And so goes the the final day of the Fahrni Family Vacation v2012.
We left Galveston with smiles on our faces after having had some well-deserved rest and some playtime on the beach. Galveston was great. I wish we would have planned two days in Galveston. Maybe next time.
The final day was spent on the road trying to get as much in as possible before making our way to the airport for the relatively short trip home. The plan was to hit the San Jacinto Monument on the way to Houston and then up to Dallas to catch our flight home (DFW).
First stop on the finale tour was the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Monument. It was interesting to see the monument as it brings thoughts of another monument further to the north and a bit east. You know, the big monument in Washington. The structure itself is impressive. The size is hard to appreciat until you’re standing in front of it.
“The San Jacinto Monument is dedicated to the "Heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto and all others who contributed to the independence of Texas." The monument is a 570-foot shaft topped by a 34-foot star symbolizing the Lone Star Republic. The building incorporates a number of innovative engineering features not common during the period of its construction. The American Society of Civil Engineers recognized this technology with the prestigious designation of State and National Historic Structure. The monument is listed as the tallest stone column memorial structure in the world, 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.” – Hey, everything is bigger in Texas. Know what I’m sayin’.
Following the short stop at the San Jacinto site we jetted into Houston for a brief stop at the Hard Rock for some souvenirs. We stayed only long enough for the girls to pick up some pins and for Lori to grab a new charm for her collection; no time to eat. Then we hit the open road back to Dallas.
The drive out of Houston sucked. There really isn’t much to like about the city of Houston. It’s dirty, busy and spread out. Things got considerably better once I cleared the city limites. About 30 miles outside the center traffic let up and the drive was pretty relaxing. Lori and the girls dozed off and I spend a few hours watching mile after mile of shrubs and trees pass by my windows.
One of the things I really wasnted to do in Dallas was visit Dealey Plaza and visit the site where JFK was assassinated. Well, I finally got that chance as my family and I spent about an hour and a half waliking around the plaza area, visiting the location of the assissination and spending a little time at the book repository.
I’ve watched and read quite a bit about the JFK assassination. I’m not sure why, but I find it quite fascinating. JFK was one of the few men in history that I would have liked to meet in person.
Anyway, after getting our fill of Dealey Plaza we spent a little time shopping and hit the road for the airport, where I sit typing this post.
Overall Texas was a great trip for our family. There was so much to see and do that we really only scratched the surface. Of all the places we visited I’d have to say that I liked the Fort Worth area the most. Not sure why, but I did. Austin comes in a close second. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum is Houston and San Antonio; didn’t care for either.
Would I come back to Texas? Yep, in a heartbeat. Would I ever consider living in Texas? Yep, but not over California.
Notes:
Cities visited: Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Galveston, Houston.
Miles traveled: over 1000
Activities: Six Flags over Texas, Cowboys Stadium Tour, Stockyards complete with cattle drive, Texas State Capital, University of Texas complete with football stadium, stop at Gourdough's donuts, Salt Lick BBQ, Riverwalk, The Alamo, Galveston Beach, San Jacinto Battlefield State Historic Site and monument, three Hard Rock Cafes (Dallas, San Antonio, Houston), Dealey Plaza, the site of JFK assassination.
