And the Wheels Turn...

I've been considering my travel exploits as of late.  Due to the ever-increasing difficulty of getting overseas airfare for a reasonable price (tickets are running about $1200 RT to the UK through Travelocity for the May/June timeframe), I am doubting my ability to make a trip to my beloved England this year. *sigh*  I'll do my best, but it will take much larger bank roll than I will likely have the wallet for.

That leaves me with lots of alternative options, of course.  As you know, I recently returned from New Orleans which is only a few short hours away.  The Ozarks, which I visited summer before last, are also an option.  I live in one of the most fun and scenic parts of the US here in Austin, so there's plenty to do right at home.  San Antonio, too, is one of my favorite cities with it's Riverwalk and El Mercado. 

There's Fredricksburg, New Braunfels, Salado, Wimberley, and Greune when I need a day trip and Walburg German food to assuage the European in me.

Here are some links for those places:

Ozarks:
Eureka Springs
Austin, TX
San Antonio
Fredricksburg
Wimberley
Salado
Greune
New Braunfels
Walburg

Of course, my folks live south of Houston, so I get to see Galveston.  A lot.  And since I was raised nearby, I know a ton of places to go there.  I'll put that information in a separate posting.

I am traveling next weekend with a friend from Tyler on a day trip... somewhere.  We'll see where we end up!

In the meantime, I'm home with my puppies and content - for a few days - to sit still and make a quick trip to Eric's place for them to run a time or two this week.

Take care, travel pals, and see you next time!

Toobin' down the Guadalupe - New Braunfels:

Walburg German Restaurant



Nawlins!

I will likely blog more on this when I get time, but here are the highlights of my trip to New Orleans last weekend:

Our hotel was GREAT!  St. Christopher: http://www.stchristopherhotel.com/ Ask for room 605 – it was roomy and quiet and very well appointed.


It’s also a Best Western if you’re collecting points.

First, for beignets, we stopped by Café du Monde. Get there by 8:45 or there will be a line! Afterwards, we headed further down Decatur to the French Market. It’s an open air farmer’s market and sort of flea market where you can get souvenirs and such. There is also a psychic there called Audrey who I highly recommend.

Audrey: http://exogenynetwork.com/Audrey.aspx
French Market: http://www.frenchmarket.org/
Café du Monde: http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Then, headed back to Jackson Square – because it’s a great place to people watch, and because there are artists, psychics, mimes, and musicians there:

http://www.jackson-square.com/

I just wandered the streets after that. Royal Street has a really fun shop called Fifi Mahoney’s (I actually got a wig there!). Whether you buy one or not, it’s a LOT of fun to try them on! http://fifimahonys.com/

For lunch, if you want a taste of New Orleans, the locals go to a place called Johnny’s: http://www.johnnyspoboy.com/ or Café Maspero: http://www.pierremasperosrestaurant.com/.

You can book a tour – they’re kind of fun. Recommend this one: http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/Haunted.htm (the ghost tour is always fun). Book ahead for either the 6 or 8 pm walking tours.

By mid-afternoon, I was whupped and went to nap at the hotel.

For dinner in the French Quarter, I recommend either Court of Two Sisters: http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/ or Gallatoires: http://www.galatoires.com/. Lots of people disagree as to the best food in the French Quarter, but I’ve never been disappointed with these two. Court of Two Sisters is more classic fare, and galatoires is more creole. Both are excellent.

Someone recommended Deanie’s to us, so we went there this weekend. Huge disappointment. It’s not a gourmet place – more of a gourmand place – where they pile a plate high with fried seafood. Not really impressed with the atmosphere or the food. The waitress was nice.

Of course, at night, you have to see Bourbon Street. It’s formidable even during the day, but the music (all kinds) is blasting at high volume so much that the bass throbs through your body. I was surprised I wasn’t bouncing along the street! It’s highly crowded, and I don’t drink much – so it’s not really my cup of tea. For a less distracting version of Bourbon Street – go along Royal. There’s music there (just not so much).

Even though I had a bad Pat O’Brien’s experience, I’d still recommend going there at night to see the fire fountain: http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/.

On your way to or from New Orleans, make a stop in Lafayette to see my friends Rick and Charlotte at Meche’s Donut King. First off, Ricky and Charlotte are the nicest people on the planet. Second, they make the best donuts and king cake in Lafayette. Here’s a trip advisor review for them: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g40261-d826049-Reviews-Meche_s_Donut_King-Lafayette_Louisiana.html. Tell them you know Joy from Austin and give them a huge hug for me. Those two are more like a Sonny & Cher comedy team. Love them!