Shreveport Reg., LACentral Texas Wildflowers
April 21st, 2012 by admin
We made our spring visit to Johnson City during the first week of April to visit Mitch and the JC house. What a beautiful area. We had not seen it so green or been able to enjoy the wildflowers on previous visits due to the drought. We set up house keeping at our home-away-from-home in hill country, Songbird Meadows. It was great to see Patrick and Patti again. They are such great hosts and the setting and cabins are so relaxing.
Day one was a tortuous day of tree trimming, garden tilling, and waste disposal. Mitch is doing an awesome job on a landscape makeover. The next day we drove the Willow City Loop, just northwest of Johnson City. This narrow ribbon of road through private ranch land sparkles with brilliant colors from a mix of Blue Bonnet, Indian Paint Brush, Poppy, Indian’s Blanket, and more.
Lunch was in Fredericksburg, at the Auslander restaurant. It was not bad, but it was not special either. We found two great fabric and fiber shops in Fredericksburg. Sandy Jenkins Designs offers a broad array of quilting and needlepoint materials. Pocket Full of Poseys has a great variety of quilting materials. We ended the day with a fabulous meal in Driftwood at Salt Lick BBQ. Generous portions of meats (brisket, ribs, and sausage) are slow cooked over an open pit and accompanied by country sides (potato salad, beans, slaw).
Posted in Close-up Photography, Flowers, Johnson City, Texas, Travel | Comments (0)
Mt. Magazine State Park, Arkansas
December 20th, 2011 by admin
We wanted to get away for a few days; so we looked for some place off the beaten track, scenic, and quiet. Well, without a doubt we were successful. Mt. Magazine State Park in Northern Arkansas is all of these things and more. Perched atop the highest point in Arkansas on a limestone bluff overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley sits the park Lodge and 13 homey cabins.
Last night the wind howled across the face of the bluff. We huddled inside with a fire trying not to recall every scary story we had ever read or told.
The next morning, we woke to a sight we had seen many times from an aircraft, but never from our bedroom; the top of the clouds.
Returning to the cabin after a day of exploring small communities and an unexpectedly diverse wine region we were treated to this dramatic sunset near Havana, Arkansas.
Posted in Arkansas, State Parks, Travel | Comments (0)
Central Texas Wine
July 20th, 2011 by admin
The 30 short miles of Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, Texas are not only part of the beautiful Texas Hill Country they are home to 10 vineyards and wineries. Part of a larger network of Texas Hill Country Wineries this stretch of road is known as the Fredericksburg Wine Road 290. During our July trip to Johnson City, we were able visit two of the ten vineyards.
William Chris Vineyards - Hye, Texas
The William Chris Vineyards tasting room is located in a renovated farm house shaded by old oak trees in Hye, Texas. They produce small quantities of unique wines using 100% Texas fruit. We enjoyed their hospitality and brought home a few bottles of their Semillion 2010, Mary Ruth 2010, and the Cibola a fortified white wine.
Pedernales Cellars - Stonewall, TX
A bit further west we found Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall, Texas. From their hilltop tasting room you get a beautiful view of the surrounding vineyards and hills. Our host graciously explained each wine we tasted, all made from Texas fruit. We selected a few bottles of the Texas GSM 2010 (a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre), Texas Muscat Canelli 2010, and once again fell for a fortified wine the Texas Ruby.
After a morning tasting the great wines in this area we needed some food. We chose the Rathskeller Restaurant in the basement of the old Keidel Memorial Hospital in downtown Fredericksburg. The service was great and our schnitzel was just right.
We are ready to return and visit more of the vineyards on this stretch of road. These wines are really good and will have a growing place in my wine rack.
Posted in Johnson City, Texas, Travel, Wine | Comments (0)
Songbird Meadows B & B – Johnson City, TX
May 1st, 2011 by admin
In the hills just outside Johnson City we discovered a wonderful retreat. Songbird Meadows Bed and Breakfast sits at the end of the road, literally, atop the hills southeast of Johnson City. Owners Patti and Patrick McLead have created a wonderful get away for visitors to Texas Hill Country west of Austin. Songbird Meadows offers three nicely appointed cottages surrounded by oak and cypress.
Walking paths punctuated with places to sit and soak in nature complete the setting. As the name suggests, songbirds are the theme inside and out.
After your morning walk, you’ll find a picnic basket delivered to your cottage and filled with wonderful treats. Breakfast included a savory hot treat and fresh muffins, fruit, and juice.
We are certain that you too would find the hosts,lodging, food, and setting as wonderful as we did. We wish Patrick and Patti a full house everyday.
Posted in Johnson City, Texas, Travel | Comments (0)
Wimberley III
March 20th, 2011 by admin
Well, we were back in Wimberley Texas for a few days. This time we stayed at Slippery Rock on the Blanco, another property managed by Hill Country Premier Lodging. This little cabin is compact, cute, comfortable, and well located. We were right on the Blanco River in a beautiful location. The owner was very hospitable. He greeted us on arrival, shared local history, and made certain that our needs were met.
Posted in Texas, U.S. Cities | Comments (0)
San Francisco – NASP 2011
March 20th, 2011 by admin
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) held its annual convention in San Francisco this month. The convention was very well attended. Our LSUS contingent was the largest ever thanks to great participation by our graduate students. I enjoyed some very good sessions, co-presented on NCSP issues with some great colleagues, and even got a few opportunities to see a bit of San Francisco. On one walk, I encountered a flock of parrots in a small park. A few people were feeding them and it made for great picture opportunities.
Parrots in the park
Parrots in the park
Transamerica Pyramid
Bay Bridge
Embarcadero
Ferry Building
Cheese Monger in Ferry Building
I am already looking forward to the next convention. I wonder what Philadelphia will offer . . . .
Posted in San Francisco, Travel, U.S. Cities | Comments (0)
His Name is Espinoso (No-So)
March 5th, 2011 by admin
His name is Espinoso (No-So) and he is growing fast. Our friend, Miranda, suggested the name and we love it. Miranda operates My Pet’s Buddy and will care for Espinoso when we travel so it is only right that she had input. Since Espinoso came home about a month ago he has probably doubled in size. He is doing great and showing us new aspects of his personality daily. We did have to visit the vet, he came complete with mites. Our local Banfield Pet’s Vet treated him and he is feeling much better now. No-So snoozes all day and plays at night. He loves to play in his pen, find hidden meal worms, and climb on us. He is a surprisingly strong little critter. He loves to push toys (tubes, sticks, balls, rocks…) around his pen. We have discovered that he likes an occasional bath and to snuggle in a towel afterward.
Snuggly Mood
NOT a Snuggly Mood
Posted in Animals | Comments (0)
Wimberley II
February 4th, 2011 by admin
Li'l Rock N Wood
Wimberley, Texas has become home base for our real estate expeditions in central Texas. Once again we used the services of Hill Country Premier Lodging. This trip we are staying about 4 miles out of town in a property named Li’l Rock N Wood. It is a two bedroom guest house on a larger property. Although close to the main house we never knew we weren’t alone. This is a great setting for a small family or two couples.
Posted in Texas, Travel | Comments (0)
Our newest, nameless family member
January 16th, 2011 by admin
Our menagerie grew by one today. While scouring the Texas Hill Country for a home for my brother, Mitch, we came across Janda Exotic Animals. Well, an 8-week old African Pygmy Hedgehog adopted Betsy. He hasn’t told us his name yet. He is cute and cuddly in a pincushion kind of way. What strange animals. He has the face of a tiny dog, the feet of a mole, the belly of a hamster and then his special treats. His quills fit like a cap pointing in all directions. When he is happy, they all lay down and he is fairly smooth. Upset, he huffs and puffs little snorts, and rolls into a spiny ball. What will he be named?
Posted in Animals, Texas, Travel | Comments (0)
Wimberley, TX
December 24th, 2010 by admin
Sunset House
For our 33rd wedding anniversary we took a few days in Texas Hill Country. Home base was Sunset House perched high above Wimberley. Hill Country Sunset Premier Lodging rents several wonderful homes in the area. The house was well stocked and all we needed to settle in were a few groceries.
Sunset House
Blanco River View from Deck
Every morning and evening a little deer corn would bring visitors
Nearby, in Dripping Springs, is Trattoria Lisina. We enjoyed a good meal in a beautiful setting to celebrate our anniversary.
Wimberley has a thriving artist community. We visited Wimberley Glass Works, located on RR 12 between Wimberley and New Braunfels. The show room is filled with gorgeous pieces, predominately light fixtures. We were treated to a demonstration. A large glob of flowing, red hot glass became a multicolor vase in the skilled hands of the artist.
The Central Texas Bonsai Exhibit features living art. Owner Chuck Ware will answer all of your questions. We browsed the gardens amazed at these miniature expressions of nature.
Tags: Texas
Posted in Texas, Travel | Comments (0)