Gulley and I packed up the car and the kids on Tuesday morning and headed out on the open road for our annual summer road trip. Which is why I didn’t post anything last night.
Well, that and the fact that the hotel we stayed in charged $15.00 for wi-fi access and I decided that was absurd. I debated trying to write a post using my phone but, good grief, my thumbs can’t handle that kind of word count and stress.
Anyway, we left San Antonio at 10:30 on Tuesday morning. Gulley and the boys showed up at the house with chicken biscuits from Chick-fil-A because there is no point in starting off a trip without the proper nutrition.
In the weeks leading up to the trip, we debated and analyzed possible road trip destinations and couldn’t figure out the best plan of action. But then one night we were eating dinner with our friend, Leslie, and she mentioned the Flying L Ranch in Bandera. She said they had a cute water park with a lazy river that might be fun.
We looked it up on the google and decided it sounded fun. We also noticed they offered horseback riding but you know what sounds miserable in 106 degree heat? Being on a horse.
And so we told the kids about the water portion of the ranch, but neglected to mention the horseback riding because why would you ever let them know about that? It’s a recipe for heat and smells and not being able to walk the next day.
The drive to Bandera was only about an hour and, when we pulled up to the Flying L Ranch, I was concerned because all I saw was a small, rectangular pool with a small slide. However, it seemed unlikely that Leslie would suggest we drive an hour for a tiny pool with nary a river in sight. And as we turned the corner, I realized she had given us the best suggestion ever as I saw a wave pool, a river, and a giant slide.
It was perfect.
We sunscreened the kids, Gulley and I found chairs at the edge of the wave pool, and we spent the next five hours floating and eating and listening to the classic country music being piped in over the loudspeakers. We sang along to I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool and Gulley reminisced about the Halloween she dressed up as Barbara Mandrell. Which isn’t to be confused with the time she sang Delta Dawn in her fifth grade school program.
Eventually we’d all had enough of the sun and the water, not to mention that Caroline had a blister on her toe that she wouldn’t quit talking about, and so we got back in the car and began our journey to Austin where we planned to spend the night.
We stopped at Nutty Brown Cafe on our way into town to eat dinner and then arrived at the hotel just in time to watch the balance beam and floor routines. And I fell even more in love with Bela Karolyi as he stood in the stands and waved his hands to make sure they submitted an inquiry for Aly Raisman. Way to take charge, Bela.
And here’s an observation from the road. Our kids don’t think we’re as smart as they used to think we were. They know A LOT for people who can’t even drive. They have A LOT of opinions. And they’re LOUD. We’ve spent more than several minutes informing them that we are in charge and that we know how to get places and that we’re NOT GOING TO EAT AT APPLEBEE’S in Austin just because they’ve decided they like chain restaurants with questionable food.
Really, it’s Caroline and Jackson that are the worst offenders. But even Will got in on the action Tuesday night while we were watching the Olympics. The announcers introduced one of the competitors and Will said, “OH, I HATE AUSTRIANS.”
What? You hate Austrians?
My first thought was that perhaps he’d had a bad experience with The Sound of Music. Because that’s really the extent of my knowledge of Austria. And I’ve never heard anyone express a dislike of Austrians so I couldn’t really imagine what the problem might be.
Gulley said, “What on earth? Why do you hate Austrians?”
“Well because their country is filled with snakes and poisonous creatures.”
“First of all, I think you’re thinking of Australia. And, second of all, it’s a great place and you don’t need to hate anyone or anything. Especially when you don’t know anything about it.”, Gulley replied.
“Well it’s also where they send the people from Mexico when they’re bad.”
And that’s why we don’t really need to listen to anyone under the age of ten. Especially on matters of geography or restaurant choices.
Because then we might all be eating at Applebees and have unfounded issues with Australia.
And that’s really no good for anyone.
(Please enjoy my stellar photography.)
We spent the night at a hotel in Austin and spent yesterday at the Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History which totally exceeded my expectations. And also confirmed that I didn’t pay much attention in my seventh grade Texas History class. I’m sure it’s because I had bigger things to worry about than Santa Anna, things like what to wear with my sweet new pinstriped Guess jeans and if my purple eyeshadow was the right shade to wear with my new purple Polo because everyone knows your eye makeup and clothes need to match.
If the goal of the museum is to make people feel an even deeper sense of pride for our state, then it succeeded because Gulley and I both barely left there without buying t-shirts featuring a large cannon with “Come and Take It” written on the front.
After all that history and learning, we were ready to eat and decided the Hula Hut was the perfect spot because we knew the kids would love eating on the water. Sure enough, it was a total score because our table was right next to a real live swan and six turtles.
(They were in the water below us. Not seated next to us. I felt like that was unclear.)
And now we’ve made our way to Bryan where I’m sure there is more fun in store. Along with more “facts” and “restaurant” suggestions from the kids.
I’m also thinking tomorrow I might put on a pair of Caroline’s swim suit bottoms and re-enact Misty May and Kerri Walsh’s gold medal beach volleyball match.
But not really because that sounds even worse than riding a horse in 106 degree weather.
Or visiting Austria.
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I have a coworker from Austria.. .Many years ago she decided to clear up that whole Austria vs Australia confusion with my daughter. She asked my daughter if she had ever seen kangaroos hopping around in the Sound of Music Video.. Enjoy your getaway!
Oh my. I was enjoying your post about the trip with some giggles about how kids think they know more than parents (wait until they are teenagers, just sayin’) and then your comment about wearing Caroline’s swim suit made me snort my HOT tea. You always brighten my day
I will have to remember the cows/Sound of Music question.
Sounds like a delightful road trip–especially as you have Gulley along.
I love them, but WHY do their bikini bottoms look like they are two sizes too small????
Probably because they have to wear them that tight to keep them from falling off during all the acrobats!
To keep the sand out?
My daughter and I went to Austria this summer. Will needs the t shirt we took a picture of. I’d send you the picture but I don’t know how to do that. Anyways, it has a picture of a kangaroo on it and says, ” There are no Kangaroos in Austria”. Enjoy your trip!
That is VERY funny!
Ooooh, Austria is so lovely! It really looks like Julie Andrews is going to come twirling out of a mountainside at any time.
Oh, and those volleyball bottoms? What? Because booty shorts that are worn indoors are just too constricting? I’d love to see May-Treanor compare the size of their first Olympics’ bottoms with this year. Although, the ladies’ water polo suits are teetering dangerously close to dental floss.
*Booty shorts worn by indoor volleyball players.
I thought THAT was unclear.
Oh I love Delta Dawn. My dad and I’ve been singing that one for years, and years….and years. I have a friend that made it his ringtone when I call. Love. Love it.
Thanks for the laugh this morning. So many laugh out loud moments in this, but my favorite is “perhaps he had a bad experience with the sound of music”
I’ve never been to Texas, but I feel I know all about your great state because I’ve seen all five seasons of Friday Night Lights multiple times, and I am devastated to learn that Applebees is not the end all be all in Texas cuisine.
Did Tami Taylor lead me astray? Say it ain’t so.
LOL this morning! Those young un’s are darlin’! Your road trips sound like a blast and hopefully no one gets car sick this time (hope I didn’t jinx it).
Woohoo! Love the “Come and Take It.” I can assure Will that Austria is a perfectly lovely place. It looks just like it does in The Sound of Music. Also very clean cities.
Such fun adventures! I love that you are coming to my neck of the woods, if you see a stranger yelling “BigMama?” while strolling through town, it will be me!
I read bigmama on my iPhone every morning before I get out of bed. Helps me start my day with a smile!
. Had to comment today, though, to say thanks for the extra laughs! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I no longer insist on matching my eyeshadow to my outfit, but I do change the color to compliment it … isn’t that sad? Have a fun trip, Austin is one of my favorite cities!
Seventh Grade Texas History…a rite of passage. Recently our seventh-grade babysitter bemoaned that her Texas History teacher had just moved here from MAINE and didn’t even like Texas. Here’s hoping our kids’ teacher wears a Come and Take It shirt.
gave me some new ideas for next trip to Austen. We live in Bandera and I really wanted to use the Flying L pool this summer. They wanted fifty dollars for five visits for each person. I told them I just wanted to swim in the pool not buy it. Anyways they vexed me, I would pay for swimming privilages and golf for the season. Oh well, just had to say. Have fun in College Station, one of my favorite towns in Texas. We are looking at property about 30 minutes north of there and will hopefully move up there in a couple of years.
Can’t wait until they’re old enough for you two to venture outside the country with them….!!
love the way you take the everyday and find the laughter and fun and downright silliness in it!! As to the bottoms…hey I never saw the upper part of their behind showing! You know, the crack. That is a real plus.
Wonder if the USA Olympic team as a wax expert with them in case of emergency! I mean really, would you want your pits or inner leg being shown on a 42 in HD screen without a proper waxing. Male swimmers included!
This post was hilarious – as always. That was so funny about Will talking about Austria (or Australia). My husband was just saying something to our daughter last week about Australia and that prisoners were sent there back in the 18th Century. Maybe Will had his wires crossed a little, but he’s not totally wrong. Ha! Thought you would get a kick out of that. Here’s a little from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convicts_in_Australia
Wouldn’t spring $15 for WiFi? Isn’t that your “signature” spending limit? Got a kick out of the cost since it matched the price you pay for everything else
Two things came to mind, and you know my love of over-sharing.
1) Caroline’s blister – I recently drug the youngest to a water park with a toe he complained about. Turns out its broken. But he’s always complaining about one ailment or another, so who knew? I told him to learn a lesson about crying wolf.
2) Old country music – While in the doctor’s office with the boy, they were playing country music. “The Dance” came on. The boy has been friends with Kelly’s niece (she is named Kelly) since kindergarten. The boy looked at me and said, “Mom, do NOT cry.” Has he even met me? I cry at every P&G commercial about olympic moms.
It goes without saying (although apparently I’m saying it anyway) that you now have an obligation to take the kids to an Outback restaurant. How could you not? questionable chain restaurant food AND ersatz exposure to Australian culture. You can tell Will that you’re enlarging his global horizons. lol and plus, all those Austrians totally caved to the bad guys until the Captain came along and sang Eidelweiss. Will rocks.
Welcome to Bryan College Station. I hope you enjoy your visit. The George Bush Library is a great place to visit. Take a walk around campus (I would suggest late evening so you don’t melt).
Can’t believe you went to the Domain and I MISSED meeting you!!! I swear I tell all my friends about this “pretend” friend I have that is so witty and insightful…RATS
I don’t know why but your last few sentences
made me completely lose it at the lunch table I’m sitting it with two elderly bank officers! Thanks for completely making my day and making me choke in the middle of complete silence. Ha ha!
I have a Texas question for you. We are looking at vacationing in between Christmas and New Years this year with our two sons (19, and 17). Is South Padre Island a good place to go and at that time of year what will the temps be? I am from Ohio and will be seeking the warmth of the sun at that time of year. Can you help? We have never been anywhere in the state of Texas so I would appreciate any advice you can give us.
Thanks!
I hate to even add this bit of trivia, but since you were talking history lessons…..The Hula Hut was more commonly known by the adult men in our yearly Austin vacations, as The Butt Hut. Really.
I’ve never been to Texas,looks amazing!These photos are so cute!Thanks for sharing!
http://www.cosfever.com/145-lycra-spandex-zentai-