Day 26 - June 25, 2011

Day 26

June 25, 2011

We had a crazy breakfast at the hotel.  It was packed!  A mob scene.  A lot of the people were in their PJs...seriously? No fresh fruit either.  I was getting a 'tude, so I asked the front desk if we could check out early and they were fine with that Yeah!  After the Alamo & Riverwalk, the only thing left to do was Sea World and I did not want to attempt that without Rich.

                It was a three hour drive to Houston.  Easy drive, until we got off at our exit.  The traffic was insane.  It took us 45 minutes to reach our hotel, which was less than a mile from the exit.  I was a little hesitant when I saw the hotel.  It was completely surrounded by an iron fence, with an electronic gate (memories of Memphis).  It was a Residence Inn and it was a motel style (or an old apartment building?).   The location was great though, across from the Houston Galleria.  The room itself was dark and dingy and there was a broken elevator, but we were hot and tired, so we stayed.

                I was weary of the traffic, so we walked across the street for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  The restaurant was packed!  Texas is a rockin.  We found out that Kelly Clarkson had been singing in the Mall, not even an hour prior to our arrival!  We'd just missed her....so that was the reason for the traffic.  Timing.

                After dinner, we walked the three story mall, which was filled with top-end designer stores.  Very cool mall....and people everywhere, all carrying shopping bags.

San Antonio - Houston     190 miles/3 1/2 hrs

Houston Residence Inn Galleria

Day 25 - June 24, 2011

Day 25

June 24, 2011

                On a roll with sleeping late!  We didn't get up till 8a.m.  We were packed and out by 9:30 and we went in search of a Starbucks...I need to break this addiction, because it was a calamity of sorts...the Starbucks Finder, my map, one-way streets, SOS call to Rich...all for a Latte!  Sad.  It was a rough morning with the kids too, but looking back, I was probably the catalyst.  Caffeine junkie. 

                While we were walking through downtown, there were a bunch of corporate teams (each team in a different color t-shit) on a scavenger hunt.  Apparently one of the things that people had to find was a mom with four kids!  Needless to say, we got our picture taken a lot.  It was kind of funny, they were like paparazzi.  The kids loved it.  Audrey was hunting them down, "Did you take our picture yet?!".

                We toured the State Capitol, which is a replica of the National Capitol, on a smaller scale.  We were able to go to both the State Senate and the State House of Representative...the real deal...and hear them negotiating.  Then we toured the grounds - beautiful gardens!  Audrey was climbing on a statue, slipped, and fell into mud.  What a mess...four water bottles and a change of clothes.

                We also visited the LBJ library, which was awesome.  It was empty, so that's always a plus for us.  It was much better than the Clinton Library, imo.  It chronicled the crazy history of the 1960's.  Very fun.

                Our drive to San Antonio was only an hour and a half.  We scored a big, two bedroom suite (thought Rich was joining us).  There was a dance competition going on, so the hotel was flooded with over-made-up tween girls.  Pool was not an option.  So we went to the Alamo...which was disappointing.  Literally took five minutes!  Crazy, I'd expected something so much bigger.  The fact that the city has grown up around it, probably doesn't help.  Across the street was the Riverwalk.  It was so cool, like a mini-Venice.  We walked around (little nervous that someone would fall in).  There were sooo many restaurants, we couldn't pick.  Somehow we ended up at a FANCY restaurant!  No kids menu or plastic ware...not sure why I picked it, but it was good.  Then we got ice-cream and took a horse drawn carriage ride.

Austin – San Antonio

80 miles/1 hour, 30 minutes

Hotel:  Residence Inn San Antonio Alamo Plaza, Rm 1015

Day 25 - June 24, 2011

Day 25

June 24, 2011

                On a roll with sleeping late!  We didn't get up till 8a.m.  We were packed and out by 9:30 and we went in search of a Starbucks...I need to break this addiction, because it was a calamity of sorts...the Starbucks Finder, my map, one-way streets, SOS call to Rich...all for a Latte!  Sad.  It was a rough morning with the kids too, but looking back, I was probably the catalyst.  Caffeine junkie. 

                While we were walking through downtown, there were a bunch of corporate teams (each team in a different color t-shit) on a scavenger hunt.  Apparently one of the things that people had to find was a mom with four kids!  Needless to say, we got our picture taken a lot.  It was kind of funny, they were like paparazzi.  The kids loved it.  Audrey was hunting them down, "Did you take our picture yet?!".

                We toured the State Capitol, which is a replica of the National Capitol, on a smaller scale.  We were able to go to both the State Senate and the State House of Representative...the real deal...and hear them negotiating.  Then we toured the grounds - beautiful gardens!  Audrey was climbing on a statue, slipped, and fell into mud.  What a mess...four water bottles and a change of clothes.

                We also visited the LBJ library, which was awesome.  It was empty, so that's always a plus for us.  It was much better than the Clinton Library, imo.  It chronicled the crazy history of the 1960's.  Very fun.

                Our drive to San Antonio was only an hour and a half.  We scored a big, two bedroom suite (thought Rich was joining us).  There was a dance competition going on, so the hotel was flooded with over-made-up tween girls.  Pool was not an option.  So we went to the Alamo...which was disappointing.  Literally took five minutes!  Crazy, I'd expected something so much bigger.  The fact that the city has grown up around it, probably doesn't help.  Across the street was the Riverwalk.  It was so cool, like a mini-Venice.  We walked around (little nervous that someone would fall in).  There were sooo many restaurants, we couldn't pick.  Somehow we ended up at a FANCY restaurant!  No kids menu or plastic ware...not sure why I picked it, but it was good.  Then we got ice-cream and took a horse drawn carriage ride.

Austin – San Antonio

80 miles/1 hour, 30 minutes

Hotel:  Residence Inn San Antonio Alamo Plaza, Rm 1015

Day 24 - June 23, 2011

Day 24

June 23, 2011

Bear, Cammy and I slept till 8:30...heaven!  By 9:15, I had the car loaded and a coffee in hand.  We stopped at Whole Foods to stock up, then headed over to Barbie's.  We chatted for an hour, but then it was time to go.

                Our drive to Austin was easy, just over three hours.  I made some phone calls...caught up with Nicki, Lisa & Michele.  It was Rich's birthday and I felt terrible that we were apart - the first time. 

                We got to the hotel (lots of traffic in Austin!) about 3:30.  I took the kids swimming and then we went to Macaroni Grill for dinner.  Tomorrow we're going to the Capitol & the LBJ library.

Dallas - Austin

229 miles/3 1/2 hours

Austin Marriott South

Room 330

Day 23 - June 22, 2011

Day 23

June 22, 2011

Richie was gone (flew back to ATL) by the time that we woke up.  We woke up late, too...and then a series of mishaps getting our act together!  So, we didn't get to Barbie's until 10:30.  Too late for breakfast, so we gave the kids an early lunch and then they swam while we chatted.  I also got to do some laundry.

                We decided to go out for an early dinner, it was just Barbie, the kids & I.  We went to a restaurant called BJ's and it was really good.  So were all the kids!  After dinner, Barbie took everyone to her house & Bear & I went to a cool bookstore to get thank you gifts for the family.  When we got back, I had a glass of wine with Jeff & Barbie, before heading back to the hotel for an early bedtime, with Bear & Cammy.  Hunter and Aud stayed at the Berniers for a sleep-over.

Day 22 - June 21, 2011

Day 22

June 21, 2011

We had a lazy morning, as we all slept till 8a.m.!  I took the kids to Barbie's for breakfast, while Rich stayed at the hotel to work.  After breakfast, Barbie, the kids (minus Bear) and I headed downtown to Dealy Plaza and the School Book Depository.

                The museum in the Depository was pretty cool.  They had large picture boards with lots of pictures and information.  It was on the same floor where Oswald had been.  The area and window where he stood was glass encased.  I took a picture (not knowing it was going to be big deal)...wow!  They pounced on me, I'm surprised I wasn't kicked out, or that my camera wasn't confiscated.  After the museum we walked Dealy Plaza, which is much smaller in person (isn't it always?).  But it appears unchanged after 50 years.

                Barbie took us on a mini-tour of her town & then we hung out at her house for the rest of the afternoon.  Barbie popped open a bottle of champagne and we toasted & cheered until Jeff, Rich & Bear arrived.  We had a great dinner, too.  Miss them.