mizscarlett's Texas road trip
Sep 19th, 2004, 01:13 PM
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mizscarlett's Texas road trip
Hello, and thank you to all who offered ideas for our trip. We didn't get to do everything, obviously, but I have stashed the info away to refer to next time.
We started out from Kansas driving south and stopped at the Oklahoma City Zoo. We had a great time, especially at the lorikeet exhibit, where we got to be up close and personal when we fed them. Also really enjoyed the gorilla exhibit, with 2 adorable baby gorillas. Then it was on the Dallas area, where we were to meet up with a couple of college friends of mine. We had dinner at La Marguerita's (sp.?) in Irving, which was a really good, local Mexican restaurant. My friend, who lives in Irving, goes there regularly and treated us to dinner that night. I highly recommend it-good fun, fun atmosphere, great service. We then drove to Arlington, where we stayed with my other friend.
Next morning we headed out of town, taking I-45 toward Houston. We stopped at Huntsville and toured the Texas Prison Museum. It was really very interesting, although an hour was quite long enough for our 10 and 7 year olds. We also stopped down the road to see the huge Sam Houston statue. Very touristy, but interesting. Next time we might try to visit the museum and home of Mr. Houston.
Our purpose in going to Houston was to visit my brother, and, as we have been there often, we chose to just relax at their house for most of the weekend. We did venture down to Kemah, where we wandered around the Boardwalk and had lunch at the Aquarium restaurant. The kids loved eating there, with the giant aquarium in the dining room. We arrived when they opened at 11:00 am and had front row seats when the diver descended into the aquarium to feed the fish at 11:30. We didn't spend much time in Kemah after lunch, as it was hot and there was some kind of pep rally or something going on for the Houston Texans. So we headed back to my brother's house and the kids went swimming in the pool.
We took an alternate route on our return trip, traveling on Highway 290 to Brenham. There we toured the Blue Bell Creamery, which the girls really loved, especially the free ice cream at the end of the tour. Although I would have liked to spend more time in Brenham (shopping and stuff), my husband was itching to get a little further up the road. So, we headed toward Waco and the Dr Pepper Museum. It was interesting, but again, an hour was long enough for the girls. Our favorite part was watching all the old (and current) Dr Pepper TV ads.
We finished up there around 5:00 pm and so there was nothing else to do really that day. We just headed toward Dallas to spend the night and the next day went to the Dallas Zoo (hey, we like zoos and we have a membership that reciprocates!). It is a nice zoo and the girls enjoyed riding the monorail safari, which was a unique experience for them.
On our last leg toward home, we stopped at the Turner Falls overlook in Oklahoma. It was really pretty and just a short distance of I-35. It looked like there were some remains from some old forts but there was no information anywhere that we could find. The so-called Tourist Info center there at the overlook was no help, as the woman who was operating it locked the door when she saw us approaching. We couldn't even use the restrooms there, as you had to get the key from her. I guess our little family looked too dangerous and intimidating...?
Anyway, it was a nice trip. Very relaxing. Most of our meals were unremarkable, as were our two hotel stays. We were going for inexpensive and/or convenient, and you get what you pay for. But,we don't mind so much. Thanks again, everyone!
We started out from Kansas driving south and stopped at the Oklahoma City Zoo. We had a great time, especially at the lorikeet exhibit, where we got to be up close and personal when we fed them. Also really enjoyed the gorilla exhibit, with 2 adorable baby gorillas. Then it was on the Dallas area, where we were to meet up with a couple of college friends of mine. We had dinner at La Marguerita's (sp.?) in Irving, which was a really good, local Mexican restaurant. My friend, who lives in Irving, goes there regularly and treated us to dinner that night. I highly recommend it-good fun, fun atmosphere, great service. We then drove to Arlington, where we stayed with my other friend.
Next morning we headed out of town, taking I-45 toward Houston. We stopped at Huntsville and toured the Texas Prison Museum. It was really very interesting, although an hour was quite long enough for our 10 and 7 year olds. We also stopped down the road to see the huge Sam Houston statue. Very touristy, but interesting. Next time we might try to visit the museum and home of Mr. Houston.
Our purpose in going to Houston was to visit my brother, and, as we have been there often, we chose to just relax at their house for most of the weekend. We did venture down to Kemah, where we wandered around the Boardwalk and had lunch at the Aquarium restaurant. The kids loved eating there, with the giant aquarium in the dining room. We arrived when they opened at 11:00 am and had front row seats when the diver descended into the aquarium to feed the fish at 11:30. We didn't spend much time in Kemah after lunch, as it was hot and there was some kind of pep rally or something going on for the Houston Texans. So we headed back to my brother's house and the kids went swimming in the pool.
We took an alternate route on our return trip, traveling on Highway 290 to Brenham. There we toured the Blue Bell Creamery, which the girls really loved, especially the free ice cream at the end of the tour. Although I would have liked to spend more time in Brenham (shopping and stuff), my husband was itching to get a little further up the road. So, we headed toward Waco and the Dr Pepper Museum. It was interesting, but again, an hour was long enough for the girls. Our favorite part was watching all the old (and current) Dr Pepper TV ads.
We finished up there around 5:00 pm and so there was nothing else to do really that day. We just headed toward Dallas to spend the night and the next day went to the Dallas Zoo (hey, we like zoos and we have a membership that reciprocates!). It is a nice zoo and the girls enjoyed riding the monorail safari, which was a unique experience for them.
On our last leg toward home, we stopped at the Turner Falls overlook in Oklahoma. It was really pretty and just a short distance of I-35. It looked like there were some remains from some old forts but there was no information anywhere that we could find. The so-called Tourist Info center there at the overlook was no help, as the woman who was operating it locked the door when she saw us approaching. We couldn't even use the restrooms there, as you had to get the key from her. I guess our little family looked too dangerous and intimidating...?
Anyway, it was a nice trip. Very relaxing. Most of our meals were unremarkable, as were our two hotel stays. We were going for inexpensive and/or convenient, and you get what you pay for. But,we don't mind so much. Thanks again, everyone!
Sep 19th, 2004, 02:07 PM
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Sounds like it was a great trip, mizscarlett! Thanks for the report. I finally visited the Kemah boardwalk for the first time last spring. I can't believe how much that area has changed since I lived in Clear Lake over a decade ago.
I am also familiar with many of the other places on your roadtrip, so it was a nice little trip down memory lane for me. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
I am also familiar with many of the other places on your roadtrip, so it was a nice little trip down memory lane for me. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Sep 19th, 2004, 02:36 PM
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Sounds like you had a good trip!
Try the Fort Worth Zoo next trip. It is SO much better than the Dallas Zoo! Also, the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens' Japanese Garden will be a huge hit with the girls. (Hint: bring LOTS of quarters...)
Try the Fort Worth Zoo next trip. It is SO much better than the Dallas Zoo! Also, the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens' Japanese Garden will be a huge hit with the girls. (Hint: bring LOTS of quarters...)
Sep 19th, 2004, 03:16 PM
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mizscarlett!! I thought for a moment that I drank too much wine last night and took an unexpected trip !! LOL
Loved your report, a road trip can be great or hell, I am so glad yours was great!!
What fun! I enjoyed reading this
Loved your report, a road trip can be great or hell, I am so glad yours was great!!
What fun! I enjoyed reading this
Sep 21st, 2004, 02:04 PM
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I forgot to mention that we went to the Houston Children's Museum also. It was OK, but really geared more for younger children than mine. Still, we found things to do.
ChristieP-I went to the Fort Worth Zoo a number of years ago and really enjoyed it. It doesn't reciprocate with our membership, so we will go sometime when we have an entire day to stay and get our money's worth! I do also want to go to the Botanical Gardens there--in fact, it was on my list of possibilities for this trip, so maybe next time.
PS-Sorry about all the typos in the original post. I guess my brain was working faster than my fingers. I meant to say that La Marguerita's had good FOOD, not good fun (although we did have fun, too).
ChristieP-I went to the Fort Worth Zoo a number of years ago and really enjoyed it. It doesn't reciprocate with our membership, so we will go sometime when we have an entire day to stay and get our money's worth! I do also want to go to the Botanical Gardens there--in fact, it was on my list of possibilities for this trip, so maybe next time.
PS-Sorry about all the typos in the original post. I guess my brain was working faster than my fingers. I meant to say that La Marguerita's had good FOOD, not good fun (although we did have fun, too).
