Texas Gets Cold?!

And who would have thought that Texas would get cold?!

Snow?  Sleet?  Rain?  What is this?  In Texas?!  Really?!

Welcome to Waco, Texas!

Well, we were definitely in Texas when we performed at a fair ground!! Yes, it may have had red dirt on the floor and smelled like animals, but it reminded me so much home!!

Aside from some friendly reminders of home, there are some things that you can only do in Waco.

One of those is visiting the Dr. Pepper Museum where the pop (soda) was invented.  This small town that was once a booming metropolis, is home to the drink along with small boutiques that are one-of- a- kind in Spice Village.  The river walk and walking bridge were gorgeous especially at night.

When there weren't sights to see in the city, it was time to get the dancing moves on and hope that no one's boots met your toes while line dancing and trying yourself not to step on your own feet.

Did you know that Cotton Eye Joe, the dance, is different in Texas, than the versions that we know in Pennsylvania?  You would think that the wooden floor was a ballroom with all the lifts and spins that were going on.

If country was not your thing, then there were options like the Texas Sports Museum or touring Baylor University where you could also catch a men's basketball game.  Yes...I was in my glory and felt at home sitting in the audience of a college game.  I mean the colors were even close being green and yellow instead of green and white like my alma mater, Slippery Rock University.

Also, birthdays do not go forgotten when you are tour.  Even though we all may be far away from home and our families at different parts of the tour, for now, we are all family.  Everyone has their special day and it doesn't go unnoticed.

Then, moving from Waco to the next city we were on our way, but ran into some bus problems when the brakes were burning up on one of our buses.  We all made it safe and got nice and cozy when we crammed all the skaters onto one bus.  At least we all know we like each other :) It is all about making the best of every situation and for this one, well ,we all made it safe and got to where we needed to be.

Happy Winter!

Boarder Patrol!

Yep, I was a mile away from the Mexican boarder and can say I was so close, but yet so far away.  Maybe another time there will be an opportunity to explore another country, but as for this time, Laredo, Texas was just enough.  There may not have been a whole lot to do, but this was the scenery that I was expecting from Texas...dirt, sand, open fields of small trees and cacti, and warm temperatures. 

While staying in the country was advised and it was understood that there was going to be a lot of relaxing going on this week, some decided to take a few small trips to San Antonio and Corpus Christie to see what those places had to offer.  

While I cannot speak for those that went to San Antonio, I can say the time at Corpus Christie/Padre Island, and more specifically Mustang Beach was just what we all needed.  It was an escape from everything.  We had the entire beach to ourselves.  So, it was time for a bonfire and of course with that being said, out came the hot dogs and marshmallows to make s'mores!! I mean nothing is better than s'mores by the beach as the tide is rolling in.  

Unfortunately though, it was time to get back to reality and realize that we had to get back, but that didn't mean that we couldn't soak in some sun by the pool in our free time.  

We definitely lucked out having clear skies, warm temperatures, and a few hours of daylight to take in the view and making it even sweeter is the fact that it is November!! 

Staying south for another week, we are off to Waco, TX for more shows!! See ya there!  

Under the Texas Sky

It is definitely nice to venture south for a bit and enjoy the warmer weather.  What is even nicer, is the fact that it is quite chilly back home and they may even be in for some snow showers.  I guess it is time to soak in this nice weather while it lasts because soon enough we will be back to colder temperatures and fitting right in with the winter season.

Until then, it was time to enjoy Houston, Texas after we made it through our first flying experience where the weight of your bags actually mattered this time.  There was so much unpacking, repacking, and rearranging going on.  I mean who knew that if you had a bag that was 45 pounds and one that was 55 pounds, that you would have to rearrange.  I thought both could equal 100 pounds and you would be ok, but I guess not.  So, yes, I was that person that had to empty things out and move them around and pray that it was enough to make it an even 50/50.

Oh well, it all worked out and even though there was a quick turn around for the next opening show, it was time to make our time in Houston worth while.

The Museum District had something for everyone if that is your kind of thing.  Personally, the Natural Science Museum was pretty cool and even touched on history and different cultures as well.

As you walked through that district you were surrounded by the Hermann Park and a large lake with so many ducks, neutrals, and geese.  It was a nice change from the city life.

The Houston Zoo was a good time too as you walked from animal to animal under trees that stretched over the sidewalk and were decorated in lights of various colors.

Then it was time to get back to business though and it was on to performing.

The Houston Texans football stadium was where it was all taking place.  It was huge!! Just standing on the ground and looking up at all the rows and rows of stadium seats, really made you appreciate where you were and what it was like for the football players to walk out onto the field for game day.

Anyways, that was city number one out of four in Texas.  On to more warm weather for this week!!

Second City in the Same State

Still in Ohio, but transitioned to Cincinnati; it is definitely a scenery change since we are downtown in the city now.  Being that it is another walking city, you definitely get to see a lot of sights.

I feel as if some of the places to see though, were very similar to those that are around Pittsburgh.  Cincinnati just like Pittsburgh sits along the Ohio River, offers Ducky Boat Tours, has a ship fleet for dinner and boat rides and entertainment, and even has numerous bridges the same shapes and colors as what Pittsburgh does.

However, the Fountain Square, the Red's Hall of Fame, and the Underground Railroad Museum were very interesting.  There were a lot of places to eat and some that are you unique to the area.  Potbelly's, Rock Bottom, and the Yard House were definitely very tasty eats! Apparently chili is also really big for the city and the ways that it is served as well.

Being that Cincinnati was so close to Kentucky also, the Newport Aquarium was convenient to venture to; only a walk over the bridge.

Giant crabs, poisonous frogs, sharks, crocodiles, penguins, clown fish, and octopi all were creatures that could be found.

Also, in between the sight-seeing and everything else that goes into a typical day or week on the road in a new city, it was also our first big holiday on the road.  And yes, no matter how old we all get to be, we all still dress up and have just as much fun as what we did when we were little kids...Trick-or-Treat!!

O.H.I.O.

And we are off to the booming state of Ohio.

Here we come flat land and country roads!!

Right on a college campus in Dayton, the arena really brought back the college feeling for me with all the athletic events taking place while we were also occupying the arena.  This event center was huge compared to the field house that I grew to love for four years, while I was in college.

There definitely was not a shortage of places to eat either around the area which definitely made it nice. Of course a a large group dinner at Texas Roadhouse was very tasty and the cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory was delectable.

The cold weather on the hand, well that was a different story.  Coming from mostly warm temperatures, the first snow fall of the year definitely was a bit hard to handle.  At least we know there are warmer temperatures to come in the future.

There may not have been a whole lot to do in Dayton, but the Air Force Museum was definitely a nice find if you like planes and aeronautics history.  Honestly, any place can be entertaining or relaxing whichever you prefer, it is just all in what you make of it.

Just a Chance to Look Back

Glancing back over the last couple months...

Pictures are worth a million words.

Here's to the memories that we have created and the new ones waiting to come...

We all Made it Back

Well, after our stay in Montreal it was time to venture back to the states.  It was a very long bus ride, but we all made it through and got caught up on some sleep.  Then, the next challenge was making it past boarder control.  Let's just say those guys definitely were not the nicest group of people that you have ever met in your life.  Anyways, we all made it back into the states without a problem and were on our merry way.

Finally arriving at our destination around 6 or 6:30 in the morning we pulled into the hotel parking lot.

It is nice coming from such a busy city like Montreal to Auburn Hills, Michigan and being able to relax and catch up on some much needed sleep.  

It definitely looks and feels a lot more like Fall here.  The leaves are changing, there is a chill in the air, the wind is blowing, and the leaves are already crunchy!

This time of the year really reminds me of home and all of the festivities going on back there; fall festivals, cross-country races, football games, breaking out the boots and hoodies, bonfires, corn mazes, and pretty soon haunted houses and hay rides.

Pumpkin patches and scare crows are popping up everywhere.  It is just a matter of time until the Trick-Or-Treating starts!!