TJ and I share a LOVE for Texas! We had so much fun on our first trip that we knew we wanted to go back. We went to the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins Thanksgiving game. This trip was a little different. It was booked primarily because of a High School Senior Photography Workshop with Amanda Holloway. TJ encouraged me to sign up for the workshop even though it was an investment. We decided to extend the stay and TJ would come with me. We planned a few different stops. Looking back we were crazy to think that this vacation was going to be relaxing. We had major ground to cover in a few short days. But we got it all in and I wouldn’t trade our experiences for anything. Here is a glimpse into half of the adventures that we had.
My brother dropped us off early in the morning at Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC. DC is the morning is gorgeous watching it wake. We had a beautiful sunrise from the plane that was breathtaking from that angle. The flight to Houston was only 3 hours, which allowed for a quick nap. We landed in Texas by 8:30 a.m. Texas time!
After we landed, we picked up our hot rod for the week, a red Mitsubishi Lancer. We started to explore. Since we couldn’t check in to our hotel, we drove to downtown Houston. Thankfully we did because it started to downpour.
Isn’t this street sign unique and awesome?
After the mall we went to Chuy’s. It’s a Mexican restaurant with a 70’s vibe full of antique cars, hub cabs on the ceiling. It was a weird twilight feeling when we walked in because it wasn’t what we were expecting. Our waiter was hilarious and it was an experience no less.
We headed to Huntsville after Chuy’s and got caught in the roughest rain storm. We even got stuck in traffic because of a car accident. Apparently in Texas, everything is bigger, even the tow truck brigade. When we drove by we saw this huge fleet of tow trucks and only two vehicles involved in a vendor bender. I guess you can never have too many tow trucks!?
After getting a good nights sleep from traveling, we explored the little town of Huntsville and learned that Texas is well known for their jails and fugitives. We visited a prison museum, got locked up, and saw games that inmates created to pass the time. If you look closely there is a homemade Monopoly board with cell blocks instead of properties.
On Saturday, I attended the photography workshop and TJ tested his will power and strength by doing a Tough Mudder. The photo below was what I received as he was headed there in case it was the last time I would see him and he wanted me to know that there was a hospital nearby.
The Tough Mudder is a 12+ mile track with 20 obstacles that included freezing water, electricity, high walls, jumping off planks with ropes, and lots of mud. It was a test of will power to finish. I was nervous because he was doing it alone but knew that he would do great. Thankfully it is a course that is about teamwork and comradery to help your fellow man or women. TJ met this guy on the course who was also there solo. I wish I could have witnessed it but he has some great photos from the event to tell the story.
After the workshop we headed to Arlington to visit the Dallas Cowboy stadium because a trip to Texas isn’t complete without visiting the infamous stadium of the all American Team!
We were able to see the same places that we visited last time but this time it wasn’t as crowded and we got to leisurely walk around and take photos as if we were the only ones on the field. While TJ was having a blast tossing around his football and talking to other fans I was enjoying taking photos of him in his happy place.
Isn’t he just the cutest? I love when he is being silly. He always puts a smile on my face!
When we plugged in the address of the stockyards hotel we thought the Google Map was neat how it showed we were right there!
After a few hours in the stadium we headed to the Stockyards and passed so many neat roadways. The road system in Texas is so smart. I wish 66 and 81 would implement the same to reduce traffic. We passed construction zones and heavy traffic areas with no bumper to bumper traffic, it was all smooth sailing. One of the construction zones that we passed shocked me because it was only a small piece of the bridge that they were putting in. There was a beginning and end but not connected to anything on either side.
Forth Worth Stockyards is the cutest area. We visited here on our last visit but actually stayed his this time. We were in the cutest country western hotel and right on the main strip with small shops.
And we had to go to Cooper’s….twice to get food because that is one of TJ”s favorite places to eat. It was delicious. 
