Hiking Devils Bridge

Sedona, Arizona
www.greatsedonahikes.com/devilsbr/devilsbr.htm

While visiting my dad in Phoenix during spring break, we set out on a day trip to Sedona to take in the gorgeous red rocks and a little bit of hiking.  Had I known any of the following points, we would have NEVER attempted this journey:

     1. Despite what mapquest or any other navigational device told us, our driving time was 3 hours instead of 2.  (But 20 minutes of that was due to a pit stop as a result of point #2.)

     2. My dad drives likes a drunken looky-loo who can't stay in his lane to save his life in fear he may miss spotting a wild animal roaming the countryside.  Therefore, he slowly drifts into a neighboring lane and then quickly jerks the vehicle back into his own lane inducing motion sickness in all the members of my family.  (Granted, it doesn't take much for my weak-stomached family to experience nausea, but my dad is a seriously awful driver.)

     3. The road to the trailhead was temporarily closed to vehicles due to a parking lot being paved so we had to hike a total of 4 miles instead of what should have only been 1.4 miles.  Doesn't sound too terribly bad unless you are hiking with a 7 and 4 year old.

With all that complaining being said, I am so glad I didn't know any of those facts ahead of time because we would have missed out on a truly incredible day!

Simply driving into and through the town of Sedona is a sight in itself...absolutely beautiful!

Finding the road to the trailhead was very easy, but since we couldn't actually take that road, we parked along the main road and hiked the 1.3 miles to the trailhead.  It was a rugged, pot-hole filled dirt road with little to no shade.  Thankfully we packed in a ton of water because the temperature rose a good 12 degrees from the time we started till we arrived back at the car.  

My munchkins taking in the view.

We also packed in lunch which we ate once we arrived at the trailhead while sitting on a shaded rock.  It was a great refueling break for the kiddos.  

And then it was time to hit the trail.

Although most hiking sites will consider this a "moderate" hike, I found it to be quite easy.  When starting at the trailhead, it's only a 1.4 mile roundtrip hike with most of the elevation gain being towards the end.  Now that last part does get a little tricky, but my 4 year old daughter and my 74 year old father both maneuvered the terrain with only minimal assistance.  

Being that it was a short hike, there was plenty of time for frequent stops and lots of picture taking.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

My dad and I were the pack mules for the trip. 

After hiking nearly 2 miles, they are still smiling!

It wasn't long before we reached the top and the views were just spectacular!  The bridge itself was only slightly terrifying at first glance, but once we actually got out onto the bridge, it was a little wider than we expected.  

Me and dad braving the bridge.

My dad and I were the only ones in our party to actually go out onto the bridge.  My husband took one look at it and there was no chance he was going out there.  Of course he said he was staying back because he didn't want our girls to go out there, but I know he has a serious fear of heights (don't mind the fact that he flies a jet at 42,000 feet.  It doesn't make sense to me either.)  So, this fear of heights is the reason our picture kinda stinks.  I should have entrusted my camera to a complete stranger who was willing to risk life and limb for sake of a good picture.  Oh well, it's a good excuse to have to go back one day.

Here's the photo I wish he would have taken:

DEVIL'S BRIDGE

 (not my photo, but much better than the one my scaredy-cat husband took)

Pretty spectacular, right?!

One of the other really cool things about this hike was that there was a short cut-off in the trail just before ascending to the bridge.  This cut-off trail was less than 200 yards and took us below the bridge for a totally different perspective.  I think the kids liked this part even better than the top-side of the bridge.

My little family under the bridge.

Unbelievably, we survived the hike with no major falls and little whining from the kids.  They were pretty tired by the end (ok, we all were), but they really were quite the troopers.  I do have to say that my husband carried our littlest one on his shoulders, in spurts to give her a break once in a while, for probably a 1/4 of the trip.  So with that being said, I'll forgive him for the lousy picture-taking.

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Even though this is the only hike I have done in Sedona (or even Arizona for that matter), I'd have to say it's my favorite!  

What's your favorite Sedona or Arizona hike? 

Oh heck, give me your favorite hike ANYWHERE.

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...

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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!

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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.