Mister's Bluebonnet Pictures - A Bit Behind

 Mister's pictures from our 2024 Bluebonnet drive.  His eye is always so cool.  To compare to my picks - here is the LINK to my post.  Enjoy.

2024 Bluebonnet Drive and Waxahachie

 Apparently, the bluebonnets are making an early appearance in Texas and since we have some plans for the next two weekends, today is our day to hunt for them.  At first we were worried that it was just too early, but . . . enjoy the eye candy.  We did.  (All my pics except where noted and I feel like bluebonnets would rather be seen with the eye than the camera - they see the lens and hide.)

Brock and Jill and Greyson - Round Two - Day 3 - Grapevine, LEGO Land, Meow Wolf and Ephesians

 Rain, rain, go away --- we want to play!  I don't think it will happen at all today, so a punt is required.  We rarely get rain that is socked in for a full day, but today just such a thing is happening and it will continue until tomorrow.  Be that as it may, as I said - "Punt."  Mister has to work in Irving again all day today, so everyone is up early to drop him off at 8.  Grapevine is just down the road and we have planned our day for that area.  First up --- Breakfast!  We find a spot downtown that is open --- you would think from the picture that it is the bakery, but you would be wrong.  it is Chez Fabien, the Bistro.  Oh, and breakfast is divine.  Truly.  This Strawberry Romanoff Crepe is to die for.  It was large enough that all had a share and even Greyson declared it "Yum."

Brock and Jill and Greyson - Round Two - Day 2 - Northpark Mall and Taste of Fort Worth

What to do - what to do?  I have a driving schedule for today and am trying to figure out how to fit some fun in.  Mister has to be in Irving for meetings from noon to eight.  Brock is in conference until 4.  Jill and Greyson are ready for anything.  We let Brock and Jill sleep in a bit and get Greyson fed and ready for the day.  He and I leave to pick her up and decide to go be mall walkers for a bit (I have to be back at the house by 11 to take Mister to Irving - this is one of those times when one car is a bit harried and Mister's meetings were TOTALLY unexpected when we planned this visit with Brock and Jill).

Girls Trip - Day 1

 Ahh - the BEST way to kick of a new year?  A trip with the girls.  For sure, for sure.  I am soooo excited to get this one underway.  Kelly has made the supreme effort to drive four hours just to give little old me a ride today.  There are days when having only one car bites, and today is one of them.  She arrived last night and after some sleep, we are ready to drive (once again, out of the way - oh, poor Kelly) to Frieda's for the night.  Let's get this party on the road - some stops may happen along the way.

Road Trip Time Day 33 - Moriarty, NM to Home

 Good Morning!  Guess what?  The interstate is open again.  Can you believe that I40 was backed up for 18-20 hours.  Oh man.  Some of the pictures from online were crazy.  So glad we hopped off and got some sleep.  We don't get a crazy early start, but by the time we get to Amarillo, it's 1:00 and I want food.  I have looked up a brewery in the area and take us to it.  It turns out to be the cheesiest tourist trap in Texas.  Mister just shakes his head at me and in we go.  I had no idea, honest.  We wait for a seat at the bar and as soon as one opens up, we order and I decide to walk a bit and take some pictures.  I mean if we're going to be touristy, let's do it up right.

This is a Route 66 Roadside Attraction.  The Big Texas Steak Ranch is the home of the "free 72oz. steak" and this place has been feeding hungry travelers since 1960.  Crazy, right?

Baird Visit Stop - Heading Home from Abilene

On the way back to Dallas today, we made a stop in Baird.  We've been here once before and here is the LINK to previous stop.  Today, we are hoping to revisit Primal Brewing, but it is no longer here.  Well, how about a stop at the visitor center.  It wasn't open during our last visit and learning more about the small towns in Texas is fun for both of us.  The visitor center is located in the old Texas and Pacific Railway Depot.  The Texas and Pacific Railway arrived here in 1880, platting a town near the work camp of Matthew Baird, surveyor and engineer.  In 1881, the T&P built a roundhouse and immigrant house, and moved a depot building to this new railroad division point.  The town of Baird prospered and became county seat in 1883.  A frame depot built in 1905 converted to storage when replaced by this two-story brick depot in 1911.  The prairie style building features a decorative belt course, overhanging eaves, low-pitched roof, and unusual Flemish style parapet.  In 1977, the railroad discontinued use of the building, which still recalls the town's importance as a shipping point.  Pictured below is the view from the depot.  Courthouse at the other end.

Jon's College Graduation

 With 19 grandchildren, I knew the day would come when the college graduations would start.  It's here and I'm leaving retreat for a drive to San Angelo to witness Jon's graduation.  I have about a 3 1/2 hour drive this morning and the ceremony is at 10.  I manage to arrive with about 20 minutes to spare and it was a lovely drive this morning.  I didn't stop to take any pics but will try on the way back this afternoon - yes, I'm driving back as well today.

Weatherford Boardwalk

 On the way back from meeting up with Jen, I mentioned to Mister that I had read about a Boardwalk on Lake Weatherford.  It is the longest floating boardwalk in the U.S. and stretches over 4,300 feet long across the water.  Now, whether there will be water today remains to be seen.  This is Texas, after all and lake have their moments - this just may  not be the right one.  Off we go.

It starts out in a wooded area and not really any water right now, but as we continued on --- the surroundings just became more and more beautiful.  Looking both directions from a bridge along the boardwalk.

Thurber, TX History and Time With Family

 With an upcoming trip to Ohio looming, Mister and I are meeting Jen and family in Thurber, TX to borrow her car rack.  It worked so well in Missouri last year and I'm hopeful for the same result this go round.  We left Dallas around 10:15 and zoomed right to Thurber.  We had a great lunch at the New York Restaurant on the Hill and visited for awhile before deciding to check out the museum here.    While at the restaurant, there was a LOT of information on the menu.  I snapped pictures so y'all could read it if you so desired.  Ya probably need to really enlarge it though.  The history of this area is amazing and so fascinating to me.  It's pretty mind boggling that there is VERY little remnant of the city that once occupied this area.  Crazy, right?

Just below the restaurant is the W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas.  Now, the camera can come out.

Bluebonnet Trails 2023 - Fabulous

 

Up before the sun and driving south a bit.  We are in search of bluebonnets this morning.  I've heard they are out and we know a few cool spots - so away we go.  As we arrive at one of our locations, the sun is just making her appearance.  There are bluebonnets everywhere, but they blend in right now.  This is going to be another "sheer beauty" post - so little commentary and lots of pictures.

Weekend Fun in East Texas - Corsicana

 Good Monday Morning.  Why is it good?  Well, because we're still out roaming around Texas and not working today.  Woot woot.  We do have to be home this evening, but today is still all ours.  We're off to Corsicana for our first stop.  I LOVE towns like this and wish it wasn't a Monday.  We will have to return for a closer visit, but until then, we'll soak up as much as we can.  In front of the courthouse is a bronze statue.  Since 1936, he has stood watch in front of the county courthouse that bears his name, and it was in honor of his father that the county seat came to be named.  Jose Antonio Navarro was born near San Antonio in 1795.  His place in Texas history includes a distinction of bein gone of the founding fathers of the Lone Star State.  He was a rancher, a businessman and would go on to be a participant in the Texas revolution.  Navarro was one of the signer of both the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836 and the Constitution of the State of Texas in 1845,  The statue was erected by the State of Texas in 1936.

Weekend Fun in East Texas - Tyler Zoo and More

 It's Day Two in East Texas and our choices are limited, but, the Caldwell Zoo is open and we've not explore this particular one before.  Away we go - it's early in the day, so not too many people yet.

Weekend Fun in East Texas - Canton Trade Days

 Mister's birthday came and went without him being able to get time off work.  We are outta here for the weekend to let him catch just a little breath.  He's in charge and I'm along for the ride.  Canton Trade Days is our destination this morning.  We haven't been in over 10 years and with nice weather on the horizon, let's do it.  It's up and out of the house bright and early to get to Canton just as the grounds open.  We are just about the only one in the parking lot, which means a short walk in.  Now to just take in the sights and sounds.  We don't really have anything in particular that we are in the market for, so casual walking is the goal.  This is quite the ironing board.  No, it didn't come home with us.

Lubbock Weekend & Drive Home - Just Us Two

 The drive home begins today, but first --- Coffee!  I've found what I think will be a unique shop here in Lubbock.  It is He-Brews and a bit out of the way, but worth it.  As we approach, we spot prairie dogs all over the place.  

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Saturday

 Round two of the swim meet starts today, but first, we have a bit of time to explore.  Our first stop is at the Buddy Holly Plaza.  Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holley was born in Lubbock on September 7, 1936 to Ella Pauline (Drake) and Lawrence Odell "L.O." Holley.  The youngest of four children, Buddy grew up in a musical household, with his mother and siblings singing and playing instruments.  Buddy showed  musical aptitude, taking violin, piano and steel guitar lessons.  He took up the acoustic guitar after his brother, Travis, bought a $15 Harmony model.  Buddy, with other young Lubbock "pickers", formed several country groups.  In 1955, he saw Elvis Presley in concert and was impressed by Presley's rhythm and performance style.  Buddy and his friends were opening for big country acts at The Fair Park Coliseum when Eddie Crandall, an agent and manager, saw a performance and helped Buddy broker a Decca recording contract.  Buddy's last name was misspelled on the contract:  "Holley" became "Holly".  Buddy's relationship with Decca was short-lived as his early recording sessions failed to produce a hit.  In 1957, Buddy and his new band, The Crickets, began working with producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico.  On February 25, 1957, they recorded "That'll Be The Day", the first of several hits on the Brunswick label.  Their success led to the band to tour widely in the U.S. and Canada.  In 1958, Buddy Holly and The Crickets toured England.  The group had a profound influence on rock and roll in England - from their sound to Buddy's distinct look.  On February 3, 1959, during a three-week tour of the Midwestern U.S., Buddy's chartered plane crashed after takeoff due to bad weather.  There were no survivors.  Buddy Holly was 22 years old.

Lubbock - American Windmill Museum

 Deserves its own post - I LOVED this place.

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Friday

 A last-minute opportunity came up Tuesday and we quickly arranged schedules to take advantage of it.  Leaving town on Thursday after Mister finished work, the crazy drive to Abilene took place.  It was CRAZY for the first hour as we simply worked our way out of the Metroplex.  Icemageddon was working it's way out and the roads were thawing, but slushy.  We were in solid rain until we hit Weatherford and it magically stopped when the weather guy said it would.  I know, right?  When are they EVER that accurate.  At any rate, things picked up after that and the roads were dry the rest of the way.  Hallelujah!!

Early the next morning, everyone is up and moving.  We still have the drive to Lubbock, but my sweetie has a bit of work to do first.  Once Jen and Louis leave, I'm ready and just waiting on my love.  Grace comes to visit while I wait.  Times like this do make me want a cat again, but the hair everyone just does me in.  Someday I'll be ready to tackle that again, just not yet.

We get on the road just a little after 8 and point the vehicle north to Lubbock.  This is a first time visiting the city for both of us.  The view?  Lots and lots of generator windmills.

Weekend Getaway - Liberty Hill, TX - Day 2 - 3 (home)

 Good Morning from Liberty Hill, TX.  It is pretty chilly outside, but Mister is already up and checking out the property.  Do you see him?

Weekend Getaway - Liberty HIll, TX - Day 1

 My sweetheart suggested a weekend getaway and booked a place for us in Liberty Hill, TX.  I have to give him credit as he knows this is such a hard time of year for me and taking my focus off of being so far away from kids is something he has perfected each year.  Come along with us as we explore a new-to-us area of Texas.  But first --- an area I am familiar with along the way.  I pass these dinosaurs each time I drive to retreat.  They have multiplied over the past year and make me giggle with each passing.