Exploring Texas

In the previous blog post, we had arrived in Texas and my friend had a plan for us. I had mentioned that emotionally I needed to talk about what had happened. So I'm going to start off with the plan my friend had that kept us busy and exhausted on the weekends.

First of all, Texas is not only different from Battle Creek, Michigan. It's said Texas is another country, and it's true. This place may be my first experience this far from home, but I know that's not the only reason it feels like a different country. As a person from a small town in Michigan, it seems like a foreign country to me. People here are nice. They are open and greet you simply because they are passing you in the park. The culture is different in that way, and I don't know why. It makes it a pleasant place to be. Maybe it's the economy down here. Even during bad times, their Sunday paper job ads are still four pages long. In Battle Creek, that would make us all happy!! It would definitely change the atmosphere in that little town.

So my awesome friend I'm staying with in Texas has a plan for us. This girl always has a plan. Making plans is not my special talent. So I'm glad it's hers. (She also has this terrific memory. She tells me things I did in high school, things other people did ten years ago, and I'm lucky if I remember their names or their face. Recollection is something I work at daily!) So what is her plan? Explore museums. Eat at different restaurants that Michigan doesn't have. Explore places we've never been.

Texas Road House- Restaurant. They play country music. I know it's not the defining thing about this place, but for me, I loved it. I love country music, even the dumb songs. The "thing" with this restaurant is this: they have an aluminum, metal type of bucket at the table. It's filled with peanuts. And you can throw the shells on the floor. Did I tell you what I've done most of my life? Did I mention that part? I clean. My mom is a clean-freak-she deep cleans the stove almost everyday. I'm not into it that extensively (and pray for me if I ever am!), but I've cleaned floors for the last 10 years.

Texas Road House, upon walking in, has crushed peanuts all over the floor. My first thought is, "Wow, do they have to clean this up every night? Poor employees. I hope they at least have a vacuum with powerful suction. That has to be a pain." (I forgot to ask them if they clean it up and how it's done...go figure, right?) My son is eight years old, and he's thinking, "Yay!! I get to throw peanuts on the floor!!" And I look at him, and tell him, um, "No, you're not." He wasn't happy about that. Sorry kiddo, just because Texas Road House lets you do it doesn't mean I will.

The other aspects I remember: people wore cowboy boots, and cowboy hats. Most people I am related to listen to country music, most of us don't wear the gear, but I love it when I see other people wearing the gear. I hate wearing hats, and I don't think cowboy boots would be comfortable at all, even for a short time. But I loved how it all went together there: cowboys, cowgirls, country music, and even cactus plants. Awesome. We need one of these in Michigan. Not sure if it would thrive, but I'd eat there!! As far as food, I don't remember exactly what their specialty was, but I bet it was something that included cows. Just saying!! This is Texas after all!

We ate at Dave & Buster's one night, and I wasn't impressed with the service we received. So I won't talk about that. The cool thing about Dave & Buster's is that in the back there is a complete area of games to play. Skee-ball (is that spelled correctly?), basketball games, arcade games. It reminded me of a pizza place in Battle Creek that is no longer open. Wonderful idea for parents, because we don't have to cook, and we all get to play some games. Pricey? Yes, but it's worth it if you go once in awhile. And by the way, I'm sure the service we received isn't always bad. It wouldn't be a successful business in that case.

One day we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. I knew instantly upon walking in I would love to work there. I love music...rap, jazz, R&B, classical, country, hip-hop, pop, 80's, hard rock, alternative, soft, etc. I love music, it doesn't have to be a certain genre for me. It's all about what you're expressing, the beauty in it, and how music in itself can speak things words never will. So work at the Hard Rock Cafe? Yeah, it would be a blast. There was a TV on that had music videos on it, all kinds of different ones. I think while we were there, I noticed that it went from an 80's rock video to current hip-hop. Oh yes, let me feast on that! I loved that place, even if it was a short and sweet visit. I used to waitress in Battle Creek that had a live band named
Project 32 (look them up on Facebook, I promise you, they do not leave you disappointed!) and loved working there, simply because of the music. Everything else that could irritate me didn't matter once the music came on. So Hard Rock Cafe was definitely my favorite place to go, with Texas Road House coming in second, and Dave & Buster's last. (There were some other places we ate in Galveston while at the beach, but I can't remember the name. I'll ask my friend with the amazing memory and get back to you on that.)

So in the next post, I'll fill you in on other places we've eaten at, along with The Children's Museum, The Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural Science. All of which Zech loved.