Jan 18, 2010 | Missouri, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
We decided Friday to make a run for the border. (Missouri border that is,) so we headed up to Branson. We hadn’t been there in years and thought we’d give it another chance. I found a free room at this place everyone said was great with kids The Castle Rock Resort and Hotel.
The hotel has an actual waterpark with 2 large slides, large kiddie pool, lazy river, and two other pools indoors. Now, I have to admit the beds were so horrible we didn’t sleep a wink, but there was an alcove for the boys with bunkbeds and their own TV which they loved (we don’t do cable etc. at home so they don’t watch TV normally.) The upswing was the waterpark part is all part of your room fees, and we did get the room free thanks to AMEX points! (EVEN BETTER!)
Half of the waterpark
Loving the Lazy River
They loved it.
After they played a bit we drove around looking for things that were open (it’s the off-season in Branson so not much was open.) We toured the Butterfly Palace. A bit expensive for my tastes- I’d been in better butterfly habitats that weren’t so pricey.
Butterfly Bar
Then we found a new open-air mall down on the river called Branson Landing where the Bass Pro Shop was. We ate at an awful restaurant somehow connected with Bass Pro called The Fish House (I think.) Yuck. Downtown Branson has really changed since we were there about 4 years ago to ride Thomas the Tank Engine!
Got back to the hotel and the boys went to swim for another three hours or so in the waterpark while Emily and I went to the room and vegetated. (The chlorine in the pool was so strong it was making us sick.)
This morning we woke up and hit the town.
Today we got up and hit the town.
First, we toured the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum. (Complete with shrunken heads and world’s largest ball of twine!)
World’s Largest Ball of Twine! (really, aren’t you impressed?)
Next, we did the Titanic Museum. Yes, pretty depressing, but the kids seemed to like touching the cold water and “iceberg.” Very interesting to say the least.
Then we headed back to Branson Landing to some place the kids really wanted to go, Ridemakerz, where they build their own car (think Build-A-Bear for boys.) I normally don’t fall for that corporate junk but the kids are really happy with their dumb cars.
All in all it was a fun, cheesy trip, but I think I’ve had enough of Branson for another ten years or so.
Nov 5, 2009 | Louisiana, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
I experienced my first NFL game on Monday night.
I admit, I’m not a sports fan. By that I mean that I don’t like to watch sports on TV or follow in team in particular. I think of it sort of like a Roman gladiator fight.
My mind might have been changed though. The energy in the arena was amazing and the people were great. Live games are so much fun!
I really hope the Saints make it to Superbowl!
When the Saints Came Marching In
Who Dat Say They Gonna Be Dem Saints?
Some great people from Alabama sitting behind us
(The husband was from New Orleans and his mom in law was threatening to make him sit in the trunk on the way home!)
I hadn’t been to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit them. I guess it had been 6 yrs or so for me. I was expecting the worst from what I’ve heard.
I’ve got to tell you it was wonderful. The people of N.O. are fantastic, friendly, originals!
Now to talk about what I love- FOOD!
Scott had a meeting so I walked the quarter with his co-worker’s wife. We had beignets and coffee from Cafe Du Monde for breakfast. YUM!
We had lunch at Mother’s Restaurant. We LOVE that place. He had a Ferdie special and raved about it. I had a bowl of seafood gumbo. Next trip I’m trying the shrimp creole.
Now for the pièce de résistance:
Orleans Grapevine was phenomenal! Scott and I both are pretty particular and this was absolutely amazing. Can’t think of anything not nice to say about it. If you are in the area you HAVE to try it. Lovely!
Oct 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
Wow, I just noticed this will be my 100th post!
Trying to make this count for my Day 3 of the Gratitude Challenge (I am so slow.)
“Things I am Grateful For Today”
Teams practicing before the game
I am grateful for a wonderful weekend with my honey (alone!)
We are home from a trip to Oxford, MS via Tunica. Had a great time even if the Hogs didn’t win.
Oxford is a beautiful campus town. Looks like it was taken right out of a Southern Living photo shoot. Gorgeous!
This game was played up big because Ole Miss’ head coach, Houston Nutt, was UA’s coach for a long while. I saw this on a shirt at the game:
Arkansas= Mounds
Ole Miss= Almond Joy
(Sometimes you feel like a NUTT, sometimes you don’t!)
Scott and I both went to University of Arkansas, met our second semester of college. We haven’t been to a football game since we were up there so this was different. Let’s say they are WAY more over the top than they were in our day. When we were in college there they weren’t the greatest of football teams and not many fans went to games (students anyway.) Now the stadiums are huge, full, and the scoreboards are amazing. Ole Miss played much better than we did, unfortunately for us. (30-17) They had an amazing quarterback.
We met up with a bunch of Scott’s work buddies and their spouses and had a great time in Tunica!
Blue & White Cafe
Scott’s Chicken Fried Steak at the Blue and White Cafe in Tunica, MS
My Veggies and Soup! (Brussel sprouts, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes)
Cotton along the old highway
Grateful For:
A gorgeous, sunny weekend
Time alone with my best friend
Southern cooking
A fun weekend seeing this gorgeous country
Fun time with friends
Parents who will watch our kids on occasion!
Aug 14, 2009 | Travel, Uncategorized
My cousin has a new fun Mr.Linky on her site. Here’s my answer…
Oh, I love to travel. Luckily my honey does too. Some of my faves…
Coba, Mexico (on the steps to a pyramid)
With family in Playa del Carmen
We love Quintana Roo, state in Mexico. We honeymooned there 17 yrs ago. We went every year for awhile. A couple of times with friends and once with family. We like to stay in the Iberostar chain hotels, but now our family is larger (and they only allow 4 to a room) we haven’t been back but once I guess. Have to rent a house there soon!
City Museum
Then there is St. Louis. What an awesome family trip! Last year we drove up and hit all the hot spots (City Museum, Arch, zoo, Transportation museum, Blue Owl Bakery…) FUN!
And
San Antonio! We rode the train there over Spring Break and had a fantastic trip. We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa (I sooo recommend this place for families! Free bikes and trails, fantastic pool and beach, close to Sea World, great food…) Hit the Witte museum, SA zoo, Alamo, Riverwalk…
Another great trip was our drive from Arkansas to California! We saw lots of fun things that were along the old Route 66, went to the Grand Canyon, LA, Pasadena, La Jolla (Scripps museum) San Diego…
on the way back went to Arizona and saw more fun things. (Hint, if you join a science museum close to you then usually it’s reciprocal with museums all over the world. We usually don’t have to pay a dime anywhere and a family membership is around $70 for a year.)
Picture of Train in Grand Canyon (Max took this!)
Legoland
Our next trip is Orlando (Disneyworld) this fall. Can’t wait! I would like our trip after that to be Panamá.
Jul 9, 2009 | Florida, Panama, Travel, Uncategorized
We were not at home this fourth of July. My 20th high school reunion/ Canal Zone Reunion was in Orlando, Florida and so mom, my honey, and I decided to go. The in-laws were kind enough to watch the kiddos so that they wouldn’t have to endure the long trip down and back. Fast and furious it was! Here is a quick photo diary of the days…
Mom and Me in Tupelo, MS (Elvis’ birthplace)
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort (HUGE PLACE)
Hosted the Canal Zone Reunion
Me trying to “steal” the Balboa head from BHS for Kenneth
(who was a CHS defector in ’95 and graduated from BHS)
Cristobal High Graduates from many years
Pensacola Beach
(Had to stop to put our feet in the ocean on the way home)
We saw old neighbors, teachers, classmates… It was so fantastic to see my “old” friends again. Some were grade school buddies I hadn’t seen since 5th or 6th grade!
