Pumkin Patch Like No Other (with Charlie Brown and friends!)

There's so many things nowadays that kids get to do, see, or go to that weren't around when I was little. One such thing is a pumpkin patch. However, I was finally able to attend one at the end of October!

The catch was it was at the Dallas Arboretum... which is a most stunning visual place even without pumpkins. It has a million flowers and plants and it's gorgeous every day of the year, and quite a days worth of beauty.

As I looked at the dates to go, I realized that there was only one weekend left of the pumpkin patch at the Dallas Arboretum... where there it "highlights the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring pumpkin houses and creative displays utilizing more than 90,000 pumpkins, gouds and squash. This year with the theme, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

I immediately thought about my friend Dana who lives an hour north of the Dallas Arboretum and I live an hour south. We like to get together once or twice a year, so this was perfect! However.... I also thought about our friend Ann who lives near Dana. 

Ann LOVES the Fall. And I mean loves the fall. After the Fall is over, she talks about how she can't wait for Fall to return, hahaha.

So I reached out to both of them and told them that I would treat them to the Dallas Arboretum pumpkin patch! We figured out we could all go on the very last Sunday of the event and the three of us spent a cool and relaxing 6-hour day of walking around the Dallas Arboretum together, catching up and making memories! We got super lucky that the weather was fantastic on this Sunday! Cold front came through a day before and there was a crisp coolness in the air with beautiful blue skies, not a cloud to be seen. It was perfect!

I have never seen so many pumpkins!

To me, the coolest thing about this memory was that Dana and Ann had never been to the Dallas Arboretum. I was so excited for them to get to finally see it!

It was a such a great day with great friends.

Fossil Rim!

One of the things I've always wanted to do is spend the night at Fossil Rim.

Fossil Rim is a drive-through park where you can feed wild animals.  However, they also have a cool package where you can spend the night!  I always wanted to do this, but for whatever reason never really set a date.  It was just something I put on my bucket list.

 

For whatever reason, in September I asked my coworker (a friend named Leslie) if she still wanted to do this and she said yes and voila! We picked a date in Oct!

I didn't really look it up too much, because I like to be surprised by things like this. So, I tried not to look at photos on their website or read too much about it.  Therefore, I wasn't really sure what I was in for or what to expect.

It was truly an amazing experience!

AND! To find out that Fossil Rim is actually a place that takes in animals to care for them and does a lot of conservatory things for animals to save their lives, makes me love this place even more.  I am a lot like my Mom and don't really like places that have animals (like circus, zoo's etc) because they are just caged and not running around in their normal habitat.  Even drive through parks make me wonder if the animals are being taking care of, or is the place just making money?  Well, Fossil Rim is 100% about taking care of animals, even rescuing some and rehabilitating others.  They are known for accepting animals that need help, to prepare them to live a healthier life.

Part of staying over night is we get to be on a behind-the-scenes tour of the animals that are almost extinct. We also find out what Fossil Rim is doing about them, how they are helping, and what their mission is.

Mission:  Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is dedicated to the conservation of species in peril, conducting scientific research, training of professionals, responsible management of natural resources and public education. Through these activities, we provide a diversity of compelling learning experiences that inspire positive change in the way people think, feel and act towards nature.

When we went to the behind the scenes tour, our host was a very jovial excited woman named Sarah. She was SO excited for us to be there and be able to find out about how Fossil Rim takes care of the almost-extinct animals. I knew it was going to be a great tour when half the tour 'bus' were repeat guests!

 

Then we went through the drive through park and had special access to many of the animals, like these giraffes!

Sarah and I at one point somehow started to talk about my Mom and Sarah made a comment that she "Wished my Mom could have been able to come to Fossil Rim," and of course I immediately teared up; I completely agree with her. Anytime someone says something so endearing about my Mom, means the absolute world to me.  And Sarah was spot on.  It seemed like she was reading my heart - my Mom would have LOVED this place!  It's unfortunate I wasn't able to bring her here, but at least I saw everything through my Mom's eyes and heart.

And of course the other highlight of this trip is spending the night. Where the cabins are located (which by the way are super small, lol) are situated in front of a watering hole!

So as we sat in wooden seats, we could see animal after animal after animal walking down and drinking water all throughout the day, and especially in the early evening hours. I think at one point I counted over 50 animals!

 

If anyone ever has a chance to visit Fossil Rim in Glen Rose, Texas, I highly recommend it!

The Promise

Words can't even begin to describe how amazing and awe-inspiring The Promise is! 

This was on my bucket list, and it did not disappoint!

What is The Promise?

Let me share what they state on their website:

The Promise is a one-of-a-kind musical production performed annually at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, Texas. It combines a 150-person cast and crew, live animals, historically accurate costumes, and breathtaking lights, sound and special effects, all of which tell the story of the life of Jesus Christ in modern family-friendly fashion. Patrons have called it a “life-changing experience,” “an outstanding performance” and a “very inspirational” presentation for modern family audiences.

Since its start in 1989, The Promise remains the largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in the State of Texas. It seats more than 3,200 patrons and is the only outdoor venue with a 45,000-gallon moat and rain curtain. Seen from miles around, the Texas Amphitheater features 40 foot high walls and arches that tower above a 4,000 sq. ft. tri-level stage.

I was impressed, my soul was deeply touched, it was very moving, and it will stay with me FOREVER. 150-person cast, live animals, historical costumes and amazing talent. I highly recommend it!! Added bonus was my friend Tina joined me for this amazing memory-maker.  I am truly blessed!  

We sat just a few rows from the stage. We didn't even care the temperature dropped into the 40s as the night progressed - we were too enchanted and enthralled!

Here are some photos of the magical and amazing night.  Click on any image to enlarge.