The Things I Learned on An Anniversary Getaway!

Dear Hubby and I recently shared our 3rd Anniversary together. We celebrated this weekend in San Antonio.  Yesterday was spent on the famous River Walk including dinner reservations at Landry's Seafood. We had such a wonderful time and the food was great!  Here are some photos of our evening...

This is the stage where Sandra Bullock filmed Miss Congeniality

Getting ready for Christmas

My Dear Hubby (Love Him)

River Walk Cruises

The United States of Texas

San Antonio

A pretty little waterfall 

Beautiful scenery

Anguished Faces on a Building

San Antonio

On the river cruise 

Each of these bells represent each of the five original missions in San Antonio

Our Cruise Tour

Beautiful River Walk

We also made plans to visit the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions State Historic Park today, as well as some other possibilities depending on time.  What we didn't count on was a Marathon.

While we were downtown last night we kept seeing signs that said the Alamo would be closed today due to the Marathon.  Then as we were driving back to the hotel we saw signs on the freeway notifying us that the freeway would be closed for the marathon.  Being a little concerned by this, when we got back to the hotel last night I did some research about this so called marathon.  What I learned was it is the San Antonio Rock-N'-Roll Marathon and there would be events happening all day long.  In fact I looked up the map of the road closures and it pretty much confirmed that it would be impossible for us to go anywhere near downtown San Antonio today.  Here is what I saw....

SCARY!

So at this point we decided to find something else to do today, but everything that looked good took us back through the downtown area.  I have to admit I was discouraged, after all I wanted to visit San Antonio to see and do the things we had planned.  My DH, however, was not discouraged at all!  

After breakfast this morning we loaded up and headed back towards home.  DH wanted to drive through New Braunfel's, which is a quaint German town city with much to see and do and experience.  I loved the town immediately.  The park was awesome! We got some information about a recreational area where we could drive along the Guadalupe River for miles, and where we could even spend some time (in the summer months) canoeing.  The drive was spectacular!  The fall colors were amazing!  Here are a few photos...

Beautiful tree lined road 

Pretty Colors

Guadalupe River

I thought this was cool

My favorite of the day

Gorgeous Colors

Sail Boat Races at Canyon Lake

I was reminded today that "Life is what happens in between your plans".  I had all kinds of plans made for today, and pretty much most of those plans did not work out.  Instead we went with whichever way the wind blew (so to speak)... and I am glad we did or I would have missed out on this!  

A good lesson learned!  

I am so thankful for my Dear Hubby who never lets anything discourage him and for reminding me of all the good that came out of not following our plans.  I love you sweetheart!  Happy Anniversary!  

P.S.   I REALLY enjoyed the 80 to 89 degree temperatures we had this weekend.  It was perfect! 

(Yes I am trying to make all of you jealous who are experiencing the cold winter weather)

 

Family, Funeral, Florida....

A quick update....

I am currently with my family, in Florida, for a funeral.  I am sad to say that my uncle, Que William Alldredge, passed away last Friday.  It has been a sad few days. However, I am really happy that I was able to make the trip to Florida to be with my cousins and other family that I have not seen in many, many years.  My mom and dad flew into Dallas on Sunday and then Valerie and I and mom and dad drove the 14 hours to Panama City, FL.  The funeral was on Tuesday and we are spending a few days so we can enjoy family, the beaches, take in the scenery, and more family time.

I am cherishing this time with all of my family.  I feel so lucky that I now live close enough that it is only a day drive away to see them.   I hope I can come again soon.

My uncle was a fun, kind and loving man.  I  have so many wonderful memories of him.  He will be dearly missed.

I will post pictures at a later date.

Announcing the Winner and my New Blog Name...

Well it is that time.  We finally arrived in our new state and are settling in nicely.  DH made it through the first week of his job and it is going very well.  I began a new session of classes and that is going well also.  I have only 5 more classes after this session until I graduate with my associates degree and begin the bachelor's program.  Getting excited about that.

But that is not what you are really wanting to know now is it?  You are here because you are curious about my new blog name and to find out who won the blog name giveaway.

I hope you like it!  I did!  I think it is a very "catchy" name.  Thank you to Lara over at Overstuffed, who sent in this idea for the name of my blog.  I received several ideas that I really liked as well, which made it difficult to choose.  I want to thank all of you who gave me such awesome suggestions.  And I want to thank my sister for helping me decide which one to use.  Lara, please contact me with your address so I can forward you your prizes.

Right now we are in the beginning stages of getting a new home built.  We have chosen a style and floor plan and have met with the builders.  Now we are getting things ready to clear the land and then survey and excavate it.  I am getting excited!

I am also really enjoying the time I get to spend with my sister Valerie .  We just got tickets for the Twilight marathon at a local theater on November 14th.  I am so happy that I have someone to do fun things like that with now.

I guess that wraps things up for now.   I am crazy busy with school but in my spare time I will be creating  a new design for my blog and hopefully be able to update more often and catch up with you as well.

Life is Good!

 See you soon!

More July Adventures..... And.....

Still playing catch up... Yes I am!

But first..... I just wanted to throw on the table the fact that in 4 more days we will be on our way to Texas.   I have been busily finishing up all my homework for school so that I can begin my two week break, and now I am busy spending the last few days packing and cleaning.

Now..... just a shout out reminding you of my blog giveaway.  October 8th is the big day so get your suggestions in if you haven't already. Read HERE for more details.  Oh... and I have exciting news about the book I am giving away.  I will be giving away an AUTOGRAPHED copy!  Plus I will have two more surprise gifts that will include something from Montana and something from Texas.  Should be FUN FUN FUN!!!  I have received some excellent ideas but would like some more so get your ideas in before the deadline.

Now onto the adventure part....

Mid July we planned a weekend getaway to Great Falls, MT.  I wanted to see what the Great Falls were all about.  So away we went.... It is about 3-1/2 hour drive from where we live.  First stop was the hotel.  And as soon as we walked in our little Abby dog made herself right at home.  This is her style of camping!  She is not really the outdoorsy type like Daisy is.  This is more her style as you can see by this picture.

Princess Abby making herself right at home

A storm blew in as soon as we arrived in town.  It was quite the rain storm too!  So we just hung out at the hotel the rest of that day.  The next morning we started out with a Geo-cache.  Here is DH (Dear Hubby) finding it!  

DH Geo-Cache Find 

The stash is in the plastic container

The plastic container was found inside of this!  

It was a pretty cool way to hide a Geo-Cache.  

The location was pretty great too.  

It was at a park overlooking the Missouri River

The next stop was what I was there for.  The next few pictures are of Giant Springs State Park.  This is the most beautiful place I have seen!  This next picture is of the Giant Spring.  It is a natural spring that was discovered by Lewis & Clark.  It's awesome!  What makes it even more special is that this natural spring flows into the shortest river in the world... the Roe River which is 201 feet long and runs directly into the Missouri River.   It seriously is a really gorgeous place and I recommend everyone go see it!   There are several pictures of Giant Springs State Park because the scenery is so beautiful and I just couldn't choose any to leave out.

Giant Springs

Giant Springs

Missouri River in background

The water is SO clear!

Giant Springs

Look how clear that water is!

Giant Springs State Park

More Scenery 

Another one...

There is also a fish hatchery at the Giant Springs State Park

This is a pond of fish....They are HUGE!

Pretty Bird 

Missouri River

This is one of five falls on the Missouri River

These falls are how Great Falls got it's name

This is another one of the falls on the Missouri

We are making our way to the Great Falls on the Missouri 

But first we stopped to find another Geo-Cache.

Here is the family!

This is the Great Falls and namesake of the city.  

I wish the pictures did it justice!

Another shot of Great Falls

On the way home we spotted these......  SPEED GOATS!!

And then we found this pretty lake at Gates of the Mountains...  We had no idea about this place and wished we had more time to check it out.  It is an area that DH and I wish we had time to explore.  It is another one of the Lewis & Clark expeditions.  Check out the links and make it part of your next vacation to Montana.  I wish I had time!

As we arrived back home the sunset was really awesome.  These pictures don't even do it justice but it will give you some idea of what the sky was like.  

Sunset over Belgrade, MT

The sky is on fire

So pretty!

Well that wraps up our Great Falls Adventure.  We had a wonderful weekend and really do recommend it to everyone.  I love road trips and all the amazing adventures that take place while on one!  

So... most likely the next time you see another update, I will be in Texas.  I still have several Montana adventures to catch up on.  I am hoping to do that once I get settled somewhat.  

Don't forget about the Blog Giveaway!  See you soon my friends!

Fairly recent Montana Adventures..... July is recent right?

I mentioned previously that I needed to update my blog with our latest adventures.  The unfortunate thing is that it dates back to July.  The other thing is that we went on MANY adventures and I took a lot of photos, so I will have to break up this post into two or three different parts.  Please bear with me.

As you know we are moving away from Montana.  We created a bucket list of things we wanted to do and places we wanted to visit before we leave.  Our bucket list included hikes, Geo-caching, road trips, and canoe trips to name a few.  Each weekend we try to spend a little time doing something towards completing our list.

Over the July 4th weekend we chose to do many of the items on our list.  We went hiking, located and found several Geo-caches, as well as spent time in the canoe.  Here are few pictures of some places we visited and sights we saw.

Palisade Falls

This is a hike we went on.  These falls are located above Hyalite Reservoir in the Hyalite Canyon of the Gallatin National Forest.  As you can see the falls are gorgeous!  

History Rock

This is another hike we went on.  It is also located in Hyalite Canyon.  This is an impressive rock formation with names etched into it dating back to the early 1800's.  

A closer view

Daisy and I in front of History Rock

Our adventurous Dog

Scenery on the History Rock trail

An Eocene Dike - A Natural Wall

As we were traveling down through the Paradise Valley towards Yellowstone N.P., we decided to stop at this Geo-cache which is actually an Earth-Cache (look it up on Geo-caching.com).  Now this is something to see and learn about!  This is why we enjoy Geo-caching.  

This Eocene dike was created about 30 million years ago. This wall of black basalt rock was injected as molten magma into a crack in horizontally bedded volcanic conglomerates.  Conglomerate is like cement.  

I loved learning about this!!

Petrified Forest

This is another hike we went on.  It is a petrified forest located in the Paradise Valley heading towards Yellowstone N.P.  

Scenery along the trail to the Petrified Forest

More scenery

Billy & the girls found a comfy spot to rest

Me near the top of the mountain

Me Again!

The Petrified Forest trail is an interpretive trail that informs you of what you will see each step of the way.  

In these alcoves you can find parts of petrified trees

Daisy found the shade

Here is a petrified tree stump

A better view

We didn't get to finish the hike as a storm was coming in and we needed to get off the mountain.  

It was a great hike though, with really beautiful scenery. 

The Paradise Valley is just that... Paradise!  It is a gorgeous area.  If you ever get up this way, I recommend taking this drive as you head towards Yellowstone.  

This post covers the adventures we had over the July 4th weekend.  

Watch for post number two coming soon, for more exciting adventures brought to you by ME!!