Day 5 1/2: Heading to the YO Ranch Headquarters. When we left SeaWorld, we convoyed with Gary and family to just outside Kerrville, TX–home of the YO Ranch Headquarters. Super Rockstar’s sister, Gigi lives on this enormous sprawling over 10,000 acre wildlife and hunting ranch with her husband, Eric, who manages the place. We got to meet at their house where they had prepared a delicious dinner for us. Super Rockstar’s sister, Christi and her 3 kids: Grey, Shayne, and Christian were already there.
I forgot to mention that day 5 was also Super Rockstar’s birthday. We had done our own family celebration back in Colorado before we left, but Gigi got a special cake complete with a sugar coated picture of a young Super Rockstar on top. I don’t know when the last time he got to enjoy his siblings singing happy birthday to him–I’m guessing it’s been a few decades.
Day 6: Enjoying the Ranch. I had been looking forward to this part of our Texas adventure the most. We had been going, going, going and now that we were at the ranch–we got to just slow down and enjoy. The YO is just beautiful–everywhere you look are rolling hills, green trees, wildlife and so much beauty. We got to stay in these wonderful, cabin-like rooms that were right across from an amazing swimming pool. We spent the entire day at the pool lazing around, catching up and just loving being together.
Later in the afternoon Tim’s oldest sister, Beverly and her husband Kevin arrived. It’s been at least 30 years since all the Glenn siblings have been together in the same place at the same time. It was SO awesome having Beverly, Super Rockstar, Gigi, Christi, and Gary all together with most of the extended family too (Gigi’s daughters, Gianna and Sheyenne were the only 2 missing—although Gianna came the following day). Their story is theirs to tell—but, I’ve often told Super Rockstar that it’s as intriguing as any drama I’ve ever watched or read. Some day–I hope they will share it.
That evening at dinner Beverly surprised everyone with special gifts and then we enjoyed looking through some rare family photos that Gigi had on hand.
Gigi on the left and Beverly in the Middle A photo of their Daddy as a kid
Young Super Rockstar
And then we got to go on a bit of a safari. They have an old time truck with a long seated flat bed. It was so much fun to pile in the back and head out over the bumpy roads looking for wildlife. We were searching for the giraffes (there are 4 on the ranch )so that we could feed them from the truck. But, we also spotted a lot of other animals along the way including my most favorite ever–bison. When we found the giraffe’s, it took a bit of coaxing from Gigi the “giraffe whisperer” to get them to come close enough–she had to sacrifice to some fire ant bites to get it done, but it was much appreciated by all of us to get to see these beautiful animals up close.
To end the day we drove to the highest hill on the Ranch known as Gobblers Knob. We got to enjoy a beautiful Texas sunset, take a Glenn family photo and then enjoyed an enormous bon fire. While the kiddos made S’more’s, Grey broke out his guitar and played tunes for the musical members of this family to sing to. Super Rockstar and Gary are not the only ones–the musical talent in this family is just ridiculous.
Day 7: A Tour of the Big House. The YO Ranch Headquarters has been around a long time. Super Rockstar shot his first deer here as a kid and we got to see the lodge he remembers from his time there. There are so many cool buildings that house guests and for enjoyment. They are currently adding an amphitheater for concerts and events.
The current owners bought the property from the original family about 4 years ago. They are avid hunters and their home is a monument to all the game they have conquered over the years. It’s just jaw draw dropping beautiful and displayed so well– like being in a museum. We got to enjoy meeting them and hear the harrowing tale of how they acquired two large bears that are in the main room. They are wonderful, hardworking people who love to share their love of the sport of hunting, provide a place to enjoy wildlife, and have created an amazing getaway place.
We spent the rest of the day at the pool again and enjoying Gigi and Eric’s wonderful hospitality. An evening at their home reminiscing, sharing LOTS of laughs, and more entertainment from the “Glenn Family Singers” was a great way to cap off our time together.
Day 8: Saying good bye and on the road again. Time flew by WAY too fast, but it was time to hug necks and say good bye. Gigi and Eric were such amazing hosts–they truly pulled off a miracle in getting this family all together in one place. We all appreciated the effort it took to do this and getting to enjoy being in such a beautiful place made it even sweeter. They had also made family reunion shirts for us to wear for our weekend together. On the back they say: “The 1st Annual Glenn Family Reunion”. I truly hope this will become a regular thing.
We hit the road and headed back to Dallas and one final night in a hotel.
Day 9: A visit to the home of America’s Team. Our last day in Texas was definitely a highlight for Super Rockstar and I. We got to tour AT&T Stadium–home of America’s team: The Dallas Cowboys. Pictures do not do this place justice. It is a marvel in every way and absolutely what you would expect from Jerry Jones: enormous, very well done, over the top and expensive. We got to sit in Jerry’s box seats, tour the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders locker room and team locker room, view the press room where Coach Jason Garret is often explaining why the Cowboys lost… again (see photo of Super Rockstar reenacting this all too common scene), stand on the star in the middle of the field, throw touch down passes into the end zone and gape in awe at the 71 X 160 foot screen that suspends above the field. It is quite the experience and I highly recommend a visit–even if you’re not a Cowboys fan.
My boys are not Cowboys fans, but were very impressed by it all. Somewhere along the way we went terribly wrong–my oldest is a Patriots fan and proudly donned his team t-shirt while we were in sacred Cowboys territory and my youngest is a Dolphins fan. I always just shrug my shoulders at that one.
We also got to enjoy lunch at Troy’s (Troy Aikman’s restaurant) before heading to the airport. Super Rockstar took the stage (haha) while I enjoyed my burger salad–so, so, SO good!
As we flew up and away from the birth place of our beginnings as a couple I was so glad we came. Seeing all the places, friends and family was so good for my soul. Super Rockstar gets a little homesick every once in a while for his home state, but as much as we loved our visit to Texas–we say no thank you to the over 100 degree temps, oppressive humidity and the thousands of species of giant (what the heck was that?!!) bugs. Whenever he starts to get a little nostalgic–a visit in late July is just what he needs to remember why we have chosen Colorado as our home. Nothing beats our majestic mountains, beautiful forests, cool evening temps, no humidity, and very few bugs. We love you Texas, but there’s no place like our beautiful Colorado home.
Loved seeing this adventure.. I guess I miss Texas.. I used to fix the Y.O.’s computers, after years passed seeing the ranch was very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing. Turk.
Thank you! That’s so cool that you know the YO–my husband has great memories from his time there as a kid. We absolutely LOVED it!