Category Archives: Travel

Tips4Trips – Make a Weekend into a Mini Vacation

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #Tips4Trips #CollectiveBias

This summer has flown by so fast! There’s so much going on that sometimes it’s hard to plan a true vacation. One of my favorite things to do when I know I can’t travel far and just need that breath of fresh air is plan a vacation in my area on a whim! It’s possible!

Here are some great tips!

1. Pick a destination!
Is there a town within driving distance that you haven’t explored? My favorite way to make it interesting is just jumping in the car and getting on the road to see where I’ll end up! Pull up a map, pick out an area and don’t come home until you’re ready to hit the hay!

One of the best ways to do this is to use the maps on our cell phones (we all have them)! Our cell phones are such a great resource to find ideas, get to locations and capture the moments. I just picked up the new ZTE ZMax at Walmart under the Family Mobile Plan. The best part, is while using the phone, you’re also saving! The Walmart Family Mobile plans are low in price. For instance, the Walmart Family Mobile service is $29.88/month (for the first line) Unlimited Talk, Text & Data service plan which includes up to 1G of 4G LTE data. What better way to save and allow yourself a treat to little weekend break. It leaves a few extra funds to splurge while on your next vacation!

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/frw8 or your local Walmart for current pricing.

2. Find a new attraction!
It’s so easy to search for ideas! Pick a topic, plug it into your phone (remember the above photo) and it’ll provide a ton of ideas! Trains, hiking trails, movie theaters, historical landmarks, destinations unknown. That’s not counting what you’ll come across along the way. The world is a fascinating place. Dig into it!

If you are really into adventures, use the phone go Geo-cache. It’s a great way to go on a treasure hunt of objects anywhere. Start your treasure hunt!

3. Grab some fresh air!
Do something outside! Doing something outside always gets me excited, exhausted and feeling very accomplished. Head out to the lake, go for a hike, rent a kayak and paddle around. Take a train ride across town, visit a splash pool with the kids. Opportunities are endless!

4. Eat!
To have a vacation, we must treat it like a vacation. Don’t go to your “usual”. Have some fun and play around with a new place. Try the new restaurant that opened down the street. Come across a place that you’ve never heard of? Plug in restaurant into your phone and see what comes up and go there! Don’t hesitate in trying something new! It’s what you’d be doing if you were hundreds of miles away from home.

5. Don’t forget to capture the moments along the way!
Remember, we always have our phones in our pockets. Don’t forget to grab photos along the way of your adventures! These are the moments that you’ll want to remember next weekend when you remind yourself to do this all again!

How can the Walmart Family Mobile help plan your summer weekend vacations?!

Hook ’em Horns – A Personal Tour of UT Austin

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There’s nothing more exciting than experiencing somewhere new with someone who absolutely loves what (or where) you are about to enjoy. We recently were in Austin for the weekend and during our time in the city, I received a tour from one of UT’s biggest fans and alums.

We started our morning early (to beat the heat if we’re being honest) and began our tour. First thing, we walked by the football stadium and Texas War Memorial just outside the stadium. This memorial is dedicated to all of the American Veterans in all wars. This memorial is vast, it’s incredible to see all of the names. Honestly, I never knew this was here but what a great tribute at a location where thousands come every year.

Having attended a much, much, much smaller campus, UT’s campus was both a fascination and a confusion. This campus is huge and walking around touring the buildings took us well over an hour. If I had provided a tour of my campus, it would’ve taken maybe, 20 minutes. The best example is the size of classrooms. Although, not all classrooms are this size, my trusty tour guide made sure to bring me into a room that he knew would blow my perspective. This is a large lecture hall. I’m quite certain, my entire college graduating class could’ve fit in this classroom (and I would’ve known the majority of them).

Perhaps the most iconic building on campus is the UT tower. Inside, you will find elaborate details in the ceiling and outside the Life Sciences library with marble floors and stairs. Outside, looking down thru the South Mall, you will find the State Capital building is directly to the south. Surrounded by the “six-pack” (six buildings surrounding the mall), there are various statues of historical leaders including Jefferson Davis, Woodrow Wilson and George Washington. It’s an incredible view on a historical campus. We even got to see a bride and groom greet each other on the tower steps for the first time before their wedding.

Here are a few more photographs from our walking tour…

One of the best ways to experience a new place is to experience it with someone who absolutely loves it. You’ll see the best of the best, hear endless stories of their experience and be brought to some locations that only the locals would know about. You won’t just get to see the cover on the book, you’ll really get into the nitty gritty what makes this such a special place.

Have you had an opportunity to experience somewhere new (to you) with someone who absolutely loved where you were at?

Our Austin Recap – Food & Brews

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Hello Friends!

This past weekend, we headed to Austin for a mini reunion, great food, exploration and a lot of fun! I have to admit, all of my adventures should be credited to my trusty tour guide. We had so much fun and such happy bellies. It was the perfect blend of relaxation, adventures and having fun!

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Once we arrived, we wanted to just relax for a few. Lucky for us, there is a great little bar nearby from where we were staying. The Crown & Anchor Pub was perfect for us. A great selection of microbrews (including many of Austin’s finest). Each night has three beers on special, really fast and friendly service and apparently their burgers are a huge hit. Even enjoy $11 pitchers. Atmosphere – your pub with a ton of pictures and memorabilia on the walls, sit on high stools or at a regular table, there’s room for everyone inside or out on the covered patio (dogs welcome).

Friday’s dinner hit the spot after a traffic filled drive down SB35 at Mandola’s Italian Market. There’s something to be said when you ask what some favorites are and you’re told “between me and my family we’ve had everything and we’ve never been disappointed”, you know it’s going to be good! Spencer picked his “usual”, Tortellini Moda Mia and I opted for Shrimp Scampi. Add a glass of wine (you at least need a glass) and it was perfection in it’s finest. Full bellies, big smiles and a great evening. This is also an Italian Market so leave some time to check out what else they have to offer.

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Menu Description: Tortellini Moda Mia (Classic pasta stuffed with chicken, pork, mortadella, prosciutto, ricotta and Parmigiano, in a cream sauce with peas & mushrooms). Mandolas-7850

Menu Description: Shrimp Scampi (Large gulf shrimp sauteed in butter, garlic, white wine and fresh lemon juice, served with Fettuccine Alfredo).

Saturday morning left what I had been super excited about – a tour of the University of Texas. We walked campus for about two hours, let’s just say we worked up an appetite. Spencer went 2 for 2 in the food department. Sandwich shops are the best but when you find a great one that understands the art of making a great sandwich, you stick with it. Fricano’s Deli finds the perfect freshly made bread to sandwich filling ratio. Two important key’s of info – get the sour dough and make sure it’s grilled. Your sandwich will be crispy on the outside and gooey melted cheese and greatness on the inside. (Great on prices.)

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Menu Description: Turkey Special (Turkey, cucumber, sprouts, avocado & provolone on your choice of bread.

Speaking of the University of Texas – does Cain and Able’s ring a bell to any of Texas grads? A pure college bar and an extensive line-up of brews. This is a great haunt especially if it’s game day (I’ll have to check that out this fall). I’m not sure which I enjoyed better, the bar or the unending college stories that goes with this place. Either way, can’t go wrong.

Everything’s bigger in Texas right? Well, even around the biggest, you can still find a tiny gem. Let me introduce you to the Tiniest Bar in Texas. Found down on 5th and Bowie, have a seat and enjoy a cold one. Hungry? There’s a small food park connected. Friendly people, great brew variety and relaxation at your fingertips.

If we haven’t had enough adventures, more awaited on Sunday. Austin is full of great art and murals. Perhaps you’ve seen a few. We headed on over south of the Colorado River to find Jo’s Coffee for the beloved I Love You So Much wall. Didn’t disappoint for a quick picture.

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We then headed directly across the street to grab a scoop of Amy’s Ice Cream. Pick a flavor, add a topping(s) and be ready to bring a little coolness to your summer day. Our picks were Mexican Vanilla with cookie dough and Blackberry with rainbow sprinkles. Hit the spot! Each time I go to Austin and get to know it a little bit more, it seems a little smaller and a little more familiar. I suppose it helps that I’m welcome with so many other Subaru’s on the road. The food and beverages are great, the people are wicked friendly and it’s all about taking it easy. Life is good folks, life is good!

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Have you had a chance to check any of these locations out? Which are your favorites?