Trip to Hill Country - October, 2006

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

We both went to the office for a while, then Donna went home to start preparations, and I had a 10:00 Doctor's Appointment for my annual checkup.  I got home about 11:00 and we about ready to roll by 1:00pm.  Had a little trouble with the Falcon 2 Tow Bar.  The bars were stuck and would not extend properly.  After a bit of Silicone and banged, we finally go hooked up.  Then we went to Love's for fuel, and pulled out of there at 1:45pm. 

I drove the entire time, and we arrived in Bastrop at 5:30 pm, stopping only once just past Bryan for a Potty Break.  In Bastrop, we found the Wal-Mart Super Center with plenty parking room for us.  Of course, we had to visit the store for a few necessities.

We are headed to the Fredericksburg area, maybe the Blanco State Park.  Bastrop is on Hwy 71, which crosses I-35 and joins Hwy 290, just south of Austin.  We could have driven longer and further, but would have been right in the rush hour of Austin, so we just stopped here.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

We left the Bastrop Wal-Mart about 8 this morning, under totally cloudy skies.  The temperature last night was just barely below 70 degrees, but we didn't start the generator and A/C, so it was not all that comfortable sleeping.  By the time we got to Austin, the rain was beginning and it rained all the way to Fredericksburg.  We checked in about 10:30 at Fredericksburg RV Park, just south of downtown.

After a little bite of lunch, Donna took a nap, while I finished a book I had been reading.  We then drove downtown to walk a few blocks of the shops along the main drag.  After a couple of hours of browsing, and not buying anything, about 5:30 we decided to have some German Food for dinner.  We went to what had been described as the 'Best' in Fredericksburg, but, as yet, we don't know if the food is any good or not!  The restaurant was very small, only about 20 tables, and only 3 others were occupied.  We were seated immediately, given menus by the guy that seated us, and never saw him again.  After waiting for 15 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence, we walked out.

We drove on down the street to another German food place, with a Beer Garden, so we were able to eat outside, since the rain had stopped a couple of hours earlier.  The food was very good, reminding us of the great times we used have at Felton's Wursthaus in Lufkin.

After dinner we drove out to the NEW Super Wal-Mart, right across the street from the old one that my company had developed some 20 years or so ago.  The old Wal-Mart is now a Sutherland's Hardware and Lumber.

By the way, today was mine and Donna's 27 anniversary!! 

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Our plans for today include going to the Nimitz Museum and George Bush Gallery.  Then maybe drive over to Llano and Mason just looking around.  We will be back before the Lufkin Panther game on ESPN tonight at 6pm. 

We got to the George Bush Gallery, a part of the World War II xxx, a little before 10, and took a tour of the exhibits depicted events leading up to and through the end of the Second World War.   One of the artifact, although not prominently displayed was a section of the raft used by George Bush and his crew when shot down.  There were 4-5 signature on the piece including that of George H. W. Bush.  Admiral Nimitz was prominent throughout the exhibit, however, the Nimitz Museum area was closed for remodeling.  On the grounds of the area were numerous parts from ships on exhibit. 

There was a circle of plaques on granite monuments of all the Presidents from Hoover to George H. W. Bush.  Starting with Eisenhower, all had served in some capacity in the Armed Services.  Of course that tradition ended with Clinton, since he spent his time in England as a Draft Dodger. 

There is also a Japanese Garden there, but we skipped that and will go back maybe tomorrow.

We then drove over to Llano to look at the countryside.  The very old Courthouse on the Square was being restored, so I didn't bother with any pictures.  Llano is pretty much the deer hunting capital of this area with banners everywhere welcoming hunters.

We then drove on over to Mason to check out that town, and found a really neat cafe on the square.  Great lunch and good atmosphere in the old building with high ceilings and wood floors.

Back in Fredericksburg it was nap time, short one for me, long one for Donna.  We kinda snacked for supper and tuned in the Lufkin Panther game on ESPN2.  That's when the problems started.  For some reason the receiver could not pick up ESPN2, even it was working on most other channels.  After two calls to Dish, still no help, and I probably need to replace the receiver.

We were able to get the game on the Internet Radio from KYBI.  As I write this at 9pm, the game is in a Lighting Delay until 10pm (they said).  I just tried the Dish Network again, and now everything is working ok, and there is a substitute game on ESPN2.  Not sure if ESPN2 will re-join after the Lightning Delay or not, probably not.

Friday, October 27, 2006

drive to Kerrville.. breakfast in Kerrville

Drive to Hunt.. Hunt store.. Left message for John H.

Drive to Nopolites Mountain Ranch, take tour

Lots of deer

Drive to Medina.. apple pie at Love Creek Orchard

Drive to Bandera. lunch in old time cafe

Drive to Comfort, looked around. motorcycle wreck

Drive back to Fredericksburg.. 

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Drive to Luckenbach.. walked around.. went in store/bar

Drive to Blanco, Blanco State Park, picked up pecans.

Drive to Johnson City, looked around.

Drove thru LBJ National Area.. lots of deer.. drove along river, saw his house and Airport Runway.

Stopped at Wildseed Farms..

Drove by Wine and Food Tasting Festival on square in downtown.

About 4pm. went downtown and looked around some more.

Drove out to 'Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area', maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife.  This is the site of an old railroad tunnel, 920 feet long, and home to from 1 to 4 million Mexican Splittail Bats from about June to October.  Since is was the end of the season, only about a million bats were still there, and the emergence only lasted about 10 minutes.  When there ore 4 million in residence, the emergence takes up to 30 minutes.

Sunday, October 30, 2006

Left park about 7:30, went thru Austin, up I-35 to US 290, then stopped in Elgin at a Mexican restaurant for breakfast.

Home at 2:00