Summertime and the livin’s easy

Well I have been on the road, but it has been to familiar territory.  I headed out to Abilene to cater my friends’ daughter’s 1st birthday.  Check out the post here and I will be following up with recipes in the next few days.

She and I recently made a trip from Austin to Goldthwaite with a stop in Marble Falls to get a slice of pie at Bluebonnet Cafe – a definite must.  Also, the drive from Austin to Marble Falls is absolutely beautiful.

Decisions decisions

There is so much to see and do and I have a magazine and a book to lead the way.

“Off the Beaten Path” by June Naylor

I love this quote from Joe Nick Patoski regarding his road trip from Ozona to Sanderson: “A drive whose sole purpose is to experience the simple pleasure of being behind the wheel has a few requirements.  The route must lead west, because that’s the story of Texas and America.  The road must be off the beaten path and as free from traffic as possible.  And the driver must have an open mind and an eye for discovery.”

Next up- road trip to Fredericksburg to celebrate the best mom in the world’s birthday!

Road Trip: Gruene, TX

Along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Comal County sits the historic district of Gruene (pronounced “green” for the out-of-staters).  It is technically part of New Braunfels, but it has a history all its own – that of an old cotton ginning town that saw a decline in the 20’s & 30’s due to the boll weevil and the Depression.  A renaissance in the 70’s led to its rebirth as a destination for day tripping tourists.

There are a few shops and a winery on the main street to check out while you wait for your table at the Gristmill,

which is a great place to enjoy steaks, chicken, fish, sandwiches in a renovated barn on a ridge that overlooks the river.

There are shops for women

Home decor, jewelry, gifts for kiddos

And even an outfitters for the men to check out

Gruene Outfitters

Cotton Eyed Pea sells tshirts, books, and other souvenirs.

The General Store sells all types of local bottled/jarred sauces, salsas, marinades, and dips.  As well as souvenirs, books, and toys for the kiddos.

I wish my pictures had turned out a little bit better, but it’s so hard to capture the relaxed, comfortable feel of Gruene in a photo.  I like the way this picture turned out.

Texas’ Oldest Dancehall

Be sure to check the schedule at Gruene Hall to see if one of the many talented Texas country musicians is playing the night you are there.

If you can make a whole day or weekend of it, rent a toob from one of the many outfitters in New Braunfels and spend the day floating down the river.  If you have kids, check out Schlitterbahn, one of the most fun water parks in the state.

Trivia time! Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?

It looks like it was transplanted from a Dr Seuss book

Get yourself to Gruene soon! It is a great place to spend a summer weekend in Texas.

Pedernales Falls State Park & Johnson City, TX

Head west on Hwy 290 out of Austin and about 30 miles down the road you will see the turn off for FM 3232.  7 miles north you will find Pedernales Falls State Park.  Admission is $5/person and campsites are available for $20/night.

The park is a nice size and can easily be seen in the span of a couple hours – I went in the morning and the temp was just right around 80 degrees.

First stop – Pedernales Falls.  You can’t swim in the water here, but you can hike around and enjoy the scenery of the falls and big rocks.

On the opposite end of the park, there is a small river where you can swim.  It is just a short hike from the parking area.

For the hiker, check out the website for additional information on hikes.  It’s not a large park, but there are some nice views of the river and falls.

After I left the park, I decided to head west on Ranch Rd 2766 and about 8 miles away is the little town of Johnson City, TX  – population around 1100 and hometown of President Lyndon B Johnson.

Dining: It was lunch time so I decided to eat first and spotted Hwy 290 Cafe.  It was good.  As I have found, most cafes in small towns have a fried fish special on Fridays.

it also comes with coleslaw, but I asked to sub a garden salad and, in true small town cafe fashion, it came covered in cheese and ranch. 🙂

Here’s a little tip for dining in a place you have never been – Go to a few shops first and ask the shopkeepers where to eat (great advice I didn’t take).  I wish I had tried Ronnie’s Pit BBQ.  The owner of Nest told me it is really good and is usually sold out by 3 p.m.

Located on Hwy 281

Another spot that looked like it might be worth checking out if you are there for dinner is Pecan Street Brewing.  The menu features burgers and pasta dishes served with their own brew.

Located downtown – just across the street from the courthouse

Shopping: There are just a few shops in town.

Antiques and whatnots

Whatnots like this cute shirt

Black Spur Coffee Shop – Yard Art, Jewelry, and some home decor.

And the cutest of all – Nest, located on 281 (beside El Charro – a Mexican restaurant that also came recommended)

Sarah Jane bags, picture frames, antique knick knacks

And for the history buff, you can visit LBJ’s historical park

Follow the signs to 290 east and you are only about 50 minutes from Austin.  And if you are wondering, there is a DQ in Dripping Springs if you decide you need a dipped cone on the way back.