Traveling

8 Hour Car Rides that Remind you how Great Everything is

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Have you ever driven across Texas? Recently, I drove to Elk City, Oklahoma from Boerne, Texas and let me tell you, that was one of the most beautiful drives I have seen in a while. Wide open spaces and small towns, I couldn’t get enough. If I hadn’t been in a time crunch, I would have pulled over every few miles just for pictures. I have always imagined living somewhere close to the coast, but this trip had me reconsidering things.

This trip was a special one for me. There were moments of clarity, peace, and happiness. Watching all those fields as I drove by, I was overjoyed. After years and years of working hard and multiple jobs, I finally felt like I had made it. I have a job I truly love and one that enables me to do all the things I love. From writing, to taking pictures, to presenting and being on the road. To learning new things and stepping more and more outside my comfort zone each day.

Good things do happen to those that work hard and every step of my journey has been worth it. I have either gotten older and wiser or I have had a lot of growth over the last year but life is peaceful. The kind of peaceful where no matter how many million of things you have going on, you know you can do it. Where the things you were worried about before, no longer seem to be an issue. The faith that you are on the right path and amazing things are going to keep coming your way, like an 8 hour car ride that lights your soul on fire.

If you are going through a rough patch, hang in there. Things will get better. Keep the right mindset, and you will be amazed at what happens. Find your people, your supporters, your cheerleaders and watch as your life will start to change.

As always share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXO
Casey

Matagorda – Texas

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Despite the chilly weather this Spring Break, I was able to make a quick trip down to my hometown to see my folks. We decided to make a trip to Matagorda one evening for dinner. They must have known my soul was calling for some salt water therapy!

While we didn’t get on the beach, just being near it was enough for me. The smells, the salt in the air, filled my heart up. We hit up some of the local shops and then had dinner at Poco Playa. Despite the weather, there were quite a few people in town. It had been years since I had eaten at this restaurant and I was excited to see if anything had changed.

While we were at a place that served seafood and we were on the coast, I took a different route and listened to my cravings. Beef fajita tacos! Mattie followed suite and got Beef fajita quesadillas! It warms my heart to know that she loves Beef just as much as I do!

My folks shared a seafood platter and the onion rings on this bad boy looked amazing! There was plenty of food to go around and lots of left overs to take home. I made a note to myself at the beginning of the year that I wanted to get to the coast at least once a quarter this year. I am happy to say, I have that first quarter checked off! I can’t wait until the weather warms up and I am able to start traveling more.

If you have never been to Matagorda Texas, you should check it out. It is a quiet little town but packed with people once the temperatures start rising. Since it is close to home, this was my go to place anytime I went to the beach. While it has changed some over the years, there is nothing like feeling that coastal salt air hit you when you get there.

As always, share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXOXO
Casey

French Quarter – New Orleans!

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My week in New Orleans was definitely one that I needed. Trips with amazing friends are always good for the soul. On our free day, we hit the streets of the French Quarter. Our first stop was Cafe Du Monde. Even though I have been to NOLA a couple of times, I have never been to this historic place. As always, there was a line to get in when we got there, but the line moved quickly and we got to kick our morning off with some amazing Beignets. As I said, that diet went out the window!

Since not all of us had been through the French Quarter before, we decided to check out the sights. We made our way through looking at the shops and hearing music being played or sung as we made our way to Bourbon street. Nighttime Bourbon street and Daytime Bourbon street are two completely different things. If you are into the party life, check out the nighttime scene. The daytime scene was relaxing as not too many people were out and about.

If you take the time to stop and look at the buildings and the architectural work, you are going to see some incredible features. I think the best part about it, is that most of these buildings are old, from the 1800s. Every once in a while, you would look through the buildings and see a beautiful courtyard.

On our third day there, we all got to attend the New Orleans School of Cooking, Cooking Demonstration. While we did not get to cook, we were able to watch the Chef as he walked us through all the steps to make the recipes we were going to be trying. He was a great teacher and historian. One of my favorite parts of that cooking class was learning all the historical aspects of the food, where the names came from, how Creole and Cajun differ, and how those styles of cooking got to New Orleans in the first place. If you love Seafood, I highly recommend taking a class here. We got to try Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Crawfish Etoufee, Bananas Foster, and Pralines. My favorite dish was the Bananas Foster dessert. Bananas in a mix that he lit on fire, and topped with ice cream! This girl was loving all these amazing foods.

However, I have to save the best dessert for last! Surprisingly enough, it was from the Hilton Hotel that we stayed at. It was cheesecake on top of Oreo crumbles drizzled in a Raspberry sauce. The cheesecake almost looked like ice cream when it came out. It was so soft and fluffy. Perfection.

I love traveling to conventions with my CattleWomen crew but this trip was one for the books and one of my favorites to date. Seriously, sometimes you just need a week away with good people and a good destination. Put your to-do list aside and enjoy life out there.

As always, share some love, we could all use a little more love.
XOXOXO
Casey