We decided on a stay up in Ennis, Texas for a few days...near Dallas. We booked another guest house (an airbnb behind a big home) and loved it. We had access to the entire pool area, all to ourselves...But on the way...
We stopped in West, Texas for kolaches. We wanted to purchase some goodies from the bakery there, for our weekend. But we also found some cute shops, a great museum, and decided to stay for lunch at the Czech American Restaurant.
After we left West, Texas we drove through Italy, Texas just to see the monolithic community there, dome shaped houses...an oddity for sure.
We arrived in Ennis and got our groceries at HEB, then checked into the airbnb in Sleepy Hollow Estates. It was a guest house behind a large home, but we had the entire outdoor area to ourselves - outdoor kitchen and television, hot tub and pool, weight room, covered gazebo and more. The house was immaculate and so pretty with a full kitchen and all the amenities.
We just relaxed and enjoyed our retreat, away from the heat, for the rest of the evening, with snacks and a movie.
The next morning we first swam and ate breakfast outside, then went to downtown Ennis where there was a farmer's market, and we stepped inside the visitor's center for information, and walked the streets - a cute town for sure - even cuter lit up at night.
We decided for a drive over to Ferris, Texas where we heard it was once the "brick capital of the nation." We wanted to see if there were any remains, and we did find a gorgeous golf course with brick hole designators, and a few other plaques. It's a sleepy small town, but we happened upon the best Mexican food - La Zacatecana - I had the California burrito (has fries in it!) There was also a market and a cool store on the corner of the tiny downtown.
Back to Ennis to relax, and then head to the theater for "12 Angry Men" at their local playhouse. It was fantastic, great casting and acting by the folks in Ennis! It was fun to get dressed and go.
Our third morning started in the pool again, and then we drove into Dallas. We visited the Dallas Arboretum - a beautifully stunning garden area where one could spend all day. But it was so hot, so we only spent the morning and then opted for lunch downtown at a steakhouse (not our first choice, but the first choice was too busy!) The best thing we ate were the pimiento fried cheese balls.
After lunch, we visited the Biblical Art Museum and again, one could stay for hours. Amazing art and displays and films, with a holocaust exhibit of those that rescued the taken. A great place to spend a hot afternoon.
We drove back to Ennis and visited their museum - the guy there intrigued us with history for an hour! We relaxed at the house, then we had tickets that evening at the drive-in theater to see Blue Beetle. There were nine screens at this venue! The snack bar was not the best, but we enjoyed watching the film under the summer sky...and it was a good movie, too!
Our last morning started in the pool once again (this was so refreshing and a great start to each day - with kolaches and pastries - and then a swim). We checked out at 11am and hit the road.
We drove through Corsicana, Hubbard City and Mount Calm. In Mount Calm, we took pictures of small town Texas...got an icee...and took our time going back through the country roads instead of the highways.
Great trip for a long weekend away...