Trip Introduction
We decided to visit Dallas in April of 2022 because we needed a getaway and we hadn't visited Julie's sister's family since they moved from LA in early 2021. A long weekend seemed like a perfect chance to see a little of the area and spend some quality time with family.
Wednesday, 4/20/2022 – Leaving Town
Flights from Des Moines to Dallas are direct so we didn't have to take a full day to travel; in fact, our flight departed a little after 4p. As we were walking to our gate, someone grabs James' arm; we turn around to see one of Julie's friends from her time working at Meredith. Jen and some friends were on the same flight to Dallas with connections on to the Bahamas, so we had someone to talk to while waiting at the airport.
The flight to Dallas was uneventful and once we landed and got our rental car, we headed to a restaurant to meet the family. It was fun for us because our niece didn't know we were coming and the expression on her face when she realized it was us walking up was priceless. We had a lovely dinner before heading to the hotel to check-in for the night.
Thursday, 4/21/2022 – Relaxing in Dallas
With nothing specific planned and our niece having school, we didn't bother with getting up early. After breakfast at the hotel, we played a couple games of cribbage before heading to a nearby mall to walk around.
We then made our way to Ben and Jolene's place arriving a little before noon. Ben was skim coating the kitchen ceiling as part of their ongoing remodel project, so Jolene gave us a tour of the new house discussing the plans for the various spaces. We headed out for a late lunch enjoying time together before picking the young one up from school. We had a lovely late afternoon and evening with family before heading back to the hotel around 8:30p.
A Texas sized breakfast?
Friday, 4/22/2022 – Happy Earth Day
Friday was similar to Thursday. We slept in a bit and relaxed at the hotel until a little before noon. We met Ben and Jolene and then headed to Plano for some BBQ before picking up our niece from school. We then hung out at the house for a bit just enjoying the warm weather. We ate too much pizza (well, James did) before returning to the hotel in the evening.
Saturday, 4/23/2022 – Seeing Some Sites Downtown
Our niece attended a friend's birthday party Saturday morning, so our day started pretty much the same as the two before. We met the family and then headed downtown to Klyde Warren Park. The park is built over a section of freeway and provides greenspace in the core of downtown. There was a fountain where kids were playing and a ballet troop performing (practicing?) in one of the pavilions. The park was rather busy with Pokemon Go Community Days so we saw lots of folks out enjoying the nice weather by staring at their phones.
We left that park and swung by an Italian Market where we picked up food before heading to Turtle Creek Park near Exall Lake for a picnic. We passed a lazy afternoon watching people, geese, and ducks while chatting.
Klyde Warren Park was busy
The smaller children enjoyed the fountain
The ballet troop warming up
There were several varieties of ducks where we ate
A few of the ducks approached our picnic spot
James and Julie with a sculpture near our picnic site
Sunday, 4/24/2022 – Out and About the Norhtwest of Dallas
Sunday morning we relaxed in our room before meeting Ben, Jolene, and Arden for lunch and then a visit to LEGO Discovery Center. Ben, an admitted germaphobe, was not overly comfortable in an environment with lots of kids handling the same little plastic toys. In the end, James and Arden enjoyed themselves and each got a LEGO set from the store at the exit. After that Ben drove a little out of the way so James and Julie could experience the wonder of a Buc-ees Travel Center. After tearing James away from the deli counter case of beef jerky options, we headed back to the house where Arden and James raced the rain to assemble her LEGO set on the back patio; the rain won at about three-quarters complete. After dinner we said our good-byes and shared hugs before heading back to the hotel.
James and Arden enjoy the LEGO Discovery Center
The Buc-ees Travel Center mascot was available for photos
Racing the rain to get a LEGO set completed
Monday, 4/25/2022 – Back Home
We got up relatively early to fight the traffic and get to the airport for our 9a flight back to DSM. There was a wreck that had part of the interstate pretty backed up, so we were glad we had left some extra time and Texas has toll options for express lanes. We made it home safely ready for our next adventure.