Fort Davis, Texas (West)

This is our drive to Fort Davis to visit our son - what a lovely area. A beauty that is very unique, almost desolate but not quite. Rather reminded me of visiting Fallon, Nevada. It was our first time to that area and we hope to go back in different weather to see what the difference would be. We enjoyed the cold weather a great deal and stayed at the Indian Lodge at Fort Davis National Park. Good deal but the bed hurt our backs (too soft) and there's ZERO wifi in the rooms. There is an on-site restaurant and some of the time, you can find a cell signal if you need it. Going down into town solves the technology issue easily. This is the Black Bear Restaurant on-site.

Springhill Suites - Rosenberg, Tx

Have you tried a Springhill Suites Hotel lately? We just did a couple of weekends ago in Rosenberg, Texas. We really liked it! The decor was really refreshing, and not because it was a new building. I loved the blues and the splash of orange. And the room was really nice. I like the furnishings - all comfortable and modern. I felt like I was in an IKEA catalog. Really. Free internet service that was stable and fast. That's hard to find nowadays, sadly, even with our home service of Time Warner. Booo.

Beekeepers in the Hill Country

Recently we went to a conference in Kerrville and stayed at the conference hotel because it has convention center facilities. The environment and scenery were very nice and the bathroom looked fairly recently renovated...but sadly the rest of the hotel did not. As long as the bathrooms are clean, we're good. Still, we think they could draw in huge crowds in the hill country setting if they updated the rest of their hotel.

Traveling IH35 to Pearsall, Tx

Here are some interesting things I saw as we traveled from Seguin to Pearsall, Texas, in order to pick up some bee supplies from a 4th-generation beekeeper there (Youngblood Honey) - it's so lovely there! Here's a shot of the land behind the Youngblood property.



We took IH10 from Seguin to SA, then caught the 410 loop to miss some commuting traffic. Then we caught IH35 from there and headed south.

We couldn't decide if this was a Volkswagen or not. Saw this in Pearsall.



And during our long wait on the highway due to a major, fatal accident :-(, we saw these two things -

Hyatt Lost Pines (Bastrop, Tx)

This is a fabulous resort and I highly recommend it. The scenery is lovely, the hotel is AWESOME and the service is excellent. I can't post all the pictures I want to share but I really enjoyed our few days there!

And near by is the Bastrop State Park so you have to drive through there - it's beautiful and made me feel as if I was back on the east coast. The tall pines and needles on the ground cushioned all the noise. The road went on and on and on for something like 13 miles I believe. We went at dusk and totally enjoyed the quiet. We didn't get out since it was so hot and humid but there was a lot to do there it appears (fishing, hiking, camping, etc.).



And if you get hungry and would like to sample some local fare, be sure to check out Gracie's, which is a block off of Main Street. Their little historic downtown are was super pedestrian friendly and while it wasn't a huge area, it was a nice way to spend an hour walking through shops before dinner. Gracie's has awesome home-cooked food and a great, friendly staff. On Friday nights, you may even catch some live music. We did and loved it. We even got to see a saw being played in person. Very beautiful sound. :-)

Lily's Cookies (San Antonio, Tx)

I was in SA for an appointment and took a drive down McCollough for kicks on the way to Highway 281 and I was rewarded for my decision! I saw this adorable bakery and had to go around the block to get a closer look. I'm so glad I did!



This adorable bakery is gorgeous - just the sort of place I picture I would love to work if only I was a great baker. Which I'm not. So good thing people like these folks are around for us. It's lovely inside and the young lady helping me was really nice. I also picked up a couple of cookies and my friends said they tasted great. I'm on a diet or else I would have totally done the taste test myself. Check them out on the web as well - Lily's Cookies.

Fuel and a taco to go, please.

While traveling through Lake Jackson (Texas) once, we stopped to fuel up before heading home. I saw this and went to check it out since I had not seen anything like it before anywhere I've traveled. I was so amazed and tickled! You use this machine to place orders for tacos and they are prepared as you fuel up your vehicle. Then, after you are done, you pick up the food inside. Pretty cool. I haven't seen these anywhere else I've traveled. Have you?

Corpus Christi, Texas

City Diner & Oyster Bar is a great place to eat if you are traveling in the Corpus Christi area. Last month, Mark and I ventured down that way since Mark presented a talk on genealogy research at the public library there. They are celebrating their 100th birthday this year and have scheduled special programs throughout the year. I was proud of Mark for being a part of that. He used to work at that library so it's nice to visit with old friends.

Anyway, the building art caught my eyes and just cracks me up. Even now when I look at it. I have NEVER seen anyone depict an oyster with hands. It's hilarious! The food was fantastic. We went for breakfast and really enjoyed it. The waitress was super, too. I highly recommend it for breakfast at least. Don't know what they are like at other times.

I (Heart) Pho (Irving, Tx)

Another week in Irving. I know I haven't posted in a while but that's because I've only been coming to corporate office lately. But then I thought, hey, I could always do another showcase of the yummy food I have while I'm here.

Tonight I went back for a third visit and had soup again. It was yummy! For about $6.50, you get a big bowl of soup (even though I got small, it was huge) and a water. I couldn't even finish all of my soup! I highly recommend it if you are up here -- great selection of food and the fresh spring rolls are delicious, atmosphere pretty nice.

Sky Watch Over Irving (Tx)

I took this as we were starting to approach Dallas Love Field Airport in Irving, Texas. I really liked the cloudy, dark sky. Plus I noticed the wing was really, really clean. Almost new looking. And it made me feel good. :)

Cadillac Ranch - Irving, TX

Since my trips lately have only been to Irving, there's not much new stuff to share. :) Besides, I am mostly working except at dinner time! I love food! I went with friends to Cadillac Ranch again because it's convenient and pretty good. After a rough day, I decided that I should try something new, just because it's always good to do that I think. Sure, I was leaning towards the oven-baked fried chicken (again) but I forced myself to try the quail. Boy, was it great! And so cute too. Look at those little legs! I am now a fan. Poor little, delicious quails. My sides included asparagus and grits. Yes, grits! It was delicous too!

Hyatt Place Las Colinas (Irving, Texas)

This past week, I went back up to Irving and rather than stay at the Hyatt Summerfield, I thought I'd try the Hyatt Place....love it! It was much newer, having been renovated when the Hyatt bought it. I believe it use to be AmeriSuites or something like that. The company rate we got was about $89 per night, which beat the $111 we paid at the Summerfield.



My favorite thing about this hotel...the sectional sofa! :) It was a great place to relax at the end of the day. Much nicer than sitting at the desk or on the bed and it goes a long way in making me feel as if I'm at home, or at least at a friend's house. No full kitchen but there was a bar with a little refrigerator. Worked fine for me. I think I have found a new home away from home when I go to Irving.



Oh, and the HD TV doesn't hurt either. It swivels so you can watch from the sofa or bed. The only thing I didn't like too much was the small closet door. Made getting the big suitcase in there challenging so I skipped that.

Irving, Texas

Last week I finally took a trip for work up to Irving...it's been a while! We stayed at the Hyatt Homewood Suites Los Colinas since it was near the office. That place was really nice and offers singles, two- and three-bedroom suites. Very nice if you really get along with someone, want a roommate and don't mind sharing a living room. You still get your own room and bath so it's nice to have company to chill out with and unwind. I shared a suite with a coworker in FL last year and we had a great time. Made being away from home for work seem like a little mini-vacation.

We also ate at Cadillac Ranch which I understand is franchised. I loved it! The atmosphere was very nice; lots of professionals for dinner (many from our company I noticed). The food was great. I had the oven-baked fried chicken with potatoes and corn. Very nice so I highly recommend it. This restaurant is in a little mall across the street from the hotel. It was all very convenient for us.