So it was long weekend time, and I love to take quick trips. We can see new cities and sights without to much fuss and muss. So the kids decided they would like to go to Texas. Which for February is a pretty good choice. So we got the kids out of school just a few minutes early and headed to the airport Thursday afternoon. Landing in Austin around 7, we found a local flavor burger, which was delicious.
The next morning we headed south towards San Antonio, and the Natural Bridge Caverns. We as a family have been to quite a few cave tours in our lives, but this one was pretty great. It had several large rooms, and lots of stalagmites and stalagmites, with underground water. We enjoyed it, and as a bonus they had just opened last fall a ropes course which the kids loved.
The Fam in front of a large tower - Note I am not that short - I am leaning over and down to get Coop in the pic :)
Jill, Cooper (11yrs) and Lauren (8yrs) in Natural Bridge Caverns
Happy Campers
We had a great time and then had some Lupe Tortilla's for dinner. The next morning we arrived at the Doseum in San Antonio. This was a great children's museum. They had just opened an Spy Academy exhibit, which had the kids solving puzzles for about an hour and a half. It was very well done and interesting even for the adults. Lauren loved that they had a small laser room, that if you hit a laser you set off a buzzer. She spent about 30 mins in that room alone.
After Shake Shack for lunch we headed to The Alamo. We did the audio tour and it was nice, but I feel like to tour Joel and I had taken years ago was a little more informative. This tour was more about the other people in the Alamo then those who actually fought in the battle. Still I love my history.
Here is Lauren's code name - Ms Pineapple - ready to start her first mission
Our Agents
The Alamo - 1836
I decided we need a little more history, but this was much more kitchy. We visited The Buckhorn Saloon Museum, with had Texas Rangers history, along with outlaw history. It was cheesy and a little silly, but the kids seem to like it okay. Lauren found some saloon swinging doors which she has to try out about 15 times.
I'm innocent
Illusion of water going uphill - and big brother not being sure about his sisters hug
On our last day in Texas we went to the Austin Aquarium. It was so cool. This was more like a Science hands on aquarium, where you are encouraged to touch the animals. They had lizards, coy, lemurs, the small shrimp that clean off your skin, and the be all end all of the octopus. Cooper had been fascinated with octopus for years, even writing a paper in 4th grade about a fictional field octopus. We did have one misstep with when Lauren was bit by a ring tailed lemur. We were warned that they had had a long day the day before and it was a juvenile female, which saw Lauren as a threat. She was not hurt, but sad since it happened a few seconds from entering the enclosure. She did later in the day get to meet the Ruff Lemurs, which was great experience. Joel and I both think it is a great story. She was happy to tell all her friends when she got back to school. Then with the persistants of wonderful Joel we were able to feed an octopus. We also fed sand sharks and stingrays. It was the coolest experience, with being able to feel it's tentacles, and him blowing out water. It was great.
Cooper Pus
Watch out Lauren
Lauren holding a bird
Otto the Octopus !
The cute lemurs before the bite - Again not the fault of the animal
Not a happy camper, but has a really great story
Not a great pic, but the kids with the ruff lemurs - had a really neat experience
Neptune and the Mermaid
Shrimp cleaning the skin - felt very interesting
We had a good trip to Texas, and as always am thinking of the next place we can go. My kiddos are getting older by the day, and want to have as many experiences as possible before they go.
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