After our 9-day RV trip in Northern California, the last thing I thought we’d be doing is going on another road trip, but there we were – driving to Grapevine, TX on Thursday.

Sarah’s mom has been visiting us since we got back from California. The last time we saw Maria, we took a road trip from Phoenix to Vegas so we could visit Meow Wolf (and then the Grand Canyon on our way back).

Grapevine is a suburb of Dallas, about 3.5 hours from Austin and they just opened the newest Meow Wolf experience there last month. Sarah suggested we go and we were all in.

One of the things I enjoy about travel is figuring out the logistics. Every business / productivity coach says you should have an assistant book travel because it’s a low-value activity, but I think it’s fun. It’s like putting together a puzzle and tickles that part of my brain.

For our one night in Grapevine, our choice was between staying at a regular hotel or booking a room at the Gaylord Resort.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk, but felt it’s too hot outside, then the Gaylord is the place for you.

This resort – the hotel rooms, the restaurants, and the replica Alamo & Riverwalk – is built in a giant air-conditioned atrium. Plus, they have an outdoor waterpark on property.

Meow Wolf was fun and weird, just like our experiences at the Vegas, Denver, and Santa Fe locations. And the Gaylord was a spectacle, adding some magic to the trip.

I loved the sense of adventure this impromptu road trip created for us. There’s excitement in doing something spur of the moment and novelty in visiting a new place.

I want more of that in my life. I’m on the lookout for more mini-excursions. Let me know if you’ve got any favorite spots within driving distance from Austin.

PS. Next week I’ll tell you why I left my family at the resort for five hours the next morning while I went to Frisco. Sign up below.