Adventure Readiness Test - By Shane

The year is 2006, Abbie and I had been wanting to take the kids on a family trip. Our first "real" family trip! Little did we know that we were starting something that would have our family hunting adventures forever. I'm very thankful for this moment in our lives. It's our first step towards dreaming big!

We decided we would take the kids to see the NASA Space Center in Houston, TX and then on to Galveston, TX to see the coast. A manageable distance from our home in Dallas and something cool about Texas that we wanted our kids to see. Perfect trial run to test our adventure readiness.

With the car packed to the gills, lists checked and re-checked, and the family in their traveling positions, we headed off to Houston. We were all excited to see the Space Center. I think we were all just excited to go see something new together. At least something that wasn't Dallas...

The first day we went to the Space Center because we just needed to get that done! Did I say that we were excited to see the Space Center. And for good reason! It was pretty cool and probably the highlight of our entire trip. The NASA program is where "Dream Big" really means something. Unbelievable things can be accomplished if you put your heart, mind, and soul into something. Our country did great things in our past. My hope is that we don't lose sight of that and realize it's our time to Dream Big...  Wow, that was kinda deep. Anyway, NASA Space Center/Program..amazing! Astronauts, rockets, computers, moon rocks, mission control, and the space shuttle! Who doesn't like any of that?!

Abbie got to see Mission Control for the first time! If you don't know, Abbie wanted to work for NASA at Mission Control...then she met me and her life took off in a different direction. The path that was her true calling....raising Hill boys (including myself ). Although, her love for NASA came rushing back as we explored the Space Center.

Abbie enjoying playing with the kids at the Space Center

 The kids were just loving the very cool astronaut environment! Cool things to see and experience everywhere! A Hillboy playground...game on!!

Wild and Crazy kids at NASA Space Center

With our time at the Space Center ending, we were sad to leave. Fulfilled and tired we had dinner and headed back to the room. Little did we know Mother Nature had something in store for us by morning. 

We woke to the ringing of our telephone. It was the front desk asking if we were aware that the parking lot was flooded do to the tropical storm that had circled over the Gulf Coast all night. So, I sprang to the window to look at the parking lot. Oh my God... It wasn't just the parking lot, the entire area was flooded. I'm talking like a mini Katrina! I couldn't believe my eyes, we were in trouble if the rain didn't stop. The hotel we were staying at was on high ground and out of flood danger..for now. However, our Expedition "Cheryl" was half way under water. I had to get it to high ground immediately.

Crazy flood in Houston!

After wading through waist deep water I was able to get to the Expedition, start her up, quickly move her to high ground, and let her drain. Ugh, what a way to start day 2 of our trip. Stuck in the hotel waiting for flood waters to recede and our car to dry out. Great! So, we hunkered down and planned a trip to San Antonio. The nearest city not effected by the tropical storm. Galveston was a no go because of the flooding.

Waiting for the flood waters to recede. Look at the old school maps! What are those things?!

 We were able to secure a hotel room in San Antonio and after waiting all day for the waters to recede, we made a break for it. The water was still high in areas, but we were driving a water logged Expedition that could handle a little more! We just needed to get to the Interstate and we were San Antonio bound. Mission accepted!

Wading through high water in "Cheryl" the Expedition

We saw some amazing carnage driving out of the flood zone... Mostly cars abandoned and people carrying everything they could to higher ground.

Everyone was trying to escape the water

 After getting on the Interstate the ground was dry and we were flying to San Antonio. Time to reset the trip and be thankful we were out of there safe.

 Besides, San Antonio is a really cool city to visit! The Alamo and the Riverwalk! Mission accepted!

The Alamo is a very important time in Texas history and worth seeing. What happened there was tragic, but what it sparked in Sam Houston will never be forgotten. We love checking out historic sites, so this was right up our alley.

Locked, Loaded, and ready to Defend the Alamo!!

We also went to the Lone Star Brewery Restaurant and Museum. Another cool place to soak up some Texas style! Something I enjoyed as a kid!

Lone Star Brewery Restaurant and Museum

Of course we had to go to the Wax Museum! I spent some time with Leno and many more creepy waxed celebrities. :) The haunted house section of the museum was being protected by a huge Predator and it was really freaking Abbie and Orry out!

The Wax Museum!!

The River walk in San Antonio is a really neat experience. Probably the biggest tourist attraction in Texas. It's a river running right through the city. The river walk has restaurants, river boat tours, attractions, events, lodging, and just cool people.

The River Boat Tour on the River Walk

 After leaving San Antonio we decided to stop at the drive through Safari! It's a big exotic animal preserve that you can drive through. Pretty awesome! The ostrich was demanding and unafraid.. I thought the zebras were hypnotizing. :)

On Safari!!

This trip taught us that we could improvise, adapt, and overcome disaster and make the best of it. Adventure Readiness Test passed! It also taught us that we can have a LOT of fun together on a family trip! So, shortly after this adventure we were planning our adventure to Colorado. But that's another story...

Check out our pictures from the trip!

Dream Big