Tag Archives: Travel

Rustic Log Cabin B&B, Fredericksburg, TX

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Fredericksburg, Texas holds just under 400 bed and breakfasts. That’s right, 400. If you plan on staying in this area, I highly recommend going this route. Not only does it bring comfort but also increases the sense of charm into where you are staying. Fredericksburg has strong and rich heritage and one might as well soak it in the best they can.

Absolute Charm is one of the main companies in town that helps to run the B&B’s (there are a few). Since there are so many B&B’s available, it eases making a reservation and coordinating this part of the trip. The neat thing about it is that you actually have to “go into town” to get your information, directions and keys to where you’ll be staying. To get my keys and directions, I headed to Absolute Charm on the west side of Main Street. I brought a sense of adventure.
To find the building, I was told to look for the quilts. That wasn’t a joke. There were beautiful, detailed quilts hanging outside but once you walk in, it’s taken to an entirely different level. I loved them so much, I had to share a few. You will be tempted to buy one or two. I was handed a folder of information, including directions, information about where I’d be staying and a coupon for my breakfast the next morning. The great thing about the B&B’s is you can choose what you are looking for, within town, outside of town or way out there in the country. There will be something that fits your taste.
My lodging was actually about five to eight minutes outside of town along Highway 290, called Cherry Springs Suite. Conveniently, next to the road leading to Luckenbach (I have a deep love for this place). The location and the type of B&B was right on the money for me. Quiet, country views, log cabin. My room, was adjacent to another room which shared a kitchen area but each room had a private living room, bedroom and full bath. Log cabin detail, with rustic detailing, wooden floors, leather couch, massive king size bed. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

Cherry Springs was surrounded by a few other cabins, a small winery and a restaurant. If you were done with driving for the day, you definitely wouldn’t have to drive any further. What you needed was all within walking distance. On the flip side, if you did want to drive out to Luckenbach for some live music or to town for dinner, shopping, etc., it’s definitely within an easy drive.
My stay was convenient, comforting, accommodating, safe and most of all it provided a great feel for the area that I was staying in. If you go to the Hill Country, you want to experience it in every sense, that includes where you are staying.
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Disclaimer: I was not compensated but did receive one night’s stay at the Cherry Springs Suite in return for this post. All photos and opinions are 100% my own.

Bill’s 30th in Austin

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Over the weekend of May 11th, I headed down to Austin to catch up with some friend’s and celebrate Bill’s 30th Birthday. Bill is a friend who I use to work with in Vermont, who moved to New Jersey after I moved to Texas. His friends from New Jersey moved to Austin last year and well here we all were reuniting! Seriously, some of the best people to hang out with!
In honor of Bill’s 30th, we enjoyed some of the best things to do in Texas!
This time in Texas is phenomenal. I’ve mentioned the wild flowers but photos do no justice. They lined highway 35 from Fort Worth to Austin. Also along the way, well everytime I travel down that way, I see this old farmstead off the highway. I actually took the access road this trip to make sure I got a picture. It reminds me of the farm in Second Hand Lions. (One of the best movies of all time!)
Stop Number 1: We floated tubes down the Guadalupe River, just south of New Braunfels and Gruene. Obviously, I didn’t take my camera. I wasn’t taking a chance with my clumsiness. The camera would’ve made it in the water before I would have. I will tell you, that it was one of the MOST scenic and beautiful places I have ever seen. As soon as our trip down the river was done, I was ready to do it again just for the view! Old, large trees were coming out of the water banks, beautiful homes lined the river and at one point there was a huge rock scale that went hundreds of feet up along the river bank.
Stop Number 2: Just down the road from the river is the small town of Gruene. One of my favorites and another place that I can check off the list for visiting twice (because once wasn’t enough). We had dinner at Cantina del Rio which is pretty much tucked away next to Gruene Hall. Fish tacos and a sangria margarita (voted best in the county) are the way to go! (And the prices were very reasonable!)
We then walked around town and checked out some local shops.
Donkey’s – they’re so cute!
I was beyond excited about these chairs. Dad – we’re going to make some!
Stop Number 3: It’s amazing we still had energy for this. Saturday night was spent out on 6th Street in Austin. Rooftop bars, closed off streets and we even got the birthday boy to ride a mechanical bull!
Adventures always carry into the next day, right?!
The Salt Lick
Good BBQ, live entertainment, a vineyard in the backyard and most importantly, good company.
You can’t go wrong!
By the way, the musician sounded just like Willie Nelson. I was a little excited!
Happy 30th Birthday Bill! I hope you were able to enjoy every moment and have memories that will last a lifetime… you old man!

Duck Commander

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So as many of you know, we attended a wedding in Fort Walton Beach, Florida this past weekend. This meant a 10-12 hour drive, one way, depending on how many times we stopped. Driving thru five states with good people is pretty fun but more on all that goodness later. I’m about to tell you about greatness.
Now, Sy and I have become hooked on this show called Duck Dynasty. It is greatness. It’s based on these hillbillies in Louisiana that became millionaires by inventing duck calls. Regardless, they are funny, wise and completely personable and I can’t get enough. If you haven’t seen the show, take a moment to stop reading this post and go ahead and set your DVR to record every upcoming episode. Go ahead. Every episode. Yes I’m serious. Good? Alright!
So our trip began bright and early Thursday morning. I was first to drive out of the metroplex (YAY! Out of the metroplex we go!) and headed east! A couple pee breaks (thanks Ray!) and we finally hit our first gas fill up, randomly taking an exit in Monroe, LA. Here I was, at this little ole gas station (not even realizing what town I was in) and looking across the street seeing this sign that says “Bayou Pawn”. Wonder what they had in there is really all that was going thru my head. I got booted from driving and as soon as we got back onto the road, I grabbed Sy’s cool phone with the Internet and started Diana’s rambling.
“I wonder where Duck Commander is.”
“On the way back we have to stop at Duck Commander!”
“It’s a weekday, I wonder if Uncle Si is at Duck Commander.”
“Ah hell, we should’ve tried to find it on our way thru Monroe!”
“We ARE stopping on the way back!” Period.
Sunday rolls around. I have been driving from Fort Walton Beach and we’re rolling into Monroe. Florence, the navigation on Sy’s phone, tells me to exit. I exit. Take a left. I take a left. I go over the highway overpass and stop at the light. What do I see in front of me… Bayou Pawn. !&%@(!
I’m not even kidding you, I took the first right past Bayou Pawn and Duck Commander is sitting right there on the left. Thursday, I was across the street from this place and I didn’t even know it and with my luck Uncle Si and the rest of the gang was in Duck Commander and I was with my city folk across the street. How does this happen?! Next time, I’m going to be prepared! We’re planning ahead!
 My Sy standing next to Uncle Si and the crew! “Hey” “Hey”
Phil!
City boy. Country girl. Duck Commander love!
We just spent the last three days on a white sandy beach on the Florida coast, at a wedding at that and this is the only picture we got together all weekend. Ah well! It’s Duck Commander!
The ducks are still on the roof but it looks like Willie got a new door to his office!
To the folks at Duck Commander, you are fantastic! I’ve even convinced a guy at work to grow out his beard (or maybe he’s convinced me he will do it). We’re coming back thru in September… how about you just happen to be around one Saturday morning? Please?!Now the real question – let’s be realistic here, we weren’t the only ones that stopped to take a picture so I’m figuring there’s some traffic to check out the building. Are any of the guys actually there during the week?