Edition #13

Thirteen Places I have been to and love!

1. Panama City, Florida. This was the first time I had ever been to Florida. I was on a trip with my Church Youth group. Ive been in love with Florida ever since.

2. Chattanooga, Tennessee. We stayed on top of Look out Mountain for a week. Once again this was with a Church Youth Group trip. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

3. Chicago, Illinois. Ive been there four times now. I love that city. Each time we have done different things, and I love it a little more every time. If I had to pick a new city to move to, I think Chicago would be the one. Though I have to say that those White Sox fans were the rudest mean people in the world when we watched ball. (No offense meant if you are a fan of that team.)

4. Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. We have gone there to watch baseball and to see the museums. If you havent been I suggest the Union Pacific Museum, the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, and the World War One Museum. These were our favorites. Not to mention I love, love, love the Plaza. GO ROYALS!

5. Miami, Florida. Vicki and I went in September last year. The city was so glamorus. I was loving the beach. We saw Johnny Versace's house, and at night people congregate around it at the gates. He was killed on the front steps apparently. Yeah Im not a fashion buff. That house was absolutely gorgeous though. South Beach, which is where this house is, was beautiful but totally overrated. Boy was I in for a shock when I realized it was a topless beach! What!

6. Corpus Christi, Texas. Yes I am from Texas. Yes, as a kid we lived there. But I dont remember it. We went for a trip with my dance team my Junior year of High School. That was a very fun city! I loved just sitting there next to the water and listening to the waves. I got a bad sun burn though!

7. Destin, Florida. Yeah I know Im a Florida addict. I went on the Johnson/Schmidt family vacation about 3 years ago. I have to say this beach was by far the most beautiful one I have ever been to. We played on the beaches, walked around the city shops, rode thrill rides at night, and ate at a ton of resturaunts. We also went on a dolphin cruise, which was by far one of the coolest things ever. They were so close we could have reached out and touched them!

8. New Orleans, Louisiana. I spent alot of time in Louisiana. We lived in Baton Rouge for a few years. So its no surprise I love this city. The people are friendly, fun and excitement is always in the air. The markets in the French Quarter give the city an old school flair. There are transvestites you would swear were real women, which dumb founds me every time. But I cant help but love this city! Not to mention the food. Oh my goodness. Its the best. The smells are rich and fragrant. The city is so full of history and life that you cant help but just stand in awe at times!

9. Orlando, Florida. Yeah we really just went for Universal Studios and the Disney Parks. What we did see of the city other than the parks was wonderful. However my favorite thing about the whole trip was really the trip to the Magic Kingdom! If you have kids, or even if you dont, make this a must do thing! It really is a place for all ages!

10. Houston, Texas. Yeah, Ok, leave me alone. Its my home town. The best time of the year to go is during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This event lasts around 3 weeks. I know it sounds like all you would see is cowboys and country music. But that is so not true. There is a concert every night of the rodeo. Some of the biggest names in the music industry line up to do a show at this event. It really is a cultural experience worth going to at least one time in your life! Not to mention the museums. If you ever get to Houston, experience the Holocaust Museum. It is a real eye opener, not to mention a great history lesson. Now if you are a sports fan, Houston has alot to offer you! They have several professional teams. The Astros (baseball), The Rockets (NBA), The Comets (WNBA), and The Texans (NFL) are the ones that come to mind right off hand. But if you are a hockey fan they have that too, that would be the Aeros!

11. Pensacola, Florida. Yes I promise its the last city I will put in here in Florida. I went to assist a neighbor with her little granddaughter. Besides the beaches, we went to several museums and to the Naval Museum. This was the coolest place. I got my first taste of a flight simulator. I walked around all day long with my mouth wide open seeing all the military memorabilia. Totally the coolest museum I have been to with very few exceptions.

12. College Station, Texas! My favorite place on earth! Home of Texas A&M! Yeah theres not much there unless you are an Aggie, which the town pretty much revolves around this school so that makes sense. My grandmother had a house just out side of this place, so I was born into the revolution! The library at the University will always and forever be my quiet place. But for fun and rowdy music, The Chicken is the place to be! I cant really explain the Chicken, but its a ton of fun!

13. Last but not least, Omaha, Nebraska. I live here now. There really isnt alot that brings people here unless you are a college baseball fan. This town hosts the mens College World Series every year. This event is about two weeks long and takes over our city. Thirteenth street is lined up with vendors of various kinds, and the smells of the baseball food are just delightful. On the opening day, when they introduce the teams, there is always a free concert and late that night a big firework show. People litterally sell parking spots in their front yards. It is crazy but God I love it. Omaha also has a wonderful zoo. The Henry Doorly Zoo is fantastic. There is a bird aviary, aquarium, jungle and the desert dome. The newest attraction is the Gorilla House. I could sit and watch the Gorillas all day, but my favorite is the Aquarium. There is a wonderful tunnel you walk through and see sea turtles and sharks swim right over you. I can sit in therre for hours. Recently there was an animal on exhibit in the desert dome that made me just sit and stare. There is an exhibit that is done in the dark with very little lighting and is set up like a swamp. In this there was a White Alligator. The only thing that kept him from being albino was that his eyes had pigment. He was the most beautiful thing in the world! Ok yeah there really is alot more I love in this city but you get the idea!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants