoor pool that's fed by a natural spring.  The only bad part was the temperature.  It was 68 degrees, which is pretty cold for Texas. I thought I was going to freeze to death when I got in, but after a while it was sort of refreshing, as long as you didn't get out with the intent to get back in. :)  When we were packing up to head out we found out that there was a free side.  Next time.

After our swim we got dressed and headed out to find a food truck.  

I've heard raving reviews about the food trucks in Austin.  We we're hoping for a variety of options but found out that they started selling food at 9:00 PM, which was a no go for Audrey. 

Luckily, after some time with google, Audrey feeling car sick, and an hour of wandering around the city we found a food truck! The food was really really good.  The Ribs did not disappoint!  I may find myself going back someday.  

After dinner we drove to a mini golf place that we just happened to see on the way to eat.

    Audrey's been calling it "Putt Putt".  She loved it and so did we.  I thought for sure I was going to beat Paul at the end of our game, but as always he came out the winner.  Next time....watch your back dude!  I may have to resort to cheating.  This is starting to get embarrassing.

After a friendly game of Putt Putt we stopped at the local McDonalds to get an Oreo Mcflurry.  I'm pretty sure that every game should end with an Oreo Mcflurry. 

The trip home was relaxing, and because we decided to drive home a day early (maybe because of the cockroach we found in our hotel room)  we got to spend Monday together as a family at home doing nothing, which was pretty awesome.  

It was a weekend to remember.  

Thanks for treating us well Austin!

Road Trippin 2

On the way to do what was next on our list we literally ran right into this museum.  I think it was meant to be.  In planning this trip I had Paul in mind, hoping to give him a break from all the stress he deals with on a regular basis.  This was right up his alley.  I really enjoyed watching Paul share his love for airplanes with Audrey.  She was happy just to stand there and listen to him tell her about all of these vehicles and airplanes used in the wars.  She even got to sit in a cockpit which she thought was pretty awesome.  She pulled all the levers and pretended to fly until it was time to go.

On the flip side, it's really hard to talk to a five year old about war.  There was a section about 9/11.  I explained to her why the buildings were on fire and what had happened and the look on her face made me so sad.  Wicked men and women are no longer something we just read about in the scriptures.  They exist today too.  

I'm glad she knows that there are really good people in this world as well. People who fought and continue to fight everyday to keep us safe.  I try to talk more about them than I do the other guys. :)  

So if you're headed to Austin don't forget to take a minute to visit this place.  You're sure to be wowed by all the airplanes, cars, and tanks.  Maybe in the midst of it all, like me, you'll find even more gratitude for all the blessings you take for granted everyday.  

Road Trippin

We went road tripping this month.  We decided for the first time in our marriage we would try traveling on a holiday weekend.  We had a really good time but I don't think we'll do it again.  Holiday weekends are so busy!  

I loved Austin. I love that it is so different from where we live.  I loved the rolling green hills, the street art, the diversity of food, and the love of all things Texas.  

The worst part about our vacation was the hotel.  I tried a new one that I've never stayed in before.  Everything was booked up (holiday weekend) and the pictures for this place looked great.  We drove up in the evening and we were instantly wishing we had another option.  There was a very small lobby with coffee and nothing else, and it smelled so strongly of smoke.  The lady at the front desk was visibly frustrated because everyone that walked in the door was complaining that the hotel was falsely advertising with pictures from one of their nicer hotels.  

We decided to stay; saying to ourselves that we would only be there while we were asleep.  It could always be worse, we could be in the hotel next door.  This wasn't so bad.   

I tried to do as much research as I could online about where to go and what to do in Austin.  This place showed up and I couldn't pass it up.  The morning weather was beautiful with a light breeze.  We explored this little park, spent time with peacocks, and then we hiked for a little ways on one of their trails.  Unfortunately, we ran into fire ants.  Audrey started screaming as they were attacking her legs.  I grabbed her and ran up the hill while swatting them off both of us.  They kind of ruined my beautiful peaceful moment, but only until the fire calmed down on my legs. 

And then we were off with the sunroof down and the Austin breeze blowing in our hair.

(continued in the next post...)