Road Trip!

I grew up going on countless road trips with my family. I grew up in a small town, with only the memories my parents created for us to make it home. Thirty minutes away (or two hours sometimes) were our favorite destinations. Natchitoches, Jefferson, Marshall, Shreveport, Natchez, Vicksburg, Tyler...all exciting in their own special ways. When my husband and I began dating, traveling was mentioned. My husband could only recall a trip or two within his lifetime, which brought me to question where he would like to visit. The only answer he had was Disney World, but seeing as we were not married yet that was just a bit too far. He admitted he thought he would like to travel, but had not ever given it much thought. What better way to find out than a road trip!


Our first day trip- Jefferson, Texas!

Our first road trip took place April 2013. I remember being very impressed with his map skills and coolness in driving. In one day we traveled to Jefferson, Tx and Bossier City, La. To me, these places were home and at the end of the day it meant a great deal to me to share these places with him. I imagined more trips in our future, and I imagined showing him my home town one day. Well, nearly a year later, we did just that. For the first time since we have been married, my husband and I made plans to go to Shreveport. With my hometown just thirty minutes away, I asked if we could visit there first. I'll admit it is hardly anything to look at, but it mattered to me that he see where I grew up. No, it doesn't look like it did when my family and I were there, but my husband and I live in his hometown. I know the places he speaks of, and more than likely our family will call this home as well. For me, it was important that he at least see where my family came from.

Afterwards, we drove to Shreveport. We stopped at World Market, which we had never been to. The idea of shopping for our new home while we were there seemed exciting. I have to say, it was not our "favorite" store, but it did have a few interesting things. We found this lamp, and thankfully I had a lampshade for it at home.

Walking around for a bit, we found this coffee drink. We were too curious to leave it behind...and I loved the bottle!

My husband (a water connoisseur)found a bottle of Iceland water beside it and suggested if we bought the coffee, we buy the water. I had to laugh because as I read the back of the bottle I knew why he cared about Iceland suddenly. "Naturally purified by the volcanic lava" seemed likely to peak my husband's curiosity. :)

After a trip to Pier One and an early dinner at Panda Express, we were off to the boardwalk. I am sorry to say that by this point we were both warming up. We soon found ourselves in one of those dire situations where suddenly you can't find water, and none of the vending machines you come across would like to help you. My husband suggested we go to the Yankee Candle store while we were there, seeing as we just finished burning through my favorite candle at home. I love the Yankee Candle store. It looks pretty. It smells wonderful...but after 15 min. I have to get out. The sweet smell, I am sorry to say, starts to overwhelm and my head and stomach work in unison to get me out. Lucky for me, my husband and I agree coffee offers the most wonderful smell, so our trip was short. Coffee Hazelnut! I can not wait to light it, but we have decided to wait until we are in our new house.

We bought a tea kettle at the kitchen store. Strangely enough, our last one had begun to rust two months after we began using it, so we had to throw it out. I love the red!

We usually spend hours on the Boardwalk, but I'm sorry to say we were just too hot at this point and tiring out by the minute. Even after finding a bottle of cold water, we had finished it within minutes.

We stopped at our customary spot under the bridge to take a picture before leaving, then made one final stop- The Chocolate Crocodile. We love their apples! This one was Cookies n' Crème. Sorry, we had delayed the tasting for too long as it was, so I only have this picture. It was by far the best covered apple I have ever had. My husband even snacked on the center!

It was a great day. The Monday traffic made for a pleasant drive and our timing kept away the typical rush. Though a short visit, it meant a lot to me that my husband finally got to see where I grew up, and our visit to Shreveport was fun. I am just so glad my husband and I can make favorite memories of our own together- road trips being one of them.