A Quiet Getaway at South Padre Island: Our Overnight Stay at Inverness
Texas

A Quiet Getaway at South Padre Island: Our Overnight Stay at Inverness

Nov 19, 2023 3 min read

As the holiday season approaches, we decided to take a breather and escape to the serene settings of South Padre Island. Our destination? The Inverness at South Padre, a sanctuary of tranquility perched on the beautiful coastal expanse of Texas. Our journey began with a one-hour drive to the island. Despite the proximity, we do not often visit the

Unveiling the Hidden Gems of South Texas: A Local's Perspective
Texas

Unveiling the Hidden Gems of South Texas: A Local's Perspective

Jul 4, 2023 6 min read

Welcome to South Texas! In this travel blog, I invite you to start a journey through the enchanting South Texas region, primarily the Rio Grande Valley, sharing my personal perspective as a local travel writer. Tangentially inspired by "The Case Against Travel," I believe that exploring local attractions can provide deeper insights and more authent

Learning Fire Safety at the 2023 NFPA Conference in Last Vegas
Las Vegas

Learning Fire Safety at the 2023 NFPA Conference in Last Vegas

Jun 25, 2023 4 min read

Las Vegas is known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling casinos. However, it also hosts numerous conferences every year, such as the 2023 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference. As a Facilities professional, I decided to attend this conference, and it was an enlightening experience that expanded my understanding of building safety

Our First Trip to Las Vegas
Las Vegas

Our First Trip to Las Vegas

May 22, 2023 4 min read

Our first trip to Las Vegas, NV back in 2017 was a unique experience that we'll never forget. We went for a timeshare presentation by Bluegreen Vacation Club, which is associated with Choice Hotels. They lodged us for a couple of days at the Tuscany Suites & Casino. We flew out of McAllen International Airport (MFE) to McCarran International Ai

The Drunken Chicken in Mission, Texas
Hidalgo County

The Drunken Chicken in Mission, Texas

Feb 18, 2023 2 min read

There are many great places for barbecue in Texas. In fact, some Texans will occasionally make the weekend pilgrimage to their favorite barbecue spots, which may be hours away. And then, there are local favorite barbecue spots that everybody in town knows and frequents. The Drunken Chicken is one of those local favorites in Mission, Texas.  Entranc

Changing Cards With American Express
#budgettravel

Changing Cards With American Express

Dec 10, 2022 6 min read

This has been an unusually active month between me and American Express. I have upgraded one card, opened up a new card, and am having another replaced after a fraud alert.  An Old Personal Platinum Card Business Platinum Card Upgrade First, I upgraded the AMEX Business Gold card to a Business Platinum card. When I first got the Gold card, I was ce

Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen Convention Center Hospitality
McAllen

Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen Convention Center Hospitality

Oct 15, 2022 7 min read

We recently booked a stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen Convention Center to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had never stayed at this property. However, we had visited their bar and restaurant when we have gone out on dates. We generally like Embassy Suites hotels. We enjoy their evening Happy Hours, their attentive staff, and the l

Taking a Break
McAllen

Taking a Break

Jul 4, 2022 1 min read

Taking a Break I have been reading about uric acid and its effects leading to diabetes and other maladies. I originally intended to get a haircut. But, as it is Independence Day, the shop was closed. I decided to stop for a beer. Ironically, beer can increase uric acid levels in your blood. But, I haven’t finished reading the book, so I’m OK. 🤪

AMEX Wish List
#budgettravel

AMEX Wish List

Jul 3, 2022 8 min read

We have written about our relationship with American Express over the years, the good and the bad. We fell out of their good graces for a while. Now we are rebuilding our relationship. At the moment, we have opened four cards with them since April 2022. We expect that we will open more cards at some point. But, before going into that, let's go over

Watermelon Festival in Falfurrias, Texas
Texas

Watermelon Festival in Falfurrias, Texas

Jun 17, 2022 3 min read

The City of Falfurrias, Texas is a small community in South Texas. It is a two-hour drive south from San Antonio, and a one-hour drive north from the Texas border with Mexico. Falfurrias is on the way between many destinations. But, it is not often a place people intentionally choose to visit. Falfurrias Historical Marker Admittedly, Falfurrias is

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