BASTROP, TEXAS

We didn't hang around long Saturday morning in Leesville. We are people on a mission and we are on our way to Texas!

This post is going to include three days of travel. On Saturday we traveled from Leesville Louisiana to Brenham, Texas, Sunday from Brenham to Bastrop and Monday from Bastrop to New Braunfels. 

Here's the map.

I've titled this post Bastrop because it is the only place in the three days that we stopped and spent some time.

Ready? Three whirlwind days coming up!

I only took two western Louisiana pictures for you. Not much to look at although many would argue that point I'm sure. Lots of trees.

And many areas of logged trees.

Have we ever mentioned how much we LOVE Texas. So so so glad to be back!

I have no idea why we keep traveling around winter after winter thinking that we will find a better place for us then Texas. If only it was warmer at this time of year.

Also lots of trees in North Eastern Texas. They don't call it the Piney Woods area for nothing. We are a little further south than we were when we passed through this area two years ago on our way to San Augustine and into Louisiana. That time we had just left New Braunfels and now we are headed there.

Across BA Steinhagen Lake west of Jasper.

Ahhhh - we are really enjoying the wide, flat, quiet roads of Texas. Have we ever mentioned how much we LOVE Texas?

Our overnight spot. Because we have stayed at so many - and shop there lots too - we have a special place in our hearts for Home Depots. Definitely home for us. This is the Brenham HD, nicely located just off of the 290.

It wasn't long before Cassia was off taking pictures. This one worked out well - we often take silhouettes of the three of us but here is one of Hraefen.

The driver - probably getting back in the cockpit to reposition. He We tend to drive around the parking lot a 1000 few times until our position is just right.

Now, is this not one of the best selfies you have seen in a while?

Sunday morning - up early and back on the road.

This picture is far to late. Just before this group of trees, we went through a very large area of the remains of a forest fire. We weren't surprised since we drove through it on the way out two years ago not long after the fire had taken place. Although I should have, I didn't think to take pictures of the area.

But you are in luck - we met someone in Bastrop who lives there and did. 

Here's the story. We were nicely parked for the day, Sunday, in Bastrop. Not sure what Cassia and Derek were doing in the van - this and that - but I was in the front passenger seat on the iPad. The window was open a bit. A young fellow walked over and to my surprise placed a roll of money through the window. WoW! Right?! What a nice gesture but I quickly said no thank you. Having seen this, Derek quickly exited the van to speak with the fellow explaining our situation. The boys mom came to join the conversation and a good time ensued talking about our travels and Bastrop. Ryan and mom Carolyn were here during the fire and spoke of the true community among the residents that they witnessed during this awful event. 

Here are some amazing pictures on Carolyn's blog, take a minute to go and look.

Back to the donation - just goes to show that their are good and caring people out there looking out for the rest of us. Nice to meet you Ryan and Carolyn!

When we first arrived we went for a stroll around downtown Bastrop.

We never seem to have a problem finding stroll around towns in Texas. Being Sunday most of the stores were closed - that's ok - just like Fredricksburg last spring. Better that way for us. 

Nice to have a little bit of Christmas left over.

Pretty neat!

Ahhhhh……the parts of my heart that live outside of me.

This looked to be the happen' place for Sunday brunch - good thing we decided to eat breakfast before we went for our walk.

There has to be a good joke in there somewhere about a Texas giraffe!

 The history of Bastrop was depicted in this metal work - a mural I guess we could call it.

The old Colorado River Bridge is now the pedestrian walkway.

The river walk we went to from here - in a few pictures you'll see the view back from the stairs in the background.

Although we are enjoying our walk about town the real reason that we stopped in at Bastrop was yes - the craft beer.

At the Bastrop Brewhouse.

The BB is in a very neat section just off of the downtown beside the river. It is surrounded by other old buildings with businesses - music, jewellery and a river (canoes and tubes) company - very neat.

Down the stairs to the park.

A girl on a mission.

Following our lengthy playground visit we went back to the van and kicked back for the rest of the afternoon. 

Around 4:30pm we surfaced again and went back to the park. The lights were just coming on.

And just think - Cassia has never watched Sesame Street. Just a big yellow bird to her.

Back to the Bastrop Brewhouse - this time we are staying for beer and dinner.

Our flight - consisting of BB's Pine Loop Porter and St. Camilia Honey Brown and Live Oak Brewing's Big Bark Amber and Liberation Ale.

We quite enjoyed all of the samples but once again the porter was our favourite. We would have left with a growler until we learned that it would cost $30! $15 for the bottle and $15 for the beer! What! Generally, filled growlers from the breweries we have visited average around $17. Not sure what is up with that. Sad.

This is the main area of the brewhouse - we sat in the back addition because this area was full due to a football game going on when we arrived. 

I think that everyone is working hard at the Bastrop Brewhouse, however we weren't overly impressed - their prices are steep and the food just so so.

By the time we headed back to the van the night had turned cold and windy. We moved fast. I snapped a few pictures of the row of Christmas lights. Sadly the main lights overpowered them and the pictures really didn't turn out well.

But we enjoyed walking through the display nonetheless.

Monday morning we continued our ride to our destination - the Berean Bible Church in New Braunfels.  If you have been with us for a while you will surely recognize this place - this will be our fourth visit to see Pastor Jerry and his wife Barbara. In fact we were here just last March as we were heading north from Mexico. Our other three visits are here, here and here.

Texas!? What are you doing in Texas?! What about not speeding through Louisiana. Right George!?

For those of you not on Facebook you are completely lost right now I am sure. 

Plans have completely changed.

I don't know what I was thinking when I said last night that I would share our new plan with you tonight - a bit premature. 

But I am out of photos now so it will definitely be on tap for tomorrow night. Good timing too - a new year a new travel plan.

And with that segway ------

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

To you all from the Wood Clan - may 2014 bring you health, happiness and new adventures!

Being the party animals that we are NOT - tonight is just a regular night for the three of us!

See you again in the new year!

Teresa

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