I’m flying from Mexico City to San Antonio and my “Texas girl” Jennifer is picking me up so I can spend a week with her in Austin – woo hoo!!! No messing with the airport pickup, and along with her parents we head to the Alamo.
It’s my first time to visit San Antonio and I’m promptly given the relevant history. This whole state was once part of Mexico and the Battle of the Alamo, which took place here in 1836, ended with Texas becoming a self governing republic. [sidebar: California was part of Mexico at this time and Mexico had only just gained its independence from Spain in 1821]
After soaking up a bit of history we head to the Riverwalk, which is a busy stretch of winding walkway, with restaurants and bars on both sides of the river. It’s a lovely warm temperature with lots of people sitting outside.
We have a delicious meal with tasty margaritas and guacamole made at our table. Apparently the trick is a squeeze of fresh orange!
On Saturday we have a lazy morning catching up on all sorts and of course getting acquainted with Miss Milly or to give her her full title, Miss Millie Jane Scootaloo, Duchess of Milago. 😀
Time for a walk and to see how Austin has changed since I was here last, which was about fifteen years ago!
There’s an extensive green belt around the city and a really nice trail around the river, right outside Jennifer’s apartment. Plenty of interesting things to see as we walk around, including this statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan!
We stop at the library which is a very impressive building with lots of facilities and a massive volume of books. I’d love a library like this in my neck of the woods.
From the top of the library there’s a lovely outdoor area with some great views across the city.
This evening we have a delicious meal at Launderette restaurant and I get to meet a group of Jennifer’s friends which is lovely. We have some drinks at an outside bar (yep it’s that hot even in April!) and finish up with a few at Whisler’s, where they play the Smiths and the barman insists on us having a shot with him. All in all a great night!
Next morning is Easter Sunday and that bunny must have snuck in when I was sleeping…
I’m excited to check out a Methodist church service and I’ll tell ye, it was very enjoyable. So different to a catholic mass, it’s way more informal and inclusive of everyone and I didn’t get bored!!! I even got up to join in the Hallelujah chorus that they traditionally sing each Easter – it was great fun.
After church we have a family picnic and I’m introduced to another Easter tradition, which is a new one on me, where you smash confetti-filled eggs called Cascarones on each others heads. It’s a southwestern / Mexican tradition and was great fun even if I did manage to whack the boys before realising I should crack the egg over them!! While great fun to do the cracking, I don’t envy whoever has to clean up the confetti – it wasn’t myself or Jennifer as we had to leave for an important date with a chicken!!!
For another special Easter treat, we head to THE LITTLE LONGHORN SALOON for some “Chicken Shit Bingo” – yep you heard me, we’re going to watch some chickens shit and see if we can win some money!!!
It’s the maddest thing I’ve ever seen. At the back of the bar there’s a long line of people queuing to buy a ticket, including people who’ve traveled from Spain and Canada (no kidding, apparently it’s quite famous!). You get a number and when all the tickets are sold and everyone is gathered around the bingo cage, a chicken is put in and we all wait with bated breath for it to poop! Whoever’s number the poop lands on is the winner!
We didn’t win but we had great fun for the two rounds we took part in. It was very exciting!!
We also managed to climb up on this old truck for prime viewing of the bingo crowd. While it was fairly handy to get up there, I was struggling a bit on the descent but low and behold, a big burly cowboy reached up (don’t ask me how as it happened so quick I’m not even sure) and lifted me down, with a little twirl and plopped me safely on the ground as if I weighed a feather! Much appreciated sir! 🤠
Back inside we hang out and watch the band who are really good and there’s even a bit of dancing going on.
And at the last minute we managed to meet the chicken shit lady herself – famous in these parts for running the Little Longhorn and I’ll tell ye, she takes no messing!
We have a delicious burger at Hopfields to close out the evening – what a day!! Next morning we are up and out as we drive to Enchanted Rock.
Enchanted Rock is a pink granite mountain with an elevation of approx 556 metres. It is the largest monadnock, (an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain), in the USA!
It’s like a mini Uluru and we are delighted to climb it. We take our time though, it is roasting out here! Lots of stops and photo ops!
After our climb we drive the Willow city loop and see some beautiful scenery. It really is nice around here – the land feels vast, and it’s Texas so I suppose it is!
Time for a little respite, and we are in wine country, so we head to Fredericksburg and do some wine tasting. We visit William Chris Winery and get lots of info from this guy who is very excited to talk to us!
The wines are interesting, one red in particular is delicious and we have a glass of that outside on the porch to enjoy the grounds and the sunshine.
We’re getting hungry and there’s no way we’re gonna last until we get back to Austin so we decide to stop for some dinner. We go to Proof and Cooper at The Old Lumber Yard in Johnson city for BBQ and it’s delicious.
Next day I’m left to my own devices as the General (that’s how I like to refer to Jennifer) has to go to work. [sidebar: she is quite the high powered executive – very impressive as she walks out the door] . I have a bit more of a lie-in and then head out for a run. I end up stopping quite a few times for some photos of the city.
Spotted this bird walking along the plank with the reflection in the water – so cute.
The pathway is so nice around the lake, I cover a much longer distance than planned.
Back home I grab a sandwich in the local deli and spend the rest of the afternoon at the pool. Oh yes… April in the sunshine – I love it!
Once Jennifer is finished work, we meet up with her sister and friend and go to a really cool bbq restaurant called Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar. It’s a bbq place with an Asian twist. The food is great and the cocktails are amazing – I get a tasting of slushies – have you ever had a gin and tonic slushy – well I can recommend it!
After dinner, on the way home, we hit the main Texas grocery store , which I’m excited to check out – it’s called H-E-B and it’s been around since 1905. It’s still privately owned and it’s massive!
Next morning I’m out for another trek on the trails and around the lake – this time a walk as opposed to a run and I try to cover some different ground.
It’s such a great spot for a walk and the weather is just glorious.
I have to pack today as I’m on a very early flight tomorrow so I spend some time at the pool….. (of course!)….
…… do some laundry and I’m packed and organised by the time the General gets home from work with some Detroit pizza. I’d never had Detroit pizza before – it’s rectangular, deep dish with a thick crust – delish for our final meal with a glass of wine!
The final thing that was on my list to do while I’m here is to see the bats leave the Congress Bridge at sunset. When the bridge was remodelled in 1980, it left deep narrow crevices between the beams and it turned out to be the perfect bat habitat. In spring and summer approximately 1.5 million bats emerge from the bridge every night and fly east, most to hunt for insects along the Colorado River. It is truly awesome to see them fly in the sky – in fact we saw them last night too as we were driving home- a long long line in the sky… it’s very cool!
Well that’s my Texas trip, Austin is such a great place to visit and especially when in good company. Until next time!
odohertyelaine 