My favorite places
Abilene Zoo
http://www.abilenetx.com/Zoo/index.htm
This zoo is nothing short of fantastic! It is small, so even with little ones you can take it all in before lunch - but they have incredible animals! Lions, giraffes, monkeys - and the admission fee is wonderful. Lots of great souvenirs in the gift shop as well, and wait 'til you see the fish when you feed them from the dock! Incredible!
This zoo is nothing short of fantastic! It is small, so even with little ones you can take it all in before lunch - but they have incredible animals! Lions, giraffes, monkeys - and the admission fee is wonderful. Lots of great souvenirs in the gift shop as well, and wait 'til you see the fish when you feed them from the dock! Incredible!
Lake Possum Kingdom
My grandparents had a cabin on this lake so I spent a lot of weekends in this area. Beautiful cedar trees and oak trees everywhere.
Mt. Rushmore
We took our family vacation here in the summer of 2009. So much beautiful scenery and many great tourist things to do. Our three children were small at the time and they loved everything about the place!
Grand Canyon
It really is as amazing as the title says. The one thing I did wrong is take the hiking tour down to the bottom. No problem when gravity is working with ya, but trying to walk back out is ridiculous! Spend the money and ride the mules.
Pier 39
I tried my first fresh clam chowder in a bread bowl sitting here looking at the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Wow...
U.S.S. Lexington
http://www.usslexington.com/
On two occasions I have spent nights aboard this WWII legend in Corpus Christi. I took groups of 6th graders on school tours and loved the entire experience.
On two occasions I have spent nights aboard this WWII legend in Corpus Christi. I took groups of 6th graders on school tours and loved the entire experience.
Texas State Aquarium
http://www.texasstateaquarium.org/
Years ago this place was a waste of time and money - but what a difference a little time makes! It redefines awesome. Even when packed, there are no long lines, the staff is super friendly, and there's even an awesome playground for really small ones. We are repeat visitors. Kai, Shadow, and DJ - 'nuff said...
Years ago this place was a waste of time and money - but what a difference a little time makes! It redefines awesome. Even when packed, there are no long lines, the staff is super friendly, and there's even an awesome playground for really small ones. We are repeat visitors. Kai, Shadow, and DJ - 'nuff said...
Six Flags
And I really need to be more generic than that - it is any theme park that has incredible roller coasters and rides! The more Gs they pull, the better...
Muir Woods
It's hard to believe when you're staring up at them from ground level, but these are the small redwood trees! They are in the northern section of California.
U.S.S. Texas
http://www.usstexasbb35.com/introduction.htm
When you stand on the deck and see the size of these guns in person, you feel so very inadequate...In a funny twist of fate, I borrowed someone else's "better" camera when I toured her so I could get better pictures. I did not load the film correctly since I wasn't familiar with it and managed to expose (lose!) all my film when I tried to unload it. I hope to go again and remedy that mistake. The monument in the distance is San Jacinto. There's more cool info and photos if you click on the link.
When you stand on the deck and see the size of these guns in person, you feel so very inadequate...In a funny twist of fate, I borrowed someone else's "better" camera when I toured her so I could get better pictures. I did not load the film correctly since I wasn't familiar with it and managed to expose (lose!) all my film when I tried to unload it. I hope to go again and remedy that mistake. The monument in the distance is San Jacinto. There's more cool info and photos if you click on the link.
The GM Plant in Arlington, Texas
I have taken three groups of students on tours through this facility and it is beyond words. When we went, they rolled a new Suburban or Tahoe off the line every 58 seconds. The lessons I learned about organization, cooperation, reliability, and dependence have helped shape my outlook on life.
The Sanitary Restaurant
http://sanitaryfishmarket.com/
When we visit my sister and her husband in Morehead City, NC, we make it a point to eat here. The fresh seafood is out of this world! The restaurant sits right on the water so you can watch fishing boats going by as they head out to make the next delicious catch.
When we visit my sister and her husband in Morehead City, NC, we make it a point to eat here. The fresh seafood is out of this world! The restaurant sits right on the water so you can watch fishing boats going by as they head out to make the next delicious catch.
The National Museum of the Pacific
http://www.nimitz-museum.org/
Located in the beautiful hill country that surrounds Fredericksburg, this place is a must-see for WWII buffs.
Located in the beautiful hill country that surrounds Fredericksburg, this place is a must-see for WWII buffs.
Meers Store and Restaurant
http://www.meersstore.com/index.html
My wife is a Texas Aggie, so what better way to celebrate special occasions with friends than to feast on longhorn? This place is a novelty. Don't let the appearance fool ya - it's done that way on purpose. The food is wonderful and I recommend the gigantic burgers topped off with the heapin' helpin' of cobbler covered with ice cream. I can't get to this place often enough. We've taken many visitors here, and they are always as impressed as we are.
My wife is a Texas Aggie, so what better way to celebrate special occasions with friends than to feast on longhorn? This place is a novelty. Don't let the appearance fool ya - it's done that way on purpose. The food is wonderful and I recommend the gigantic burgers topped off with the heapin' helpin' of cobbler covered with ice cream. I can't get to this place often enough. We've taken many visitors here, and they are always as impressed as we are.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
http://wisconsinmaritime.org/
I toured the USS Cobia when I was about 8 years old. I still remember the bunks over the torpedoes where two or three sailors would sleep at the same time. It was crowded to me even when I was so small! It is special to me since it was the type of sub manufactured in Manitowoc, the city where my aunt and uncle lived for so long.
I toured the USS Cobia when I was about 8 years old. I still remember the bunks over the torpedoes where two or three sailors would sleep at the same time. It was crowded to me even when I was so small! It is special to me since it was the type of sub manufactured in Manitowoc, the city where my aunt and uncle lived for so long.