My Aunt's Giant Chair has became a Texas Roadside Attraction

Ironically, as much as I love tourism, travel, and unique things, my aunt has her VERY OWN ROADSIDE

Photo by:  Texas Forest Trail Region
The chair is 10 ft tall, 6 ft wide and 5 ft deep!

ATTRACTION.  A few days ago she shared an Instagram photo that someone had posted of the chair, I thought oh man, I need to share this unique yet funny family story. 

 My Aunt shares her story of the chair:  

About 16 years ago (1996 or 97) I saw a picture of a BIG chair in Country Magazine. I told Dan I'd love to have one like it to put out beside our swimming pool. Probably a year and a half went by. On Christmas Eve in 1998 I was coming home from Wal-mart (family joke in that also :)) with stocking stuffers. I drove up in our driveway, I thought, "who stacked all that lumber in the driveway"? Then my eyes focused in on it and I said, "That's my BIG chair!!" Dan had had it made for me for Christmas. 

It's made from solid cedar and he'd given the proper dimensions to the man he wanted to build it because he wanted it to look like a real chair. (I called it my Paul Bunyan chair.) When Dan told the man how big he wanted it to be and that it was for his wife, the man said, "Just how big IS your wife, anyway"??? 

My cousin and her baby in the chair. 

The chair stayed in our back yard for years and was also used in several parades over the years. We had my nephew's 7th birthday IN the chair. The last time it was in a parade was when my son in law borrowed it for the junior high cheerleaders to ride in on a float. It was getting pretty old by then and I told him he could just keep it. He put it in a vacant lot just outside of  Cushing Texas, but before you get to Sacul, on Hwy 20.    Cars stop nearly every day and people get out and take pictures of it, it has truly became an attraction.  

The chair has been featured in 2 Texas magazines...once with the question "Does anyone know the story of this big chair"? and the next time with my story that I wrote and sent them. It had its own Facebook page for a while with pictures of all the people who'd sat in it. I've always liked seeing the chair...it reminds me of how much Dan loved me...and of the funny things we did together and the practical jokes we played during the 33 years we were married. We shared a BIG love for the Lord and for each other...and the chair symbolizes some of that.

Grapevine Texas and the Reasons to ESCAPE there.

So sometimes in the midst of all this holiday hustle and bustle, you think about just wanting to escape, or at least I know I do.  What if you could escape and still take care of some your holiday traditions, holiday shopping, and kick back and relax. 

Grapevine Texas, the Christmas Capitol of Texas, also sits right in the heart of the fifth largest wine producing state in United States; I know need I say more?  Well now probably not, but I am going to give you a list of six reasons that will make you itching to escape to Grapevine Texas. 

Well I did say Grapevine Texas was the Christmas Capitol of Texas, so of course we need to first think about escaping for some holiday fun.  With over 1400 Christmas events, the possibilities are beyond your imagination, but I can assure you they have imagined it for you. 

Take a ride on the North Pole Express, or leave the kids at home and get ready to pop the top the Grapevine Christmas Wine Train. 

Take a brisk walk through the arctic, or ICE! Featuring DreamWorks “Merry Madagascar” this is not only a beautiful display of sculptured art, but also a fun way to “chill out” as a family. 

Christmas on Main Street, every weekend until Christmas, on Main Street you are sure to find something for every age and taste on your list.  

Schedule a tour of VETRO Art Glass a take the opportunity to make your own ornament, pick up some classic treasures, and meet the unique artist behind this beautiful artwork.  

Once you have celebrated your heart out or find yourself begging to relax Grapevine Texas offers so many fun choices of relaxation.

While Texas is the fifth largest wine producing state, this Missouri Traveling Mom had to taste some Texas wine to see if it was as good as our Missouri wine, well the verdict is still out.  However, I will say I found Texas has some delightful wineries rather you just want stroll along Main Street and stop off for some tasting or if you want a more intimate setting and want to escape to a country setting. 

Texas style shopping, well you cannot go to Texas without seeing some cowboys, some cowboy boots, and well you need to fit in or at least take some home.  Grapevine Texas has plenty of unique little stores and shops that while you have escaped you can knock out some of that holiday shopping.

While fun, wine, and some shopping gets you excited, check out the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine Texas…this is not a hotel it is well, I don’t know what it is.  Now seriously folks, I was headed to the gym inside the hotel to burn off my Texas size burger, took the wrong turn, and ended up getting more of a workout wandering through the hotel.

During the holiday season, the Gaylord Texan spares no expense at putting you in the holiday mood…seriously!  With one-and-a-half million twinkling lights, 12,000 ornaments, an amazing 52-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree, a life-sized gingerbread house made from real gingerbread, and you cannot forget to mention Santa’s giant pair of boots.

So seriously, friends, if I was going to escape between now and New Years, I would pick a town like Grapevine Texas as I could combine relaxation, holiday shopping, enjoying some fine wine, and fun all in one stop!

Have yourself a Fun Holiday Season!

~Becky

The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine Texas

VETRO Art Glass

Cross Timbers Winery

LA BUENA VIDA VINEYARDS

Disclosure:  The Grapevine Texas CVB sponsored my trip to Grapevine Texas and a big thank you to them for giving me the opportunity to visit, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.