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So last month we decided to go down to Todd Mission, Texas and take in the Texas Renaissance Festival. We loaded up in the car and headed down. What a scene. Imagine it! A 55-acre permanent venue that allows you to experience a 16th century British village.
The many people who dressed up for it (we weren’t some of them) provided for some great people watching.
Every weekend for the 8 weekends that the Texas Renaissance Festival is open each year has a theme. We went over the Pirate themed weekend, but there were costumes of all types from Barbarians to Unicorns!
There are shops with replicas of authentic period items like chain mail, beeswax candles and even ocarinas.
We even got to experience a jousting competition.
But do you know what I enjoyed the most? They had a “Birds of Prey” show. This complete bird show includes hawks, eagles, owls, and vultures, to name a few. It’s thrilling to watch the birds soar and glide above and even through (!) the audience.
Ironically, as we were steeped in the 16th century, I was using my iPhone to Instagram photos 😉
To be honest, Todd Mission is in the middle of nowhere and my cell reception wasn’t great, which is why I am glad that I have Hotspot Shield installed on my phone.
Because I had to wait so long for my pictures to upload and post, my open connection could have been compromised, but since I had the VPN service activated I could send my data encrypted over a previously unencrypted network.
The VPN of Hotspot Shield offers an enhanced level of security online. Whenever you connect to the Internet through Hotspot Shield, your data, including passwords, financial transactions and instant messages, is secured and encrypted. Additionally, all of your personal information is hidden from web spies.
And I know that even if I was just in the 16th century for a few hours…there was likely a smarmy pirate nearby ready to hack me and steal my data.
So go ahead and get Hotspot Shield now to enjoy all the benefits of a VPN, it’s a free download so you have nothing to lose…except for your personal information if you don’t have something guarding it while you’re online! It’s available for Android and iOS devices as well as for Windows computers and Macs.
You can learn more about Hotspot Shield on their website, connect with them on Twitter and Facebook.
I am compensated by Hotspot Shield to share my experiences with it, but there really were some odd looking characters at the Texas Renaissance Festival and if a Pirate didn’t steal my data, I have no doubt there was a Wizard or an Orc nearby that would have tried as well, so these opinions well, they are entirely my own.
Tammy Litke is a Dallas blogger, blogging since 2008. She loves to watch movies, play video games, spend time in the kitchen, and travel. Between recipes and reviews you’ll find many helpful and some just plain funny posts on her blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
The pictures from the festival are fantastic, what a fun way to spend the afternoon with your family. I've never thought about using a VPN to encrypt my data on my phone, although I have used one on my computer. I'm going to have to look into this.
We haven't been to the renaissance festival for years…looks like a great time. And that is really cool that your stuff was safe. I could have used that when we went on vacation this summer and I had to use an opened wifi…
Beautiful photos and so cool that Hotspot Shield is free! Seriously, I'm downloading it today.
This looks so cool! I've seen smaller displays of Renaissance stuff, but not an entire festival. Looks like fun!
I haven't been to a Renaissance festival in ages. Looks like so much fun!
Looks like you must have had an amazing time!
That is really neat looks like you had a great time. 55 acres wow!
This is so scary. It's so important to be protected!! Awesome pictures, though!!
Wow, looks and sounds like quite an experience!
Your pictures are great! Looks like a lot of fun. I definitely need to get the HotSpot Shield! Thanks for the info.
What an incredible place, your photos are just amazing! I still haven't downloaded hotspot, I really need to get on that to protect my stuff!!
Looks like so much fun! I have heard great things about Hot Spot, thanks for sharing!
Looks like you had a great time!
That's an awesome festival!
First let me say those are some AMAZING photos! IT looks like you had an amazing experience.
Love the pictures. That looks like a lot of fun.
I've never heard of Hotspot Shield. I will have to look into it.
Sounds like a fun event to go to. I have not been to a Renaissance Fair in years.
Need to look into this soon.
I have never been to a renaissance festival, but I would love to do so soon.
I am still amazed by how crafty some people are when it comes to trying to steal data.
Love all your photos! Looks like a great time!
What a fun time! And love the twist on your title! Awesome that the service is so helpful.
Oh wow! That looks like so much fun, and HOLY COW at the bees wax candles! Heaven!
Wow – that's a TON of beeswax!
WOW! Looks like a super fun experience. My family would love this!
That looks like such a fun adventure!
That Renaissance festival that you went to looks absolutely amazing!
That fair seems awesome! We have one that comes once a year here but it only lasts for a weekend so it's nothing as big as that!
It looks like you had a ton of fun!
That Renaissance Festival looks like a blast. I've always wanted to go to one.
Oh neat, this would be so fun to go and spend a day!! Looks like you all had a great time!! Love all the pictures!
Wow, I had never thought of encrypting my cell phone signal. I upload photos all the time. Thank you for the great tips.
I have really got to check that out. We all need extra protection nowadays.
Can you believe that I've never been to a Ren Faire? Crazy, huh? The stone angel, well, let's just say I squealed a little!
I have always wanted to go to one of these, they look like so such fun!
How fun! I've never been, but it looks amazing! And, there probably was a smarmy pirate nearby looking for your data…lol!
I've never been to Texas, but this looks like a fun place to visit if I'm ever in the area!
Wow, that is really cool! I had no idea that they had a permanent little village like that. 🙂 The Hotspot Shield is a good idea. I have mini heart-attacks without some way to check my email. 😉
We've never been but it looks fun – and yes, best to be protected from those pirates! Aye' Matey!
What a fun event! And I really need to look into Hotspot Shield!
That looks like so much fun!!
It's been several years ago, but I went to a Renaissance festival and had such a wonderful time. Looks like you had a great time, too!
What a fun festival! Great pictures!
I've heard a lot about hotspot shield but didn't realize it was free. I'm going to check it out!
What a fun event. Having peace of mind and not having to worry about hacking, I'm sure made it even more enjoyable.
I have been trying to get to the faire for years, but I haven't had the chance.
I do have a hot spot on my phone, but I have not heard of Hotspot Shield! I'll have to look into this.
There is one of these in New England area every year but I have yet to actually make it there – it's like a 3 hour drive one way.
I went to a festival like this a few years back and it was so much fun!
Looks like an amazing day!! I laughed at the Instagram thing. Modern day, I guess.
I absolutely loved all of the pictures you took at the festival. It looked like everyone was having a great time too.