Mon Mar 17th - Sights and packing

Mon Mar 17th - Sights and packing

Travis Lake from Mansfield Dam Park

Our last day to spend with Al and Tina and they were interested in a walk, so we thought we would pack in walk with a few local sights. We headed to Mansfield Dam Park (top of the Mansfield Dam) for a walk around and saw how very bad the drought has been for water levels of Lake Travis. After enjoying some great views along the way we headed down to the bottom of the dam to the edge of the Lower Colorado River and walked across the bridge, seeing some rather large fish swimming around .. not sure what they were. White Bass?? Carp?? 
Then headed to the Oasis for a drink and some nachos ... excellent sunny day and the views were beautiful. 
In the early afternoon, Tina and I went to the department store Dillards in BeeCave  and has a pleasant hour or two pottering around, but didn't buy much.. prices weren't brilliant. Back at the resort we got ready and all headed out to the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse for dinner... It is an expensive place, but the steaks were fantastic. It was our last evening together. Hard to believe how fast the time went. Thanks Al and Tina for a great week and good times great memories and great food... we were left with brilliant left overs for the steakhouse... steak, mashed and mushrooms in a red wine reduction... YUMMM!!

Al, Tina and Cacti

Sat sittin' in the park

Picnic spot with top of dam in background

Favourite pic of Tina. By Lwr Colorado R

Drink and Nachos at the Oasis

Great friends... thanks for coming to see us!

Map of the USA  - According to Texans

No Tina... you can't take it home!

Sun Mar 16 - Rodeo/Dwight Yoakam

Sun Mar 16 - Rodeo/Dwight Yoakam

Lots of patriotic stuff to begin

You get the idea... fast!

Waiting for the gate to open

Roping finals

Lazy morning in preparation to go to the rodeo y'all. It was a windy day and rather cold, so after a quick trot through the rodeo grounds we decided to go straight into the Arena to wait for the Rodeo finals to begin. Due to some filming (they wanted seats to show as full) we got to see most of the rodeo finals from great seat near the front. The most impressive filming I have was through video and I am yet to be able to upload videos to my blog... looks easy but doesn't work...frustrating, but I will try again sometime and upload some if I can later. In the meantime I have added a few photo's and will include a link to the videos if I can figure it out. The Rodeo was a blast and we thoroughly enjoyed something that was a 'first' experience for all four of us.  The guys on the bucking horses and bulls (please don't misread that one) were being tossed around like rag dolls... I cannot imagine what shape their backs are in .. and brain shake.... wow!!

Ride 'em cowboy!!!

Dwight Yoakam.. hohum!

It was impressive how they moved it along.. no waiting between events. The much anticipated performance by Dwight Yoakam, I have to say in all honesty was a little disappointing. Nothing special. His 'modus-operandi' seemed to consist of ... "jump on stage ... blast out a few songs and go home... " I may be a little critical, but after the excitement of the Rodeo finals and knowing this was the closing big act for the week, I would have thought he would put on quite a show. Anyway, any disappointment in the music show was dissipated greatly by the Rodeo final itself. 

Los Pinos - now them's Tacos

Brody stealing the show- he stole my hat- cheeky

Great music at the "pickin' party"

After we left the Rodeo we stopped in at Los Pinos for a bite to eat... it was great .. more left overs!!!!! We then headed back to the RV Resort and went on to the pavilion to see the remainder of the Freddy Powers Pickin' Party that is a tradition at the park every year on New years Day and again at the end of SXSW music festival. They had been going from 2pm and from all reports the music was incredible for most of the day. We saw a few acts and were highly impressed with what we saw. I wish I knew the name of the first band we saw .. fabulous. But I do know that one of the singers was a girl called Mary Sarah... she sang a couple of slow songs at the end... she is very 'country' but very good. A great end to another terrifically fun day. So good to share these days with Al and Tina.. friends indeed.

Young and older... all great!!

Mary Sarah

Sat Mar 15th - Back to Gruene and Salt Lick

Sat Mar 15th -  Back to Gruene and Salt Lick

Pete Anderson and band

Today was one of those days that are a gift out of nowhere. We knew it was supposed to be cool and maybe some rain so as a group we decided that an indoor free concert we had seen advertised at Gruene Music Hall would be a good option. So we piled into the truck and off we went. When we arrived it was a bit cloudy and threatening rain, but undaunted we managed to find parking. The first challenge complete we donned our macks and headed into the crowded street of the village. There happened to be a wonder craft fair on, so after a coffee at the Gruene coffee shop (THE best coffee EVER!!) we wandered around. The fair was great... unusual items and all local artisans... genuine, and not the 'same old, same old" jewelry and scarves!! There were wood products, jams, nuts, pottery and other wonderful items. After a couple of purchases we headed to the Music Hall (anyone interested in seeing the history etc of this hall go to Gruenehall.com ) It is a unique experience, but if you go, don't expect plush and orderly... it is like a huge honky-tonk type venue with wooden benches and lots of beer flowing.. even smoking allowed in the hall (for how long?.. who knows!!) But if you ever get the chance... don't miss this piece of Texas music history. The two performers we saw today were talented, but the second guy (Pete Anderson) and his band were great, foot-tapping fun. 

After a couple of iced waters (yes we actually did have that), we had one last walk through the town, including a quick snack at a german style beer garden.... (not Gruene's shining star!!!)  and a wander through the general store. It was time to figure out the next phase of our day, and considering the sun was shining and it was a lovely late afternoon, we figured the Salt Lick BBQ would be in order (we were all still a but hungry).

The Salt Lick is a Texas institution and has quite a unique story.. it is the most 'typical' Texas BBQ you will find in the Austin area... but if you go, go to the Driftwood location (  https://www.saltlickbbq.com/pages/Driftwood.html ) which is the original location... so cool, and you can BYOB. We forgot, but at only $12 for a bucket of six Shiner Bock beers, we were happy. The only problem (if you have read my previous posting) is that Saturday night is hugely busy there (remember they cook up 3000 lbs of brisket alone on a weekend night). Also a warm evening in March break added up to about 11/2 hour wait, if we wanted to eat inside.  We decided inside-eating was advisable considering the mosquitoes that were gathering to invade. But we were happy listening to the live music, drinking a beer and chatting to people around us. Once inside, the meal did not disappoint. Of course we were given enough food to feed a battalion and left-overs are on the horizon for tomorrow!!! Feeling like we would explode, we happily tested the springs on the truck and headed back to camp. Another terrific day and a gem of a surprise, considering the spontaneity of everything we did today.

 

Fri Mar 14 - San Antonio

Story of Gruene Hall

Fri Mar 14 - San Antonio 
Busy busy busy... off we go again.. reasonably early start for the drive to San Antonio. We stopped at Camping world in New Bruenfels on the way there to see if we could get a part for the BBQ.. no luck but a nice stop anyway. On to Gruene to see the old wooden music hall and a quick walk through town. We had forgotten how great this little village is... wanna come back soon. Free concert on Saturday!!!

Showing off Tickets to Leon Russell (Mar28)

Inside Gruene Hall

River Walk - crowds

Before the crowds arrive.

Mozies -Sliders, Dogs and Whiskey (on the sign)

Remember the Alamo... charge!!!!!

On to San Antonio. 
Nice sunny day and March Break equals crowds. Parking was a challenge and The Alamo was lined up for a block or so, and not being the type of people who like lining up, we decided to do the River Walk first... again crowds of people which made the stroll along the walk more like an elbow-fest.  But we enjoyed it nonetheless, and had a great lunch at an Irish pub, outside, while watching the crowds go by.

Good friends are special!!

We then took a buggy ride through town (thx guys). The driver (Jessie) and horse (Katie) were a great team and we learned a little more about some of the buildings and recent history of San Antonio. 

Lunch at the pub - Fish 'n chips anyone?

Thanks for the memories!!

Just plain silly in a buggy!!!

After a drink at the Menger Bar (one of the oldest West of the Mississippi and a favourite of Roosevelt) we headed back to camp.

I think Katie would plow straight into the van unless he stopped her!!

 Some heavy traffic on the way back, but thanks to Al's skilful driving, we made it back in good time and once again plowed into left-overs and a couple of drinks on the patio by our little red propane campfire. Lisa and Mike came over for a visit and we had a great evening.

Menger bar... note moose head!!

Menger Bar  - 1859

And back at camp......!!!

Thurs Mar 13 - SXSW/AUSTIN

Thurs Mar 13 - SXSW/AUSTIN

Outside the Moody Theatre

Bronze Willie and fans

What a busy day today. It started with a quick trip to 'Breakaway Records', a store in a northern suburb of Austin.. It carries old vinyl albums ... by the thousand  It was in a very eclectic area full of retro stores.. clothes, memorabilia from the 50's-80's era. We grabbed a coffee to go in the same strip mall. Couldn't help taking a photo of the somewhat adapted sign behind the counter at the coffee shop. Even the washroom was an experience... wall to wall graffiti. 

Playing the fool on Congress!

Headed down to downtown Austin to try and catch a flavor of the South By South West Festival (SXSW - locally known as "South by"). It is a huge annual music festival, but the main events are mostly attended by people in the music industry, as the tickets are over $650 per person for the week and includes all the concerts etc. Individual tickets for the events are not available, but the whole city gets into the festival mood. Sixth Street (and some other areas) is closed off to traffic and every bar (it is a street of bars) has live music. We started off going to see the location of Austin City Limits show (Moody Theatre) and were pleasantly surprised by a live outdoor stage and a really great band from the Netherlands, "Claes Cem". 

Bat Bar and batty people - Cheers Y'all

 After enjoying their performance we headed up to Sixth Street,  and walked up and down, but, unlike last week during the film section of the festival, most of the music was geared to a younger crowd than us (IE: head-banging music). It was still a fun time and we dropped in to The Bat Bar for a drink. We had a light lunch at restaurant on Sixth street, sitting outside in the 2nd floor outside patio. We watched the crowds walk by and enjoyed the atmosphere of the festival. SXSW is There sure were some interesting folk walking the streets. After a brief stop in the South Congress district to visit Allens boots and a couple of other stores and an outdoor craft fair, we headed home and enjoyed left overs and snacks for dinner, with a few drinks and social time together. Another great day with great friends.

Crowds on Sixth St during SXSW

We got a few laughs from this mobile rapper!!

Okay...Now What? Parking was a rare find!!!

Rows and Rows of Boots!!! Allen's boot store

DONE AND DONE!!

March 12 Tina and Al. Fredericksburg/LBJ/Picnic

Wed Mar/12  Tina and Al. Fredericksburg/LBJ/Picnic
So our friends Al and Tina arrived quite late, tired but still with enough energy (or maybe the frustrations of the trip) left for a drink. It was a late night but so great to have them here safe and sound... looking forward to a week of fun, sun and sightseeing.

First stop on the tour

In the morning, after breakfast, we figured we could make it to Fredericksburg, LBJ ranch and have a picnic lunch at the Becker Vineyards winery. Quick gathering of lunchy type food and off we went. We stopped at the LBJ ranch first for a drive through, stopping briefly at the info-centre and at each 'point of interest', listening  to the driving guide CD narration as we proceeded through the ranch. The audio narration included anecdotes from the Johnson family (including LBJ himself, his daughter). It added a great deal to the experience and allowed the imagination to wander back to when the Johnsons lived here.  We also checked out the burial grounds of the Johnson family, including the gravestones of LBJ and Ladybird. We were once again very taken with the ranch. To have lived on this ranch, must have been a truly authentic and awesome experience. The land is wide open, with herds of Bison, Longhorn cattle and Herefords in beautifully healthy condition. Also a plethora of wild animals and birds.. especially deer and antelope. 

Ladybird and LBJ grave-site and other family.

Cheers guys... Picnic lunch 'par-excellence'

After leaving LBJ ranch we headed, hungry, to the Becker Winery, which was mobbed with people in the tasting room, so we skipped the tasting and opted to buy a nice bottle of Merlot and sit outside in the grounds of the Winery for our picnic in the sun, even though it was a bit chilly it was such a lovely experience. Sausage, cheese, bagels, tomatoes, a glass of good wine and the company of good friends... it doesn't get any better than this. We have been to this winery before, and love the location, but Derek and I may take a day out to visit more of the many wineries in the area. Texas has some great local wine... who knew???!!!! After our lovely lunch we headed in to Fredericksburg for a walk through town. Again very busy (March Break), but fun to browse the interesting stores and tasting some hot Texas sauces. We bought some raspberry mustard sauce for dipping. Having had a light lunch we were hungry and headed to Randall's for some steak, mushrooms and onions. 
Unfortunately our BBQ just wouldn't heat up enough, but thankfully we had an expert 'closer' with us and Al  rose to the challenge.  The result was DELICIOUS. The meat was AAA Angus beef and the taste was heavenly. Between three of us we managed to eat only 11/2  of the three large steaks we bought (he sliced them) ...leftovers tomorrow!! A perfect end to a perfect day.