What a great day!

Well, what can I say - we had a GREAT day here in New Braunfels. Sit back and get comfortable - I think this is going to be a long post. We did so much and had so much fun and have the photos to prove it although looking at them they really don't do the day justice. And just so you don't think it was a cool grey day here - no way - the sky was overcast but it was a good thing. I think it was about 80F here today and with the humidity it was hot enough for us. When the sun did come out we almost fainted.

The New Braunfels Farmer's Market was our first stop this morning. We were up early so that we could be there just after it opened. We love farmer's markets and have been to our share of good ones - particularly while living on Vancouver Island. But we have to admit to this being one of the best ever due to the quality of products. The NB market won best farmer's market in Texas 2011 - we can see why!

The problem of course was what we were going to spend our money on - choices HAD to be made! After doing the circuit a few times we honed in on our choices.... Goat's Cheese from Ragels Ziegenhof, Sourdough Bread from Dough Baby, Baba ganoush, 2 types of honey - one from Round Rock Honey, Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler in a jar and Chow Chow and extra hot Chow Chow, and Citrus Oatmeal Goat's Milk Soap. We also shared a pork pastor tamale for lunch. Wow! Here are the pics!

hmmmmm goat cheese from Ragels Ziegenhof

Honey from Round Rock Honey - up near Austin.

Everything you could think of - and more!

Goat milk soap!

The  music was supplied by these 2 guys - the little girl was dancing and they invited here up to sing - wow! she was great - what a voice - complete with a Texas twang.

After the market we headed - as promised to Cassia - to Landa Park. We of course were going back for a ride on the miniature train. What a fun ride around the park! Past the playgrounds, the picnic areas, waterway and ducks. If we thought we were going to get out of Landa Park without a trip to the playground - someone else in our family had a totally different idea. What a parent won't do! We braved the very very busy playground for Cassia's round of slides. A promise of ice cream finally was the trick to move her on. Good going Dad - now we have to FIND some ice cream and not just any ice cream, but the creamy high butterfat kind ! Here are the pics from Landa Park.

Enjoying our farmer's market purchases for lunch in the park - Cassia only had time for a quick wave.

Now in search of some ice cream we decided we may as well head over to the Gruene Historic District. After getting directions from the lady parked beside us we headed out. WoW! Who knew that everyone else would be there too! 

Gruene is obviously a popular weekend destination. After finding a place to park on the outskirts we headed in to take a look. There is no way our pictures do this place justice - with all the mingling, shops, restaurant and music this is a great place - one we will not forget soon! We finally found out that the ice cream was to be had at the Gruene General Store - and what a place that was. After some butter pecan and double chocolate we realized that we had finally worn ourselves out. 

I don't think we were in the truck two minutes when Cassia was sound asleep! So we took a leisurely tour of New Braunfels back to the Church driving through a few parks and neighbourhoods. If we have any more 'perfect moments' here in Texas Hill Country - I seriously don't think we will leave! 

Sans a child - with the great music coming out of here - we could have sat the afternoon away.

Every little girl needs a raccoon hat.....

Cassia realizing that she is FINALLY going to get the promised ice cream.

Santa visit Texas style!

Gotta love all the flowers in November - we loved this bush.

So - that was our day. 

Today's Interesting Link: We have several favourite radio stations when on the road down here in the South. Here we have been listening to 92.1 FM KNBT Radio New Braunfels. It's Americana y'all!

New Braunfels Texas

As promised we have some pictures of New Braunfels. This morning - albeit with a late start - we headed out to do our laundry, see downtown New Braunfels, get propane and maybe stop in at Landa Park.

It was nice to get our laundry out of the way first. We stopped at the New Braunfels Laundry - 45 minutes later and $5.75 lighter - we came away with all clean clothes!

From there is was a quick drive to the downtown. Before we left Jerry gave us some tips about downtown and where the good bakeries were. We headed to Naegelin's being the 'oldest bakery in Texas' from 1868. We each chose a treat and headed out back to sit and eat. We were so hot from walking around and needed some shade.

In the parking lot beside Naegelin's is this mural. The mural is of Lindheimer the Father of Texas Botany.

After that we strolled around a bit and then headed back to the truck. On the way we passed by 2tarts bakery - which looks to have great items as well. I really like there brand - the colours of the website and their ads.

After making the trip to Camper World to have our propane tank filled we headed back downtown to Landa Park. We are still going to go to the Park on Saturday to take the little train - but decided to stop in today to look around. The first stop was the playground but after that we went to walk along the water - the Comal River and visit with the ducks.

Within the Landa Park is this live oak from 1700!

A lady and her daughter were nice enough to share some of their bread with Cassia.

We wound our way around to see where the spring starts that feeds the river. The water was very very clear. The path led to a nice little hike within a refreshing canopy of trees - one of our favourite places in the park for sure.

So, it was a busy and hot day. Tomorrow back to relaxing at the trailer. I think we traveled a bit too much in the last few weeks since we are feeling more like staying put right now. We would still like to get over to the Gruene District and back to Landa Park before we leave.

Today's Interesting Link: Speaking of food and baking - check out Savory Sweet Life. I found this blog quite a while ago and check in frequently. This is where I found the buttercream recipes for Cassia's birthday cake. Yum yum!

let's go to Luckenbach Texas....

Here we are in New Braunfels Texas - but first! let me just say that we went through Luckenback Texas! No big deal you say - I even had to explain - and sing - the song to Derek - and he likes country music! "Let's go to Luckenbach Texas..." is a line in the song by Waylon and Willie - click to listen - loveeeeee it!

Along the many roads we travel I try to make it a point - if we can - to go through the town/cities made famous by songs. To date I have been disappointed - Winslow Arizona (Eagles) was a scary place and El Paso (Marty Robbins) is just a HUGE city. We still have Galveston on our itinerary for this trip - but at least I can now tick off Luckenbach. Hard to be disappointed with this place since there really isn't anything there. But Sunday night on our way from Fredricksburg to New Braunfels we drove through just so I could at least take a picture. It wasn't ideal since the sun was setting but I did get this picture of the old post office - not a post office anymore - now it is the general store that sells all sorts of souvenirs. We saw a large grass parking lot on our way in and so I asked if we could park there for the night. It is $15 to dry camp so we moved on - but glad to have seen it - not much there - a large area with seating - seems that they have music events going on most days/evenings.

The Luckenbach General Store

We carried on along a back country road which wasn't the best idea since it was getting dark. Blanco was the best we could do - so we pulled up to the parking in the deserted downtown square and spent the night.

Monday morning we were up early and after a quick walk through Blanco's park we headed down the 281 to catch the 46 over to New Braunfels. A beautiful drive through rolling hills and lots of trees.

Once in New Braunfels we headed to our destination the Berean Bible Church. We have been reading and listening to and are fb friends with Pastor Jerry Lockhart and so decided that we should stop in as we travel through Texas. At home we don't have a Rightly Dividing the Word Church to go to and so thought it would be nice to meet some of our brethern. We are now parked in behind with a very beautiful and restful garden to enjoy.

While here - in addition to the fellowship, sermons and bible studies - we would also like to see a bit of New Braunfels which is just over 30 miles north east of San Antonio. There is the Gruene Historic District, downtown New Braunfels and Landa Park - where they have a miniature train we would like to take Cassia on. We are big train buffs and would love to take a trip on the real thing but the mini kind will have to do for now. Ideally we would like to visit downtown San Antonio and the River Walk while we are here. We were hoping that they had a bus for us to take since we would rather not take on the interstate and traffic - sadly that is not an option - so for the second time I think we may miss San Antonio.

This morning we awoke to a thunderstorm. It rained for the next few hours so we decided to stay around the Church for the day. Once the rain slowed down we were able to get out of our trailer that gets really small with a 2 1/2 year old for any length of time. It wasn't long before Cassia found a huge puddle to run around in. While Derek had a conversation with Jerry, Cassia and I spent some time in the Church's toddler room which of course was the next thing to heaven for Cassia.

Yes, she got very wet - but that doesn't matter - does it! She had fun!

The weather is supposed to be pretty nice for the rest of the week so we are going to get out and do some exploring plus get some laundry done.

Pictures of New Braunfels Texas coming soon!

Today's Interesting Link: For something different - in addition to following other road warrior blogs I also enjoy following world traveler blogs. I have several listed on my blogroll on the right - why not visit Bacon is Magic. A strange name I will admit but I have been enjoying traveling along with Ayngelina - a single Canadian who started out traveling to Central and South America but has since headed further afield.