Blog 5: Texas and more Texas!
February 5th, 2023
Hello! My name is Monique! As an aspiring blog writer, I strive to offer a unique and quirky perspective on all my travel journeys.
Yeehaw! We were more excited than a tumbleweed in a dust storm to hit the road and leave Oklahoma in the rear-view mirror. Our journey to the lone star state of Texas had finally begun! My heart was pounding like a bass drum at the thought of returning to one of my favorite states in the USA. I can still vividly recall my first weekend in Fort Worth – the streets were so clean they could have doubled as a surgical theater, and the restaurants were like a symphony for the taste buds. Everywhere we turned, there were twinkling lights adorning the buildings. It was like walking through a dream come true, with a soundtrack of music wafting from coffee shops and restaurants. Oh, my glittering eyes were like a kid in a candy store as I peered into the shops like a squirrel hoarding his winter stash. Oh, how I love you, Texas.
We setup our box truck for the night at some of our family and got a prime parking spot with a lakefront view at their apartments. Boxtruck conversions are magical, mobile apartments on wheels! You can park them in a regular parking space, but still have the luxury of standing up, cooking, showering, watching TV, and sleeping in a queen size bed. And the best part? Setup is a breeze! Just move a few things around and boom, instant home! It’s like living in a Swiss Army Knife, but way cooler.
We couldn’t resist taking a trip to the infamous sixth-floor museum while in Fort Worth – it’s not every day you get to walk the same floor where JFK was SUPPOSEDLY assassinated from. The gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on us, though – we couldn’t help but think about poor Jackie, sitting right next to her husband as he was shot. Talk about a rough day. As we left the exhibit, we still had so many questions – who shot him from where, and why? Luckily, we heard there’s a documentary that might have the answers. Time to pop the popcorn and settle in – this is going to be one heck of a ride.
Hold onto your cowboy hats folks because the roads in Fort Worth are wild! The locals seem to have missed the memo that giant trucks need extra space to brake because they keep swerving in front of us like it’s the rodeo. And don’t get me started on the lack of indicator usage, it’s like they think it’s just a decoration on their car. Maybe they skipped that lesson at driving school or maybe Texan vehicles just don’t come with them, either way it’s a mess. Move over California drivers, you’ve been dethroned by the reckless cowboys of Fort Worth.
After visiting the the sixth floor museum and getting our history fix we made a pit stop at Target for some essentials. Who knew you could grocery shop and impulse buy at the same time? Feeling loaded up, we hit the road for Austin. But let me tell you, that journey was hotter than a jalapeno in a Texas heat wave! I’m talking temperatures up to 31 degrees Celsius in the spring…phew! But hey, after surviving the winter tundra of Colorado, we were ready to soak up some warm sun.
We’re heading to Austin! I didn’t have a clue what to expect from this Texan town, but that just added to the excitement. After all, we’ve been so busy putting the finishing touches on our ride, I didn’t have much time to research. But I’m telling you, there’s nothing quite like rolling in somewhere with a blank slate and seeing what magic unfolds. It’s like when you unwrap a mystery box and you have no idea what’s inside…except in this case, the surprise is a whole city! So saddle up and let’s ride into the unknown!
Oh boy, folks! Let me tell you – I was about as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs when it came to embarking on this 3 month road trip. We didn’t exactly have a game plan for each destination, but we did our homework on all the important things like how to find places to stay, where to dump the tanks, keeping our gas costs down, and even finding some hidden spots to boondock! We’re talking proper toolbelt material here, people! And hey, don’t just take my word for it – head on over to my previous blog post where I dive into our research process. All that research paid off big time because we were able to hit the open road with nothing but a wild spirit and a constantly changing itinerary. Let’s do this thing!
Our journey through Austin took us to the coolest little house with an awesome fence and a yard to die for. Why? Because Josh’s bro and his wife rented it, and we were invited to join in on the fun! It had everything we needed: fantastic showers, prime parking, and even free car rentals. We played disc golf and ran errands like bosses, all while enjoying each other’s company after months of being apart. It was like a mini-reunion, only with the best accommodations. Thanks, guys!
Austin was a wild ride! When I first arrived there, I expected a typical big city like Denver or Fort Worth, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. Austin is like the love child of a Texan cowboy and a Colorado hippie. You’ve got your wholefood-loving, exercise-obsessed, weed-smoking crowd alongside your gun-toting, freedom-chasing, boot-stomping cowboys. And somehow, it all comes together to create a unique and funky city unlike any other. It’s as if Austin is constantly saying “yeehaw” while also practicing yoga and singing Kumbaya. Who knew opposites could attract in such a fabulous way?!
Get ready for the ultimate adventure down 6th street, where the future meets the present! Our first day began at a lively time during the South by Southwest week, and we were taken on a journey by Josh’s awesome brother and his wifey. The street was buzzing with food trucks galore, and we stopped at a South African truck for some delicious curry that was out of this world! We even got to indulge in some authentic African eats – talk about a tasty treat! But that was just the beginning. As we continued on, we discovered bars with unique themes, outrageously loud music, and people strutting their stuff in designer outfits that belonged on a runway. And that’s not all, we saw scooters zooming by, colorful rickshaws flashing their lights, and the streets were packed with crowds eager to soak up the good vibes. 6th street – where anything can happen, and everything does!
Oh boy, do I have a story for you! You know how bouncers at bars are usually all stern-faced and serious, checking if you’re sober enough to get in? Well, let me tell you about Austin. These wild and wacky bouncers actually welcome you with open arms, hollering out their daily specials and waving you in like a bunch of happy-go-lucky carnival workers! It’s a surreal experience that left me completely amused and stoked to see what else Austin has in store. They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but I never knew that included hospitality from bouncers. Austin, you sly dog, you never cease to surprise me in the best way possible.
Are y’all ready to uncover some truly wacky wonders in Austin, Texas? Join us on a journey through the bizarre sights and curious curiosities of this eclectic city! We’re about to discover some serious hidden gems, y’all. Buckle up and let’s get weird!
Enjoyed this post and all the funny and quirky remarks. I almost fell out my bed laughing when i read how nervous you were on the roads 🤣🤣🤣
Enjoy the journey, and keep posting new blogs. We love reading about your adventures 🤩