Corpus Christi, Texas

City Diner & Oyster Bar is a great place to eat if you are traveling in the Corpus Christi area. Last month, Mark and I ventured down that way since Mark presented a talk on genealogy research at the public library there. They are celebrating their 100th birthday this year and have scheduled special programs throughout the year. I was proud of Mark for being a part of that. He used to work at that library so it's nice to visit with old friends.

Anyway, the building art caught my eyes and just cracks me up. Even now when I look at it. I have NEVER seen anyone depict an oyster with hands. It's hilarious! The food was fantastic. We went for breakfast and really enjoyed it. The waitress was super, too. I highly recommend it for breakfast at least. Don't know what they are like at other times.

Bolton, Mississippi

Does it get any prettier than this? Wow, I really loved our visit to Bolton! We went there to pick up ten beehives that we purchased from renowned bee-man, J.N. Russell, and we'll head back there next week to get our the other ten. Neither Mark nor I had been to that part of Mississippi before so we were looking forward to seeing what it was like. We weren't disappointed with the scenery. It's so lovely! The rolling hills, the tall trees...loved it! You can check out our bee blog for more shots and information about our beekeeping trip.

Here's another shot I really liked. Love the variety of trees there because it reminds me of home - North Carolina.

South TX Wind Farm

Wind power is a hot topic and you see more and more information and publicity about it lately. I saw my first wind farm out in California last year and I knew we had some here in Texas but I had not been to any until now. It is so cool!

This farm is between Odem and Portland, Texas. We were driving to Corpus Christi along Interstate 37 and Mark pointed the farm out to me. We took an exit and drove and drove...and drove some more, winding around cool country roads and fields. And finally we found it and it was worth the detour. These mills tower in the fields and you don't realize how big each mill is until you are right under one. :-)

I (Heart) Pho (Irving, Tx)

Another week in Irving. I know I haven't posted in a while but that's because I've only been coming to corporate office lately. But then I thought, hey, I could always do another showcase of the yummy food I have while I'm here.

Tonight I went back for a third visit and had soup again. It was yummy! For about $6.50, you get a big bowl of soup (even though I got small, it was huge) and a water. I couldn't even finish all of my soup! I highly recommend it if you are up here -- great selection of food and the fresh spring rolls are delicious, atmosphere pretty nice.

Accidents in Dallas

Here's some information I did not know about car accidents occuring in the Love Field Airport area of Dallas/Irving....if your situation does not warrant an ambulance or a wrecker, no police officer will be dispatched. Sorry for you!

So you simply exchange all the important information with the other party, that's if they haven't already driven off I suppose, and then you pray that the information they gave you is truthful and also that they don't later change their story. Nice. Welcome to Big D.

A young lady of nineteen t-boned us. We were about six miles from the airport car rental place. It was a hard hit though thankfully no one was seriously injured and both vehicles were driveable. I called 911 to report the accident. Then I called the rental place and we decided to go ahead and return there for another vehicle as our tire had a weird little bump on it. There, we filled out a one page report/form. You also have to complete a police report within ten days of the accident. Hmm...pick up the form at a police substation...wherever you may find one...good luck. How annoying. You're in an accident in a rental in a city you are not a residence of and now you have to go find a police substation. Nice. I suggested to Hertz that they and other car rental places should have some of those accident forms handy. Makes sense, no?

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Okay, so I got busy with work and forgot to continue my series. :) Sorry about that. We had something big happen at work and it just consumed me.

Anyway, here's a shot of Ocracoke as we are approaching on the ferry from Cedar Island. I love the lighthouse on the island. It's shorter than the others on the Outer Banks but I find it beautiful. I love the white. Or maybe I just love it because it's on my favorite island.

I wish I was there now...enjoying a wonderful seafood dinner of some sort. Crabcakes, tilefish, anything!

Outer Banks Series - Ferrying Across

If you have never been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, you are really missing something. That is, if you enjoy unspoiled beaches and you are not seeking a wild nightlife. I love that about Ocracoke in particular and I am so happy that it hasn't lost its village charm since I was last there, about 14 years ago!

Ocracoke Island is only 16 miles long but the village where homes, shops and restaurants are clustered, is only maybe 4 or 5 miles in radius. And you really have to want to get there. It is not an easy flight in to the area. And that's one of the reasons I think it's remained a somewhat hidden jewel. My favorite beach vacation of all time. I missed it so and loved going back.

We flew into Raleigh since I was working there that week already and drove from there to Cedar Island to catch a 2.25 hour ferry across the Pamlico Sound. That drive was about 4.5 hours, 5 if you count the 30 minute lunch break. What a lovely ride...to see the tall, tall gorgeous trees. I loved it! More on the Island next time.

Sky Watch Over Irving (Tx)

I took this as we were starting to approach Dallas Love Field Airport in Irving, Texas. I really liked the cloudy, dark sky. Plus I noticed the wing was really, really clean. Almost new looking. And it made me feel good. :)

Cadillac Ranch - Irving, TX

Since my trips lately have only been to Irving, there's not much new stuff to share. :) Besides, I am mostly working except at dinner time! I love food! I went with friends to Cadillac Ranch again because it's convenient and pretty good. After a rough day, I decided that I should try something new, just because it's always good to do that I think. Sure, I was leaning towards the oven-baked fried chicken (again) but I forced myself to try the quail. Boy, was it great! And so cute too. Look at those little legs! I am now a fan. Poor little, delicious quails. My sides included asparagus and grits. Yes, grits! It was delicous too!

Sky Watch in Navasota

Recently we traveled to Navasota, Texas and I found it to be gorgeous country out there! I really enjoyed our visit. I am not sure what I expected but I don't think it was rolling hills filled with lovely wildflowers....so what a pleasant surprise. Everything was really green too since they get enough rain. This is a huge field of Bluebonnets that we saw along the highway in Navasota. I loved roaming around that field!

We were only there a few hours but we did drive through town...not much going on though there were some interesting looking old buildings along the main street. I guess that would be the historic area. I'm not sure what else you do in Navasota but if I do go back, it would be to take pictures of the picturesque countryside and cool-looking longhorns.

I'm sneaking in a second shot of another field we found! :)



Check out other wonderful sky shots this week at the Sky Watch!

Hyatt Place Las Colinas (Irving, Texas)

This past week, I went back up to Irving and rather than stay at the Hyatt Summerfield, I thought I'd try the Hyatt Place....love it! It was much newer, having been renovated when the Hyatt bought it. I believe it use to be AmeriSuites or something like that. The company rate we got was about $89 per night, which beat the $111 we paid at the Summerfield.



My favorite thing about this hotel...the sectional sofa! :) It was a great place to relax at the end of the day. Much nicer than sitting at the desk or on the bed and it goes a long way in making me feel as if I'm at home, or at least at a friend's house. No full kitchen but there was a bar with a little refrigerator. Worked fine for me. I think I have found a new home away from home when I go to Irving.



Oh, and the HD TV doesn't hurt either. It swivels so you can watch from the sofa or bed. The only thing I didn't like too much was the small closet door. Made getting the big suitcase in there challenging so I skipped that.

Driving-to-Irving Survival Guide

Lately we have been driving between San Antonio and Irving (Texas) when we need to go to Corporate. This saves the company money and we're all about that so there are no complaints from us. Plus it's a great trip when you are with someone you enjoy -- constant talk and jamming music makes the four hour drive fly by really. Once we're up there, we also opt for the two-bedroom suite ($125 per night) versus getting our own room ($111). If you like to have a little company (like we do), the suite is a great bargain. The rooms are great at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites.

Here are some of the things we enjoy on our drive:

1. Great company
2. Lots of talking (about work but also about life)
3. Lots of laughing (lots)
4. At least one stop at a Starbucks
5. Where to eat once we're there discussions
6. Snacks (Funions, Cheetos, an occasional banana and apple for me, pistachios)
7. Texting and calling our family and friends to update them on our adventures

Packing

(What you don't see in the picture are two small stacks of the clothes I brought with me to Dallas.)

Some people find packing for a trip the worst part of the experience. It can be, true. Especially if you waited until the last possible moment to do it. Once upon a time, I was the type of person who started packing about a week before the trip. And if it was a trip I was REALLY looking forward to, then I may open up a suitcase to start throwing in items about two weeks prior to take-off. Less pressure. You think of something you want to take; you walk by and toss it in the open suitcase; you don't worry about having to remember it...because it's in there already.

Alas, somewhere in the last six years or so, I became a person that packs at the last minute. Maybe a day or two before the trip. And now?? I pack the night before mostly!! LOL, funny how you change.

One thing that doesn't change is the sense of accomplishment I feel when I take the things in the above picture and get them neatly into my luggage so that I see something like the photo below. It feels good. You feel like you fooled the luggage. You know...as if the suitcase, yeah right, you're not getting ALL of that in ME!! And then you do and it's a good feeling. I love packing. I do not like unpacking. That's totally different.

Irving, Texas

Last week I finally took a trip for work up to Irving...it's been a while! We stayed at the Hyatt Homewood Suites Los Colinas since it was near the office. That place was really nice and offers singles, two- and three-bedroom suites. Very nice if you really get along with someone, want a roommate and don't mind sharing a living room. You still get your own room and bath so it's nice to have company to chill out with and unwind. I shared a suite with a coworker in FL last year and we had a great time. Made being away from home for work seem like a little mini-vacation.

We also ate at Cadillac Ranch which I understand is franchised. I loved it! The atmosphere was very nice; lots of professionals for dinner (many from our company I noticed). The food was great. I had the oven-baked fried chicken with potatoes and corn. Very nice so I highly recommend it. This restaurant is in a little mall across the street from the hotel. It was all very convenient for us.