Waco, TX

"Why Waco, Texas" you may ask. This was also asked of me when people asked what my next trip was. Well I'm going to ask, "Why not?" Isn't that the great thing of travel? Going to a new place and finding it's charms.

Waco
My older sister loves to remodel her home and do it herself. She has taken on many projects and taught herself along the way. With this hobby, she loves to watch the TV Show Fixer Upper and get inspired. Well, Chip and Joanna, from Fixer Upper were opening a bigger store, Magnolia Market, and having a big grand opening and celebration the end of October. Megan called me in September and asked if I would go with her on this whim, to visit Waco and be there for the grand opening. I'm not going to lie, I hesitated at first but then thought, "Hey, this would be a trip with my sister... I'm in!" Sister time!

One of my most favorite things while visiting Waco and Texas were the people. Oh my goodness, SO FRIENDLY! I felt like Waco was my hometown the way everyone treated us and those around us. It was so refreshing.

The Silos

The Stores
As said, above the purpose of the trip was to go to the Magnolia Market grand opening but we also visited the Harp Design Co store as well. The owner of Harp Designs is the carpenter Joanna goes to in Fixer Upper to build things like tables and doors

Magnolia Market was filled with so much character and a family feel but still professional. All of the workers were ready to help with any questions and quick to get something you were looking for.

Harp Design Co was filled with so much warmth and kindness. I loved the things in the store and the fun highlight for us was Clint Harper was there in the store and he TALKED TO US! Such a good and down to earth person. It was so cute, after we left the store my sister admitted to not knowing what we even talked about with Clint because she was so star-strucked. I filled her in.

Castle Heights
Castle Heights is one of the subdivisions in Waco and also an area where some of the homes from Fixer Upper have been remodeled. We drove around the neighborhood ooing and awing at all of the adorable friendly homes and squealed when we found one of the homes from the show. There were two homes for sale in the neighborhood and I had to remind myself several times I live in Utah, not Texas, and so I could not just buy the adorable home.

If you ever find yourself in Waco, this would actually be a really nice Sunday afternoon or " we have an extra hour before we need to leave for the airport" time activity.

Food
Two of of the places on Joanna's Favorites list were places we decided to try for our meals; the Cheddar Box and Schmaltz's. Both worth it and unbelievably delicious. I am STILL craving my grilled cheese from the Cheddar Box Food Truck. Just typing this my mouth is starting to water.

Dr. Pepper Museum

We quickly stopped by the Dr. Pepper Museum, only a block away from Magnolia Market, but did not pay to go through it. There is a fun old fashion style Soda Shop in the gift shop area and a fun place to stop for a sweet treat. We'll have to go through the museum the next time.

Let's do this every year!
What a random but fun trip. I loved being with my sister. I loved being in a new place. I loved the kind and warm people. I loved the randomness of the adventure. We want to do a random trip like this every year; go somewhere we wouldn't have ever thought of going or go somewhere we've always thought would be fun but not really something you would really just do. Stayed tuned for next year. We've already flirted with the following ideas so stay tuned for next year: Michigan, Kentucky Derby, Big Sur, or Carmel/ Montery.

Side Bar: Getting Around
We decided to name the voice on Google maps Winnie for this trip. Well, Winnie didn't seem to be very updated on Dallas and Waco. The first moment was when she told us to get off the freeway and then get back on, but when she told us to get back on she said, "Turn left." Megan and I both looked left and there was a bulldozed on-ramp. Umm, sorry Winnie, we're not going to go that way.

Every State Has Their Own Thing
While driving back to Dallas to catch our flight home it was rainy and extremely windy. The overpass signs even said, "Possible flooding. Turn Around. Don't Drown." Never seen that before.