adventure

First Stop, San Antonio

| Chris

A friend of mine and I went on a weeklong road trip to Texas and our first stop was San Antonio. Actually, it was Austin but unfortunately, we arrived late in the evening to be able to do any sightseeing. Maybe next time.

Early the next morning, we drove down to San Antonio. It was my first time. This gorgeous city proved to be an enchanting destination for a quick day trip. Since we only had a day to spend, we picked the three obvious iconic spots.

First Stop, the Alamo. Walking up to the hallowed grounds, I was initially surprised by its size. It’s actually smaller than I imagined! But what an incredible piece of history. Standing in front of that famous limestone facade gave me goosebumps. Inside, I was fascinated by the collection of artifacts from the Texas Revolution. It was moving to learn about the brave defenders like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. And it was completely free to visit!

Next, we headed down to the Riverwalk, just a stone’s throw away from the Alamo. It felt like discovering a hidden world below the city streets. We strolled along the cypress-lined paths, and I loved watching the tour boats glide by. I loved it so much I had to hop on one myself! The atmosphere was absolutely magical, as was the scenery. It’s definitely the most charming part of San Antonio I’ve seen.

To cap off our day, we trekked down to the Tower of the Americas. This 750-foot observation tower provides spectacular panoramic views of the city. Located in Hemisfair Park, it’s not just about the view; the tower also features a revolving restaurant and a 4D theater ride that gives a unique perspective of Texas’ cultural heritage. It’s a fantastic way to wrap up our visit!

Even with just a few hours to spare, San Antonio’s top attractions provide a fulfilling and memorable experience, showcasing the best of historical and modern Texas.

Through the Eyes of the Pioneers

| Chris

There’s this little town tucked in the middle of nowhere, Nebraska. I was told about it by a friend years ago. So when I got a chance to travel to Nebraska, I made sure to make a detour. My wife and I were coming back home from Omaha and we decided to swing by a small town called Minden to visit this place my friend told me about. I wasn’t expecting much from a small town museum, but this place completely blew me away! And I love a good history lesson.

First, a bit about Minden itself. This tiny town of about 3,000 people has been around since 1876, when it was established and named after Minden, in Germany. The town was settled by German, Swedish, and Danish immigrants, which explains its quaint Midwestern charm and the incredibly friendly locals I encountered.

But the real star of the show is Pioneer Village, and calling it just a “village” is seriously underselling it. This place has 28 buildings on 20 acres housing over 50,000 irreplaceable items of historical value. It all started because of one guy, Harold Warp, who made his fortune in Chicago manufacturing plastic film. When he found out his hometown had put the one-room school house he attended as a child up for auction, he purchased the building in 1953 and just kept going from there.

Walking through the place feels like time travel. You’ve got everything from horse-drawn carriages to early automobiles, vintage farm equipment, household appliances and even old airplanes. The chronological layout really shows you how America evolved from pioneer days to modern times. We spent way longer there than I planned – there’s honestly something fascinating around every corner.

What struck me most was how well-preserved everything is. These aren’t just dusty artifacts sitting behind glass; most of the items are restored to operating order. You can actually see how these machines and tools worked, which makes history feel so much more real and tangible.

If you’re ever driving through Nebraska, definitely make the stop. Minden might be small, but Pioneer Village is easily one of the coolest museums I’ve visited. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how much ingenuity and hard work went into building this country. You’ll see it all through the eyes of the pioneers! And it’s way more entertaining than you’d expect from a small town museum.