el cosmico | marfa, tx

El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas is the newest addition to my dream list. El Cosmico combines a few things I adore: 1) airstreams, 2) an environment where my inner "gypsetter" can let loose, 3) Texas, 4) creative hospitality concepts and design, and 5) nostalgic travel.

In a word, my feelings about El Cosmico: obsessed. You have your choice of the following "shelters": tepees, airstreams/vintage trailers, and tents. Rates start at just $80 a night. However, El Cosmico is not for the faint-at-heart... it's definitely camping. Par exemple, there's no AC in any of the shelters and no private baths in the tents and tepee's (although, they do have communal bath house with quote, "a few electrical outlets"). There's also a list of recommended items to bring which include: a flashlight and extra blankets for your bed if you are staying during the winter. Clearly not lux travel, but still "glamping" (definition: glamping—n. a form of camping in which participants enjoy physical comforts associated with more glamorous types of holiday.)

Even without the luxuries of a typical vaca, I can't wait 'till the day I pull up into El Cosmico and spend the night in a tepee. (I've always had a inner desire to be an Indian Princess and it seems that El Cosmico is the ticket for this Pocahontas.) 

-mrs.h

{images linked to source}

making trip planning a little easier!

Happy Saturday! Just wanted to fill you in on the small, but exciting change you'll notice when you hover over our images... a pin it button!! Yes, I know... this makes me way too happy. I'm clearly a geek at heart. But, we did it in an effort to help you plan your dream list, bucket list, city guide, etc. 

Pinterest is such a great tool for trip planning because you can keep all your travel ideas and inspiration saved/organized on pin boards. So, next time you take a spontaneous trip to San Fran, for instance, you'll have a list of everywhere you should eat at your fingertips. Or, maybe you aren't leaving town any time soon, but you need a little travel inspiration to get you through the mundane. Go ahead, make a dream board. Your dreams have to start somewhere. 

Have a great weekend and pin your hearts out!!
-mrs.h

Are you living your dream?

{via}

I have a strong suspicion that it's a great day for your dreams to come true. I've noticed an increase in dreams fulfilled of late--from my parents, to us personally, to friends. Sometimes I think it's just a good day for a dream to come true.

How do you know if you are living your dream if you don't know what you dream is? You don't. So first, you have to get quiet and listen. Who are you made to be? What are you here for?

Then, GO FOR IT!

Mrs. H and I have a lot of dreams: big dreams, small dreams, odd dreams, serious dreams, short-term dreams, long-term dreams...

They all matter though. If you're anything like me, the presence of dreams means I am doing something right. When my internal dreamer is turned off, then I know something is wrong. So manage your dreamer well. Make a list, and watch your dreams come true.

Off to conquer a dream or two.

-Mr. H

don't let your dreams be dreams

We've mentioned before that we're really into dreams here at mr.&mrs.h. We believe in the beauty of dreams and that dreams come true. We believe dreams have a purpose in pulling us into the person we were made to be. As Andrea Scher said, "Dreams pull us toward a new version of ourselves. If our aim is to become fully who we are, then our dreams are like a moon pulling the tides. Even before we achieve a dream, we are becoming the kind of person who makes those kinds of dreams come true."

get your kicks on route 66

I'm sure you've noticed by now that we're really into "dreams" here at mr.&mrs.h. I have an amazing mom--she's fun, wild, full of adventure and life. One of the things on her dream list was to road trip across the country, drive down Route 66 and stay at one of the nostalgic motor courts that still dot the highway. When Mr. H and I moved to Cali, it provided the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true.

We first hit the "Main Street of America" (Route 66) in Amarillo, Texas. No, George Strait, we didn't make it by morning... at that point we'd been driving from Dallas and we still had a long way to go to get to our motel, The Blue Swallow, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. 

the Lone Star State

One of the more random sites we saw in Texas...

...yes these are mannequins in a convertible in someone's front yard 

(forgive the "from car photography")

Amarillo by evening

 Texas

The Blue Swallow is a place I would recommend to those looking for a little adventure and a lot of nostalgia... not to those looking for luxury. If you're looking for that, I have many suggestions, but Route 66 is probably not the place for you. The bedding was far from Egyptian cotton and we went to sleep with the glow of neon lights shining through the curtain. That being said, it was a night I will never forget. We woke up the next morning and the owners had a pot of coffee brewing for guests in the lobby next to the cigarette vending machine. We really did feel like we had stepped back in time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This beauty greeted us upon our arrival in Tucumcari

Refrigerated Air

The Blue Swallow's Lobby

Our room... with one car garage and glider swing

Our room's garage... complete with the Route 66 mural

 Morning on Route 66 - Tucumcari, NM 

From Tucumcari, we headed west to "the other Vegas"... Las Vegas, New Mexico. It's a small western town that was the home of Doc Holliday's dental office and one of Billy the Kid's "hang out" spots. I'm a lover of architecture and it's got a plethora of amazing (and well preserved) Old West homes, hotels, and buildings. We ate at Charlie's Spic and Span for breakfast--which had amazing sweets plus breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and breakfast tacos. After filling ourselves with great treats, we were on our way to the Grand Canyon. But, that's a story for another day. Bottom line, if you've ever wanted to drive down the "Mother Road," I'd say go! It's not boutique luxury--not even close--but it is nostalgic, road-tripping adventure at it finest. As Nat King Cole advised, "If you ever plan to motor west; travel my way, take the highway that's the best; get your kicks on Route 66!"

On the road to Las Vegas, NM

 Off-roading to look at the road-side shrine

 road warriors 

our typical view from NM to CA

The "other Vegas" - Las Vegas, NM {via}

 

Treats at Charlie's Spic and Span  

(I found the following map on google maps. It highlights "hotspots" along Route 66--including the Blue Swallow. We didn't use it on our trip, but if I did it again I'd definitely check out a few of these stops.)

-mrs.h

Dream List: Own an Airstream

My all time favorite airstream: Isn't it amazing?

via lifeslittlejems.com

via getcampie.com

via getcampie.com

via getcampie.com

My dream list is always growing. It has new additions weekly; however, some of the items on my dream list have been there for a long time. Owning an airstream is something I've dreamed of since I was a little girl. I loved their nostalgic appeal and once I fell in love with an airstream, it stuck for good. One day I hope to take this off my dream list, but for now I get inspired by the other lovers of airstreams on Pinterest. Clearly I'm not alone in my obsession. I think Mr. H just hopes my dream coming true doesn't equal an airstream sitting in our front yard.

Can't you just imagine all the amazing adventures traveling in an airstream would have in store?

-mrs.h

Dream List: Visit Lake Hillier

Newest addition to my dream list:

I can't believe it's been a month since the last post! Time flies--especially in my new job. I'm working in event planning, which is so wonderful but definitely time consuming. Still, it's the perfect combination of creative an administrative and is such a critical component of hospitality. I'm so grateful to be doing it!

The purpose of Mr. & Mrs. H's blog is to highlight great travel spots in North America. We want to provide inspiration and ideas for people who don't have time and money on our side for the jet setting lifestyle, but still need to fulfill their wanderlust.

via

That being said, today I want to highlight a spot that is on my dream list of places to go... and it's not close to home. Lake Hillier. It's a naturally occurring pink lake in Australia! Not only is it beautiful it's also totally safe for humans to swim in. From the air it looks bubble gum pink and from the shoreline it's apparently more of a clear hue. I can't wait to see it in person. Mr. H lived in Australia before we met and I've always wanted to go on a trip there to see where he lived when he was there. Lake Hillier will definitely be added to the trip itinerary whenever that trip happens!

Look at these amazing photographs by photographer, Steve Back. They are images of pink lagoons in Australia. Aren't they to die for?