A Day At Hawaiian Falls

At the beginning of summer, when I was scheduling time with grands, Jen and I decided to set aside a day to play at Hawaiian Falls.  Today is the day.  Yay!  Mister and I gather our sunscreen, towels, and courage in order to be on our way.  Here we go.

Everyone meets at the gate before opening so that we can get a good place to set up as "home base."  Within moments of arriving, people are off in all directions - each one calling out for us to "come with me."  Divide and conquer is the only sane method and soon the slides are full of activity.  As my hips are a bit dicey today, I am going to take it fairly easy and play photographer most of the time.  I walk around the corner from our table and catch Jen and Jared just as they are about to take on a dang straight drop at the Hawaiian Halfpipe.  At least they have a raft and thus will keep the snuggies away.  Jared tells me that "Mom screamed in my ear the whole time and the lifeguard actually asked if she was okay."  I am sure she would deny that to the hilt.  Grandpa takes Josh to the Kona Kooler Lazy River and after they make one round, Josh wants everyone to go with him.  Well alrighty then.

A short while later, everyone decides that they needed to compete??  As a result everyone goes to the Pineapple Express slides together and line up 4 at a time.  The funny part is that in both races, people do not start together.  Oh I hear lots of excuses about sticking to the slide and not hearing the start, but really people, it's a slide.

Jon convinces Grandpa to take him down the Torpedo and I cannot help but tag along to take pictures and watch.  I remember going down those years ago and wish I still could, but I would like to walk tomorrow.  Yep, those splashes are them.  Not one of my better photography efforts.

From there, the boys talk me into spending time with them at Waikiki Beach, the wave pool.  I am okay with it, but make the mistake of going all the way up to the front before getting into my tube and so am hanging on for dear life when the waves start up.  The boys think it is grand fun to keep pushing me closer and closer to the front while I start to panic.  Oh my, they think I am so funny.

After holding on to the tube for at least 1/2 an hour, I know for a fact that my arms are going to be killing me tomorrow.  Ugh.



As the temperatures start to rise, we decide to call it a day and put some food into everyone before Jen heads back home.  Babe's Chicken House is just around the corner and I have been craving fried chicken making it a no brainer.  Yay.

We only have a short wait and then the goodies start to arrive.

Josh, red cheeks and all, digs right into the salad as if he is starving.  I kinda feel the same way.  Babe's is great because it comes complete with entertainment.  The kids all join in for a nice round of the Hokey Pokey.  Good family fun.  Love this place.

It is time for Jen to head south so good-byes are said, including Jon and Jake who are staying with us for a few days.  Once they are on the road, we load up our charges and head home to make dessert and crash.  I get a kick out of Jake as he watches his shells bake.  Science can be fun sometimes.  They have a great time shaping and filling their treats -- after we enjoy these it is definitely time for some shut eye.

Retrieve Jon from Robotic Camp

In our dark red room, I am not entirely sure what time it is when I wake.  A quick look at the phone lets me know that we need to get up and moving if we are going to have breakfast at all before arriving at UT.

The campus looks beautiful this morning and after finding a parking garage close to the Engineering Building, we are on the lookout for today's event location.  We find a lobby and a few people standing near a sign with the camp name on it.  I approach them and it turns out that it is the camp director.  She indicates that we have indeed found the correct spot and asks who were are there to see.  I give her my grandson's name and the look that I see is not one of recognition.  I jokingly ask if that is because he is missing.  She assures me that all campers are accounted for and continues preparing for the parent meeting.  Mister and I find a booth with seating nearby and settle in until it is time to be seated in the lobby.

Soon, we receive instruction to move to the newly-delivered seating.  We move over and wait until the campers start to arrive.  We spot Jon, but he is not interested in coming over to visit and we respect that so as not to embarrass him.

The first item on the agenda today is a 90 second "teaser" advertisement for the product that each group has developed during the week.  It has to use a renewable energy source as it's main focus.  Mister records the presentation in order for mom and dad to see it later.

Upon completion of the presentations, we went outside to watch each group race the robots they had created during the week.  The fact that Jon is in charge of this segment of the day is no surprise to us.  He spends every free moment in his day doing just this and is a natural at it.  (It is 100 degrees out -- is he nuts dressed like that?)

His robot is streamlined and does well, reaching the end of the track without any issues.  I am always fascinated with how he is able to do this.  I know that we each have our own little niches in the world -- obviously he is destined to create things.

The next part of the day is the classroom presentations.  Here is where our day starts to get strange.  As we start to climb the stairs to the 2nd floor, one of the camp mentors stops us and asks if we are looking for Silver.  We smile and say no and continue our climb.  Upon reaching the classroom, we take a seat near the front to watch each group do their full presentation.  There are really some interesting ideas being presented and some of these kids are just naturals speaking in front of a group.  After the presentations are complete, we stand and are approached by the group leader and mentor.  They ask if we are Silver's parents.  We say, "No, we are Jonathon's grandparents."  They nod and say, "Yep, he told us he wanted to be called Silver.'" Okaaaay.  I know I have the jaw drop going on and when I can finally use my mouth again I say, "Oh Really?  We have not heard that one before."  I then start giggling as I remember the director's look when we first checked in. Of course she could not place a 'Jonathan'.  Way too funny.  We are also told how wonderful he has been at camp and how many robots he has created.  Cool.

It is time for everyone to return to the lobby area for the final ceremony, awards, drawings for gifts, and food.  Jon joins up with us for the first time and it is not long before Group 3 is called and he goes up front to accept his certificate.  They are also given a baton that they pass down the line until each person has one.  This part is a bit comical as all the bright engineering brains struggle with the simpleness of passing it.  Gotta laugh.  Group shot.

Time to check out and hit the road.  After collecting his belongings and climbing into the car, it does not take long for him to fall asleep and we are soon dropping him off at home.  Next stop, Dallas and our turn to sleep.  So glad we had this chance to be a part of this day and we truly were impressed with the creativity of today's youth.

Trip to Austin - Yay

Jen calls and asks if we will pick up Jon from a robotic camp in Austin this weekend and since Austin is a fav of ours, no way we are going to say no.  In just a few moments, we decide to go down a day early and play.  Let's get packed - so excited.

First stop is in Waco at a little coffee shop we have been wanting to try - Common Grounds.  Yep, funky certainly describes it.  It is a great place -- my idea of a coffee shop.  There are lots of little alcoves with sofas and chairs, perfect to relax and visit in.  This is what the chains are missing entirely --- it doesn't have to be so clinical -- homey is much better.  AND -- a great product.

Even though we have been down in the Austin area many times, there are still a great deal of places that we have not seen or visited.  I have a list for today and as we pull into The Umlauf Sculpture Gardens I am already glad I put this on the list.  The entire garden and museum is dedicated to Charles Umlauf and his wonderful work.  Many of his pieces are centered around the mother and child and I find the garden quite lovely while the art touches a part of my soul.  Excellent.

The landscaping works around the pieces perfectly and as your eyes move around, they come upon unique hiding spots for many of the sculptures.  The pond is complete with blooming water lilies and I am struck by the vivid pink against this magnificent green backdrop.  Another treasure found in the heart of a city.

The day is starting to warm up as we leave and I am ready for some food and fluids.  Mister researched a few places he wanted to check out as well and we make one of those our destination.  Bangers Sausage House and Beer Garden has just started opening for lunch on Thursdays.  Yay.  A couple glasses of beer and a great dog.  Perfect lunch.  My brat is on the right -- it is fantastic and house made.  Yum.  However, probably the best part of the meal was the German potato salad. Oh my -- perfect.

After lunch it is time to check into the "hotel" Mister found for us.  We are always looking for new and unique experiences and he hit the jackpot this time.  We have a room in a private residence (kinda like a B&B only without the breakfast).  Upon our arrival, Jennifer met us at the door, showed us our room (yep all that red is ours), and took us to meet the rest of the family.  First up - the dog.

As I stand on the back porch, I am next greeted by two goats.  They would really like to be picked up but I am wearing white pants and in so much shock at what my eyes are seeing that I don't really react to them.

Moving right along, she whistles and a pig comes running.

There is also a large "aviary" type enclosure housing many varieties of fowl and an iguana.  As we move around the yard, there are more ducks, chickens, geese, and, oh my goodness, a tortoise. He starts walking towards Jennifer as soon as he spots her.

He slowly makes his way towards us and I am amazed.  She says she has had him for over 15 years now and jealousy is running rampant in me.  How I wish I could have such a magnificent creature in my backyard.

I squat down and within moments, he has come right up to me looking for treats.

Jennifer produces some fresh cut melon and show me how to feed him.

After a few bites from my hand, he is not getting the food fast enough and so I just set the container down.  Now he is happy.  Wow.

Now that we have met the family and been given the house rules, it is time to go back into the city for another stop on our list.  With our love for old churches, we have stopped outside St. Mary's Cathedral several times, but have not been lucky enough to find it open.  This time, luck is on our side and although the exterior is undergoing a massive renovation, the interior is available to see and enjoy.

What a great building.  It was started om 1872 and at the time the only other building of any size was the Capitol.  "The Cathedral's design repeatedly evokes natural places where men encounter the divine: in the tree-like columns with their foliage-carved capitals, the tracery of vines and leaves in the murals and the floral topped finials like the forest. The pointed arches on doors and windows and the spires remind us of mountains. The elevated ceiling and the blue dome spangled with stars reflect the sky and the heavens.

Each detail of the facade alludes to Catholic doctrine: the triangles express the Holy Trinity; the lily, the purity of the Blessed Virgin whose statue surmounting the door welcomes all who approach. Behind her, the rose window with its elegant tracery and stained glass reminds believers of the incarnation penetrating all matter with energy and light. The bell tower recalls the psalmist exulting, "Thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." Ps. 61:3. The bells themselves, one from the first church, the other given in 1886, "shout with joy to God." Ps. 65:1. The cross-topped spire announces the victory of the resurrection to all who see it in the urban skyline." (webpage) It is simply:  lovely.

This day is just zipping by and getting warmer all the time.  We want to make a quick stop at Hops & Grains Brewery and point ourselves that way.  When we get there, we are quickly distracted by our favorite glass blowers:  Leigh and Shara, owners of East Side Glass Studio.  We catch them at work and find a vantage point from which to observe.  Even as the sweat starts to run, the show is way too good to give up.

They are working on a bowl and using techniques that we have not had the chance to see before.  Follow along in the pictures and perhaps you will love it as much as we do.

The small canes of glass are attached to the bottom of the main piece and the heated.  When they are removed from the fire, they are rolled into place, heated again, and then inspected for any issues.

The object is then returned to the fire until the strips blend into the original piece.  Then the blowing begins.  This step is repeated several times and then it changes and instead of blowing into the tube, they suck and the glass collapses into a bowl shape which is then worked on a bit before breaking it off to place in the curer.  So incredible to watch.  (See the colored strands in the glow of the fire?)

We think our show is over and that they are calling it a day, but they decide to quickly make some "cane".  Well, no way we can leave now.  They start with chunks of color and coat it in clear glass, putting it in and out of the fire often.  When it is at the stage they like, they attach a second rod and each one pulls the length of the room to create the cane.

The cane is then laid on wood strips to cool before breaking it into workable strips.  The burn marks on the wood show how hot these strips are.  I am so glad we stopped here today -- love it.

We are definitely warm now and complete our stop at Hops & Grains with a few samples of their latest brews and visiting with Josh, the owner and head brewer.  Our hour was filled with stories and laughter from both the crew and other patrons.  Gotta love the whole Dallas v. Austin rivalry.

It is time for dinner and Mister has another spot on his list.  We are heading for Pinthouse Pizza for some food and a few more brew samples.  When we arrive, the place is absolutely jamming and not a seat to be found except at the bar.  In theory, you order and pay for your pizza in one spot and then order and pay for your drinks at the bar.  Two lines did not appeal to me at all so I asked the bartender if we could order pizza from the bar.  Yep --- well that quickly became a no-brainer and instead of waiting for seats to open AFTER ordering, we take a couple of seats and relax.  The beer selection is very good with quite a few unique offerings in addition to their own brews.  Being a bit OCD about it, naturally we order the beer made here first and it is indeed delicious.

Our pizza arrives soon after and the staff helps to make the whole experience quite enjoyable.  The day is ending, but it has been such a good one.  I love having this time alone with Mister and it has been awhile since we did any "just us two" wandering.  Time to go back to our room and get some sleep -- we are on duty as grandparents tomorrow.