Giving in to Dorian and Not Regretting It

Friday, August 30 -  I decided to admit being afraid of a Category 3 hurricane and buttoned up my home as best I could, brought my three unplanted plants to Kitty to watch over and let Sonny and Letreze and Jean know I was bugging out in the morning. Still concerned that the windows might blow in, I dragged Barbara's rug up off the floor in the Florida room to my bedroom and removed everything from the freezer and refrigerator except for a package of chicken.

Saturday, August 31 - I did one last scan of the yard and drove out

to begin my journey to visit Barbara in Texas and to run away from Dorian. I-10 was actually barren going west; going east was another story as convoy after convoy after convoy of power company trucks, water tankers and National Guard caravans headed toward Florida's Atlantic coast and the hurricane. Rhoda and I talked and congratulated ourselves on heading out before the rush. The hurricane was moving slowly and not expected to reach the state until Tuesday. I spent the night in Pascagoula, Mississippi as I intended to top at a local quilt shop, but it closed early for Labor Day weekend. DURN!! Very, very nice Hampton Inn!!!

 Sunday, September 1 - Another easy drive day. Mary Todd and I breezed through the Mobile tunnel with ease. Again power company trucks headed west. I called FB to have lunch while I was gassing up just outside Baton Rouge, but he was busy. Talked with him later and explained I was doing trip in reverse. Tonight I stayed in Beaumont, Texas. Stopped at the Welcome Station to snap a picture - I am an unabashed tourist! Again my post hotel check-in plans were thwarted - the traffic on I-10 was not hard but was slowed repeatedly due to construction, thus I arrived too late to tour Spindletop or the Botanical Gardens. Another sigh.

Monday, September 2 - Diving through Winnie, Texas, I thought "and people think Florida is flat!" Arrived in San Antonio. Barbara's house is awesome. We downloaded a map of San Antonio and The Alamo so we could navigate tomorrow. Julie and Andre stopped by with dinner so I could meet Izzy. They are charming and she is delightful.


Tuesday, September 3 - The Alamo - great chats with Frederick about the Alamo Oak. (Why hasn't Stephen Malkoff drawn it?), with one of the Living History re-enactors about the 18 pound cannon used in the battle and with Robert about the history of the 16 pound cannon in front of the mission (which was actually a Mexican one buried by Santa Anna's men when it wasn't possible to blow it up as was done with others).  Toured the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and gawked over Bonnie and Clyde's actual car and the fabulous letter from Clyde to Henry Ford, enjoyed great tacos, snapped a selfie of me and an elephant skull, Barbara checked out a Long Horn, saw the bow a Texas hunter used to kill all five major beasts in Africa. John Dixon would love this place - taxidermist's heaven!! Afterward, we had an ice cream while walking around first The River Walk, then the Japanese Tea Garden created out of an abandoned quarry and winner of multiple awards.Absolutely fabulous day!

Wednesday, September 4 - I am no longer an IKEA virgin. Barbara took me there and I spent less than $50 - a victory, she assures me. Then off to New Braunfils and two of Jean and Sherry's recommendations. Quilt Haus was excellent, but I couldn't find the backing for my long term quilt project. Naegelin's Bakery (the oldest in Texas celebrating its 150th birthday) was amazing and a deal breaker in my sticking to Weight Watchers as I lunched on a kolache and a molasses cookie. The white chocolate fudge will be a gift as it was loaded with nuts. Driving home I realized Texas has no dirt, just ground up rock! Becky, Barbara and i headed over to the Vargas domicile for a brief visit - I was insanely complimented when Julie told me I was family so I could see her house in imperfect condition. A true warm fuzzy! Izzy sat with me on the patio while I snapped a gorgeous sunset. Barbara is going to partner with me in Fantasy Football next year!!!

 Thursday, September 5 - Headed to Fredericksburg, Texas Wine Country via Blanco and the picturesque Blanco River. At One Quilt Place, I found my backing. Well, Barbara found it. I am so excited - I can now hand the quilt to Jean and use it this winter!!!  Lunch at Emma and Ollie was succulent - Barbara's shrimp Poor Boy rivaled my Salmon Cobb Salad. Neither of us was remotely peckish afterward. Inwood Winery was first on our list. Good stuff. great chat with vintner. Then across the street to 4.0 Winery where we ran into the same folks from Inwood and chatted as a previous customer had dropped her bag of bottles just as they were handed to her. We didn't taste, but purchased the McPherson's Sparkling Wine everyone raved about. Last stop Heath Sparkling Wines, an adjunct of Grape Creek Winery and the first sparkling wine only winery in the state! Just fabulous!! I splurged. I'll be well lubricated after I return to Florida.

 



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