Back Road Whispers: February 2014

Well it's been awhile, but I don't need to make excuses to you because you know why. Hopefully, as things (meaning loose ends and infuriating customer service people) get taken care of, and I remain out of jail while taking care of things with aforesaid customer service people, I will get back to boring you with my vacation photos :)

My physical therapist suggested I needed a full day of therapy and I agreed. So I picked her up at 8:30 and we took off for Fredericksburg, a familiar path but still a favorite day trip. I will pad this one with photos from the past as well as those I took this trip.

I knew it would be a great day when I woke up to this.

The first stop (after a cash/breakfast/potty) was the Williams Creek School in Albert, Texas. Albert is the small town that was for sale a few years ago and sold for a dime...well actually the rumors were $880,000. The school was established in 1891 and was expanded from a one room to a two room school in 1922. Lyndon Johnson attended this school for one year when he was but a young lad.

Right down the road a piece from Albert is my favorite house to photograph. I love the lines, I love the rust, and I love the whispers that you can hear if you listen. They have put a fence up, much to my dismay, but probably because of impolite folks with cameras that love it as much as I do.

Left side, the side I always photograph.

Right - the other side. My sidekick on this trip pegged it....the little house on the prairie. Expected to see Laura come running around the corner at any time.

After heading on down the road and a quick peek at Grace Lutheran Church right by the rest area - two women driving around stop at any convenient rest area - we liked the blue color of the church, we haven't seen too many of that color.

On down the RR1 - so called because it runs by President Lyndon Johnson's ranch, with a stop or two to check out the Pedernales River. This is one of those rivers that can be raging or gentle. It could use a bit more water than what is in there right now.

One of the low water crossings from RR1 to the LBJ Ranch. What you don't see in the picture is a little white guard house to the left. Empty now, but I'm sure it was used every time he was in residence.

A bit further down RR1 you come to one of the spillways. I have seen it covered with water, but today only a portion was "spilling". Still a beautiful river even donned in its winter dress.

Putt putting on down the road and we came to the Stonewall Historical Building

after a few minutes walking around and peering in windows we set our sights on one of my favorite places in Fredericksburg...Das Peach Haus, home of all good things delicious...Fischer and Wieser sauces, jellies, jams, pickles, Not only do they appeal to your taste buds, but the rest of your senses too. They have a B&B farm house (soon to be rented by my gal pals and I) that sits on 55 acres with a pond. Beautiful place just minutes from the downtown shopping area.

To quote my friend, Doreen, that Raspberry Chipotle Sauce would taste good on a flip-flop.

While your extensive purchase is rung up look upwards and this is what you see on three sides.

Outside by the shop is a fabulous truck that I would love Santa Claus to bring me...

Behind the shop and in front of the farm house is the lake and the orchards. The following are just random shots as I strolled around...

and finally....Peach eggs!!

all those yummy bottles and bags made us hungry so we headed into town for lunch.

Filled up with Mexican salads we headed home...well sort of, at least we started off in that direction.

We did pause at Grape Creek School. If I have my stories straight, this is the school that has the rep of Santa catching on fire after backing up to the stove one cold Christmas...and he dove out the window. Pretty school and another one that is maintained by the Friends of the Gillespie County Schools.

First stop was before we even got back to the car...Fredericksburg Winery for some Zelebration Reisling.

Second stop was at Grape Creek Winery for some of their terrific Cabernet Blanc and truffles.

I was going to post a picture of Brenda licking all the goody off the truffle wrapper, but remembered she would be pulling, pushing and otherwise punishing my knee come Monday so contained myself.]

Third stop was next door at Torre di Pietra for a couple of bottles of my favorite Chiaro de Luna. (Do you see a pattern to our itinerary?)

OK, enough wine, even for me so time to get serious about heading home....after we stopped at an antique store....and after we stopped by the bakery.....and by Pablo's convenience store for a bottle of water.

A fantastic full day of therapy thanks to my dear friend and therapist, Brenda. Good call, girl!