Welcome to my accounting of a nine-week road trip to remember – a trip to avoid our Wisconsin winter. While we were away, we were watching the wind chills, snow accumulations and school closures which affected all of our midwestern family and friends, as well as folks in other parts of the U.S. It’s been decades since we’ve had such a brutal winter, with record snowfalls and waaaaay below zero temps for so many people. Boy, did Jim pick a good year to retire, so we could get away from it all!

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.

While we were worried about back home, we experienced lower than average temps almost everywhere we went, with just a few exceptions. We dealt with lots of rain – torrents at times – and some record rain and snowfalls all around us as we anticipated our next move out of the Phoenix area and through some higher elevations and into Las Vegas. For the most part, our timing was pretty fortunate, although on a couple of occasions we made adjustments in our schedule if things didn’t work out quite as planned. As awful as that sounds, we got very little sympathy from the folks back home. They would have appreciated being chilly in flip-flops over what they had going on!

A Little Family Time

Our first stop included two nights in Iowa to visit my brother. We had hoped to take a drive around Marion to see how many houses we could still remember that our dad built back in his carpenter days. We had also hoped to visit a small town just a short jaunt from Marion. Stone City has a great restaurant called The General Store (with great Bloody Marys), which sounded appealing to us all. Also back in the day my parents had some land near there, where dad built several cabins. Another incentive for a visit was to snoop around and see how many of them were still standing after the flooding of the Wapsipinicon River nearly every year since the 1980s.

But temperatures plummeted on the way to Marion and stayed frigid during our entire visit, so we didn’t get out to do anything that we had hoped, other than fetch dinner and go see a movie. We had several bags and boxes of supplies as well as refills of toiletries, etc. that we had hoped would stay in the car on our shorter visits, but for this stop they all had to be unloaded to save them from the freezing. We left Iowa a few hours earlier than expected because of a weather forecast that included freezing rain, finally getting ahead of that just south of I80, and once we left – conditions continued to worsen. Sorry Johnny, but we are hitting the road!

An Old Favorite

Dropping farther south, our next stop was a three-nighter at the Wilderness Club at Big Cedar in Ridgedale, MO – a timeshare we frequent. For photos of that area, please visit my Missouri tab above. We’ve been there so many times, these days I like to enjoy this special place in real time – without a camera in hand. I will however, show you just a couple of photos of the fabulous new building at the Cliffs at Long Creek. Since we were staying at the Wilderness Club, the front desk let us snoop around and gave us a key so we could check out a new two bedroom unit at the Cliffs.

While we enjoyed temps in the 50s in Missouri (which seemed chilly), our family and friends back home were setting records that I was glad we were missing. The temps seemed to be going up and then way down and then back up, so for now anyway we can enjoy our trip, without worry about busted pipes and my kiddos getting frostbite!

Magnolia Market

Farther south, our route took us right by Waco, Texas. Just hearing the name of that city conjures up thoughts of Chip and Joanna, and even Jim wanted to stop and see what the hubbub was all about. This was quite possibly the shortest stop of the trip, combining a potty break with a quick glimpse to see if another visit at a later date would be warranted. Our answer to that question was oh ya!

Magnolia Market at the Silos has a fantastic campus for relaxing in the sunshine. I’m not sure that Joanna designed the awesome beanbag chairs in the photo below (that match the awnings on the buildings behind them) for checking Facebook or emails, but everyone of the occupants seemed to think so.

Purchases at the shop aren’t cheap and not all items are made here, but if you’re hoping to bring something home that’s from the show, there’s a wall with metal signs designed by Joanna and handmade by a local metalwork artisan. The shop is loaded with the shabby chic look that Joanna’s known for. I could have gone a little crazy, but reigned it in and only got a marvelous smelling candle and a travel mug – both with the Magnolia logo.

If we had more time, I’m sure we would have imbibed in some BBQ from any one of the food trucks available onsite. As we soon found out, food trucks are all the rage in Texas.

Lakeway, Texas

Our next destination was a week at the Texas Timeshares in Lakeway, Texas. These are octagonal houses dangling off the hillside over the Colorado River, but not THE Colorado River!

“At over 800 miles long, the Texas Colorado River is one of the longest rivers to start and end in the same state… Its headwaters begin in northwest Texas, and the river flows southeast, supporting many different communities and ecosystems and eventually emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Matagorda Bay. Along the way, its reservoirs form the Highland Lakes [Lake Travis in Lakeway], and it flows through downtown Austin.” – READ MORE

I think all of the houses are two bedroom, with two bathrooms and all the amenities to make them feel like home. Although some pickier folks may have wished for an update, ours was very nice and clean and the bed was really comfortable. We enjoyed the privacy of having the entire house to ourselves without the worry of neighbors thinking our TV was too loud or upstairs neighbors stomping around. We could come and go as we pleased, as long as we applied the parking break when we parked just outside our door.

Remember the Alamo

Since we were leaving Texas after our one stop in Lakeway, we hoped to see as much as we could of the Lone Star State. As it turned out, this location was fantastic! Close to Austin and several other historic small towns, we had a great time checking out Texas on several day trips around the area.

After one down-day to sleep in, get groceries and get organized, the next day was going to be great weather for our longest day trip – to San Antonio. About 90 minutes away (longer with traffic), it seemed worth the longer drive to see the Alamo and the River Walk.

Trying to find parking on the street was a nightmare, so we opted for 4 hours in a parking lot for about $18. Since everything we wanted to see today was in close proximity, after parking we could forget about the car for a while. We had a great day, with sunny skies and warm temps.

We were greeted by three gentlemen dressed in 1830s fashion who could answer questions regarding weapons, accommodations, clothing or just about anything else that comes to mind. There is a museum and throughout the campus are stations with lots of info about the Alamo.

Back in 1836, when the powerful Mexican General Santa Anna had started his journey to take back the Alamo, Sam Houston wanted the fort abandoned and the cannon removed. No reinforcements were sent in to help after that decision was made, even though James Bowie and the rest of the soldiers – and men from neighboring states – decided to defend the fort. In the museum are the names of the men who died and which state they called home before leaving to help with the effort. I guess I didn’t realize that Davy Crockett met his demise at the Alamo, as well as everyone else who fought alongside him – not for the lack of trying (they killed nearly 600 Mexican soldiers), but simply because they were grossly outnumbered 4000 to 180.

Although they lost that battle, it prompted Sam Houston to lead the Texans to victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Texans rallied to the cry of “Remember the Alamo!” during the battle. I thought it was pretty fascinating, and that’s saying something, given the fact that I’m usually not the history geek in our duo.

We walked several blocks to see the infamous River Walk. Even with bare trees and empty flower containers this place was beautiful. I would love to spend a couple of days here, especially with the flowers in bloom and the trees leafed out. We could make an afternoon or two out of stopping at the unique shops and restaurants (and bars) along the way down this amazing waterway.

The River Walk

With so many choices for lunch, we usually go with Mexican, since we can always agree on that. Rita’s (pictured below) was our choice for this day, and even though we opted to not have (marga)Ritas and the food was pretty average, it was a very pleasant lunch. Heaters were strategically placed near the outdoor seating area. At the time they seemed a little silly, given the warmth of the day, but when the fuse blew and the warmth of those heaters disappeared, we understood why they had them blasting. Maybe we should have picked an establishment in the sun.

We finished our lovely walk along the most well-known part of the Walk, but wanted to complete the circle and see the less-travelled side. We found it much more relaxing and very beautiful, with fewer people and less congestion.

What a wonderful day in San Antonio! Two years later we returned and stayed at the Eilan Hotel & Spa near the northern end of the River Walk. This proved that staying closer in was the way to go. Visit “Alamo City” for some awesome photos of the Pearl District.

San Marcos

Next day trip was to San Marcos, which was about an hour’s drive. It was a quiet little town with a courthouse as its centerpiece.

Usually when there is a town square, shopping, bars and restaurants are strategically placed all around it. Although Jim didn’t mind (penny pincher that he is), I was a little disappointed there was no shopping. I love to window shop in antique shops or storefronts with local art.

Although we were a little offended by the “Hippies Use Back Door” sign in the window, I got excited seeing the shop in the photo below. That was until we realized it was a smoke shop – for all your cigarette, cigar, and chew needs. Never mind. We gravitated towards some breakfast at Cafe on the Square before heading out. I really liked the immense paintings on the wall of the diner that have remained on those walls for years – from owner to owner. The breakfast burrito was pretty good too!

Rio Vista Park

On the edge of town was the awesome Rio Vista Park. Several folks were enjoying the lovely day and we watched a man in a kayak practicing his skills in the path of the small waterfall. I’m sure his arms got a good workout as he tried to paddle up the falls, flipping over several times and then righting himself. Although the day was quite warm, I’m thinking that water probably was not.

New Braunfels

Since it was still early, we continued on to New Braunfels. If you click on the link, you’ll see there’s lots to do in this small town, so we only scratched the surface.

The Phoenix Saloon looked very interesting to us, and we had planned to return for a beer after checking out the rest of the town. It has quite a history dating back to 1871. In 1895 it became The Phoenix Saloon and in the back room cafe, proprietor William Gerhardt was the first to serve his new invention – chili powder. Now what would we do without THAT?

“Originally established in 1871, The Phoenix Saloon was the first bar in Texas to serve women. It had a beer garden with a bell in a tree for service… as it would besmirch a lady’s reputation to enter the bar.” – Visit the Website

Krause’s Biergarten

Across the street was Krause’s Biergarten and Cafe, a pretty cool place that celebrates its German heritage with so many beverage choices, it was difficult to make up our minds. We both ended up with something local.

“Our lively outdoor garden houses one of the largest tap walls in New Braunfels, offering a wide selection of local craft brews and hometown favorites, while paying homage to the history of our great city. Grab a brew with your crew or wind down for the day with any choice on tap at Krause’s Cafe.

As citizens of a German town steeped in strong traditions, we take pride in serving classic Deutsche meals with a Texas flair. From schnitzel and bratwurst with sauerkraut and spicy mustard, to pretzels and potato soup, our menu offers a taste of Germany deep in the heart of the Lone Star State.” – READ MORE

Although the inside looked inviting, we decided in celebration of being anywhere but home with their extreme windchills, we’d sit outside in the sun. There was a nip in the air, but we suffered through.

How About a Little Shopping?

We walked around the downtown for a little longer and found this fabulous antique store – jam-packed with great stuff, all neatly organized. Now we’re talking!!

The Amazing Hamilton Pool

Our next day trip was only about half an hour away. The beautiful Hamilton Pool had a short path down to a lovely area that we had almost all to ourselves. The shadows were wicked at the time we arrived at the pool itself, but on the way in the sun shown brightly on the turquoise waters of the stream that drained it.

Click on the link for some very beautiful photos of this area in the summertime. The website also mentions the reservation system that is in place from March 1 through October 31, where reservations are required every day. Even in January on the weekend, we should have had one – and since we didn’t – we had to return several days later. I guess they use this system to keep the traffic down, for less wear and tear on this beautiful place, or to make extra money for its upkeep.

“Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. The pool is located about 23 miles west of Austin, Texas off Highway 71. Since the 1960s, Hamilton Pool has been a popular summer swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot waterfall flows.

The pool is surrounded by large slabs of limestone that rest by the water’s edge; large stalactites grow from the ceiling high above. The ceiling and surrounding cliffs of the grotto are home to moss, maidenhair fern and cliff swallows. The Ashe juniper (cedar) uplands of the preserve are home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

The natural pool and creek are not chemically treated, so water quality is monitored regularly and swimming is occasionally restricted. Hamilton Pool is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and is a protected environment.” – READ MORE

We saw a gentleman in an official-looking shirt and realized he was a ranger. He was eager to tell us all about this beautiful place.
The jade-colored water and the small beach gave this area a tropical feel, even though we were in the heart of Texas. I guess the water isn’t so beautiful once the hoards arrive to cool down on a hot summer day.

It was a lot cooler under the limestone, and even though the stalactites were dripping like crazy, we were dry and had a great view of the falls. I thought I’d try a different angle to show the beauty of the underside of the ledge, which makes the next photo look like it’s flipped upside down. The colors of nature never cease to amaze me.

Day Trip to Austin

The next day we went into Austin for a tour with AO Tours Austin. It was a nice 90-minute tour which covered 30 miles, 50+ points of interest and gives a great overview of this college town. We were told about the loops that weren’t really loops and the streets that change names willy-nilly and lakes that weren’t really lakes, which made us happy that we had a tour guide for this visit. One thing that wasn’t ideal was that there was a camera crew on board that was taping a local show about staycations in Austin. They didn’t ask us any questions, thank goodness and were more interested in our tour guide and his company. He definitely had a great sense of humor, so it was a great time. Unfortunately we forgot all about the taping, so I can’t vouch for how beautiful we looked on TV!!

“Our professional and entertaining guides will show you Austin’s tourist attractions and must-see iconic points of interest, and give you insight into Austin’s rich history. We’re the only Austin tour to include the historic and trendy East Austin, the African American Cultural Historic District. Discover local hangouts, the live music scene, unique (weird) culture, extraordinary gastronomic scene (this town is a foodies dream destination), local arts, outdoor lifestyle, lively parks, trendy shopping districts, and the Hill Country’s lakes and vistas.” – READ MORE

Bridge-full of Bats

One of the highlights of the day was the photo below. The Congress Avenue Bridge is where LOTS of bats roost during the summer months. Check out The bats of Congress Avenue Bridge to see a great video.

“Every summer night, hundreds of people gather to see the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin, Texas. These 1.5 million bats are fun to watch, but they’re also making our world a better place to live.” from YouTube

Time for a Break

After the tour, we walked around Austin for a while to check out the atmosphere and Stubb’s Bar•B•Q for a little lunch. Unfortunately we weren’t able to check out the Live Music, but we did check out the Cold Beer and we can vouch for that, and the barbecue!

It was a nice day in the Texas sun, but this is one place I wouldn’t have to come back to, unless we had tickets to Austin City Limits.

Keep Austin weird!

That about does it for Lakeway. What a great time in a state that I’ve only passed through in the past.

Next up: Oil Fields to Radiant Skies

Happy trails,
Barb