Uncategorized – Where's Ro?

Gaylord Texan – ICE!

Christmas in our household is synonymous with “touring Texas” so we can see our families during the holidays. Tour highlights include stops in the tiny towns of Lacoste and the not as tiny, but still not very big town of Kilgore. The year we added a leg to the tour and stopped in Grapevine (between Forth Worth and Dallas). One of the main attractions in Grapevine is the resort hotel, The Gaylord Texan. During Christmas, the Texan features a Texas-sized ice sculpture exhibit whose theme changes each year, but always includes a nativity scene. This year’s theme was Frosty! and included scenes from the cartoon Frosty the Snowman.

Already wrapped in our own winter coats, gloves, wooly socks and closed-toes shoes, we had to be “parka-fied” (a.k.a. fitted with parkas) before entering the exhibit that is kept a chilly 9 degrees (F). After being parka-fied, we entered the exhibit where we were greeted by larger than life ice sculptures of Frosty, Karen (the little girl who Frosty helps), Hocus (Magician Hinkle’s rabbit), and of course, Santa Clause (who took Frosty to the North Pole).

The process of creating the exhibit is just as interesting as seeing the finished product. The exhibit includes the Frostbite Factory where you can learn about how ice is made (it’s not just about freezing water), where the ice is made, and how long it takes to deliver all the ice to the Texan (the making of ice details).

Even if you do not venture into the ICE! exhibit, the Gaylord Texan Atrium is quite the site to see during Christmas. The Texan calls it, Lone Star Christmas–which means Christmas lights on a Texas-sized level. No matter the forecast outside, you are guaranteed a cozy walk through a Christmas wonderland thanks to the large atrium (you will forget that you are inside!). The Lone Star Christmas boasts 2 million twinkling lights, 15,0000 ornaments, and multiple lavish holiday displays (great picture opportunities). I spotted official photographers near some of the holiday displays in case you don’t want all your pictures to be selfies.

Our trip to the Gaylord Texan included a one-night stay in their luxurious rooms. Our room’s balcony faced the atrium which gave us a great view of the Lone Star Christmas! A bonus to staying the night, if you are an early bird, is being able to walk through the atrium in the morning before the crowds arrive. My husband and I enjoyed walking along the indoor “Riverwalk” and checking out the holiday displays without having to dodge the masses. Quite the surreal feeling!

As much as we didn’t want to checkout, we had to get back to Kilgore for Christmas. Our extended leg on the Tour of Texas was definitely worth the trip and we hope to continue to find new stops on the holiday Tour of Texas in the future!

Dirt for the Soul

Schedules, to-do lists, meetings, and work are tasks that will always consume minutes and hours of your day. If you have the opportunity to step out of your daily routine, do not stop to think about whether or not it can be shoe-horned into your day. Instead, block out your calendar, grab that opportunity, tuck it into your bag and run with it!

Image - Us on the Greenbelt — We aren’t lost, we are with each other!

Weeks ago, the opportunity to trail run was presented by a good friend of mine—my “trail running partner in crime” and I quickly blocked out the time on my calendar. We met late in the morning to run on the greenbelt and our goal was to essentially “screw around” and see if we could piece together two sections of trail. We were fairly certain it could not be done. We were also fairly certain it could be done!

Two and half hours of trail running, bushwhacking, and riding rock slides later we made the following discoveries:

The two sections of trail we wanted to connect can only be connect by using roads (for now).
There is a huge ravine we never knew about next to a trail we frequently run.
Drop us anywhere on the greenbelt, and we will figure out our location.
Playing on the trail with my “trail running partner in crime” more often than not can make me warm and fuzzy inside and out!

Big D

The primary purpose for the trip to Dallas this weekend was to see a show at the American Airlines Center. The secondary purpose was to visit with friends whom we do not see often. The primary purpose would seem to be the highlight of the weekend; however in hindsight, it was the secondary purpose that meant the most. Weekend trips to Dallas usually revolves around meeting with friends over one of the main meals of the day. The rest of the day is an open canvas and we usually poke around and see what we can get into.

This weekend’s trip included breakfast at Kuby’s, lunch at Highland Park Soda Fountain, a quick dinner at Taqueriea La Ventana, another breakfast at Cindi’s NY Deli, and a final stop at The Dream Cafe. I also managed to find a fun new store with unique gifts that were not over-price called Betty Lou Boutique.

All of these places are just places unless you are there being there has meaning. How else will you remember these places later in life? At each of these places, my husband was by my side. He is the Dallas native. He knows his way around the town. He knows me and what I like and effortlessly ensures I enjoy the weekend. Whether we are ‘goofing’ around in a boutique toy store, picking our way through odds and ends in a gift shop, or reconnecting with good friends, we always seem to have a great time. The weather also made the weekend. After a month with temps in the low 20’s mid 30’s a weekend with temps in the mid 60’s was absolutely glorious!

Oh, and the show for which we had tickets? The best part of the show was having one of our good friends along with us.

Friends, good weather, an good store finds!

le Tour de Bean

We cooked up an idea that involved a casual bike ride through Austin while stopping at some of the locally-owned coffee shops.

The morning of the First Annual le Tour de Bean hosted 35 cyclists who arrived bundled up (since it started out a bit chilly) and ready to begin a caffeinated cruise through Austin. Our goal for the ride was for cyclists to get out on the streets, learn new cycling routes, meet new people and learn about new coffee shops. We were well received by the coffee shops and the weather warmed up nicely thanks to the sun coming out in full force.

We covered a total of 10 miles, 4 coffee shops, and lots of good conversation and adventure along the way. Cyclists had the opportunity to purchase the official le Tour de Bean coffee mug and enjoy discounted drinks at our last stop.

We had tri bikes, road bikes, and even a rockin’ orange cruiser bike!! We had not just adults but some children as well who came with their dad. It truly is refreshing to know that we can ride through Austin on a Saturday morning to enjoy what Austin has to offer.

Motor traffic was kind to us for the most part and we did are best to obey the traffic rules, because if we as cyclists aren’t going to obey the laws, why should we expect motorist to?

We are planning another casual ride in Austin… so stay tuned!

Snow Day?

Winters this year were a little different than winters in the past. Usually we drop into the 30’s a handful of times and then it’s back to mid-40’s. This year, the winter bought multiple days of below freezing temps and at one point, I saw the thermometer read 11 degrees–for Central Texas, that’s just unheard of.

For my birthday this year, my friend and I had planned a breakfast bike cruise through downtown…Mother Nature had other plans. On February 23rd, the forecast called for snow!I figured we’d see a couple teeny tiny snowflakes and then deal with the slushy mess on the roads. To my surprise, we saw big snowflakes and the flakes actually “stuck” so that we had a layer of snow on the ground.

What happened to the bike ride? My birthday coincided with IHOP’s free pancake day!!! We changed our plans to a birthday breakfast at IHOP. From our table, we could see the snow coming down while enjoying yummy pancakes and coffee. I couldn’t have asked for much more on my birthday. While my significant other was out of town, I was able share my birthday with some of my closest friends and enjoy the downtime. We also couldn’t resist running outside in the middle of breakfast for a picture.

We couldn’t help be run out and take pictures in the snow since it happens so rarely here!!!

Raccoons?

We were out and about one weekend when the weather was fairly nice and overcast. While at one of the local nurseries, I noticed this trash can and it make me laugh.

I guess the raccoons in these parts know how to read because the message seemed to be very pointed towards them.

So Raccoons…don’t get into the trash! Please?

Have Job, Will work

I’ve decided that in order to keep myself focused without the distractions of my t.v. calling me to come and see what HGTV has on now or the kitchen whispering, “please, come and cook something new in here!” that I needed to visit a local wi-fi place.

I’ve got my cup of hot tea and my whole grain bagel and snagged a table next to an electrical outlet. I tried to stay local by going to a locally-owned shop, but this place was just conveniently closer to my house. If you frequent this place, you’ll be able to tell where I am.

Ironically, the place is filled with others doing the same thing. There are mini-meetings, friends catching up or venting, and the guy across the way from me with his OU cap on (in UT country no doubt) surfing the web. What am doing? Working on my resume for a social media position. I am trying to word it just right so those who make the decision see my cover letter read it and say, “I need to bring her in!”

With that said… I am off to resume writing land!

Java?

I’ve been working remotely this morning… picked a great coffee shop with delicious coffee… in Austin.

Can you guess where?

Trail Running on a Wonderful Afternoon!

It was the middle of the week and the temperature was in the mid-70’s. What better place to be than soaking up the sun and running on the trails. Which trails am I on though???

Mid-Day Trail Run — Who knew this trail was here?