The Pocket Sandwich Theater!

I’m new to the Dallas area so I joined E&A to get to know the city and meet people. I’ve never heard of The Pocket Sandwich Theater and it’s is unlike any other theater experience! It's a unique theater where being a loud and raucous audience is desired. Who knew audience participation could be so much fun? We booed the villain, the Ghost of the Opera, every chance we got. Popcorn throwing at the actors and at other theater-goers is encouraged, nearly required. I never would have guessed throwing popcorn could bring out a person's competitiveedge. We had a great time!
Events and Adventures Dallas

Australia....Wow!

 Definitely a bucket list item for most of us. And Sydney does not disappoint. Directly after our early morning arrival we were whisked away to drop our bags at our hotel (THANK YOU  early check in!) changed our clothes and headed out for a great, enlightening tour of ‘The Rocks’ the original area of town built by English criminal that had be sentenced to their new penal colony. It was so interesting! You can still see chisel marks, foundations and even a few original buildings. Since they are sandstone and not wood they are still in use!

After that we jumped on a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbor. It seemed odd to have the day we arrived jam packed but by 7pm I totally understood. Stop moving and you crash from the overnight flight and time change. We were gifted with a lovely spring day where the outside deck was warmish. Dinner on the harbor was a perfect end to our very long day. Day 2 started with early morning breakfast and the group scattering a bit to different adventures. Eastern Seaside Walk and Blue Mountains tour were the top choices. The coast is spectacular. The ocean breathtaking around each point. I’ve walked how far? No wonder my legs a sore!  Day 3 coming up! Events and Adventures Dallas

Another Amazing Labor Day Weekend with our Houston Club!

Labor Day Weekend was so much fun! We had a smaller group this time, only about 40, but that worked great because I got an opportunity to actually talk to and get to know a lot of people. When there are 80 or 100 it’s hard to talk with everyone. Friday night we hung out in the dining hall while we waited for everyone to arrive before we headed out to the fire pit for smores. Saturday morning breakfast came bright and HOT. Some hiked, some golfed some of us napped then headed to the Colorado River for some tubing. There was plenty of water so we didn’t have to lug our tubes over the shallow parts! Dinner was almost elegant, except for the flip flops and swim trunks. J Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with an added park ranger led hike that taught us about the Lost Pines and devastating fire of 2011 and kayaking or canoeing for some that tubed Saturday. The evening cooled down enough that most everyone headed out back to the campfire to toast marshmallows.  Monday morning’s breakfast was definitely quieter and more leisurely before everyone headed home. I have to give huge kudos to those athletic souls who ran or bike the hills in the mornings. Events and Adventures Dallas

ice!

We Accepted The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

 One of our members is a great nephew of Lou Gehrig, the famous baseball player that ALS was nick named after.  We had about 20 people participate in an ice water waterfall. It was encouraging to see so many members involved.  We had many people that were not interested in an ice bath, but most donated. And all our dunkees donated at least a couple bucks. We had a great cheering section. We also raised over $500! It feels really good to be involved with a group of people that rally around a cause. We donate our time volunteering on a normal basis, but this was an added level of fun and challenge. There were plenty of laughs and high fives. Then we went and played snd volleyball. I’d say we dried off playing but it was 95 and humid. At least no one got cold!  Thank you for being such an inspiring group!
Events and Adventures Dallas

Wallyball, Giant Jenga and More!

Games nights are a club favorite. And since we have the exclusive use of a local fitness center (it closes at 6) we get to do it all!  Many of us start with wallyball in the racquetball courts. It’s like volleyball but you play off the walls. Some like regular volleyball or badminton, or even racquetball. There’s always a bunch of board and card games and don’t forget the food. We always have tons of great food that everyone brings. 

 

I appreciate how easy it is to meet and get to know people without the strain of getting to know people. We had time to chat with a group before the game ended then we could pick another game to get to know even more people, or talk further with a new friend. Can you say new carpool buddy?  There was always something going on so we never got caught in that ‘what do we talk about now’ situation there is usually when you go to a party where you don’t know anyone.  Even sitting and watching the giant Jenga was fun since everyone ooo’d and aah’d as the tower grew, swayed and finally fell. Next month I intend on winning that one! Events and Adventures Dallas

A Great Day At The Dallas Aquarium!

The Dallas Aquarium is a great way to spend a really muggy summer day.  We had a great time.  The Aquarium here has lots of animals, no whales, seals or dolphins but they make up for it by having quite a few different types of animals.  We all talked about if you could have any pet what it would be. Who wants big scary pets and who wants amphibians.  You would never guess what some of our members interest are.   It’s interesting to learn more about my new friends.   We had a great day. Next month we are going to the Zoo to check out their animals and feed some too! Events and Adventures Dallas

A New Sport Called Foot Golf?

I’m a big soccer fan. I watch, I play, all of it. So when I heard there is a new sport that is soccer based I was in! We played Foot Golf for the first time. I’d never even heard of it. It’s like golf but with soccer balls. We arrived at the golf course and everyone paid a nominal fee to get on the course. We had our own soccer balls (or you could rent them) got out our score cards and headed out to the T’s. We had 3 groups of 6. We teed off from the ladies line and aimed for the green. This a LOT harder than I thought it would be. In soccer we have to get it to another person or in the general direction of the goal. On the golf course it was way easier to aim way off from our target. Getting it into the 3 foot diameter hole was hard!  We laughed and talked a little trash as to how everyone’s aim was at the beginning. Towards the end we were all aiming better (some better than others!) When all the groups gathered after our game we went out to recharge and decided we really like this new sport.

Bridget L

Member, Event Host

Events and Adventures Dallas

Painting and Socializing!

Paint the top 3 inches or so blue.  Then paint this white in circular motions, that darker blue and blend in green like this. (Ding!) You are concentrating too hard! Breathe. Take of drink of whatever you have. Breathe again. Mix in a little white. Ok, in this corner star with the tan. Break time, let it dry a few minutes, grab a snack, refill your beverage and socialize. This is really going to be a painting when I’m done!  During our break we check out each other’s paintings and steal ideas of how to make our a little bit better. We all know who the real artists are. We laugh about how this blank canvas we were given is turning into an actual painting. By the end of our 2 hour session we all have a real painting we did without numbers or special paint. Some will hang in their home; others given to family as gifts (Mom’s like home made gifts no matter how old we are) and others will be regaled to hang in the laundry room or closet where only the artist sees it and thinks I made that! Events And Adventures Dallas

Sometimes What You Really Need Is Just A Great Big Party....

On the water of course!  We rented one of those double decker party boats and did it right. We had burgers, dogs and sausages on the grill and everyone brought a side and beverages. We played in the water, used the slide and the brave souls jumped or dove off the top. It seems waaay higher looking down as it does looking up! We had a great variety of music so everyone did some water dancing.  We got out the washable markers and wrote nicknames and smiley faces on each other.  Discovering what people wanted to be called was hilarious.  Ok, some people were given silly names but it was all in good fun.  The greased watermelon rugby-ish game was comical to watch.  When Captain Brian called us in from the water to head home everyone groaned and swam in as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible.  Best summer day so far! And we get to do it again in August. Practice gabbing that greased watermelon and maybe you can beat Jade! Events And Adventures Dallas

June In Texas Means The Beginning Of Incredibly Hot Weather.......

So there’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than on the water! We went out to Lake Ray Hubbard and spent the afternoon with our favorite Kayak instructor. We call him Kayak Dave. After we had our lifejackets, boats and general instruction Kayak Dave took us to a minimum wake bay on the edge of Lake Ray Hubbard. He did a really nice job of making sure everyone knew how to paddle for more motion, less work. He pointed out wildlife and taught us cool stuff about the lake we had a leisurely paddle with the wind to the end of the bay then we headed back. Against the wind was bit more challenging so we stopped at a sand bar half way for a break.  Jade talked enough smack that she was helped out of the boat via flipping by one of the guys before she got out on her own.  I know they payback will be fun to watch. After everyone cooled off in the lake and rehydrated we headed back to the launch area where just about everyone said they would be sore tomorrow. After an early dinner and discussion as to just how outrageous Jade’s retribution is going to be we all headed home for a late nap or early night. Great way to spend any afternoon in Texas! Events And Adventures Dallas

Best Brunch EVER!

Because it was followed by a day of water volleyball, sun, fun and E&A friends. We moved out to the pool deck after a nice brunch buffet by the lake. I love it when they have bacon. Some of us preferred to hang out in the lounge chairs or at the pool edge while the even-though-it-is Sunday-I’m-going-to work-hard members headed into the pool for a game of water volleyball.  It was a beautiful day that wasn’t too hot so it was great to just kick back in the sun and watch the game.  Even the new members got in the action and played.                                             Events And Adventures Dallas

What A Great Memorial Weekend We Had!

The Dallas and Houston clubs met in New Braunfels for tubing and camping. The river was cold, the air hot and a little spotty rain did not deter our fun. It is so cool that we get to meet and hang out with members from other clubs. I remember some of the Houston members from last year and it was wonderful to see them again and catch up. We tubed on the Guadalupe River, we made meals and ate together, we sat around the campfire, we relaxed and left our work lives behind and WE HAD FUN! On Sunday some people headed to the hills and hiked. A few hit the other side of the hills and zip-lined and some even went into San Antonio to enjoy the other wildlife. The rest of us decided a chair in the river with a cold beverage was just right. It really was the best chair in the house. 

We had some great meals too! I'm not sure if the french toast or the taco bar was my favorite. You always learn who has the formidable cooking skills when you put them in front of 2 massive grills with food for 90. I was quite impressed.

Thank you all for a great long weekend! I can hardly wait for Labor Day Weekend!

Events And Adventures Dallas

Beautiful Night on the Water!

The Cinco de Mayo Dinner Cruise was a spectacular evening! We danced our way onto the huge catamaran with DJ Vendetta. He played our favorite tunes and any request we had. Dinner was grilled by the E&A staff. Tons of choices from brats to hamburgers and different kinds chicken sausage. I think my favorite was the brats.  The DJ turned up the music and we danced. Can you believe there was enough room to dance on a boat?! We laughed, we conga lined, we made new friends and had a fantastic time! I can hardly wait until the 4^th of July Dinner Cruise! That one includes swimming and fireworks! Events And Adventures Dallas