This late 1960s home movie predominantly captures the Block family taking in the sights and attractions found along Interstate 35. Their adventure begins in San Marcos, where they visit the Aquarena Springs amusement park and Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park. The Blocks also visit the home of General Edward Burleson, a former vice president of the Republic of Texas. From San Marcos, they journey north, passing through Austin and Georgetown before stopping at the Stagecoach Inn in Salado. Back on the road, the Blocks head to Dallas, where they visit World of Animals. Their journey ends at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The home movie also captures the Blocks at home in Houston, celebrating birthdays and Easter, as well as a baseball game between the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals at the Astrodome.

Opening in 1951, Aquarena Springs was a resort and amusement park located on Spring Lake in San Marcos. Attractions included glass-bottom boat tours, a sky ride, and a submarine theater. (For the latter, the audience partially descended into the water to see a performance by the “Aquamaids,” young women wearing mermaid tails who stayed underwater by sipping from air hoses.) Arguably the most popular attraction was Ralph the Swimming Pig, who began each show by taking a “swine dive” into the lake to drink from a milk bottle held by a trainer. At its peak, Aquarena Springs attracted 250,000 visitors annually, remaining a popular tourist destination from the 1960s through the 1980s.

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