Back in February of 2000, my husband and I had the opportunity to travel to San Antonio, Texas. He was there for a conference, and I got to go along for the ride. At that point in my life, the furthest I had travelled was Toronto and Spokane, Washington – but we’d hit Spokane on a Sunday. Back when everything was still closed on Sundays. This was a BIG deal in my life.

I felt overwhelmed. My husband has travelled to many American cities. New Orleans, New York, Boston. He’d been around! I’d been nowhere. This was only my second time on an airplane. I followed his cues for everything, he was my experienced traveller.

Off we went. Airports, luggage (which I think I had, as I inherited my suitcase from my grandparents), rental cars, and then a fancy hotel where the conference was being hosted. It was all a whirlwind of activity and overwhelming sights and sounds to me. I remember entering US customs and not even being sure what the ‘right’ answers were. I was there for vacation. My husband had told me what to expect, but it was a frightening endeavor!

The River Walk in San Antonio is truly an amazing area of the city. When we were there, it was predominantly independently owned restaurants with the odd shop along the way. Quaint, quiet, and picturesque, there was a place for everyone. Italian, steak, Tex-Mex, Mexican, a fare for all. We sampled all the ones near our hotel over the course of the week. I was a vegetarian, though I would eat fish in a pinch. All of the restaurants offered fresh chips and salsa to start, regardless of what they offered for mains. It was a staple. along with margaritas! It was truly a dream trip!

During the day, when he was at the conference, I didn’t think twice about taking the rental car, plotting a route on the paper map, and taking off into the city! Two things caught my attention that week. The first being the majority of the homes I passed had their pipes on the outside! This was the strangest thing I’d ever seen! Growing up and having only ever lived in one area, one that is COLD eighty percent of the year, central heating is needed. Waterlines often still freeze WITH central heating INSIDE people’s homes. Exposed plumbing is unthinkable. The second – gun racks in the back windows of trucks. I had always figured this to be a Hollywood legend. But here they were, some with cute red checked gingham curtains. It was cute until I got lost in one small rural community outside San Antonio and every truck had them. Then it seemed like a clip out of a bad movie, and I hoped my car wouldn’t break down and I’d go missing. I managed to find my way without having to ask for directions.

Though later that day, I did get lost trying to find the hotel and had to ask for directions. I drove in circles around downtown. I knew I was close but couldn’t find it! Finally, I used our cell phone, called the hotel, and Jose, the valet, to whom I’d chatted with, remembered me (Canadians seem to be widely remembered) said “Yes, Ma’am, I’ve seen you pass several times. I’ll come down and flag you on your next pass.”

Remember The Alamo! This is part of Texas that Texans are very proud of. We toured the mission, learned the history, and bought my Mom salt and pepper shakers! It is an interesting story and their pride in it, defense of it, and sense of identity created by it is unique.

The highlight, for both my husband and I, of the entire trip was our trip to the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. The day we went, they had launched the Space Shuttle Endeavor. When we arrived, the sign said “Mission Control” was closed because of it. My husband was saddened. For men of his era, who witnessed the Lunar Landing live, seeing Mission Control in operation was a dream. But as we paid our admission, the sign came down. It was now OPEN! We would be able to see it.

We did ALL the tours available, and we were able to witness them, and listen to them speak to the Shuttle crew LIVE IN SPACE. It was absolutely one of those moments in life where time stands still. To look up to the stars and realize there were people up in the atmosphere was overwhelming.

On one of our final free days, we did a ‘safari’ tour. It was interesting enough. I’d be remiss to not admit that if it had not been for my husband’s quick and thoughtful correction, I would have had my head pecked open by a hungry ostrich. We laugh (he laughs) now, and every time we see an ostrich on television or a blooper of someone having their head pecked. I had opened the sunroof on the rental car, thinking we could see more out the top. Not realizing the long-necked beasts could also reach in to try and get the bucket of feed they gave us at the start of the safari. This was not so fun but no harm, no foul.

I like thinking back on this trip. The freedom to roam around, the cultural differences we experienced. The bellman who was so excited to learn where we were from and how much he wanted to see “Yaaasper” he spoke excitedly to us every time he saw us. It took both of us a couple days to realize he was speaking of Jasper! The National Park is four hours west of where we live. The amazing fruit we had, the food – and how different it was to eat fruit actually ripened naturally! A first for me. Getting the most beautiful, colourful, patterned bras in my size… Only to have my husband drop the bag in a parking lot. Having to buy another piece of luggage because I bought so much fabric to sew with! Having to calculate yards to metres so I knew how much I was buying! Learning my sister was pregnant with my niece and going to the Harley Davidson store and buying the cutest little leather jacket for her!

It was a trip steeped in wonderful memories that I hope stay with me for a lifetime. Whether it was enjoying dinners on the River Walk, touring the Alamo, or driving the highways in the sky on the way to Houston, the time spent together reminds me of all the good times we’ve had together as a couple.