I often travel for work so the following pictures are only from major travel that was non-business (except for one) & outside of Texas. Click this link for more travel photos - All pictures

Click each thumbnail photo to enlarge, hover over thumbnail photo or look at properties to read about it!

Upper Left = Newest                                                                                Lower Right = Oldest 

Future Trip

Future Trip

xx/202x

 

Italy

Awesome trip with friends to eat our way through Italy! Arrived in Milan, after a few days took a train to Monza for the F1 race. The next day was a tour to spend the whole day on and around Lake Como. We then moved to Maranello for several days to see the town and next day experience factory tours and museums of Pagani, Lamborghini, and Ferrari (and F1 cars tire testing after the race on the Fiorano Circuit)! The trip ended with a few days in Rome to meet up again with friends and to tour Vatican city.

09/2024

 

Mexico & Bahamas

Quick cruise to celebrate our friend's birthday! Cancun and Playa del Carmen Mexico, Bahamas New Providence and CocoCay islands, and fun days at sea on the Symphony of the Seas! Total coincidence, at the doc in Galveston was the first cruise ship I had been on with Rachel (Elation in 2006), and also the one I spent my 40th b-day on (Breeze)! Also got to peek at the USS Texas which is being restored. Such a great trip with great friends!

07/2024

 

Speedway, IN

Bucket list item. Friend had tickets and I got to tag along! Had a great time, camped in Lot6. It was a great race, and almost didn't happen due to the weather - which cleared up JUST ENOUGH to hold the 108th running!

05/2024

 

Seine River,France

Revisit of the beautiful sights and sounds and FOODS of Paris, then tours with friends of the cities of La-Roche-Guon, Vernon, Rouen, and Les Andelys. Saw Napoleon's and Monet's houses and graves, Normandy Omaha beach, and revisit of Versailles. What an awesome trip it was. Also it was nice to get away from the months of 110degF temps in Texas. ;)

08/2023

 

Southern California

This really was not a trip for my birthday, but it could be worse. ;) Quick trip with friends and later for personal business. Visited a few vinyards for tastings and tours. The major stops this time were Far Niente, lunch at Oakville Grocery, Nickel & Nickel, then dinner at Waterfront Grill. Next day was primarily in Sonoma at Ridge Vineyards, Fogbelt Tap Room (beer tasting and lunch), Buena Vista Winery, and Dinner at Mama Tatino's. The next day Rachel went to Iron Horse and Da Vero and I got to see an old friend and by chance NASCAR was in town so we went to that! On my actual Birthday we were in Sacramento and visited the California Railway Museum, Stanford House and downtown.

06/2023

 

Goose Island, IL

Ok, this is really a long weekend trip to Chicago, Illinois but the primary reason was to visit the Goose Island brewery! ;) We last toured Chicago in 2012 timeframe when Rachel was Mrs Texas and competing for Mrs International. This time we 'won' a lotto that allowed us to pay (ha) to attend Goose Island Proprietor's Day. It was awesome and I filled up on plenty of my favorite Bourbon County stouts! Also visited friends, toured city, ate like a king (you must eat at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company!). Then, based on recommendations from new friends made during the trip, on the way to the airport we stopped at Half Acre brewery and lucky me they were having their 2022 Benthic release. OMG so good!

11/2022

 

Charlotte, NC

Just another long weekend get away trip - this time back to Charlotte to visit my home town and friends Brian and Kristy!

11/2022

 

Rhine River, Europe

Billions of pictures and too much to list - Started in Amsterdam, ended in Switzerland. As usual each day was packed with beautiful sights and history. Viking did a great job!

08/2022

 

Hilton Head, NC / Savannah, GA

Visited our friends that we met on the Danube! Stayed with them in Hilton Head, explored Beauford, then the Mighty 8 Museum and Savannah.

03/2022

 

Millville, Delaware

Due to Covid-19 have only done road-trips through Oklahoma and a rented a beach house in South Padre Island with friends. This trip was our first flight since Germany 2019 - a long weekend with friends at their beach house! During drive from BWI visited Annapolis, MD to see Chesapeake Bay and eat the best cream of crab soup I have ever had at Annie's. Then on to stay with Steve and Denise (met them 2016 Danube cruise) and visit Bethany, Dewey, and Rehoboth beaches etc. Rode bikes on Cape Henlopen (Gordon's pond) trails and toured Dogfish Head brewery and ate at Woodie's. Also got to have dinner with Kevin and Becky at Good Earth (also met in 2016). Then of course ate plenty of ice cream a few times at Vanderwende's. It was a great trip!

08/2021

 

Northern Germany

Finally got to visit two out of three of my German cousins (and other family) again! This was a spectacular trip re-visiting where I spent my summers from when I was born until before college/work back in the '70s and '80s (near Wolfenb ttel and Bienroder). My cousins were terrific and the trip was perfect despite the airlines wasting two days of our trip missing our connections both to and from Germany and also losing our main bag on the way and another bag on the way back! One cousin lives in the Prenzlauer Berg section of Berlin, the other in K nigslutter. For a week we took several tours and visited all around Berlin (this time with the wall down!!)including Potsdam, Technikmuseum, Spionagemuseum, annual International Bierfestival, and Kraftwerk's Deep Web. then another week we toured where I spent my summers as a kid and VW's HQ and auto museum in Wolfsburg. Too much to list!

08/2019

 

Minneapolis, MN

Visited MN before when I was ~18, and again much later for business. This time it was for a quick weekend for a XMAS present Rachel gave me 1.5yrs ago from driveatank.com. I thought it was wacky but WOW we had a great time! Arrived to MN and visted Paisley Park ate lunch at Matt's and had a Jucy Lucy, and walked around the Mall of America. The next day we spent a full day driving military equipment (FV433 Abbott SPG, FV432 APC via periscope)and shooting full auto machine guns (Stenn, M4, 1919)! Also visited world's largest candy store (they are not lying!), had ice cream at Nelson's and dinner at Psycho Suzi's. Finally the last day we were to fly out after lunch at Sea Salt next to the Minnehaha falls. Due to weather our return home got canceled and we spent the next day in the airport waiting on standby. At least I spotted MMA fighter TJ Dillashaw at the airport! driveatank.com was a great time!

06/2019

 

Colorado Roadtrip

Drove from Dallas with a buddy for a week full of trail driving and old mine exploring. Based in Ouray, drove many trails near Durango, Silverton, Gunnison, Lake City, Ophir, Capitol City, and Telluride areas. So beautiful!

09/2018

 

Iceland

Iceland - Too much to list Had an awesome time

08/2018

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Great quick trip with Rachel and her mom to take Rachel's grandfather (served in WWII (shot down in a B17) - Purple Heart, POW, and Korea) to record his story and visit the National WWII museum. Of course we also had to eat and drink our way through New Orleans - yes I made it back to Yo Mama's (now called Port St Peter) for my peanutbutter bacon burger!

05/2018

 

Baltimore, MD / Bermuda

We tried this Aug'11. This time even despite hurricane Harvey and Jose we made it! Started with 2 days touring downtown Baltimore including the shipyard and the ships USS Constellation, USCGC Taney, and USS Torsk. Then dinner at Boathouse Canton with friends we met on our Euro trip last year. We also had the honor to raise the flag at Fort McHenry! Next was a 5 day cruise to tour Bermuda with friends we met from the previous failed attempt!

09/2017

 

Danube River, Europe

Too much to list, had a blast! Viking did a great job.

10/2016

 

Pacific Coast Highway, CA

Flight from DFW to L.A. then PCH road trip with buddies! In LA area visited Redondo Beach, did a Hollywood tour, did Petersen Auto Museum + vault tour, CA Science Center, Sequoia National Park, Sonoma, Napa (tastings at Mondavi, Chandon, food at Mustards Grill), San Francisco, Monterey and Aquarium. More tours and tastings in Paso Robles at Eberle, and Cass. Drove on Pismo beach, then dinner in Ventura. Back to LA for Getty Center, Nethercutt Museum, Santa Monica Pier. Finally attended a Cars and Coffee gathering in Aliso Viejo before flying home. 1600 miles in all - Good times! Throughout the trip visited several famous race tracks: Buttonwillow, Sonoma Raceway, and Laguna Seca. Unfortunately we had to cancel our tours of Hearst Castle and Big Sur due to wildfires.

08/2016

 

Alaska, USA

Brunch with a friend in Seattle, WA then off to 7 day cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to Alaska with the final stop in Victoria, Canada! Such amazing sights and wildlife! In Juneau we visited the Mendenhall Glacier and did some incredible whale watching. Spent another day at sea traveling up Glacier Bay to view more glaciers and Fjords - all the way up to Johns Hopkins Glacier. In Sitka we snorkeled (yes, snorkeled in Alaska). During our visit to Ketchikan we took a floatplane to view then land in the middle of the Misty Fjords. Finally we spent time in beautiful Victoria, Canada. Of course I didn't want to offend any locals so I made sure to eat Baked Alaska a few times a day. ;) What an amazing trip, so much beautiful wilderness!

09/2015

 

Charlotte/Asheville, NC

Flying through on business last year I got stuck in CLT and had to spend the night in the airport, on my birthday, trying to get home to immediately drive 10hrs+ from DFW to Kansas City, MO for my uncle's wedding. That was not a worthy Welcome Home trip to Charlotte. ;) Anyway... this quick long weekend trip was my official first return to where I was born (Charlotte) since leaving in 1983. It was amazing visiting all my old schools, parks, neighborhoods, UNCC, the speedway, and malls ~32 years later! I also was introduced to DuClaw's Sweet Baby Jesus porter and rediscovered Cheerwine! Yes things are bigger in Texas but they say they are finer in Carolina! ;) As a bonus we stayed with with friends Brian and Kristy we met on a cruise in 2011 and also visited the Biltmore Estate and drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. What an awesome trip down memory lane! I only wish I had time to look up old friends.

06/2015

 

Washington, DC

This is a MUST trip for any American. ;) I have been here a few times for business but never got to see anything but the hotel and office. I FINALLY made the trip as a tourist! Via congressman Ralph Hall's (the person that officiated our wedding) office we booked tours to the White House, Library of Congress, the Capitol building, and the Pentagon and spent the week visiting several Smithsonian museums and beautiful monuments. Stayed at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel.

10/2014

 

Seattle, Washington

As we visited the Seattle area we had a week of perfect weather! We started with a great conversation with Anne Beiler (of pretzel fame) in our hotel shuttle, had brunch in the Space Needle, saw the Chihuly exhibit, met up with friends for a couple of dinners and a ferry ride to Bainbridge island. Did tours of the Boeing factory (Future of Flight), Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Red Hook. Spent a few days at another friend's beach house off the Peugent Sound in Tulalip and played golf at Kayak. Visted Leavenworth and Blackbird island and hiked the nearby Icicle Gorge Trail. Finally spent the last day at the Museum of Flight and after hours at the Ballard locks. Ate dinner at Rays then had a late flight back to DFW.

08/2013

 

Breckenridge, Colorado

4 day weekend Skiing in Breckenridge with friends! Ate at Whale's Tale, and Eric's, Yum! Visited Golden area again (Coors Brewery) on way back to Denver airport.

01/2013

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Our first visit to an out-of-Texas track - NOLA. Great facility, friendly people, and an easy track to learn which is good if after 10+hrs of driving you only have 2 track days to play! It was also my 1st trip to the French quarter. Can you say, peanut butter bacon burger at Yo Mamas? Mummmmmm Heaven.

09/2012

 

The Mediterranean

What a huge and awesome trip! It is my 40th B-Day and the inaugural sailing of Carnival s Breeze! In Italy we sailed from Venice and visited Sicily (Messina), Sardinia (Olbia), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), and spent my b-day in Vatican City! We also visited Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens and Izmir in Greece; MonteCarlo, Monaco; and finally Barcelona, Spain. SO MUCH history and only took 1000 pictures. ;)

06/2012

 

Cozumel Mexico/Key West, FL

Just happy to be put on a boat in front of an ice cream machine. This trip was to be to Bermuda but hurricane Irene took care of that. Left from Charleston, SC to Cozumel and then Key West. Had a great time and met some fun folks!

08/2011

 

Napa Valley/San Francisco, California

Visited vineyards Robert Mondavi, Sterling, Domaine Chandon, Hess, Rubicon Estate, Clos Pegase, and Rutherford Hill and had some awesome dinners at Mustard's Grill, and Market. Then to San Fran, Muir Woods, and Sausalito. Another great trip in the books!

04/2011

 

St.Maarten/St.Thomas/Grand Turk islands

Spent a night in Ft.Lauderdale, FL then off to a 7 day Caribbean cruise on the Emerald Princess. Tour of St.Maarten including Rhino rider boats and snokeling, tour around island of St.Thomas where we saw the Greathouse and rode the lift to Paridise Point, finally Grand Turk for a tour around the island, power snorkling, and finally some more relaxing on the beach.

07/2010

 

Orlando, Florida

A full week at Disney World with the friends I was there with in 2003. They are experts and had it all planned. Visited all parks. Attended the Halloween Party, but besides the mountian of candy the non-stop eating and drinking started at the Party for the Senses, then throughout the week continued in Germany, at Narcossee's, Jiko, the California Grill and in Downtown Disney. Rides, Rides, Rides, oh my!

10/2009

Los Angeles, California

This was a cool trip. Why? Because flight and hotel were free! We were picked to film a commerical so before and after the shoot during our 3 day stay we went to Disneyland and toured around LA area.

07/2009

 

Destin, Florida

Beautiful soft white sand, awesome must see Naval and Air Force museums + I saw B52s, Apachies, Ospreys, F15s all fly by while laying on the beach! Also visited where they filmed The Truman Show. Great, quiet place to just relax.

05/2009

 

Southern Ireland

A quick 7-day trip driving around Ireland. Can you tell the theme from the 1st three pics? ;) Just to name a few places we visited - Started in Dublin, then drove to Kilkenny, Blarney, Doolin, Galway, then ended it with a night at the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt. Pictures from Guinness in Dublin, Durty Nelly's est 1620 in Bunratty, and Jameson in Midleton, Cliffs on Moher, and Powercourt Falls.

09/2008

Las Vegas, Nevada

Spent a week in NYC again for business. As soon as I got back I caught a few hours sleep and I was right back on a plane - the time to take Rachel on a quick trip to Las Vegas for her birthday! We stayed at the MGM Grand. Click to see a picture of Las Vegas' version of Paris to celebrate our engagement which was a year ago to the day on the real Eiffel tower.

12/2007

 

Maui, Hawaii

Part two of the HONEYMOON! Our next week was spent in Maui - Pics from a day trip to snorkel on island of Lanai, drove around entire island, SO MANY beautiful things to see and explore! Pic of us at 10,023 ft during sunrise on Haleakala, and me in a cave on a black sand beach in Waianapanapa State Park, both of us at Iao Valley, Rachel at a lavender farm, and finally both of us about to eat dinner at sunset.

10/2007

 

Misc Pics-2008ish

Oahu, Hawaii

2 full weeks - HONEYMOON part one! Took over 660 'keeper' pictures. Pics of glider flying in Oahu, me in the plane - and a picture of Rachel coming in for the landing (she actually flew the whole time and landed it herself). Picture of turtle beach. Yes, I had to play bongo drums in front of 100's of people in the Polynesian Cultural Center - no kidding everywhere we went people were yelling, Texas! at me for the next 4 days. Visited the Arizona memorial, and the USS Missouri. Explored and drove around the whole island for a week.

10/2007

 

Paris, France

Pic of the Sacre Coeur. Rachel and I spent a week in Paris - we celebrated her birthday. After I gave her a present and took her to dinner to celebrate we went back to the Eiffel tower. Once we made it up the tower, I divulged the REAL reason we were in Paris - I asked her to marry me! I took hundreds of spectacular pictures, what a beautiful city and wonderful food! Click to see pictures I took of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame, Chateau de Versailles, and the Louvre.

12/2006

 

Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is an extremely historic town, full of landmarks and the home of many famous people... BUT WHO CARES!!! I came to visit the best Battleship in the world, the USS North Carolina! I used to visit every time my family would take me to the beach, it has been about 25 yrs since my last visit and it is still very impressive!

06/2006

Misc Pics-2006ish

Myrtle Beach, SC

This is the closest I have been 'back home' since 1983. If my summers were not spent in Germany they were spent on one of the many Carolina beaches. They are just as pretty as I remembered them - what better place to take a little time off and celebrate my 34th birthday! Pics of the beach, Rachel and I, Warbird Park, and the world's largest sand castle.

06/2006

 

Cozumel/Progresso, Mexico

Several cancelled vacations later finally spent a night in Galveston, TX then partied new years eve/day on a 5 day cruise! Ate 24/7 of course and rode ATVs on the beach in Cozumel, revisited Progresso (was to be Playa del Carmen but it was too damaged by the last hurricane) and saw the Uxmal ruins.

01/2006

Denver / Boulder, Colorado

Skiing in Winter Park, outdoor ice skating, visited Golden area (Coors Brewery), Boulder area, and new year's eve/day in Downtown Denver. Pic from Winter Park resort.

01/2005

 

Taos / Santa Fe, New Mexico

Start of a 2-week, 3200 mile Christmas roadtrip from Dallas -> El Paso -> Santa Fe, Taos, then on to Colorado for New Years. Visited Taos area - the plaza, indian pueblos, then Santa Fe area and square. Pics of San Francisco de Asis Church and Standing on Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

12/2004

 

Toronto, Canada

This started as a business trip to Waterloo, I then stayed an extra 4 days as a vacation to explore the city of Toronto, its neighboring islands, the vineyards (Pillitteri) and re-visited Niagara Falls (see Misc Pics '04).

07/2004

San Francisco, California

07/2004

Progresso/Cozumel, Mexico & Belize City, Belize

03/2004

Misc Pics-2004ish

White Sands / Ruidoso / Carlsbad, New Mexico

Back from a NYC business trip (NYC is spectacular during Christmas!), jumped back on a plane to El Paso, TX to visit White Sands National Park, Roswell, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso (Skiing), and finally Carlsbad (the Caverns, the Flume, Sitting Bull Falls), NM. Pics of the Caverns & White Sands.

12/2003

 

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Relaxing trip, hiked and enjoyed park areas and the hot springs, stayed at the historic Arlington Hotel and Spa.

10/2003

 

Orlando, Florida

Had a blast! Attended a friend's wedding, then visited all the parks in Disney World!

08/2003

Durango, Colorado

Flew into Albuquerque, NM then drove for a relaxing trip to beautiful Durango. ATVs, Snowmobiling, visited Purgatory, Aztec ruins, Silverton, Shiprock, and Four Corners Monument (where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet). Pics from Missionary Ridge, Molas Trail, and 4-Corners.

03/2003

 

Chicago, Illinois

Cheap ticket always = Quick weekend getaway! Visited Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, The Art Institute, Sears Tower Sky Deck, took Architecture Cruise, saw Chihuly exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory... for starters!

09/2002

 

Windsor / Cambridge, England

Just two of the many historic towns in England - Pics of Windsor Castle and Cambridge University

05/2002

London, England

Quick trip before my last semester of gradschool - such an awesome place, saw way too much to list! ... Cheers! Pics of Big Ben, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.

05/2002

Hoover Dam, Nevada/Arizona

01/2002

Las Vegas, Nevada

01/2002

Misc Pics-2002ish

Miami / Key West, Florida

08/2001

Salida, Colorado

08/2001

Qu bec City, Canada

Just like a mini-Europe, beautiful!!

07/2001

Montreal, Canada

07/2001

Ottawa, Canada

07/2001

Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

07/2001

New York, NY

Burning my vacation faster than you can say - You're Fired!

07/2001

Chichen Itza, Mexico

05/2001

Cancun, Mexico

05/2001

Hong Kong, China

05/1998

Boracay, Philippines

05/1998

Cebu, Philippines

05/1998

Misc Pics-1997/98

 

Los Angeles, California

03/1995

 

       Upper Left = Newest                                                                                Lower Right = Oldest

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