Everything IS Bigger in Texas!

Making our way into Texas we were greeted with the most stunning sunset. I knew at some point I would have to pull the car over, inconveniently in the middle of the highway, when that perfect sunset came about. And sure enough, it was in Big Country Texas. Can someone say ambience attack?! All that was missing was some Brie cheese, a glass of rosé, and perhaps not sitting on a highway with a slew of border patrol vehicles roaming around.

The first destination in Texas was Guadalupe National Park--a place that not many people know about, or travel to, but probably should. There we climbed to the top of the highest peak in Texas, which of course was blanketed in a huge cloud, thus the views were limited to 10 feet of visibility. 

Also in Guadalupe NP, we did an epic overnight trip up to the ridge line of McKittrick Canyon. Stunning! There is a reason they call it the "most beautiful spot in Texas," but you definitely have to work hard to get there. Think of climbing a StairMaster for 6 hours! 

5 days, 4 nights and $18 later, we hightailed it to Big Bend National Park to get ready for our final and toughest backpacking trip. Upon arriving, we got our permits, reached out to our families, cached water, prepared our packs and ate an excessive amount of carbohydrates for dinner. And of course, the next morning we woke up to violent winds, which collapsed our tent, rain and temperatures in the 30's. So we did what any other hardcore backpackers would do--sit in the lodge the entire day then watch documentaries in the visitor center parking lot. 

Since the terrible weather did not break, due to a cold front sweeping the nation, we had to move on. Don't worry Big Bend, we will be back! But off we were with the next destination being San Antonio, or what I call "Venice of the Southwest." 

We saw the Alamo, walked along the river and checked out the San Antonio missions. However, the rich culture and history did not overshadow the ridiculous burger challenge that took place. Two one-pound beef patties, all the fixins, onion rings and a pound of sweet potato fries, to be eaten in one hour. And he did it! With seconds on the clock, those last scraps of fries were eaten and he was one of 14 people to be named the burger challenge champ.

The next day we were off to Austin where my amazing friend set us up in a cozy bed at his sister's last minute. We checked out an all Texas microbrew bar, drove around downtown and had what I've seen all over the Food Network and Cooking Channel--The Mighty Cone--cornmeal encrusted chicken, shrimp or avocados, slaw, chipotle sauce, wrapped in a warm tortilla. Yum!

After a quick day in Austin, we were off to Dallas. Again, my amazing friend set us up with a place to stay there. We drove around checking out the city, saw the site where Kennedy was shot, had some killer Texas BBQ, and the Texas burger chain Whataburger. But then, then, we went to what can only be described as a religious experience--the Pearl Jam show! 

We only have so much left on our journey so what's up next? Oysters in the Low Country!