Day 5: Austin City Limits

 

Gauge Knit

Took off up to Austin today, just a mere 45 minutes north of San Antonio.  Visited GAUGE KNIT which is a very quaint little knit shop just full of life and favorite gathering place for ladies to knit.  The owner introduced me to Ravelry, the website everyone is using these days to get free patterns and ideas for your next project...cool!  She also gave me a tip on where to go for lunch.....

 

Hula Hut

Need a bigger boat...

 HULA HUT is a Polynesian/Mexican restaurant on Lake Austin and has the best shrimp tacos in Texas.  Most of the seating is outside on their very large Pier and Patio where this very big plastic fish is sticking out of the water in all his glory.  Speaking of tacos...only in SW Texas can you get a taco just about anywhere - fill up your tank...get a taco; get your truck washed...get a taco; buy a new pair of shoes...get a taco (I made up that last one but the first two are TRUE!).  Call me a taco snob but "I ain't buying no taco from a gas station"!

Crenshaw Cliffside

Fazio Foothills

Next stop - Barton Creek.  A 4* Golf & Spa Resort in SW Austin and home to PGA Pro Ben Crenshaw.  In 1985, the developers of Barton Creek Resort & Spa looked out across some 4,000 acres of raw land and envisioned a world-class residential development comprising multi-million-dollar estates, a private country club and a resort complete with European-style spa and fitness center. And it was all  designed to harmonize with nature and preserve the splendor of the Texas Hill Country.  There are 2 Fazio courses, a Crenshaw course and a Palmer course.  Would love to play golf here some day....I can dream can't I.

Barton Creek Residence

Once back home, George's 92-year old Uncle Bus and Aunt Barbara, who lives a few miles away in Cibola, came over to visit for a spell. 






 

Day 4 - The Riverwalk

George worked today so I took off late morning to The Yarn Barn in downtown San Antonio. I like to visit local yarn shops to see what's new and what they are working on.  This is a very cute shop situated in an old historic home in the downtown  area and, being Monday morning, it was slow so  they had lots of time to spend with me. One of the owners has a Ragdoll kitten - what are the odds!  I showed her pictures of Isa & Anna and she showed me a picture of her orange and white, 22-pounder....lots of laughs.

 

Stopped at Walmart, had a prescription filled, picked up a loaf of bread then went back to the RV to get George.  He worked until 3PM then we went down to The River Walk which is just an amazing place in the heart of the city.  We took a riverboat ride past the restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfast hotels and cute shops.  After that, we walked to Rita's on the River and shared a late lunch and pitcher of Margarita's.  Afterward, we walked over to The Alamo for a "photo op" with George's new camera.

 

Day 3: San Antonio at last...

Arrived in San Antonio at 5PM after 408 uneventful miles.  After stopping for gas for the fourth time this trip (this rig doesn't pass an opportunity to fill up), we happened upon a twin rig (see pic below) from Quebec, Canada.  We've crossed so many bridges that I am starting a separate page (if I can figure out how) of pictures of bridges we've encountered.

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  1,110

 

George pumping gas...again!

Twin Allegro Busses



Downtown Houston

I-10 to San Antonio

 

Spring 2013 Trip: Day 1 & 2

Well...we are On The Road Again.  Taking the Southern route (I-10) all the way to Las Cruces, NM.  First of all, BlogSpot is now Blogger and the format of this website has completely changed which is why I haven't posted since we left at Noon on Friday.  Having said that, I'm still learning the new format and, hopefully, by the time we get home in 8 weeks, I will have it down pat. 
 

George relaxing w/Anna

DAY 1:  George drove 375 miles from Summerfield, FL to Milton, FL which is just East of Pensacola.  Very nice park, Gulf Pines KOA, conveniently located just off I-10 with a Continental breakfast included.  The kittens did very well and have completely explored every nook and cranny of the RV.  George did an EXCELLENT job of plugging every possible hole.  Did I mention that he is the most  patient, enduring and wonderful man I've ever met? 

 

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  375

DAY 2:  Got on the road around 9AM and drove 408 miles to Sulfur, LA which is just shy of the TX state line.  As we passed through Mobile, AL, we saw the Carnival Cruise Ship Triumph moored in Mobile Bay and had to sigh - rather be RVing.  Two very uneventful days trying to get miles under our feet so we can relax in San Antonio for a few days.  Hey Louisiana DOT...your roads are crappy - LET'S GET TO WORK!

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  702



 

Day 6: Golf at Sanctuary Cove

Sanctuary Cove is a Davis Love Design/Fred Couples Signature golf course in Waverly, GA which is about 5 minutes from our RV park.  We had an early tee time there today and, WOW, what a beautiful course!  Aside from the fact that Love and Couples are two of my favorite Pro Golfers, I would play there over and over again.  It's a long Par 71 with one Par 5 on the back 9 (good thing because some of the Par 4's are as long as any Par 5 you'll find anywhere).  The fairways are wide, not much sand and very fair.  Overall, I'm quite pleased with my 98....and George had an 88!  Really fun time....

After golf, we returned to the RV, made lunch, showered and rested up a bit then went to see Hope Springs starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones at the local mall.  It just opened here yesterday and was really good.  Two of my favorite actors.  This was the very FIRST movie George and I went to together (at a movie theatre). Think I'll save the ticket stubs.  What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon!

Day 5: Fernandina Beach



Fernandina Beach



Brett's Waterway Cafe'

Drove down to Fernandina Beach today and had lunch at  Brett's Waterway Cafe' right on the intercoastal.  It was cloudy and breezy so we sat outside and admired the boats in the harbor.  More wonderful seafood at this coastal restaurant.  After lunch, we walked up and down Front Street but a storm was brewing so we high-tailed it home.  A little disappointing as we wanted to take the 5:00 Tour Boat to Cumberland Island....oh well, next  time.

Day 4: St. Marys, GA

On the drive over to St. Marys this morning, I called my former Johnson and Higgins boss, Dick Hartung, who lives there now.  I found this out from a former co-worker.  Dick was quite surprised to hear from me but still recognized my voice.  He graciously invited George and I to his home on very short notice.  He and wife, Winona, bought this 100+ year old house in the heart of St. Marys historic distric.  The house was restored 7 years ago but they have been busy over the past 5 months putting their personal touches on it.  Winona is an interior designer and, it was so beautifully done, I asked if  Southern Living was on their way over as well.  I'm so glad I got to visit with Dick and Winona and their special place.



Hartung House



Dick and Winona
















It started pouring rain after we left the Hartung's so we headed back to the RV, played UNO and  fixed dinner at home.

Day 3: Jekyll Island

The sun came out today so we toured the picturesque Jekyll Island, GA which is the island just south of St Simons.  First of all, there is a $6 charge to get onto the island which is a bit annoying, however, we paid it and, I have to say, it was worth it.  The island is shaped like a mushroom cap and we drove it full circle so to speak. 

There are 3 - 18 Hole Golf Courses and 1 - 9 Hole Course in the interior of the island. The outerbounds of the island are reserved for beach-front hotels and public beach access.  This is a very family-friendly, affordable vacation island with a Water Park, Picnic Areas, Wildlife viewing areas, a Soccer Camp, a 4-H Club Camp, Horseback Riding and a Fishing Pier.  Of course we also discovered lots of cute local shoppes.

The beach was beautiful and we were blessed with nice summer breezes so we chose the only restaurant located right on the ocean.  At Fin's On The Beach, we had another wonderful seafood meal with an ocean view to match.  I had Shrimp and Corn Chowder with a Shrimp Caesar Salad Wrap which was yumm.  As you can tell by now, I love shrimp and I also love the movie Forrest Gump so don't get me started.  They served the traditional hushpuppies with our beverage and they were THE BEST!  Also served with homemade remoulade sauce.  Seems like every restaurant on the coast has their own "homemade" recipe.  George had a Shrimp Po Boy which he once again devoured.

Day 2: Seeing Sea Island

After raining cats and dogs all night, we woke up to 2 water leaks which was a bit scary. One was over the dining booth and the cushion was soaking wet. Of course I sat on it which is how we discovered that leak. The other one was above the window on my side of the cab so towels are everywhere.

After the rain stopped, we went for a drive to St Simons Island and Sea Island.  Sea Island is a very small, half-moon shaped slither of land to the east of St Simons and can only be reached from St Simons Island or by sea.  Sea Island is a residentially affulent area and home of the famous 5* Cloisters Hotel and Resort.  It is also home of one of my favorite golfers, Davis Love III.

The Cloister is Sea Island's central experience, encompassing the full spectrum of resort amenities and activities. Accommodations at The Cloister have received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Forbes Five-Star award. At the heart of The Cloister is the main building, Sea Island's Mediterranean-masterpiece, inspired by the original 1928 Cloister building. This renowned architectural icon extends into lush, captivating gardens, while rising boldly at river's edge. From a bird's-eye view, The Cloister encompasses a sprawling range of buildings and amenities, including the Sea Island Yacht Club, The Cloister Spa, and The Cloister Beach Club. Fine dining is an essential part of The Cloister experience. Four dining establishments are housed within The Cloister area, including the renowned Georgian Room – Georgia's only Forbes Five-star restaurant.

Back on St Simons, we had lunch at Iguana's Seafood which is reported to have the best shrimp on the island and I can attest that it is outstanding.  They make their own remoulade sauce which is served with the shrimp...yumm.  The cole slaw was very good also...very sweet and not too mayonaisey.  I especially enjoyed the hush puppies and placed a "to go" order.  George had fried oysters and a crab cake sandwich which, I assume, must have been good as he woofed it down so quickly, I didn't have time to sample...thanks George!

After lunch, we walked around Mallery Street where there were lots of shops and, ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean and the St Simons Pier. 

UDDEN, Udden, udden....we're on the road again!

Day 1 of our week long vacation to one of our favorite campgrounds in South GA - Coastal GA RV Resort which is a very short drive from Jekyll Island.  We were fortunate enough to get a lot on the beautiful lake thanks to "someone's" acumen in making advanced reservations (ahem)!

We plan to explore Jekyll, St Simon's and Sea Island's this week plus, one of my favorite cities - Savannah.  I'm definately going to Bonaventure Cemetery to see if our ghost is there (long story from our Thanksgiving 2011 trip). 

Arrived here about 3:00 and, after getting settled in, we hawked out the nearest Walmart to purchase nuts and bolts so George could repair our kitchen sink.  Yep, it wouldn't be an RV trip without something going whacko.