Austin, Texas

Well this isn't really a travel post but about travel.  Twenty-five years ago I entered an essay and speech contest.  The topic was rural electrification . . . we toured the local electric power cooperative (Brazos Electric) and then were put in a room to write an essay.  The top four essays were selected and then you gave a speech.  At the end of the day I was one of the two selected as a winner!  So what did I win?  A ten day all expense paid trip to Washington, DC with a hundred other youth from across Texas . . . we would join youth in DC from all over the United States.  Anyway, this trip was one of my first travel experiences and made a lasting expression for many reasons.  Life changing to say the least.  Many of the things we saw and experienced would stay with me and would not become valuable until I was an adult.  It is odd how lessons learned come full circle later in life.  So here I am on the steps (I'm on the left) of the US Capitol with the other winner from our area . . .

. . . did I mention that was 25 years ago in 1990 . . . I was 16 years old.  That year also happened to be the 25th year the Government in Action Youth Tour took place.  So fast forward to 2015 . . . it is now the 50th anniversary.  WOW!  So a few weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a reunion and send off for this year's students.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go but my summer plans changed so I was in town after all.  I sent in my RSVP.  I decided to make it an overnight trip.  I booked a hotel and received an awesome upgraded room.  I mean why does one person get upgraded to a two bedroom, two full bath, full kitchen, huge living area room?  I am not complaining.  I managed to park the car in the underground parking garage which really did cause me great stress with all the extremely tight turns.  I so deserved a treat . . .

. . . or two!  I love those warm chocolate chip walnut cookies at Double Tree and sweet tea from Chick-fil-A.  I settled in the room hanging out and thought about what a memorable trip I took 25 years ago.  I caught a shuttle to the hotel where the event took place.  Hey it is hot in Texas and no way I was walking there.  I was nervous when I arrived but found a young boy sitting alone that would be attending the trip this year.  We chatted until it was time for dinner.  As I sat there in a room of a couple hundred people, I was glad I was there.  The trip to DC truly was an amazing experience.  I am amazed at how much I remember and wonder about some that were on the trip with me.  We rode charter buses from Texas to DC, spent a week in DC, and rode buses back.  You really did make friends after spending so much time together for a long period of time.  Sadly, I did not see one person from my trip but just being there was worth it!  When it was over, I decided to walk back to my hotel and around the Texas Capitol.  I am a bit biased but Texas really does have a very beautiful Capitol with beautiful trees and some nice statues around the grounds.

. . . I obviously need some lessons on taking selfies . . . while I was wishing I was back in DC on the steps of the US Capitol, I had to settle for the Texas Capitol which isn't too shabby!  And as I sat in bed the view wasn't so bad either . . .

. . . can't wait to get my summer adventures started!