Kite Festival @ River Legacy Park

Just last weekend, we went to a Kite Festival in the Elm Grove Pavilion Area in the River Legacy Park in Arlington, Texas.  Its our first time to visit the park.  Admission is free.  There's a nearby Science Center where admission is free as well but donations are very much accepted.   The park is open daily from 5am to 10pm (vehicular traffic) 12am (pedestrian traffic).

The Kite Festival is done annually and being hosted by the Arlington Parks and Recreation.  It has  been years already since we have flown a kite.  So when we heard about this event, we can't help but check it out.
When we arrived, we saw a lot of families enjoying their kites.  From young to old, people enjoyed flying their  kites.

The weather was just perfect.  The wind cooperated.  A lot of colorful kites soared up in the sky. 

We were amazed how kites can take different shapes, styles and color. Too bad we didn't see any kites made up of grocery bags or newspaper and sticks since  that's how we used to do it before.  :)  

Flying a kite brings back the joys of  childhood:  simple family time, away from work and away from the computers.   I hope we can fly a kite again in the near future. 

Texas State Capitol

It was a beautiful sunny February afternoon when we decided to have 3-hr drive to finally see the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas.    Actually we drove south to eat again in Salt Lick Barbecue and since the Capitol Complex is in the heart of downtown Austin, which is 30-minutes away from Salt Lick in Round Rock, it was a perfect complement to our.  

Since this is our first time to visit the capitol, our main objective was to enjoy the  magnificent architecture of the capitol building.  Here are some of our shots. 

North View of the Capitol

 We visited California State Capitol before but we were not able to enter the building.  This time, I made sure that the capitol is open.  

We joined the first part of the guided tour and according to the tour guide the Texas being the largest state boasts to have the largest state capitol building as well.  

interior view of the dome

Stephen F. Austin (father of Texas) statue at the capitol foyer

Samuel Houston (leader of Texas revolution) statue at the capitol foyer

Check perforator

Terry's Texas Rangers

This bronze statue, by Pompeo Coppini, portrays one of Terry's Texas Rangers astride a spirited horse. In 1861, during the Civil War, Terry's Texas Rangers were mustered at Houston after Benjamin Terry and Thomas Lubbock's call for volunteers. Ten companies of 100 men each were formally activated as the 8th Texas Cavalry, and during the following five years participated in many engagements defending the Southern Confederacy. 

Source: State Preservation Board

view from the south gate

There are still a lot of places to see inside the State Capitol Complex.  Hopefully we can visit again next time and explore the other places.   

If you want to visit the Texas State Capitol, you can plan your visit using the State Preservation Board site so that you can maximize your stay. 

Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach, Florida

We were blessed to have a day trip and be able to visit a friend in Clearwater, Florida during our week stay in Orlando. 

Clearwater Beach is a 2-hr drive from Orlando, Florida.  It was a long drive already for us, but we did not hesitate to go since we really miss the beach atmosphere .  We used to go to the beach when we were still in Orange County, California.  But when we moved here in Texas, we never had a chance to go to one since it is a very long drive.   

This maybe one of the best beach that I have been to.  I like how wide the beach is from the sea water.  The water is not that cold.  There's also a playground for kids and it is covered.  Hence we let our toddler played there if we want her to have a break from sun exposure. 

I can't remember if I have seen a perfect sunset before...but I really felt in love with the sunset there.  I was wondering if I could see a perfect sunset everyday.  

Here are our pictures. Enjoy. 

Universal Orlando Resort

In our recent vacation trip to Orlando, Florida, we were able to visit Universal Studios.  There are 3 theme parks already: Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure and the recently opened, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They also have a waterpark, "Wet and Wild." However, since we did not have enough time and we were with our toddler we decided not to enter the theme park.  We just enjoyed the sceneries of City Walk.   

So where do we want to go? 

There's a lake within the City Walk. The lake give more wonderful sceneries.  

The famous Universal sign. 

Too bad, we did not get a chance to enter.  That's why there's a reason to come back. 

A restaurant and gift shop with the NBA experience. 

This is the other theme park.  The entrance are both found within the City Walk.  We were not able to see the entrance of the Harry Potter theme park.  I think it is in a different compound. 

Want to plan a visit? Check out their homepage.