Visiting with Pat & Marty

 

LAFAYETTE, LOUSIANA TO GEORGETOWN, TEXAS

6+ hours - 394 miles

I have been looking forward to this leg of my trip for a long time. Visiting fellow retiree Pat and hubby, Marty was truly a rewarding and pleasant experience. Schedules permitting, there are five couples from Blue Mountain Middle School that I visit whenever I travel south. I've underlined my fellow retiree: Vicki/George, Jim/Missie, Wendy/Roger, Ray/Kathy and Pat/Marty. There's a common thread throughout; they already had and brought their personalities, character and moral compass with them but most likely adding to the mix of acquiring the southern life style just made them better. They know their surroundings like the backs of their hand and they not only take advantages of all amenities but are eager to show them off and share with those who visit them. Each of those mentioned have given their time and shown their hospitality in full measure. I take great delight including my experiences with them in my journal...or blog. Their life styles are not that different from each other. Where they live gives them tremendous opportunities to be active, live a healthy life styles and, for me, it's so nice to see.

 

Pat and Marty live in a 55+  Dell Web Sun City community in Georgetown, TX, 35 miles north of Austin. It's on 4,750 acres and has a population of about 18,500 with building continuing and expanding. To keep this blog manageable, I had to just highlight the treats bestowed upon me...with a few photos, of course. With Winnie backed into their driveway, I enjoyed their hospitality and beautiful home set right along the fairway they know so well.

   

Yes. Marty prepares his Manhattan and ages it in
his small table top oak cask--minus the bitters.
This was the FIRST of two never before experiences:
Enjoying a Manhattan. Nope, never had one. It was
delicious. I'm having one now as I compose this blog.
Cheers and thank you, Marty. I'm keeping the "flask" for
a refill when next I visit.

My first meal?

A long awaited steak, potato, asparagus and
sauteed Brussel sprout dinner.
Done to perfection.

We celebrated Pat's birthday with a get-together at Wild Fire Restaurant. There, I got to meet their very close and good friends...GOLFERS one and all.

L. to R. Tom, Pat, Dottie, Cherie, Frank, ACR, Marty.

My meal: Macadamia Encrusted Jumbo Shrimp
with mushroom arborio rice, sweet pepper snow peas, pineapple
pico de gallo and mango cocktail sauce.

Anna, from Siberia, was our waitress.

Afterwards and right next door we enjoyed a tribute to Johnny Cash.

Another evening out with friends, I met more friends at 2020 Restaurant From Scratch.

Dave, Marty, Tom

Pat, Tom, Dottie, Kay

Merriman and Dave

My meal: Shrimp Ravioli
Spinach & buffalo ricotta stuffed ravioli,
blackened shrimp, lemon basil cream, shaved parmesan,
and herb baguettes.

My last evening's dinner was in the same area as 2020 Market but it was Ichiro Sushi and Wine Bar. Click on the link and be visually impressed. 

My meal: Salmon Fiesta
Shrimp tempura and avocado topped with fresh salmon, sprinkled
with crunch flakes, organic micro greens and red tobiko.
(Boy, do I miss my Sakura)

Now, lest y'all think all we did was dine out, you're correct, we did. But the daytime treats they provided me rivaled the South Carolinian Docent, Roger. A visit to Rog and Wendy in Bluffton's Sun City, and you will get the best of fine dining, a local historical education and a feel of the life style they so enjoy and know like the back of their hand. To keep this blog posting short, what follows are brief descriptions and some photos (but not all) of the locations visited. The education associated with each was memorable and impressive. To scratch the surface of what I've learned click on the links provided for you in RED. Click on your browser's left arrow to return to the blog.

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, TX.  

The history and accounts of  how the Texas Rangers came to be, their achievements and their present day standing is something everyone should know. Learn more HERE. The memorabilia on display was impressive.  It was a retired Texas Ranger, Frank Hamer, who brought Bonnie & Clyde to their violent end in Louisiana. That incident alone is worth the read.

I'll be visiting Bonnie and Clyde's garage apartment they rented in Joplin, MO in the 1930's on March 24th on my way back home.

Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, TX

Not a cola, the history of Dr. Pepper is as impressive and the man behind it's creation. Pharmacists, chemists and the combination of ingredients is the story. In one information display the ingredients to make hundreds of gallons, beside the flavored syrups given were 600 pounds of sugar.

 

The related products that come under the Keurig umbrella.

Not being a soda drinker, and
never having had a Dr. Pepper...

...this was my SECOND FIRST. Marty's
Manhattan was the FIRST FIRST.
Opinion? Flavorful (cherry) but not very
carbonated. Nice, but it won't be among
my go-to drinks.

LBJ Ranch 

The drive through the sprawling acreage this time of the year was like driving anywhere in Texas. Acres and acres as far as the eye can see. Cattle herds, occasional buildings and the private airplane of LBJ were visible. The link given gives better views and description.

The school LBJ attended as a youngster.

LBJ's personal aircraft.

Grape Creek Vineyard 

It was a perfect day when we stopped by for an afternoon...

...at Grape Creek Winery

Pat and Marty discuss various wines which we chose to taste
with Ashley, a very well informed wine tasting hostess.

A typical oak barrel holding 60 gallons of wine,
enough for about 300 bottles and worth about $35,000.

Timing was perfect to enjoy an outdoor lunch overlooking
the vineyards.

But, of course. Pepperoni on the other equally delicious.

Looking forward to enjoying my three take home choices. They do not produce Chardonnay. Wine taster's notes are included for your entertainment. Would that I could detect any of the delicious descriptions they provide.

A profound and rustic character with aromatic nuances of
 sweet blueberries, jammy blackberries and exotic spices.

A bold, full body rendition of Texas petite Verdot. Inky violet in hue,
with the intense flavors of black fruits and mocha.

A delicate balance of wildflowers and honey
with a peach and apricot bouquet.

Luchenback, Texas On our way back from Fredericksburg, TX and the vineyard, we stopped at Luchenback, TX, population, 3. No one lives there now but they're keeping the history and culture alive.

Gift shop loaded with everything marked Luckenbach, Texas

It even has its own post office where founder,
William was its first postmaster.

Music is the big draw for the tourists who stop by.

Stopping for gas on the way home, I even got to experience a Buc-ee's. Buc-ee's is a chain of country stores and gas stations with locations in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Additional locations are currently under development in Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and South Carolina. Plans for an additional location in North Carolina were shelved in early 2021. The company is owned by Arch "Beaver" Aplin III and Don Wasek, and has its headquarters in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Two rows of about 40 gas pumps each were busy and...

...full. I went inside and observed lines at the register manned by very
personable employees. The sell everything and I determined that
these places make Costco and BJs look like mini-marts.

So now you've gotten a taste of my Texas experience. How do you thank your hosts who provided me with all this in just FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS. I could not have asked for anything more or better. And a "Thank you" just doesn't seem to do it. As my readers know by now, I am blessed with a wonderful group of friends...in every state I visit. 

Thanks for tuning in. My next stops include Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. See you there.