Texas

After a day in OKC we headed for Texas... First stop was Dallas! 

We started out at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum itself is located within the former Texas School Book Depository building and chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. I was not impressed with the layout of this museum.  There were a lot of people crowding around each sign and I always felt like I was in someone's way. There was a lot to read and learn, but as far as museums go I think they could do a lot better. 

The building JFK was believed to be shot from

Entrance to the museum

Next stop on our list was the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. GWB is my all time favorite president so I was excited to explore the museum. This place gives visitors a look at American history, the presidency, and important issues of public policy. They did a FANTASTIC job! Whether you like GWB or not, they had a lot of interesting exhibits, facts, and even a special showcasing of 9/11. 

Replica oval office 

Part of the World Trade Center

Bush swag

The entrance to the presidential library 

Our last stop in Dallas was the Museum of Illusions. It was so much fun! They had lots of interactive optical illusions and sets for photos!

Trippy Mirror

Tiny husband

What's for lunch?

Look mom!

San Antonio

After a day in Dallas we headed on to San Antonio.  While in San Antonio we, of course, had to visit The Alamo. You can learn about the history, The Texas Revolution, and of course the Battle of the Alamo itself. 

Iconic!

It's even more beautiful at night

We also took some time to explore the San Antonio River Walk. San Antonio is such a unique and beautiful city! There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions all within walking distance of each other! 

River Walk

River Walk

Our first night in San Antonio we decided to go to a show at the Magicians Agency Theatre. OH MY GOODNESS! We saw Scott Pepper perform and he was fantastic!! Great magic/illusions, comedy, and fun! 

Got to talk to Scott Pepper before the show

Fun photo op

Outside the theatre

Our last stop in San Antonio was Hopscotch Immersive Art which is a creative art space featuring immersive light installations and optical illusions. We had a BLAST!

Ames Room

One of many mirror illusions

My favorite... the ball pit!




Thank you, Texas, for being so good to us! We enjoyed our time immensely!

OKC

We just got back from a quick (ish) trip to Oklahoma and Texas! I didn't have any intention on going to these two states in 2022, but somehow it happened! LOL 

Since I'm a hard person to buy presents for I've made a deal with Mike that each year on my birthday he can give me the gift of traveling with me somewhere. (Even though he does this anyway!😏) In 2021 we went to Atlanta as my birthday trip and this year was Oklahoma and Texas! 

Oklahoma and Texas have never been high priority states for me, but in order to get all 50 states, I have to start somewhere! The more research I did the more excited I got for our trip... and it actually was a pretty great trip! 

We started in Oklahoma City and our first stop was the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum. I knew very little about the bombing and in the weeks leading up to our visit I tried to keep it that way. I wanted to learn as much as I could at the museum. 

It is a beautiful museum full of moving tributes, stories, facts, and so much more! It is now one of my favorite museums and I thoroughly enjoyed learning firsthand from the place where it all happened! I've said it over and over again, but travel really is the BEST form of education!! It's one thing to read about something in history books or watch something on the news, but to be there in person.... indescribable.
 

Outside of the museum

View of the memorial from inside the museum

Tribute to the victims

Federal Building sign

After the memorial and museum we decided to go to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This place is HUGE.  It has more than 28,000 Western and American Indian art works and artifacts. They also have the most extensive collection of American rodeo photographs, barbed wire, saddlery, and early rodeo trophies. 

I will be honest... much of the stuff in the museum didn't interest me, BUT it doesn't change the fact that it was still a really well done museum. We probably spent two hours there just walking around. Fun fact: Did you know there are over 1,300 types of barbed wire?!  They had pull out shelves showcasing each type. I couldn't believe it. 

That's it for Oklahoma... next blog post will be on our time in TEXAS!