Grown-Up Field Trips

We all have memories of childhood trips to museums and monuments, getting drug around  a parent to, UGGG, learn some history.  For some these events ignited a passion getting to know what makes a community special, in others they are antidotes for how they don’t want to travel.  Well, Josh and I think we have stumbled upon the perfect combination for seeking out history along with relaxation.

While it is true that we travel constantly, we are also working and don’t set our own schedule.   There are places I’d love to visit, but we often need to wait until our schedule puts us close.  This desire to take advantage of our days off and passion for museum going has led to what we call “Grown-Up Field Trips”.  Combining some lovely community monuments with other cultural elements (typically one you couldn’t enjoy as a child).

During a recent trip to San Antonio we took a Grown-Up Field Trip, honestly Texas makes these really easy.  We met a friend for lunch at one of the lovely bar/restaurants on the Riverwalk, made our way to The Alamo, and finished up with a cocktail at the Menger Hotel.   Each spot is delightful but having a drink where Teddy Roosevelt met his Rough Riders is just one more way to connect to the city’s history.  Visiting The Alamo as an adult is in itself unique but to combine it with some other fun and relaxing spots is what a Grown-Up Field Trip is all about.  While I don’t mind spending an entire day in a museum, when I have but one day off and little time to spend with friends I want to throw something else in there.  That next weekend we took another Grown-Up Field Trip to Fredericksburg, TX.  The day started with lunch at one of the festive beer gardens, a day hike at Enchanted Rock, then a stop at one of the quickly growing Texas Wineries.  You’ve got your cultural element, a stunning piece of nature, a little education into Texas botany, and the necessary relaxation.

So this is my challenge to you, don’t get caught up in wanting to see it all but instead find ways see it as an adult.  Find a way to see the other elements of a community than just their famous monuments.

***This is part of a series of posts called “Travel Tuesday“, each covering topics unique to our lifestyle***