Austin

Austin was the one city that I hadn't spent much time researching prior to leaving Florida.  I wasn't really sure when we would arrive in Austin, how long we would stay and what we would see.  We decided to leave Mt Vernon on a Sunday at noon which would place us in Austin around dinner time.  While en route, I googled hotels and found one within walking distance of the capitol.  It ended up being the best last minute decision of our entire trip. Our room had a view of the University of Texas stadium. The hotel was only blocks from the capitol building and from infamous musical 6th Street. Because we walked to the capitol building, we were able to visit it twice.  Once at night and then again the next morning.    





The capitol building is amazing.  It is the largest capitol in the United States, it is even bigger than the capitol in Washington D.C.. I would be lying if I told you that the kids enjoyed 6th Street.  We had a nice rooftop dinner but they felt unsafe walking the downtown street at night.  I think they were over-stimulated with the music, lights and bouncers outside each bar. Darin and I were laughing because it was only a Sunday night. Can you imagine if we had been there on a Friday or Saturday?

Next post: New Braunfels and the Comal River

Mt. Vernon

After Dallas, we made a quick weekend getaway to the Morgan lakehouse in Mt. Vernon in east Texas.



Nine of the eleven cousins were all together. They spent hours doing one of two things. Either playing board games ...



...or tubing on the lake.









We were sad to leave family behind but we still had three more Texas cities to visit. Thanks Brent and Angie, you sure know how to show the NaplesMorgans a good time in Dallas and Mt. Vernon.

Next post: Austin (the state capital)

Dallas

After leaving Lubbock we started making our trek south. We stayed for five nights in Dallas with Darin's brother Brent and his family. We were able to spend some quality time with Darin's parents.



We had dinner with my Dallas BFF and former college roommate, Diane Degenfelder.



We did try something new and very popular in Dallas, TopGolf. TopGolf is a golf entertainment complex. It is a point-scoring golf game that anyone can play.  Picture a 240 yard outfield with dartboard like targets in the ground. The closer to the center and the further out you get, the more points you receive.





TopGolf reminded me of bowling, you can even order food and drinks from the bar.



Next post: The Morgan's lakehouse in Mt. Vernon

Lubbock Again

We left Amarillo and headed back to Lubbock for one last visit with my sister and her family.



We attended mass at the catholic church within walking distance of the Tech campus.



Although we did not marry in this church, we attended mass here as undergrads. Years later we returned for a wedding in this church as members of the wedding party. Tech has outgrown this original chapel and it is now used for weekday masses only.

 

We toured a Llano Estacado Winery that was started in the 1960's by two Tech chemistry professors. Today this winery is the top producer in Texas.

Hunter and his girlfriend, Gabi

All the underage kids enjoyed their complimentary glasses of Welch's finest grape juice. The free chocolate chips were an added bonus.



We also made a quick stop to visit Lubbock's favorite son, Buddy Holly. 





Thank you Deborah, Lindsay, Hunter and Steve (not pictured).  The NaplesMorgans had a great time in Lubbock!

Next post: Dallas

Amarillo

After one night in Lubbock we headed to Amarillo to visit Palo Duro Canyon.
Palo Duro is just breathtaking. It is the second largest canyon in the United States. It is 20 miles wide and 100 miles long.



I was so proud of both of our kids for hiking from the top to the bottom of the canyon.


While visiting the canyon we were able to attend "Texas - The Musical Drama." For 45 years this outdoor musical has been entertaining guests from around the world.  I was lucky enough to see this same musical over 33 years ago when my father took me camping in Palo Duro Canyon. The show is performed in an outdoor amphitheater with the canyon as the backdrop. The amazing special effects include galloping horses, fire, lightning, trains, wagons, fireworks and even dancing water fountains.
 



While in Amarillo we were also able to visit Cadillac Ranch. Never heard of Cadillac Ranch?  A tribute to Cadillac Ranch was featured in the Walt Disney movie Cars.
 

We accidentally left a bag of clothes in our Amarillo hotel after checkout.  Did you know that hotels return your lost items at no expense? However, it didn't help us while traveling. Unfortunately, we were short a number of outfits for the remainder of our trip, oh well.

Next post: Lubbock Round 2

A Two Week Tour of Texas

On Thursday, July 12th, we flew to Texas to begin a two week tour of the state. We flew to Dallas and rented a car. Our goal was to drive from Amarillo in the Panhandle down to San Antonio. Along the way we would visit seven very different cities.

Our first stop was Lubbock.  Darin and I met in Lubbock back in 1984 while attending Texas Tech University.  My sister, Deborah, and her family still live in Lubbock.

The most photographed statue on campus.

The math building where Darin and I met.

 

The kids walking past our classroom window.

Touring the campus with my sister and nephew. More on her family in an upcoming post.  

Because Tech was hosting Freshman Orientation we were able to gain access to the stadium.

Mason and his cousin Hunter.

It was great to be back in Jones Stadium after 25 years.

Next post: Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon.

Proud to be an American

Our 4th of July in pictures ...

Only in Naples would a float in the 4th of July parade give away free ribs instead of candy!