Day 1 (November 23, Saturday): Odessa to Forestburg Adventure 🚗🌳

• Distance: ~360 miles
• Fuel: 14.4 gallons (~$43.20)

• 7:00 AM: Depart Odessa for Abilene (3-hour drive)

• 10:00 AM: Picnic at Grover Nelson Park 🍽️🌿 📍 2070 Zoo Ln, Abilene, TX 79602

• 10:45 AM: Quick refuel at DK Gas Station ⛽ 📍 965 US-83, Abilene, TX 79602 💰 Est. cost: $20 (partial tank)

• 11:00 AM: Hit the road to Decatur (3h15min, ~180 miles)

• 2:15 PM: Sweet stop at Hey Sugar Candy Store 🍭 📍 1108 N Trinity St, Decatur, TX 76234 💰 Budget: $10

• 3:00 PM: Grab-and-go dinner at Braum's 🍦🥡 📍 1705 W US Highway 380, Decatur, TX 76234 💰 Budget: $30

• 2:45 PM: Top up at DK Gas Station 📍 DK Gas Station, 201 N Cates St, Decatur, TX 💰 Est. cost: $20 (partial tank)

• 3:30 PM: Scenic drive to Adventure Creek Resort

• 4:00 PM: Tree house check-in at Adventure Creek 🌳 📍 784 Colwell Rd, Forestburg, TX 76239

• 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Explore surroundings & archery fun 🏹 Family dinner & laser tag excitement

• 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Stargazing session 🔭 Note: Look out for Jupiter and Saturn!

💡 Tip: Unused budget rolls over to the next day.

<aside> 🥨🥤

🍽️ Day 1 Meal Plan: 🚗

• 🍳 Breakfast: Quick home bite before leaving
• 🧺 Lunch: Picnic at Grover Nelson Park, Abilene
• 🍦 Dinner: Braum's to-go (eat at tree house) • Don't forget the ice cream dessert!

🚰 Remember: Pack plenty of snacks and water for the journey!

</aside>

Day 2 (November 24, Sunday): Forestburg & Fort Worth 🐎

• Distance: ~80 miles
• Fuel: 3.2 gallons (~$9.60)

• 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Adventure Retreat activities 💰 UTV Rental & Scavenger Hunt: $109.00 💰 Bigfoot Encounter Experience: $37.00

• 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Lunch at treehouse 🥪 Sandwiches prepared before departure

• 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Drive to Fort Worth

• 1:00 PM: Park at Fort Worth Stockyards 🅿️ 📍 122 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164 💰 Valet parking: $28 (includes gratuity)

• 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Fort Worth Stockyards Experience 🚂 Trinity River Train Excursion (First Class): $14 per person 🕐 Check-in: 1:30 PM, Board: 2:45 PM, Depart: 3:00 PM 📍 140 E. Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76164

• 2:00 PM: Barnyard Petting Zoo 🐑 💰 Entry: $15 ($5 per person × 3) 💰 Feed: $6 ($3 × 2) 📍 131 E. Exchange Ave Suite 119, Fort Worth, TX 76164 • 4:00 PM: Cattle drive viewing 🐄 📍 Livestock Exchange Building, 131 East Exchange Avenue

• 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Dinner at Shake Shack Stockyards 🍔 📍 128 E Exchange Ave #160, Fort Worth, TX 76164 💰 Estimated total: $58 (2 adults, 1 child) - order on app for pickup for discount

• 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Drive back to Forestburg

• 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Return to Forestburg tree house 🔥 Campfire evening: s'mores 🧳 Prepare for next day's departure

<aside> 🍽️ Menu Plan for Day 2: 🐎🥤🥤

Breakfast: Quick meal at treehouse (cereal)

• 🥪 Lunch: Packed sandwiches and snacks, enjoyed on the way to Fort Worth Stockyards
• 🍔 Dinner: Shake Shack at Fort Worth Stockyards
• 🔥 Evening snack: Campfire cookout at Forestburg treehouse • Hot dogs and s'mores • Ingredients brought from home

📝 Note: Bring refillable water bottles for Fort Worth adventures! 🥤

</aside>

Day 3 (November 25, Monday): Forestburg to Dallas 🛒🦕

• Distance: ~110 miles
• Fuel: 4.4 gallons (~$13.20)

• 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Check out from Adventure Retreat

• 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Drive to Frisco

• 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: IKEA visit and lunch 🛒🍝 📍 7171 Ikea Dr, Frisco, TX 75034-8591 💰 Budget: $25–30 ($5–10 per person for lunch)

• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Drive to Dallas

• 12:30 PM - 2:45 PM: Visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science 🦕 📍 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201 💰 Admission: $3 (Community Partners discount with SSI reward letter, $1 × 3) 💰 Parking: $15 Total cost: $18

• 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Drive to hotel

• 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Check into hotel 🏨 📍 Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Near the Galleria 14021 Noel Road, Dallas, TX 75240 💰 Cost: $158 (T-Mobile Magenta rate)

• 3:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Rest, swim, and freshen up at hotel

• 5:45 PM - 6:00 PM: Drive to dinner

• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at Magic Time Machine 🍽️🎭 📍 5003 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254 💰 Budget: $150 for family dinner (including 25% gratuity) Breakdown: $100 for meal + $20 for specialty drinks + $30 gratuity Note: Sign up for online wait list

• 8:00 PM: Return to hotel and relax

• Overnight stay in Dallas

• Note: Remember to refuel at a convenient time during the day

<aside> 🍽️ Menu Plan for Day 3: 🎮🏙️

• 🥐 Breakfast: Quick breakfast before leaving tree house
• 🍝 Lunch: IKEA Restaurant in Frisco
• 🍽️ Dinner: Magic Time Machine

📝 Note: Stay hydrated during museum visit and bring snacks for the drive! 🥤🍎

</aside>

Day 4 (November 26, Tuesday): Dallas to Graham 🎣

• Distance: ~150 miles
• Fuel: 6 gallons (~$18)

• 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast at hotel and check out

• 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Drive to Jacksboro, TX

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch at Roma's Pizza 🍕 📍 Roma's Pizza, 119 S Main St, Jacksboro, TX 76458 💰 Estimated cost: $45 (3 people × $15 each)

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Visit Fort Richardson State Park 📍 228 State Park Rd, Jacksboro, TX 76458 💰 Entrance fee: $8 ($4 × 2 adults, 1 child free)

Picnic, fishing & exploring at Fort Richardson State Park 🎣🧺 🎣 Supplies: Fishing rods, bait (worms, minnows, or lures) 📝 Note: Best fishing spots along shoreline or fishing pier; explore old fort and buildings 🧴 Bring: Snacks, water, and sun protection 🧭 Alternative activity: Geocaching (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/parks/things-to-do/geocaching/) if kids need a break from fishing and exploring the fort

• 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Pick up to-go dinner from The Village Kitchen (if needed) 📍 119 N Main St, Jacksboro, TX 76458 💰 Estimated cost: $30 for family dinner

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Drive to Graham, TX

• 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Check-in at Wildcatter Ranch 🏨 💰 Cost: $220 📍 6062 US-380, Graham, TX 76450

• 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Family-friendly activities at Wildcatter Ranch 🐎

• Casual family hike on scenic ranch trails
• Petting zoo experience with farm animals
• Scavenger hunt around the ranch grounds 💰 Activity costs included in ranch stay

• 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Enjoy to-go dinner from The Village Kitchen at Wildcatter Ranch

• 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Family time and relaxation

<aside> 🍽️ Menu Plan for Day 4: 🎣🏞️🍎🧴

• 🍳 Breakfast: Embassy Suites complimentary breakfast
• 🍕 Lunch: Roma's Pizza in Jacksboro
• 🥪 Dinner: To-go dinner from The Village Kitchen

📝 Note: Pack snacks, water, and sun protection for Fort Richardson State Park! 🥤🍎🧴

</aside>

Day 5 (November 27, Wednesday): Graham to Odessa 🏡🚗

• Distance: ~340 miles
• Fuel: 13.6 gallons (~$40.80)

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Breakfast buffet at Wildcatter Ranch 🍳 💰 Cost: $32 ($12 x 2 adults, $8 x 1 child)

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Pack up and check out

• 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Horse care and grooming session 🐎 💰 Cost: $59.85 ($15 per person x 3, plus 6.2% tax and 25% gratuity) Breakdown: $45 base cost + $2.79 tax + $12.06 gratuity 3)

• 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Drive to Abilene (1.5 hours)

• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch at Chick-fil-A 🍗 📍 1750 TX-351, Abilene, TX 79601 💰 Estimated cost: $30 for family meal

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Abilene Zoo Adventure 🦒🦁 💰 Cost: Zoo admission, Safari Express Ride, and Giraffe Feeding: $53.97 (2 adults, 1 child)

• 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Safari Express Ride
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Giraffe Feeding
• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Explore remaining exhibits

• 3:00 PM: Depart Abilene for Odessa (3-hour drive)

Refuel at DK Gas Station ⛽ 📍 965 US-83, Abilene, TX 79602 💰 Estimated cost: $55 for full tank

•**6:00 PM:**Arrive in Odessa, pick up Thanksgiving dinner 🦃 💰 Thanksgiving Day To-Go Family Feast from Golden Corral: $120.00 (with gratuity) 📍 4525 E 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79762707

📝 Note: Call ahead to confirm availability and place your order.

<aside> 🍽️ Menu Plan for Day 5: 🐎🚗

• 🍳 Breakfast: Wildcatter Ranch buffet
• 🥪 Lunch: Chick-fil-A for lunch
• 🍗 Dinner: Golden Corral Thanksgiving Day To-Go Family Feast (pick up in Odessa)

📝 Note: Bring snacks and water for the zoo visit and long drive home! 🥤🍎

</aside>

Pre-Pay vs. Cash/Card Expenses Breakdown

Here's a summary of pre-paid expenses and those to be covered with cash or card during the trip:

Pre-Paid Expenses

• Hotels: $378.00
• Activities: $214.77
• Other Pre-paid Expenses:

Cash/Card Expenses: $721.28

• Day 1: $80.00
• Day 2: $142.00
• Day 3: $228.00
• Day 4: $113.00
• Day 5: $158.28
• Total Trip Cost: $1,507.00 (Reduced by previous payments)

Bring $564.23 in cash or on cards for expenses during the trip. This covers meals, some activities, and miscellaneous costs.

Note: The total trip cost remains the same as previously estimated. It's still wise to have a small buffer for unexpected expenses.

Total Expected Mileage: 866 miles

• Day 1 (Odessa to Adventure Creek Ranch): 96 miles
• Day 2 (Adventure Creek Ranch to Dallas): 150 miles
• Day 3 (Dallas area): 150 miles (estimated for local travel)