Our Trip to Texas: On the Way

We decided (sort of spur of the moment, sort of not) to take a road trip to Texas for Christmas. Gas is cheap, for awhile anyways. We wanted to get out of the cold. We had time off. Why not? And a surprise visit!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to just "pop" up on my parents doorstep.

We planned on leaving Saturday, but hearing Friday's forecast for another foot or two of snow, I called up Katsu Thursday afternoon and 3 hours later, we were on the road.

Knowing me, we can't just drive straight through - especially with a kid. So, we did the 18-hr trip in 3 days and stopped to see things on the way. Here is the trip down.

Stop One: Mammoth Cave
On a tour with other Michiganders escaping the storm, we climbed through the cave with Katsu carrying Andrew. The 300 or so steps were very narrow, steep, and slippery ... a little harder than the 10-step tour we missed by 5 minutes. But we had a fun time. Andrew even fell asleep at the end.





Stop Two: Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland
We stopped by later in Nashville. We first stopped at the mall before realizing that was not Opryland (confusing signage) and then saw the site of the Grand Ole Opry and toured Opryland - a huge beautiful resort with lots of beautiful plants and walkways indoors. A fun diversion.



Stop Three: The Parthenon?
Who knew there is a full-size replica of the Parthenon in Nashville?


Stop Four: Civil Rights Museum (Memphis)
This museum is at the site of Martin Luther King, Jr's Assassination. Andrew slept in the stroller through the entire museum, but Katsu and I just LOVED it. I have a totally different perception of race and civil rights now. It really was beautifully done and definitely paradigm-changing for someone like me who wasn't born until after all these things happened.


Stop Five: Graceland
Can you visit Memphis without visiting the King? Definitely expensive and crowded, but I actually enjoyed learning more about Elvis and seeing his interestingly decorated house. Andrew mostly loved watching his horses. Still - the people who come here for a 3 week vacation every year -- crazy!




Finally, we arrived in Texas with my family no where to be seen. So much for some surprise caroling! After a couple hour stop at my friend Crystal's house, my family finally showed up and we surprised them. So you never know who those 11pm visitors on your doorstep may be!