TIM HAWKINS - I'd travel to see this guy!

www.timhawkins.net

Tim Hawkins Comedy Tour

Feb 10, 2013 at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX

When I say this is THE funniest guy I have ever seen, I am not kidding.  And I have absolutely no reservations to say you are going to think the same thing (unless crude and obscene humor is more your style but even still I'd bet you couldn't help but bust a gut when hearing this guy).

Two years ago I happened upon some of Tim Hawkins' material when I was looking for a video of a female Christian comedian to play at a ladies event for church.  When I came up with NOTHING, and was desperate to find something, anything, funny, a friend recommended Tim Hawkins.  The first video I watched was pretty good.  I giggled to myself several times as I sat alone previewing it in my bedroom.  But watching a 10 year old video of this guy by yourself versus seeing him live with a crowd of a couple of thousand people is a completely different story.

My husband and I first saw him last year in Houston and I literally thought the chili I had for dinner (and the bread bowl it was served in) was going to come back up from laughing so hard.  Half way through the show I was begging for a break and a breath of air.  If you've never seen Tim Hawkins live, I know you think I'm exaggerating.  And that's ok, because I would have thought someone else was stretching the truth too if I had never seen him.  But this dude is crazy funny!  And it's non-stop the whole show.  I dare you to see for yourself and prove me wrong!

But for now, just check out this sneak peak of funniness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ieOOJwYttok

And here's a look at some specific Christian comedy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TK2_ezOBa2A

The best part about Tim Hawkins (besides the fact that he's so stinkin' funny)...his comedy is completely clean, from start to finish.  It's totally a family show.  I mean your kids might not understand his jokes but at least you won't have to cover their ears for most of the show.  Even though we would be completely comfortable taking our kids to a show, we don't.  And that's because it is the perfect date night for us!  This is one of those shows that both of us enjoy equally.  It's not like when I have to drag my husband, kickin' and screamin', to a broadway show or something similar that he despises.  If he knows Tim Hawkins is going to be anywhere near our area he will hound me until I buy the tickets. (And that's HUGE for my husband.  He travels by trade so getting him to go anywhere is a big deal.)

So if Tim Hawkins happens to be performing in an area near you, I highly urge you to go.  It's funny stuff, people.  So, JUST DO IT.  I promise you'll thank me for it.

Here's the link to his tour dates:
http://www.timhawkins.net/tix.php

For my friends in Indianapolis, he'll be there in March so plan your date night NOW!  Boise friends, he'll be in your neck of the woods in June.  And Modesto peeps, Big Valley Grace will be hosting Tim in July.  Don't miss it!!!

Have YOU seen Tim Hawkins LIVE? 

If so, am I lying when I say this is the funniest dude around?

THE INN ABOVE ONION CREEK

Kyle, TX
www.innaboveonioncreek.com

The last two months (which include the two busiest holidays of the year AND our daughter's birthday) have been a whirlwind of cookie baking, present wrapping, and party planning.  Having survived another year of the madness, my husband and I were in serious need of a get-away.  If I was a bettin' kind of gal, I'd bet you could use a get-away too.  And nothing says relaxation and rejuvenation quite like a quiet bed and breakfast tucked in the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by a 100 acres of shady oak trees.

Are you ready to escape?  Well, read on friends because I know you'll fall in love, like we have, with one of our favorite places...the Inn Above Onion Creek.

Last week, the hubby and I returned to the Inn Above Onion Creek for our 3rd visit to celebrate our 13th year of wedded bliss (I ain't lyin'...it's been that good).  And just like our past stays, we enjoyed every minute of it!  We just can't seem to get enough of the wide open spaces, incredibly delicious cuisine, and superb hospitality that comes along with every stay at this rustically-luxurious inn.

AROUND THE INN:

We arrived to find that although the ownership of the Inn has recently changed, all of the things we love have remained the same.  Fresh produce and flowers blossomed in the garden.  Upon entering the Inn, Amy, the InnKeeper, greeted us with a welcome smile.  A vast selection of hot tea waited to be brewed.  And the mouth-watering scents of supper filled the air in anticipation of an unforgettable meal.

A winter garden. One of the great things to love about TX.

One of two buildings for lodging.

Our room was on the second floor on the far right.

The backside of the main lodge.  The dining room and kitchen on the first floor 

and three guest rooms above.  

Dining room - where the food coma begins!

We love how the dining experience is communal, but the lodging accommodations are extremely private.  We find we have plenty of space and time to ourselves during our stay and then look forward to meeting different folks at mealtime who come from all parts of the country.  At one point, we dined with a couple of Floridians and Alaskans and thoroughly enjoyed the conversation (unfortunately I can't say the same about our conversation with the Houstonian lawyer and his psycho-therapist girlfriend, but that's a different story).

Relaxing back porch with an endless view. 

 New fire pit and seating to enjoy a cool Texas evening (we do get those every once in a while).

WHERE WE LAID OUR HEADS:

After our first stay at the Inn nearly 4 years ago, the hubby and I made a plan to try a new room (out of the 12 different rooms available) with each visit.  But, sometimes plans don't always work out the way we think they will.  After staying in the Hayes room last year we just knew this is where we wanted to return.  Being located on the second floor lends to incredible views from the private balcony.  Inside, we cozy up by the fireplace or on the king size bed where satellite TV with a DVD/VCR player and wireless Internet are available.

Snuggling by a warm fire.

A wider view of our fireplace and sitting area.

The most comfortable bed we've ever slept in aside from our Tempurpedic at home.

All the rooms at the Inn come with a fireplace, over-sized room with seating area, plush bedding for either a king or queen bed, porch seating with hill country views, and more.  (My worries begin to fade just thinking about it all.)  Although every room comes with these amenities, each one has its own unique decor and layout.  But it's the Hayes room that has something that none of the others possess.  And this is it...

OK, I know, it doesn't necessarily look all that spectacular from this angle.  But stepping inside this double shower with large bench and oversized window is so refreshing and relaxing.  The view never ends.  And neither does the hot water. Trust me, we let that water run over us for a looooong time.

So here's a view from inside the shower.  The picture doesn't quite do it justice.  You'll just have to take my word for it.  In the mornings, we showered with a view of the sun rising over the horizon.  And in the evenings, we allowed the water to wash any stress away as we gazed out at the lights of the neighboring towns.  

Now that's a great way to begin and end a day.

WHAT WE FEASTED ON:

To say we feasted is no understatement.  During our stays at the Inn, we've always had a breakfast so filling that come lunch time we were no where near hungry.  So we skip lunch and simply snack on the cookies provided in the dining room to get us through till dinner.

Although the cookies are quite tasty, I'm gonna be honest...we didn't come here for the cookies.  We came, and will continue to return, in large part because the food is amazing!  Unlike most B&Bs that only include breakfast in the room price, the Inn Above Onion Creek also provides dinner.  

I'll just let the food speak for itself here...

DINNER

Menu included:

-Romaine Salad with Beets, Candied Walnuts and Cheure

-Grilled Pork Chop with Cranberry Ginger Compote

-Spaetzle with Brown Butter and Sage (picture shows rice as I had asked for a dairy-free diet)

-Glazed Carrots with Dill

-Dinner Roll

-Croissant Bread Pudding with Orange Vanilla Bean Sauce

Don't worry if you aren't sure about what a few of those things are because neither do I.  I just know it was good!

BREAKFAST

Menu Included:

-"Eggs in Purgatory" (Baked Eggs with San Marzano Sauce)

-Bacon

-Maple Sweetened Yogurt with Cinnamon Apples

-Fresh Buttermilk Biscuit with Jam

-Fresh Fruit

-Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

BREAKFAST ALL GONE

One of the things I really enjoyed about this stay (besides the darn good food) was how well the kitchen staff accommodated my food sensitivities.  Since I've developed these nagging but unavoidable tummy troubles over the last couple of years, this is the first time out of five stays that a lodging facility (that advertised the willingness to accommodate food allergies) actually did it!  Only once, when our first appetizer was served, did I have to remind the staff of my request for a particular diet and from there on out I didn't have to repeatedly ask "Is there dairy in this?".  I was perfectly taken care of and really appreciated it!

HOW WE PASSED THE TIME:

Normally, when we arrive at the Inn it's for the soul purpose of seeking rest for mind and body.  We almost hope for a few rainy days so we have no excuse to leave our little home away from home.  I've finished a handful of books, lounged for several mindless hours in front of the fireplace, and have napped in a dreamy state of mind following a massage, all from the comforts of our room at the Inn.  And we've been perfectly happy accomplishing next to nothing during past visits.  

But this trip...this one was to be different. We planned to venture out to the quaint, little town of Wimberley for a high-flying adventure in order to put a check mark next to an item on our bucket list.  Our plans included soaring over canyons and creeks while taking in 15-mile views of the Wimberley Valley.  Just like this...

But it was cold.  And windy. And rainy.

So instead, we did this...

...drank hot tea and put together a 1,000 piece puzzle.  Call us nerds.  Call us old fogies.  But we call ourselves refreshed and relaxed and free from all responsibilities.  Our only obligation was to show up for dinner and we had no problem fulfilling that commitment.

At one point we did actually make it out of our room and ventured a quarter-mile down the road to the Inn Above Onion Creek SPA for an hour massage.  "Worth. Every. Penny." is all I have to say about that.

The entrance to the Spa.

 I intended to have our picture taken for our side-by-side massages, 

but once my face hit that pillow I forgot all about my good intentions.

Once we returned to our room in a near comatose state, we knew we were worthless for the next few hours, so we called it a day till dinnertime and then hung this sign on the door...

***************************

The next time we have an opportunity to zipline through the Wimberley Valley or simply need to get-away and feel a million miles away from it all, you'll know where to find us...

...The Inn Above Onion Creek.

Now THIS is how to travel.

HOT DANG! This is one sweet ride!

Challenger 300

I don't know how we got so blessed, but we'll just chalk this one up to having one awesome God who blessed my husband with the job of flying this bad boy.  

And it's not everyday that a corporate pilot gets to take his family to work with him.  But my husband's boss and his wife just happen to be some of the most likable, most generous, and genuinely nicest people around.  So when they decided they wanted Chris to fly them to their ranch for Thanksgiving and then have him stay through the holiday (he normally gets to come home for the holidays when they're out of town), they also invited our family.  And I'm not just talking about myself and our kids, but they invited any family members who we planned on spending the day with on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, not the whole family was able to come along, but we were able to take my dad and my in-laws. 

My dad and my youngest excited for take-off.

And then she looked out the window and got a little nervous 

as the ground got further and further away.

I wish I could give you all the specs on this airplane, but I'm just a girl so all I can tell you is that it climbs high, flies fast, and travels far.  What took my in-laws 5 hours to drive from our house to the boss's ranch, took us only 38 minutes in the jet.  Not a bad way to travel if you ask me.

What I can tell you about this plane is that there are 8 large captains chairs, but it actually seats 9 people.  You see, there is an extra seat on the potty.  I know it sounds silly, but I'm totally serious.  You just close the lid on the potty and there you have a comfy, cushioned seat with a seat belt and all (and there's a little convenience built in...if you know what I'm sayin'.)

Here's a shot of the nice cushy seats.

Normally, the plane isn't filled to capacity and the potty seat isn't used, but on our flight home we picked up an extra passenger and every seat was needed.  My dad and I "ro sham bo'ed" over who would sit on the pot on the way home and he lost.  But, when the boss and his wife arrived, the craziest thing happened.  The boss's wife INSISTED on sitting on the potty no matter how much my dad argued. 

See her back there? She's just chillin' on the potty with her Kindle Fire. 

I don't know, maybe it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but to me, it spoke volumes of her character and sense of humility.  We're talking about a mega-millionaire, who owns her own jet, and was kind enough to allow us middle-class folk to bum a ride, and she insists on sitting on the potty seat.  You just don't find people like this everyday.

Thankfully, she didn't have to stay there the whole ride 'cause my 3 year ended up sitting in my lap most of the time and vacated a seat.  So, she came up and joined us.  It's pretty obvious from the picture below that my girls just love her.

She's a beautiful woman - inside and out!

GLEN ROSE, TX

Rolling hills and rivers - it's that beautiful scenery that first put Glen Rose on the map.  Today folks still return to enjoy its natural beauty along with the outdoor opportunities it provides, like hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, golfing, kayaking, canoeing or just kicking back and enjoying a sunset.  Somewhere deep within that natural beauty, history was uncovered which gave Glen Rose the nickname of "Dinosaur Capitol of Texas". In the heart of town, at the Historic Courthouse Square, there remains a nostalgic feel with quaint shops, local restaurants, and cozy lodging.  You'll find it all right here in this small Texas town of Glen Rose.

WHATCHA GONNA DO:
Historic Courthouse Square - Visiting the Historic Courthouse Square in Glen Rose allows an opportunity to step into a more relaxing and simpler time...or so they say.  We never really got a chance to experience the Square as we were visiting in the middle of the week and during that time this town is just shy of dead.  Unfortunately we didn't get to stay for the weekend to watch the town come alive, but we did drive through on our way out and saw several folks strolling the Square.  I would suggest visiting www.glenrosetexas.net to check out the town calendar of events prior to booking a trip.

It was recommended to us to visit the Square in Granbury, which is a lake town just 20 minutes North of Glen Rose, as the Square there is a bit larger and more active during the week.  We decided to give it a try and headed North to Granbury for a quick afternoon.  Now, I haven't visited too many "squares", but I can certainly see why the readers of Texas Highways magazine named it the "Best Town Square in Texas".  There were plentiful opportunities for shopping, antiquing, dining, or even to take in a musical at the Opera House.  I definitely want to spend some more time here at a later date.


Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - The main reason we chose Glen Rose as our vacation destination was to stay at the Fossil Rim Safari Camp.  It's a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of species in peril, offering self-driven wildlife viewing, guided tours to view the 1,100 freely roaming animals (in large pastures), unique lodging opportunities, and much more.  I posted all about it last week so if you missed it, you can check out all our wild animal adventures here and visit the Fossil Rim website here.

Up close and personal with a friendly giraffe on our guided tour at Fossil Rim.

Dinosaur Valley State Park - After our tour at Fossil Rim, we wanted to explore Dinosaur Valley State Park to get in some hiking/exercise. Or, as my mom would say, I wanted to make her trek miles of trails, over rocks and boulders, in hopes of prematurely collecting my inheritance. 

Don't worry, no old people were harmed in the staging of this photo.

Alright, seriously now, Dinosaur Valley State Park is known for some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The tracks are located in the riverbed so some minimal hiking is involved to actually get to the them. 

Can you see it?!  It's a dino track right there in the water!

The first sauropod trackways were discovered right here in the Paluxy riverbed.  So not only did we get to check out the tracks, but we also got to experience some great scenery.



I was prepared to catch a pic of her falling into the river,

but she's quite sure-footed for a senior citizen.

Even though a cold front was moving in and the temp was dropping quickly, we decided to stick around and enjoy some hiking trails.  There were quite a few options available with most of them being very family-friendly.  With map in hand, we headed out over the river and through the woods (no really, we crossed the river and then hiked through the woods).  The map was, shall I say, vague in some parts.  And that means we did actually pass the overlook we had set out to reach as our destination, but we just happened to overlook it somehow.  So, we hiked a little longer than expected, but still enjoyed every step of the way.  And luckily, about a half mile from the end of our hike, we happened upon a native to the area who allowed us to tag along behind her to make sure we didn't miss our last turn.  And, we enlisted her as our personal photographer as well...

Not the overlook we were searching for but still not a bad view.

We definitely enjoyed our afternoon at the park and would love to go back next time with the kiddos.  They would love checking out these life-size dinos at the entrance...

It was really cold and my mother didn't warn me to "say cheese".

Just two old fogies hanging out.

And if your kids (or yourself for that matter) think these dinosaurs are pretty cool, then my guess is you would definitely want to check out this next place...







Dinosaur World - Due to our hike being unintentionally extended, we ran out of time to visit Dino World, but I wanted to throw it in because it looked really fun.  Apparently, you can walk through and view 150 life size dinosaurs which are displayed outdoors with explanatory signs.  When we drove by, Mom slowed down to 10 and I snapped this quick pic...

Visit the Dinosaur World website here



The Promise - It's a musical experience of the life of Christ!  You can find it online here.

This was definitely on our list of things to do long before we arrived in Glen Rose. The play took place at night, under the stars, at the Texas Amphitheatre which just happens to be the largest permanent outdoor theater in the state.  And it seems like the whole community of Glen Rose comes together to support it.  The town was a buzz on this exceptionally chilly night with folks hurriedly gathering their winter coats and hot chocolate in time for the performance.  It seemed everywhere we went someone would excitedly ask, "Are you seeing The Promise tonight?"  And then they would tell us how many times they had already seen it.  Earlier in the week, we even met a fellow who happily reminisced about his days working on the set as a school-age boy.  I got the impression that if you were from this close-knit town of Glen Rose, you either played a role on stage of The Promise or behind-the-scenes at some point in your life.  It kind of seemed like a right-of-passage around these parts.

Here's the description of the play straight from The Promise brochure:

"The Promise begins on the banks of the Paluxy River in historic Glen Rose, Texas. A grandfather and his grandchildren, Billy and Lisa explore the riverbed in search of the dinosaur tracks that have made Somervell County a popular destination for visitors. As they settle by a campfire, Grandpa is reminded of a story that his own grandfather used to tell him in the same spot - the one about the Promise sent by God so many years ago.

As Grandpa begins to sing about the Promised One, the three find themselves among the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus.  Immediately, Grandpa, Billy, and Lisa are swept up in the events of Jesus' birth, baptism, temptation, and ministry.

Based on Scripture and incorporating the music of award-winning contemporary Christian artists, The Promise brings a modern touch to the most amazing story ever told."

There's just something special about going to a performance set under the stars.  So just the fact that this was performed at an ampitheather was a bonus for me.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be the coldest night of the year and we had to bundle up in multiple layers, and gloves, and scarves, and then wrap up in two blankets a piece over those layers.  Look at us all hidden under our hoodies...



There was some serious "cold" going on that night.  And I was so impressed (as I shivered in sympathy) when multiple characters walked into the water-filled moat and were "baptized" in the freezing water and did not break character even in the slightest (temps were in the low 40's that night).  Before we even left our hotel that night, we met this cute little dude at the hot chocolate makin'-station who excitedly told us he was an understudy for another kid who thought it was too cold to get wet that night.

Isn't he the cutest?  This was to be his first performance and he couldn't stop smiling.

When we arrived at the amphiptheater, the first thing I noticed was the impressive set. It had some pretty cool features too, such as a water-filled moat, rain curtain, and exceptional lighting.

The set while watching the pre-show entertainment.



We also learned that the cast and crew are made up of over 150 Christian artists and they were joined by several live animals that helped to bring the story to life.  I didn't take many pictures during the show as I didn't want to be a distraction to those around me, but also because I just got lost in the story and pretty much forgot.  Here's one photo I did manage to take at the end...

Some of my favorite things about the show: it was very true to the story of the life of Christ; they put a fun little spin on the story by having it told by a grandfather to his grandchildren; the huge cast of actors and animals played their parts seamlessly despite the frigid temps; and the part of Satan was fabulous! (she slinked around, mostly in the shadows, as an ever-present character just waiting for an opportunity to pounce).

Unfortunately, there were a couple of things that didn't take place quite as seamlessly: the sound system crackled several times throughout the show (maybe it was due to the crazy, whipping wind that night. I don't know.); as Jesus ascended into Heaven we could clearly see the cables attached to him which just kind of took away from this awe-inspiring moment; and the music, well, even though it was good, it didn't move me to the core like I anticipated it would.

With all that said, both my mom and I definitely enjoyed the performance.  This small town really comes together in a huge way to create a ministry opportunity for anyone visiting the area.  And, if I ever happen to be in the area again with someone who hasn't seen the show, I would be sure to take them for a visit to The Promise.

Take note: The Promise is only performed Friday and Saturday evenings in September and October.  www.thepromiseglenrose.com

WHERE YA GONNA EAT:
We dined at two great places near the Historic Courthouse Square of Glen Rose. In this area of town, our options for dining were few, but the good news is that the two we chose were both great!

On our first night, we visited Hollywood and Vine, a great burger joint located just behind the Courthouse. 

You definitely can't miss the sign.

This place had great atmosphere and a super friendly owner who mingled and chit-chatted with the guests. Since the weather was perfect for outside seating, we chose a place on the deck.



We split the new item on the menu - fajitas - and although I can say I've had better at an actual Tex-Mex joint, they were still pretty darn good.  And lucky for us, we just happened to pick a night when the restaurant was hosting a fashion show for a new boutique in town = free entertainment!  We were entered in a free raffle and almost won the grand prize, but after my mom jumped up and hollered in excitement then ran up to claim her prize, she realized her raffle ticket was off by one number and her prize was handed to the actual winner.  So close, Mom.  So. close.


The next afternoon we grabbed lunch at Riverhouse Grill, just a 1/2 block down the street from the Square. 

Doesn't it just scream "small town quaintness"?

A little front porch dining.  Can't beat that!

We opted for lunch here since the dinner prices are a tad high and lunch was a little more reasonable.  We really lucked out price-wise when we realized the portions were rather large and we were able to split a meal.  And let me tell you, in order to split a meal with my mother, the portion has to be really big.  Don't let her size fool you, she can pack away food like a linebacker.

Look at that! She's cleaning her plate before I can even get started!!

Ok, just kidding. That was the empty plate after we split our meal.  But,

she is slopping up every last bit of sauce with a piece of bread.

I think this was a pesto, artichoke, shrimp pasta.  I don't remember the name exactly, but I do remember it was awesome!  Even though the half portion was plenty, I was kind of wishing I had ordered a full portion just so I could gorge myself on its deliciousness. 

We 100% recommend Riverhouse Grill!  You've gotta try it!

**********************

Glen Rose provides the perfect destination for families, or anyone just wanting a taste of small town Texas.  So pack up the car and get yourself ready for a good ole fashion road trip!  Then hit the road and tell that GPS to point you in the direction of Glen Rose, TX.  You won't be disappointed.

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER

Glenrose, TX

www.fossilrim.org

It's time to start livin' a little on the WILD side!  And what's more wild than getting up close and personal with 1,100 free-roaming exotic animals from all over the world!?  How about having an 18 inch giraffe tongue lick feed right out of your hand?  Or having a stare down with a cantankerous Addax over who has the right of way on the road?  Well, get ready 'cause you're liable to find it here at Fossil Rim along with many more unforgettable animal encounters.

WHERE YA GONNA SLEEP:
There are a couple of places to stay at Fossil Rim so be sure to check out the website here for all your options. I'll tell ya about where we stayed and where we'd like to stay next time.

Foothills Safari Camp - When we first decided to stay at Safari Camp our plan was to try a new and adventurous vacation, ya know, something totally different. I picked it because I knew my husband wouldn't want to stay here (he's been spoiled by Hilton for too many years) and my mom is always up for a new adventure. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for!

As we entered the property and drove the two miles to Safari Camp, we immediately started looking to see who could spot the first form of wildlife. Right away, my mom eagle-eyed a gaggle of wild turkeys, but they don't count because they are considered "volunteer species". They aren't really suppose to be there, but simply mooch off the land and live the good life. Anyhow, as we made a turn, up and around a hill, I caught a glimpse of this cute little fella...

Aren't you a cutie little Axis Deer.

I rolled down the window to say Hi and he came over to offer a greeting. My mom started to panic as he nosed his way into the car so she quickly rolled up the window.

And then he left us this nice "snot art" on the window. And if you know my mom at all (how OCD she is about everything being clean) then you know just how funny this is.

And then we arrived at Safari Camp, and a whole herd of these guys were there to welcome us.

Sable Antelope just chillin' in the grass.

Eventually, we made it to our cozy, humble accommodations.

Please take my warning when I tell you these tents are NOT for divas. Even though there is a full bathroom (with a sink, decent counter space, shower, and commode), hot water, along with A/C and heat and a ceiling fan, these are very modest accommodations. There are two twin beds and an extra mattress for a third person. But, the mattresses are...how do I say this...at the highest capacity for firmness. And yes, there is hot water in the shower, but only enough to get the job done quick. What I'm saying is, you better shave your legs before you come. My mom almost hit diva status when she drug her two-ton suitcase into our tent. Since there were only two of us, there was plenty of room for her to leave it stored (upright) in the walkway, but she chose to sleep with it on her bed. I, on the other hand, packed accordingly and my roller bag fit just fine on the shelf at the head of my bed. One other interesting fact about the tents...the sliding door doesn't lock. Weird, right? But, apparently they've never had any trouble with theft and we certainly didn't either, although we did keep all valuables in our car when we weren't in the tent just because it felt weird not too.

And now, on to the good stuff...

Despite the warning I just gave, I will say that our tent had everything we needed. We were prepared to be somewhat "roughing it" so with our expectations being low, we were quite surprised at how comfortable we were. There was plenty of storage in the room. The small hot water tank reheated quite quickly. And the A/C and heat both worked perfectly (the day we arrived it was 82 degrees and the next day a cold front came in and dropped the temps into the 40's).

After getting settled in, we walked the short distance to the glass-walled Pavilion where Wi-Fi was available and where breakfast was provided.

Seating in the Glass-walled Pavilion

Fireplace in the glass-walled Pavilion

This was also a great place to hang out any time of day with a little more elbow room than what's provided in the tents.

When we first walked into the building, we heard quite a ruckus and noticed this guy trying to get in...

Greater Sandhill Crane - He's even bigger in person than he looks here.

He flapped his wings and banged his beak against the glass. And we later learned he was probably trying to find his long-lost mate in his own reflection he saw in the glass. Poor guy.

And probably the best feature of staying at Safari Camp...the incredible animal viewing opportunities! Safari Camp sits up on a hill overlooking a large watering hole where animals can be seen meandering and grazing, mostly in the early morning and evening hours (don't worry, we were all fenced in). The first morning I woke early and just before the sun came up I sat out here...

Viewing deck overlooking watering hole.

With just a hint of daybreak, I could make out silhouettes of animals all over the hills and down at the watering hole. But the really cool part was just listening to the sounds of animals bugling, grunting, and antlers rattling. Where else are you going to hear those sounds of nature?!!

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Safari Camp and would stay again in a heartbeat!  The only thing we would do differently would be to bring an egg crate for a little extra cushion on the mattress and you may want to do the same.

The Lodge - So maybe you are a diva or you're just in need of a little more pampering and comfortability, well then the Lodge is just the place for you. My mom and I checked it out and walked through each room (unfortunately I couldn't get too many pictures of the rooms as they had just been vacated and were still a bit messy prior to housekeeping). Now this is a place I could get my husband to stay (that little Hilton snob). Let's have the pictures speak for themselves...

The Lodge

Egret Room - The other rooms just get nicer from here.

Lodge family room - there is also a separate TV/Lounge area 

Lodge dining area with full kitchen attached. And check out that wrap-around deck!

Despite a touch of a 70's vibe in the Lodge, it is beautiful!  And that retro look by no means infers a run-down facility.  This place is well taken care of and very clean.  The largest room on the top floor has a newly remodeled bathroom and is spectacular!  All common areas are available to all guests, including those staying at Safari Camp.  Here at the Lodge, the animal viewing opportunities aren't as plentiful as those at Safari Camp, but as seen from the above picture, the view is still quite inviting.

WHATCHA GONNA DO:
Morning Safari Tours (for overnight guests only) - We absolutely LOVED our morning tour!  Our volunteer guides, Walt and Marge, picked us up at 8:30 sharp in a really cool open-air safari truck that made us feel like we were really on an African Safari.

Not only were they knowledgeable of the animals and their behaviors, but genuinely nice people who wanted us to have a really great time.  And since my mom and I were the only paying guests on the tour (Marge's sister was with us too) they were willing to take extra time when a really great photo op occurred or when we were just really enjoying feeding/watching a certain animal.

Besides the fact that we had our own personal tour guides who were able to give a lot of info about the animals that we wouldn't have otherwise known about, the tour differs from the self-driven scenic drive by going through the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Area.  This area is the heart of the Fossil Rim Center which is home to the most sensitive species on the property.

Take a look at one of the animals that came out to say Hi:



Well Hello, Mr. Maned Wolf!

It was pretty incredible because nearly every one of the animals in the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Area was out and roaming about, but I only have a decent picture of this guy because my camera kept focusing on the fence and not the animal.  Oh well.  And besides, I don't want to give it all away.

Afterwards our tour continued along the usual route of the 9.5 mile scenic drive throughout the 1,800 acres of property.  Walt and Marge brought along feed for the animals and knew just where to stop and wait for a certain animal to come visit us.  Walt referred to our safari truck as the "ice cream truck" because just like all the kids come running when the ice cream truck arrives, so do the animals when the safari truck arrives.  And boy was he right!  We saw nearly every species on the property during our 4 hour tour.  Since our tour started before the property was open to the public, we were first in line to feed the animals so they were nice and hungry and eager to greet us.

Here they come!



European Red Deer

This European Red Deer decided he wanted to come back for more later when we circled around and saw him again. When we didn't feed him a second time he let out a loud bugle to let us know he was not happy.





Fallow Deer patiently waiting for breakfast.

No shame in begging for this Barbary Sheep

Wildebeest

There was a whole herd of Wildebeest just waiting for the "snack shack" to drive by, but I just really liked this picture the best. It's a face only a mother could love.

Ostrich

The Ostrich is known for being a little aggressive when it comes to meal time so we had to be quick to get our hand out of the way.  It was even suggested that we remove dangly earrings as she might find those appetizing.  Considering her eyes are bigger than her brain, we cut her a little slack and gave her some extra food. It's tough being dumb.

Emu 

I think she may be just as dumb as the Ostrich (the Emu, that is...not my mom.  Just in case you were wondering.)  That's probably why they named one of the Emus "Einstein".

I was trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

And this was our FAVORITE part.  A whole family of Giraffes came over for a nibble.  Our guides said that usually just one will come to the truck for feed but we had three giraffe heads peeking in our safari truck.  I was a little hesitant to stick my hand out, full of food, to an animal that looked like it could eat my head in one bite, but for the sake of the experience I did it anyway.

Seriously. That is one BIG head.

And I can tell you there is absolutely nothing more gross than a handful of giraffe spit.  But the thrill of being so close to these gentle giants was spectacular!  I mean, really, isn't this what hand sanitizer was made for?!!

And here's a few other dudes we saw along the way, but they were too cool to come over for food:

Addax

Blackbuck

Gemsbok

It really was an unforgettable trip!  Thanks, Walt and Marge, for giving us the inside scoop and tour that we will be telling all our friends about.

Scenic Wildlife Drive - This is a self-driven tour for folks who are not staying the night at Fossil Rim, but would like to view the animals on their own.  It covers the same 9.5 miles as the guided tour, minus viewing of the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Center.  Try to get there as early as possible, when the animals are most active and hungry, and when the temperature is mild (if there is such a thing as "mild" in Texas).

This was a vehicle on the scenic drive behind our safari tour.

Nature Gift Shop & Cafe and Overlook - About half way through the scenic drive this is the one and only spot to get out of the car, make a potty stop, grab a bite to eat, or shop around.  On the guided tour we were only given about 15 minutes, but we could have spent much longer.  (So we did just that the next day.) 

During our 15 minutes, we first checked out the overlook which was beautiful!  It is a large patio space for eating and viewing just outside the cafe.  We really would have liked to have tried the cafe for lunch, but it just didn't fit in the schedule.  I can't say how the food is, but I can assure you the view is fantastic!

Next up, we walked the perimeter of the Children's Animal Center (since it wasn't open yet for the day).  It's similar to a petting zoo, but with your not-so-average petting zoo animals, like cockatoos, pot-bellied pigs, emus, and more.  I know my kids would have totally been into it.

The next day we went back to grab some loot for the kiddos from the gift shop.  We were pleasantly surprised to find it was loaded with unique and fun memorabilia.  Check out the totally fun gifts my mom got for the kids (of course we had to try them out first).

My mother.  She's a silly one.

Loving their new gifts which will be perfect in this Texas weather!

WHOSE GONNA LOVE IT:

• The WHOLE family!

It's for the young and the old and everyone in between.  But it's also not just for those with children.  This can be an adults only trip as well.  While we were visiting, not only did we see families with young children and grandparents with grandchildren, but there was also a group of approximately 10 senior adults who stayed 3 nights at The Lodge for a college reunion.  Cool, right?!


WHATCHA GONNA EAT:
Nothing makes me more excited than a free meal so when I realized breakfast was included with the price of the stay, I was thrilled!  Breakfast was served in the glass-walled Pavilion with a large variety of options to choose from, including: scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and warmed peaches.  It was all quite good and the chef was very accommodating to my dietary restrictions. 


WHAT'S IT GONNA COST YA:

I'm only including pricing below for the Lodge Rooms and Safari Camp Tents as there are just too many things to list.  Visit the website here and click on the "Pricing" tab near the top right for all tours, camps, and lodging. Prices are for double occupancy and include breakfast and a Scenic Wildlife Drive pass. Extra guests or Roll-a-way beds are $15.00 each. Lodging tax is 13%.
Peak Season Pricing March - October Rooms Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday  Holidays Peregrine $175 $325 $325 Parrot $150 $275 $275 Attwater's $135 $225 $225 *Egret $100 $200 $200 *Hummingbird $100 $200 $200 Safari Camp Tent $125 $225 $225
*these rooms are a lower price because they share a bathroom Off Season Pricing November - February Rooms Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday * Holidays Peregrine $125 $175 $175 Parrot $125 $150 $150 Attwater's $125 $135 $135 Egret $100 $100 $100 Hummingbird $100 $100 $100 Safari Camp Tent $125 $125 $125

HOW YA GONNA GET THERE:
Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose, TX which is approx. 50 minutes Southwest of Dallas/Fort Worth. We were traveling from the North Houston area and it was just over a 4 hour drive (including a potty and to-go snack break).  My GPS wanted to take us on the boring route down I-45, but I eventually showed her who was boss and we went on the scenic route via Bryan/College Station and Waco.

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Be sure to grab your binoculars, your camera's zoom lens, and don't forget the hand sanitizer.  Then head on out to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for a wild time.  Whether it's a day trip or an overnight stay, or whether you're with the kids or without 'em, you're gonna love this truly unique adventure!

THE END!

This post is linked up to Friday Daydreamin' at www.rwethereyetmom.com