Every February my Alma Mater puts on an awesome show called sing-song, where all of the fraternities and sororities compete with each other in a singing competition. The best way I can think to describe it is "Pitch Perfect" with larger groups. I had not been in years and Callie saw a video clip of a performance and decided that we MUST go!
So, this trip was one of many mixed emotions... First: Fear!
I have made the glorious journey to west Texas many times in my day, but we always went one particular way and I was usually in the company of my family or friends traveling with me.
This time I chose a "faster route" on the map and we probably did make better time with less traffic, less 2 lane highway with passing lanes, but I know the signal for phones is super spotty in the middle of no where and I was terrified of it not working. I thought my little sticky note directions would be helpful as a precaution and I am so glad because we definitely had to bust them out!
Also I have this paralyzing fear of being lost. I mean 2 girls alone out on the highway and then add lost and confused to that. Bad combo right there!
Also the weather was a little scary as well. It was warm and sunny but there were horrifically strong winds that day. It was the most white knuckled, anxious adrenaline filled drive, I think I have ever made! and I was worried that I would be sleepy... not so much!
We were almost blown off of the road several times by cross winds or semis trying not to crash. Plus visibility was really poor due to all of the dust and dirt being blown off the fields. It was THE worst 13 hours of my life, pretty much!
Tiny windmills from the backseat!
I was never so glad to see that oh-so special town that was my home for 5 years! Once we were there our fabulouso trip went off without a hitch!
Next feeling... Nostalgia! I haven't been back to Abilene in looonnnggg time! I think the last time was when Callie was a baby! When we first pulled into town we had a few minutes to kill so I drove Callie by all of my old dorms and the places I called home while I was at college. It was so weird to think about the places I had lived for years of my life and the memories I made there compared to where I am at now in my life. Callie was fascinated with dorm life and seeing the places where her dad and I had lived as newlyweds.
After our trip down memory lane we had a lovely dinner at the Tortilla Factory, an old favorite and Callie was, again, fascinated with being able to see tortillas actually being made. So much new stuff for her!
We were staying with Callie's Meme's friend's from college. I had only met them a few times, when I actually lived in Abilene, but they are the most precious people. They have a super neato house south of town "out in the country" on a few acres and it was just so lovely! Their house was also incredibly interesting to Callie as they had a pool, hammock, super smooth wood floors for dancing and shelves PACKED with books. She was in heaven!
On our first actual day of the trip we sure did pack it in! We visited my old college campus. It is amazing to see all of the new buildings, renovation and construction that have been done and that they are doing at ACU. We were also able to go to chapel service, which Callie loved, as did I! Every day from 11-11:30 the student body gathers in the coliseum for worship, singing, and a speaker. It was one of my favorite things about going to a christian school and I love the tradition! They were also having a ground breaking ceremony for the new football field that is being built on campus. It was pretty awesome!
This girl is ready to be a wild cat!
Oh creepy mascots!
My favorite spot on campus, the path between the bible and business buildings and through to the campus center. Tons of memories here, y'all!
After our lovely campus tour we headed to the booming metropolis of down town Abilene. Okay, not really, but there are some cool things to do down town!
We hit up the chocolate factory, the illustrated children's books museum, the Paramount theater and the bakery for some yummy treats!
This place has the BEST chocolate y'all!
The oldest theater in town! It still plays movies every weekend and there is the coolest ceiling that looks like the night sky with little twinkling stars. A great place to visit!
McKay's bakery! Callie said they had the best petit fours she had ever had in her life and was sure to tell the girls working the counter about it!
After a busy day in the "city", we headed home to freshen up for dinner and shopping for gun stuff! I had many requests for ammo and gun supplies that are available in Texas, but illegal in CO. Gotta love Texas!
On Saturday of our vacation we started out early at The Grace! It was first hotel in Abilene and someone bought it and converted it into a children's museum and gallery. It was another super cool new place to take Callie and she had a blast!
Fun at The Grace! This wall was no piece of art! When ever you touched one of the wood panels it chimed or played a note, but we could NOT figure out how to work it! So cool!
After our museum adventure it was time for the big show, Sing Song! We changed into our snazzy dresses and headed back to the hill for the extravaganza! It was a great show this year and all of the social clubs did a wonderful job. I remember performing in sing song and it is SO much work! Practice every night for hours, learning the music and choreography in just a few short weeks, on top of school work, real work and just life in general. I can appreciate all that goes into these performances. And it was super cool to see my old sorority and how much it has grown since the old days! They were huge!
They do ridiculous face painting on all of the participants and this year they had a face painting set up for all the kids who came! It looks very strange up close, but far away it looks like you are really happy to be there!
The picture doesn't really do it justice, but here is everyone involved in the production! Such a great show!
The rest of our trip was quiet and relaxing before the big drive home on Sunday. The wind driving home was pretty minimal, so we had an easy trip. I felt like I could drive in any conditions after our journey on Thursday! You know when you have those moments of bravery after a tough time. I was feeling rather confident that I would do anything after getting across the country and back in two days!
So our Abilene adventure was a success and Callie decided that we needed to make it annual trip. I would be up for that, good times with my girl!
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