🎉 A Birthday Adventure in Texas: From Formula 1 to Cowboy Ranches 🤠

I haven’t posted in ages! Balancing full-time parenting with work has been a challenge, leaving little time for anything else. But before the memories of our recent travels fade, I want to share our unforgettable trip to Texas. ✈️🌵

Why Texas? 🧐

Texas was never high on my personal list of dream destinations, but it was a dream of my husband. For his 30th birthday 🎂, I wanted to surprise him with a trip that incorporated all his favourite things while also creating new experiences for our little family. 🥰👨‍👩‍👧

As I started planning, I quickly realized just how vast Texas is. There was so much to explore, and narrowing down an itinerary that worked for both of us and a toddler was no easy task. However, the more research I did, the more excited I became. This was going to be a trip like no other. 🌟

Planning and Budgeting: The Unexpected Costs 💰📆

What I didn’t initially realize was that our visit also coincided with Formula 1 in Austin 🏎️, one of the busiest times of the year for the city. To be completely honest, none of us are really into Formula 1. Initially, it felt more like a scheduling inconvenience than anything exciting—especially when I realised how much it had bumped up the cost of accommodation in Austin! 😬

But then, during one of our usual chats in the car 🚗, my husband mentioned that Eminem was performing at the F1 weekend. Now, that changed everything. He’s been a huge fan of Eminem for as long as I can remember. 🎤🔥

I did a quick search and—what are the odds? —Eminem was performing the very next day after we landed. The ticket prices? Absolutely ridiculous. 💸 But was it his dream? Yes. Was it a big birthday? Also, yes. So, I went for it. I told myself this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and money comes and goes. 💳 Suddenly, this F1 event we had no interest in became the backdrop for something incredibly special. ✨

(Though it didn’t exactly go to plan… more on that in a bit! 😅)

Hotel prices were another challenge. Even basic motels were charging premium rates due to the race weekend. Additionally, renting a car with a car seat turned out to be a costly mistake. 🚗🪑 The quality of the seat provided was terrible, and at $70 for the week, we quickly realized we could have bought a brand-new one for less. Next time, I would bring a travel-friendly foldable car seat to avoid the unnecessary expense and hassle. ✅

Arrival in Austin: The Formula 1 Experience 🛬🏙️

We flew with British Airways from London Heathrow, opting for extra legroom seats and requesting an air cot for Alice. ✈️ However, Alice didn’t take to the cot at all, and since BA requires babies to be removed from it during turbulence, it mostly became a storage space for snacks and toys. 🍼🍿

After landing in Austin, we picked up our rental car and headed to our hotel, a Days Inn by Wyndham. 🏨 It was a simple place, but surprisingly clean and spacious. Our main focus was on the upcoming Formula 1 race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), and we had no idea just how massive the event would be. 😲

Attending an F1 race is unlike anything else. The atmosphere felt like a music festival 🎶 mixed with a high-energy sporting event 🏁. Fans from all over the world gathered to watch their favourite drivers, and there were endless food stalls, merchandise stands, and live performances. The thrill of seeing the cars zoom past at incredible speeds was an unforgettable experience. 🤩

The only downside was the intense Texas heat 🌞. Even though we kept Alice shaded, her face started turning red, and we quickly realized that being outdoors for extended periods wasn’t ideal for her. We decided to head back to the hotel for a break before our evening plans—a long-anticipated Eminem concert. 🎤💤

The Eminem Concert That Never Happened 😭

Nath had been looking forward to this concert for months. He had set an alarm to ensure we wouldn’t be late. ⏰ Unfortunately, in a classic mix-up, he accidentally set it for 5 AM instead of 5 PM. By the time we woke up, Eminem was already performing, and with the traffic, there was no chance of making it in time. 🚦

Although we were both incredibly disappointed 😞, we tried to laugh it off. The bright side was that Alice got a full night’s sleep 😴, and by the next morning, her red face had faded. 🌅

San Antonio and Our Visit to SeaWorld 🌊🎃

The next stop on our trip was San Antonio, a city known for its history and family-friendly attractions. 🏙️ We decided to visit SeaWorld San Antonio, thinking it would be perfect for Alice, who loves fish 🐠. However, we quickly realized that this SeaWorld is designed more for thrill-seekers than toddlers. 🎢

While Alice enjoyed the small aquarium exhibit 🐟, most of the park’s attractions were too intense for her. Thankfully, SeaWorld was hosting a Halloween trick-or-treat event 🎃🍬. On the way we rushed to buy Alice a little Jessie (Toy Story) costume and watched her collect candy in her tiny bag. This experience made the entire trip worth it. 🥹

A Dream Stay at Dixie Dude Ranch 🐴🔥

After the bustling city and theme park experience, we were ready for something completely different. We headed to Dixie Dude Ranch, where we had booked a stay on a working cowboy ranch. 🤠

The ranch provided three home-cooked meals a day 🍽️, two horseback rides daily 🐎, and evening entertainment that included cowboy songs 🎶, bonfires 🔥, and even longhorn photo opportunities. Our rustic cabin had a porch swing, which quickly became Alice’s favourite spot. 🛋️

The food at the ranch was outstanding, even impressing my picky-eater husband. 🥘 The horse rides were a magical experience, and in an adorable moment, Alice actually fell asleep while strapped to Nath on the horse. 💤🐴 We completely fell in love with the ranch lifestyle and plan to return when Alice is older. 🏞️

Relaxing at Lake Travis 🌅🌊

After days filled with excitement and adventure, we wanted to end our trip on a peaceful note. We drove to Lake Travis, where we stayed in a stunning treehouse-style apartment with breath-taking views. 🌲 The highlight of this stay was the communal pool, which we had entirely to ourselves. 🏊‍♀️

Due to a dry season, the lake wasn’t as full as usual, but the scenery was still beautiful, providing the perfect setting to unwind before heading home. 🌤️

One Last Surprise Before Heading Home 🎁🏠

Before flying back, we made a spontaneous visit to Thinkery, a massive interactive children’s museum in Austin. 🧠🎨 It was the perfect place for Alice to explore, and I found myself wishing we had something similar in London.

Returning our rental car was a smooth process, and luckily, Alice slept through most of the flight home. 💤✈️ Despite a few mishaps along the way, this trip was one of the most memorable we’ve ever had. ❤️

Final Thoughts on Texas 💭

Even though we packed an incredible amount into just one week, I hope Nath loved his birthday surprise as much as I enjoyed planning it. 🎁🥰

Next stop? NEW YORK for New Year’s! 🎆🗽 Stay tuned for that adventure! ✨