Dallas, TX an EPIC surprise

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge fan of adventure. When I have been “cooped” up or haven’t traveled or explored I grow insanely weary and restless… It’s just who I am, I am born to run and I yearn to learn more about the world.

So as we all experienced from living in “unprecedented” times last year, travel was a major bust. Going through the day-to-day I thought my soul was crushing and I was dying a slow painful death not being able to explore (which is probably why I threw myself into running more than ever last year). I digress, it was TIME to explore and the green light go ahead, window of opportunity came in December.

I was running one day (big shocker) and it hit me, I could possibly pull off an EPIC surprise for Drew while we were in TX. Something that was on his bucket list…but the real answer is could I…me, this lady ever possibly keep it a secret and pull off the surprise. Well spoiler alert I DID IT! If you want to hear about that adventure, you will have to ask Drew…it’s his story to tell lets just say it involved some of his favorite things. I’m just over here still gloating at the fact that he had NO IDEA what I had planned for him #proudwife, #nailedit.

Any time I’m traveling I always snap pics along the way with my trusty favorite 24-35mm Sigma art lens and a variety of bodies. I find the 24-35 a great choice for almost all landscapes and I’m biased because it has been with me on adventures all around the world from Haiti to France!

One thing that can make or break your photo sight seeing sessions is the weather….and let me tell you. We got some sort of freak artic blast rather than mild climate for our brief stay. So what do you do when your only two full days are 100% rain…you shop, eat, drink and take in an aquarium.

Another constant for me when I travel is Airbnb’s. I almost always book a unique or interesting stay and have many times landed stays that are hosted by artists or other photographers who showcase their works throughout the property. One of our Airbnb’s on this stay was a whitetail ranch outside of Dallas…one word=amazing. Another one of our Airbnb’s was a wee bit on the smaller size….like hundreds of feet smaller in the form of a tiny house. At the time it seemed like a quirky idea, I mean who wouldn’t want to stay in a tiny house with their spouse on New Years Eve in a new city?!? Evidently Drew that’s who :)

Finishing off our trip, and the ploy to get Drew to Dallas was me running yet another weekend half marathon. (I logged 38 half marathons (or longer) in 45 weeks of 2020). It was all of 34 degrees and I did not do myself any favors by staying up on NYE until midnight…nevertheless I persisted!

All in all the trip was a success, because honestly any travel in my mind is a victory and a chance for growth and learning.

Side note I lived in Dallas one Summer in my 20’s…highly recommend. I did not save a single dollar but the experiences and shopping surpassed any expectation I could have ever imagined!