Texas Vacation: Day 5

The highlight of my entire trip was going to Johnson Space Center in Houston! I have worked at and visited so many museums but I have never set foot in an actual NASA facility. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, the anticipation was almost more than I could bare. My sis, Mo and I met up with his sister, brother-in-law and nephew who also love space history. Having a big group was so much fun and we literally arrived at opening and stayed until closing. Not too often have I opened and shut a museum down!

Lunar Module

Saturn V building while taking the tram tour

Mission Control...the real Mission Control from the Apollo days.

I almost couldn't breath, seeing it in person and sitting in the VIP section was such an intense moment. After looking at pictures for decades, I finally saw it with my own eyes and sat in the exact same chairs as prominent historical figures.

Mercury Redstone Rocket (outside the Saturn building)

Walking the gantry

For decades I looked at pictures in books of the moon-era space flights. I have read, studied and know this section of our history better than anything I learned in college. For 4 years at Evergreen, I took people on tours and tried to explain to them the incredible size of a Saturn V rocket. "It is over 300 ft tall", "it is three Titan II's on top of each other tall", "it is wider than this particular area of our museum" but nothing could prepare me for walking into that building and seeing it. To say that it was a spiritual moment for me just doesn't explain it. My hand immediately went over my mouth and tears welled up in my eyes. Not just because of was the Saturn V stands for but because I was finally there, with it, in person. I could touch it and smell it. A dream that I have held in my heart since I was 16 years old was realized in that moment. I have my sister to thank, who made this trip to Houston happen and who was hell-bent on getting me there, even in the worst of Texas weather. I also have my hubby to thank, who sent me on this trip with a smile and hug and told me to have a wonderful time and make incredible memories. My Love -- it's you and me at Kennedy!

Texas Vacation: Day 4

My sister and I are no strangers to conventions! Our very first convention was a Star Trek convention when I was in high school and she was in middle school (when Star Trek Generations came out -- circa 1994). That was quickly followed by an X-Files convention and now we have been to more conventions than I can count so when Wizard World was coming to Austin, I made sure to plan my trip to Texas so we could attend.

The first thing my sister's boyfriend asked was "can we dress up?" My sis and I were hesitant. One of the things we prided ourselves in was not being one of "those people". But we agreed. Morgan decided to be Link, my sis Leela and I wanted to be Rey. I love that we all picked something different, although next time I think we should do a group costume.

I openly admit that I wasn't sold on dressing up (even after buying all the costume pieces) but I figured I am a thousand miles from home, who will notice me? A lot of people, in fact. It is the closest thing to being a celebrity for a day. So many people wanted pictures with me, especially little girls who love Rey and BB8. It made me happy each time I felt a tug on my costume and a little girl was there asking for a picture. I even ran into a guy dressed like Old Luke, which was awesome!

In the end, I am glad that my sis and Morgan convinced me to do something outside my comfort zone. It was a blast! Would you do it again, you ask? Absolutely, I am one of "those people" now!

They just couldn't get their selfie game going!

Bruce Campbell was a rockstar! Funny and just all around great guy!

Texas Vacation: Day 3

Day 3's adventure began in Waco, Texas to visit Magnolia Market. Some of you may be familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines and their television show "Fixer Upper" on HGTV. I loved visiting their retail shop and seeing in real life what I have watched being built on television.

Located in downtown Waco

The Magnolia Silos

Magnolia Flour: the most delicious cupcake I have ever eaten!

Called the "Cup of Jo", chocolate cupcake with coffee frosting.

Dr. Pepper Museum located just steps away from Magnolia Market

The soda you purchase from this museum is the best Dr. Pepper I have ever tasted. I don't know what they have done to it but it is more fresh and delicious than any fountain or bottled drink.

Saw the Magnificent 7 at the Alamo Draft House.

The single best movie-going experience of my life!

They deliver food and drinks right to you as you watch the movie.

Texas Vacation: Day 1 & 2

Unfortunately this year Hubs and I were not able to take a vacation together. Circumstances with both Trudy and Mom-in-law precluded both of us from leaving simultaneously. Back in August, Hubs went to CA to visit his bestie which left September open for me to visit my sister in the great state of Texas! 

My initial impression of Texas after getting off the plane into the airport was, "well the humidity isn't so bad" and than I walked outside and thought I had been slapped in the face with a wet wash cloth. Wow! High temperatures and high humidity...I cannot even adequately describe it.

Mexican food in Texas is the best Mexican I have had since leaving AZ

Breakfast burritos in Texas: NOPE

Breakfast tacos in Texas: ABSOLUTELY

Very cool museum on Camp Mabry

The Austin Toy Museum! A blast from our past. 

This place literally has every toy from the 80s that we had or wished we had!

The infamous Austin bats which live under the bridges and fly out in swarms at dusk. 

EXCEPT on this night, they decided to take some time off.