Blogs from Austin, Texas, United States, North America - page 33

Ok, I couldn't help myself. I LOVE kids, they always come to me, and this one was just too cute and friendly to pass up.... read more

The highlight of this past week was a visit to the 100 acre ranch of Ray and Marge Roolf in the Texas Hill Country. Ray is a nephew from Pittsburgh, who works at Kelly Airforce Base as a procurement manager for space shuttle fuels. Marge, originally from Washington,DC., teaches the 5th grade. They bought a ranch several years ago and last summer finished building their dream home on the land. It is very remote and beautiful. Bear Creek and another stream run through it, forming clean, natural pools along the way. The house is huge,beautifully built, with lot's of built-ins. Being able to walk this natural hill country ranch, and enjoy the wonderful hospitality of Ray and Marge were an important part of our trip to Texas. We have also been biking in various areas around ... read more

This is only the 2nd day we have seen the sun since we arrived in Texas.Jim and I have been busy however. First we have explored the Hill Country, visiting LBJ's boyhood home,(we were too late to visit his ranch). We watched as art glass was made in Wimberley, and bicycled the Guadalupe River Valley. We happened on the river road accidently and rode most of it with no traffic at this time of year. In San Antonio we rode the trolley all over town, had dinner at Landry's on the Riverwalk and attended the San Antonio Symphony. This was our Valentine's Day Celebration. The symphony is very good, (but not as good as the Pittsburgh!) The Majestic Theatre where they play is a part of the fun. It is very heavy, dark Spanish mission(mostly)and reminded ... read more

After 3 days of travel on the interstates, with heavy truck traffic, Jim and I arrived in Texas. My first impression of Texas is it is BIG and with lots of WIDE OPEN SPACES. So far it is also flat with big billboards everywhere. It is also booming. Austin is fast growing and up-to-date. In the pitch dark, we hunted for "Joy's Country Cabin". I can't imagine a better place than this lovingly restored pioneer cabin for exporing Austin, San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. It is Texas Rustic, but with all modern conveniences. The hill country is between the two cities. Our cabin is near Sequin a small town near Rt.10 northeast of San Antonio. The weather is in the 50's, and it is sunshining right now. In Texas this can vary, especially when ... read more

Finally, I get to break away for a little while.  I am going to see a friend of mine.  I will be flying into Mobile, Alabama, we'll head out to Biloxi, Mississippi then over to New Orleans for a bit.  I know it's not a spectacular European Vacation, but I have gone nowhere since being in Europe almost 2 years ago.  I am well over-due for a trip outta here. I leave in less than 2 weeks and as cheesy as it sounds I want to get as much as I can out of this trip.  I am looking into the "must see/must do's" of mostly New Orleans.  It has been a very long time since I have been there.  I was a small child and aside from the street jazz, dancing, sugar-dusted beignets, and the ... read more