road tripPin' to the silos

 I have been wanting to go to visit The Magnolia Empire at Waco since Chip and Joanna first started renovating the Silos.   I just hate that we picked the weekend of the record Dallas Heat Wave...miserable heat.  It probably wasn't the best thing for me to endure with Asthma but off we went.  

Jennifer (my sister-in-law) and I began our Journey by stopping at this local café in Texarkana that I have been hearing about for years. The Dixie Diner did not disappoint.   The plate dinner special was excellent, along with the big piece of chocolate pie.   If you like home cookin',   definitely worth just a road trip to Texarkana.  

Jennifer had to do a continuing education class that morning, so we didn't begin the journey until after 4:30.  By the time we got to this great little spot we were ready for the food.   Cruised down the road to the Big "D" and arrived at our hotel around 10:30 p.m.   We checked into our room at The Omni Hotel Dallas at Parkwest.   This hotel is beautiful, clean and huge!   The only disappointment we had with the hotel, there was no hot water pressure on the 4th floor we were on.   Washing my hair in a cold water rinse to get the soap out was a little chilly.   It would have been fine if we were outside in the 109 temperature--a little cool inside.

In the middle of the night I was a little confused.  I thought I was back home, I could hear this loud bark from a tiny dog.   Greg's little dog loves to bark this loud screech of a bark.  Of course, we would be put next to a room with guests that have barkers.   I wouldn't have thought this nice of a hotel was so pet friendly.  Don't get me wrong, I love my pets....at home!   I like to get away from the barking, the pet "hold me" and have a good night sleep.   Tip #1:   Check to see if the hotel is pet friendly before booking.

The next morning we ate the wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel before proceeding back on the road 1.5 hours to Waco.   The trip was more like 2 hours due to road construction and the traffic. 

We arrive at the Silos and find a great parking spot under a shade tree.   Who knew that the Silos was as big of an attraction as Six Flags?   My goodness there were thousands of people throughout the place.  Keep in mind,  this is the hottest day on record in many years.   I am so fair that I turned bright red within a few short minutes.   Any makeup that I had on quickly melted off and ran all over my face.   Jennifer, on the other hand, has a dark complexion and stays out in the sun,  was able to keep her makeup on, including her lipstick!  

We make it inside and it is so crowded we are bumping into folks left and right.  Of course, we all wanted inside to get away from the heat.   The inside of the Silos are stunning.  Simply stunning.  Lots of home décor, Jimmy Don's signs, Clint's designs, JoAnna's favorite leaf earrings, beautiful silks and much more.   On the other side of the Silos, is the wonderful Courtyard where  you could play games, purchase ice-cream, popcorn, various food trucks and the awesome Alabama Sweet Tea.  The 15-20 minute wait under the beaming sun and you can purchase the big mason jar tea.  As soon as I got mine, I wish I could have gotten a refill.  However, back to the end of the long line you would go if you wanted that refill for another $2.00. We didn't purchase any food from any of the trucks.   Honestly, who could eat outside in that heat.  There were plenty of people who did just that.....not us.

Jennifer and I proceeded back through the Silos to find the bakery.  This is what I was looking forward to the most.   I loved that part of the show when Chip and JoJo renovated the old Bakery.   There was this line like we were back at Six Flags again.   The line wrapped around and there was a sign that said from this point was a 20 minute wait.  At least there was cover and fans to keep some of the heat off of you.   In front of us was this sweet blonde lady that we enjoyed chatting with.   Brooke was from Memphis and flew to Dallas with her husband.  Her husband was in Dallas for work and she took the opportunity to rent a car and head to the Silos like the rest of the 15,000 people.  Brooke did purchase these cute bags from inside.  Brooke said she loved bags as much as most women love shoes.   She would rather have a bag closet in lieu of the popular shoe closets.   We enjoyed visiting with Brooke throughout the long line.

In order to manage the long lines at the Bakery, you are given a menu list of cupcakes, cookies, etc. with the prices for you to pick from.   As soon as it was your turn to enter, you gave your menu list of items to the workers and paid for your items.   Your named was called to pick up your items at the other end.   You don't have time to look at the items and figure out what you want or a chance to admire the beautiful décor of the bakery.  Joanna's mother happened to be there on this very hot Friday.   She was making sure that the line was going smoothly and you were in and out quickly.   We did manage to get a quick picture - a very quick picture.

I did get a chance to snap a photo of the cutest couple from Florida.  The various photo op settings around were beautifully done and made for some cute photos. 

I will go back and try a tour again.   It will definitely be in the fall when it is cool.  I just hope it isn't like Six Flags all over again.  

We didn't get to eat in the Restaurant.   The Restaurant is about 15 minutes from the Silos.  The restaurant closes at 3:00 p.m.   If you want a table to this restaurant, you better get there at few hours early to get your name on the list.   We did manage to get inside and snap a few photos.   I admit I was a little disappointed in not being able to enjoy the food.   Tip #2:  Go to restaurant before you go to the Silos.  Tip #3:  Stay in Waco and make this a two-day event.

We did enjoy some good meals at the Hard Rock Café as well as my favorite restaurant of all - The Cheesecake Factory.  In fact, we went back the next morning for brunch.  The Cheesecake Factory has an excellent affordable pancake breakfast.

A trip to the Big "D" has to include a trip to a mall.   We headed to the NorthPark Mall to see the most of the known department stores.    I have never seen so many people in one place at a time as at this mall.   Over priced, over crowded and hard to park.   That's that mall in a nutshell.  

My next trip back to the Big "D" will definitely avoid the mall, head back to Waco, and relax more in the fancy hotel.   The most important thing ------go in the Fall or Winter.

xoxo Pat

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