road trip

Houston, we are fine

| Chris

With limited time in Houston, I knew I had to make every moment count. The sprawling Texas metropolis stretched out before me, and I needed a strategy to capture its essence in just a few hours.

I started my adventure aboard one of Houston’s iconic double-decker buses, climbing to the open-air upper level where the warm Texas breeze swept past as we rolled through downtown. From my elevated perch, I watched the city’s impressive skyline unfold—gleaming glass towers reflecting the afternoon sun, historic buildings nestled between modern skyscrapers, and the bustling streets below teeming with life. The narrated tour painted vivid pictures of Houston’s oil boom history, its diverse neighborhoods, and its transformation into America’s fourth-largest city.

After circling through the heart of downtown, I hopped off at the Downtown Aquarium, a surprising oasis in the urban landscape. Inside, I wandered through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks gliding overhead, watched playful sea otters tumble through their habitat, and marveled at the vibrant tropical fish darting through coral reefs. The aquarium offered a refreshing pause from the city’s energy—a moment of tranquility before my final destination.

The real highlight awaited me south of the city: NASA’s Space Center Houston. As I drove down, anticipation built with every mile. Walking through the complex, I stood beneath actual spacecraft that had journeyed beyond Earth’s atmosphere, touched a moon rock that had traveled 240,000 miles, and toured the historic Mission Control room where “Houston, we have a problem” became part of our cultural lexicon. The experience was humbling and inspiring—a reminder of human ingenuity and our endless curiosity about the cosmos.

Though my time in Houston was brief, the city left a lasting impression: a place where Southern hospitality meets space-age innovation, where you can explore ocean depths and cosmic heights all in just a couple of days.

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.

Rolling Through Nebraska

| Chris

My wife and I just went on a weekend road trip across Nebraska. Our first stop was the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Kearney. It’s a massive archway literally spanning Interstate 80, impossible to miss as you’re driving along. We pulled off to check it out. And I’m glad we did!

Talk about a bridge through time. The Archway tells the incredible story of how the Platte River Valley became America’s highway to the west. This was the same route that the pioneers used on the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail. The valley was basically the GPS of the 1800s. The river provided water, the terrain was relatively flat, and it became the perfect pathway west. Later, the transcontinental railroad followed the same route, and eventually, so did Interstate 80.

Walking through the exhibits was quite an experience. It felt like time traveling between wagon trains and steam locomotives. I imagined following in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of people who made this same journey with so much more at stake. They were leaving everything behind for a new life, while I’m just road tripping with a can of Pringles, listening to an audiobook.

There were a couple of small windows you could peek through to see I-80 and the endless Nebraska sky stretching over the Platte River Valley. You can almost imagine those wagon trains stretched out across the landscape.

Okay! One stop in, and Nebraska’s already surprising me. This state’s got stories to tell, and I’m here to listen.

How Cool is That?

| Chris

Wow, what an incredible surprise! I just found out that my song Me and My Samsonite was included on the official 2025 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist curated by the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Humanities. I honestly can’t put into words how honored and excited I am.

As an artist, you always hope your music will connect with people, but to know that my song will be part of the soundtrack for so many travelers exploring the beauty of Wyoming this summer is truly special. I love the idea that Me and My Samsonite (#21 on the playlist) might be playing as someone drives through mountain passes, stops at a historic site, or just soaks in the wide-open sky. After all, traveling is what the song is about.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Wyoming Arts Council and everyone involved in putting this playlist together. It means the world to be recognized alongside so many talented Wyoming creatives. I mean, really… how cool is that?

So, if you’re hitting the road this summer, I hope my song, along with the rest of the playlist, adds a little extra joy to your adventure. Safe travels, and happy listening!

Lost in Tokyo

| Chris

The bustling capital of Japan, a city that never sleeps. The towering skyscrapers and vibrant neighborhoods made driving in its streets a scenic excursion. Our family’s chance to explore a little bit of Tokyo by car, weaving through its diverse districts, was a cool experience, for sure.

From our hotel in Minato City, Asakasa, we drove away. But first things first. Ramen. Well, because… Japan.

Now fat and happy, we head on to Shibuya City. We spent the morning at Meiji Jingu then drove over to Harajuku, a fashionista’s paradise. Takeshita Street is a kaleidoscope of colors, with shops selling everything from Lolita dresses to oversized sneakers. We parked our car and wandered around, spotting cosplayers and eccentric street style while sipping on our foofoo matcha concoction. Across the street is the Harajuku Station, with the Meiji Shrine forest in the background.

I even saw the weirdest thing ever – a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of latte while petting micro pigs! Micro pigs!! Harajuku is truly where imagination runs wild, where I felt like I had stepped into a world of anime.

Next we drove through downtown Tokyo all the way to Asakusa. Lots of pretty concrete along the way.

Asakusa is a district of Tokyo where tradition thrives; where ancient meets contemporary. The juxtaposition of ancient temples and modern shops was fascinating, a snapshot of Tokyo’s rich history.

Across the river is Sumida, home to the iconic Tokyo Skytree, a futuristic tower that pierces the sky. We caught glimpses of the tower’s reflection. The contrast between the modern architecture and the serene riverbanks was striking. I was hoping we could take the elevator ride to the Skytree’s observation deck for panoramic views of the city but alas, time was not on our side. Maybe, someday.

Going back from where we were earlier, we drove by Marunouchi Square which was in front of the Tokyo Train Station where we will be back to hop on the bullet train to Kyoto in a couple of days. But more on that in a later post.

As the day neared its end, we drove back to Shibuya City and passed by more pretty concrete.

In Shibuya, we found ourselves passing through what looked like a futuristic movie scene. The famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing (world’s busiest pedestrian crossing), where pedestrians flood the streets from all directions, is a mesmerizing sight. It reminded me of NYC’s Times Square. There were even Mario Karts cruising the streets like in an amusement park! I couldn’t help but feel the energy of this youth-centric district with trendy boutiques, quirky cafés, and colorful street art everywhere you look. And yes, I did attempt the Shibuya scramble, dodging people while crossing the road. Quite an adventure that was!

Driving in Tokyo felt oddly familiar, despite the left-side driving. The orderly traffic, efficient roads, and courteous drivers reminded me of home. With Tokyo’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, you’re bound to get lost in the beauty of its character.

A Wintry Welcome

| Chris

On the way back home from this trip was a 9-hour grueling trek through bleak and dismal Nebraska. The photo below shows what was as clear as anything you saw throughout the entire stretch of the I-80 freeway from Iowa to Wyoming. I was glad to be home before the weather started to go downhill in my neck of the woods as well. Because, go down, it did!

Yet, I’m grateful for the chance to go on this unplanned epic, two-weeklong, 4,000 mile road trip in 12 states! All on a whim! Thanks to my friend, Russell for being behind the wheel the whole time or I would not have been able to take as many pictures as I did.

Now I can’t wait till the next one!

Homestretch

| Chris

We’re very tired at this point. It’s the 13th day of our most epic road trip yet, but we are now on the homestretch. However, what’s one more stop before heading home? I’ve been to Des Moines before but my friend Russell hasn’t. So, here we go. Last one.

Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa, is a hidden gem. Downtown is where the city’s heartbeat resonates. It’s a vibrant blend of history, culture, and modernity. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast that day, as these photos attest.

The State Capitol stands tall, its golden dome gleaming against the sky. A masterpiece of architecture. We climbed the steps, pausing to admire the intricate carvings and the grandeur of the rotunda. Surrounding the building is a patchwork of green parks, historic buildings, and modern skyscrapers.

A few blocks away was the Des Moines River. A serene pathway on both sides offered glimpses of the water shimmering under the sun. There were fun things to see as well, such as the Lauridsen Skatepark, the Robert Ray Asian Garden, The Principal Riv Walk Bridge, the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and the Des Moines Historic District. The city skyline stood as a backdrop, reminding us that nature and urban life can coexist harmoniously.

Our time was limited, but we enjoyed every moment of our short stay in Des Moines. It truly was a joy to experience all the sights.

Until the next road trip. Now, time to go home and rest.