fredericksburg adventure...part 1

Over the weekend, Kyle and I decided to "get away" for a day/night and go venture into the town of Fredericksburg, TX. It is about and hour and half north of San Antonio, but it is not a boring drive. It is a beautiful drive through the scenic Hill Country of Texas. Hill Country is exaclty what you might think it would be; full of hills, winding roads, beautiful landscapes, trees, and ranches as far as the eye can see. It also leads right into Wine Country (which will be covered in a later post!)

So. Hill Country- here is some of the scenery we drove through:

Never would have guessed that was South Texas? Me either. Anyway, on our way to our "Saturday Gettaway," we stopped at a small place to eat on the way called Alamo Springs Cafe. It was featured in Texas Monthly (the National Magazing of Texas...yes, it's for real) as having one of the Top 3 Burgers in the entire state of Texas. Yes, you heard me, the ENTIRE state of Texas. Even though this cafe was in the middle of no where, located on a road named "Old Fred Rd," we stopped to see what the fuss was all about. Pulling up to the cafe, I had my doubts, but then again, every place in Texas with the best food looks like nothing from the outside.

Here is what Alamo Springs Cafe looked like:

Not much for the eyes, is it? We ventured on inside anyway. (As far as the General Store went...they sold beer there, and that is the only thing I could see that resembled anything of a General Store.) We ordered a cheeseburger, with some extra add-ons. I had lettuce, tomato, avacado, and bacon. I can't even tell you what was all on Kyle's burger. Here is what they both looked like...

My burger:

I made it easy on myself by wrapping it half in the paper, so it would hold it together easier. Kyle had a little but more tough of a time...

Kyle's monster of a burger on a jalepeno -cheese bun:

After one bite his was so big and falling apart so bad...the paper wasn't doing it. He need a fork and knife to finish his.

I was so full, I could not finish mine. It was a monster! BUT, it was one of the best burgers I have had in a LONG TIME.

We got back in the car, our tummys full, and continued on north into Fredricksburg.

...to be continued: fredericksburg...part 2 (Wine Country)

grown-up jobs...

For a little change of pace, I thought I would show you were Kyle and I work. I do not think these two places could be more different, but they are both fun, nonetheless.

My employment is called Stowers Furniture, here in San Antonio. It is the only store (not a chain) and family owned. In 1893 the store was opened here in San Antonio, and has been going strong ever since. It is a very high-end furniture store, some have called it "the Lexus of furniture." There are local celebrities that shop here, like Mrs. George Strait, Eva Longoria Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Red McCombs, just to name a few. (Sadly, I have not seen any of them! haha) The store is 85,000 sq. feet-- all full of furniture. We specialize is special orders and can get you just about anything, in any color or fabric you wish. I am learning a lot, and it has been quite the switch from Bobcat construction equipment to furniture. I am currently in charge of all advertising/marketing efforts, and trying to get the store updated in technology. Someday...maybe with the help of my employee discount...I will be able to purchase something from here! (even if it is just a decorative vase) ;)

Here is what the outside of the building looks like:

Kyle's work is a little different than mine. He works for Performance Contracting Group, (PCG) and is loving it. PCG was founded in 1987 and is one of the leading specialty contractors in the United States. PCG is employee owned and currently has more than 50 locations throughout the US. Kyle recently became involved in the "Firestopping" specialty, which is basically everything needed to contain flame, smoke, pressure, and radiation as well as reduce tempurature transmission in buildings. Currenlty he is working on a handful of projects, which keep him busy! He is also starting to really enjoy the company benefits of taking clients out to keep them happy-- just this week they went on a Clay Tournamnet Shoot, and they have a hunting trip scheduled for the beginning of October. (Hunting down here is like golfing up north).

Here is the outside of his office building, however, the more exciting part of Kyle's job is the actual worksites:

Hope that helps you get a little bit better idea of what we do during the work week!

cowboy reunion...

The title says it all. Over the weekend Kyle and I, and our new-found friend Jason, attended a Cowboy Reunion in Pleasonton, TX. I was not quite sure what to expect, I had heard of rodeo events such as breaking a horse, branding a cow, and other events. We were planning on being there at 5, for the start of the rodeo, but since it was still over 100 degrees, we decided to chillax for a little bit and wait an hour. We headed out there and caught the last of the events. A team on horseback had to rope a calf and get him into the trailer...and it was timed. Team with the best time wins...if I recall correctly, the best time was 33 seconds. I just had my point-and-shoot camera with, on full zoom, so pictures are not the greatest. Here are a couple that I was able to capture:

In this photo, the cowboys gave up roping and used good ol' reliable arm muscle

This one was not going in without a fight!

After the rodeo events there was a concert, but we were hungry so we went on a hunt for food. Little did we know, friends of ours were friends with the BBQ Cook-Off Champions, so we got 1st class BBQ. They took Overall Champion, 1st place Ribs, and 2nd place Brisket. Jason and Kyle enjoying the brisket and ribs in the picture.

As the dance continued on, it was still 96 degrees outside at midnight. We were all hot, but the adult beverages helped keep us cool! We danced the night away...well, watched people two step (I am horrible at it!) until Kyle was falling asleep standing up. And then we ventured on home. It was a good time out and we got to see and experience more of Texas!

america's pastime...

While I was home for Stacy's wedding, we were able to go to the TWINS game vs. the Oakland A's. It was amazing to see the new stadium, I am so lucky I was able to go. I wish I lived closer now, because I would be going to a lot more games! There are a few times we can catch the Twins on the cable down here, but not as often as we would like. I was amazed to see all the people, the stadium FULL. I was also amazed at all the different types of food they had! Hot dogs, nachos (the staples, of course) but BBQ, chicken, asian...any kind of food you can think of! And barely any lines (except for the ladies room, of course). It was so nice to see the finished product in person, rather than through everyones pictures!

We all had to try out a hot dog! They were HUGE...

It was fun watching Thome hit a 361 ft home run...Twins won 4-2.

I was so happy my sisters, mom, and unlce could be there with me! It was a fun-filled day, and it reminded me how much I miss the Twins!

happily ever after...

There are so many things to catch up on over the long weekend back at home in MN with friends and family. But, first things first, CONGRATS to the new Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson! John and Stacy had a wonderful wedding day, both looked happy as can be. They are perfect for each other, and I was so blessed and thankful to be a part of their day!

The festivities started on Friday with pedicures/manicures and champagne...

Followed by rehersal and a wondeful grooms supper at the Kiecker Farm...

The bride was so B-E-A-UTIFUL the day of the wedding...

We ended the day by dancing the night away...I even got my dad to POLKA with me!

Overall it was a wonderful day and I wish all the best to the happy couple!

stacy, the bride...

This weekend, Aug 14, my best friend when I was little is getting married. We were the type of kids who were insperable. When we were young (K through 8th grade) we were inseperable. We did so many things together, teachers, pastors...everyone would get our names mixed up. I can't even count the number of times I have been called Stacy and she has been called Cassie. She was my bus buddy on the hour+ bus ride to school, talking about anything and everything, playing all kinds of games to keep us occupied. She was my Barbie buddy, as we sat and played and played for hours at a time at her house or mine. She has the other half of my "best friend" necklace. Needless to say, we have shared a lot of memories and I could not be happier she has now found a husband to share her life with. Congratulations, Stacy and John! We wish you many years of happiness!!

I will have photos to share of this event, plus more from the weekend, next week!

dan the intern...

This summer there was an intern from North Dakota State University working at Kyle's branch at PCI here in San Antonio. Small world, both Kyle and I graduating from NDSU and now an intern! Needless to say, we got along...great. Dan is the kind of guy that can make anyone crack a smile, laugh, and have a great time. He was born to live in or near the water. We had fun going to the lake, the coast, the river...and everytime was a blast. He never fails to see the comedy in a situation, and, if you are curious...he IS a fan of comedy. ;) After 10 weeks of interning at PCI, it is time for him to go back to NDSU for another year of school. Thanks for all the good times and laughs, Dan!

texas cuisine...

There may be more than one reason that I have put on a few pounds since moving down to Texas, however; I think the Texas Cuisine has something to do with it. They have the best most delicious BBQ and Tex-Mex (Mexican) food I have ever had. Anyone who comes for a visit has experienced Texas Pride BBQ. This little bbq joint was featured on the Food Network Channel on the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. That pretty much sums it up, too! Here is what the outside looks like:

It may look like a small, "old fashioned" place, but do not be fooled. See the big shed to the right? That is part of it as well. It keeps going, and more tables, pool tables, beer tables, and even a stage and dacing floor are included for live band performances. On some nights they even have a person riding around on a real horse. (Steve thought it was stuffed horse when he saw it!) When Steve and Jill visited, we took some pictures of the food:

This BBQ is cut right in front of you (they are masters with knives!) and put on a piece of meat packing paper and all piled up in a tray they use to deliver pop cans. Meat Packing paper is your plate, and with any condiment and napkins you may need, this is one of the best real Texas BBQ you can have. The brisket melts in your mouth, the chicken falls off the bone, and the sausage and ribs are amazing as well.

So, if you ever need a vacation or are just craving some good Texas BBQ, come on down...I have the perfect spot to take you!

floating the guadalupe...

Over the weekend, two friends along with Kyle and I ventured out and floated the Guadalupe River, approximately 40 min north of San Antonio. We got a little of a late start and didn't get to the river until about 1, and by then, the river crowd was in full force. This is something of what the river looked like when we arrived:

There are 3 sections to this river.

1) The Horseshoe. This takes about 1-1.5 hours to float, and many people go around multiple times rather then floating the whole thing. This is pictured above. Along this "loop" there are houses lining the river. Some had bubble machines and disco balls for us to look at, some had music playing for us, and some where out in the river themselves, playing with their dog. It was full of people and fun to see.

2) The "medium" loop. This loop takes about 2-2.5 hours to float. You are able to go through some rapids and what not. After we survived one rapid, I somehow got out of my tube to help tie the cooler down and was standing in the river when SPLAT. The current took me and I lost my balance and footing and fell down flat on my rear. I sat in the river and just laughed...well, we all laughed. However, for the rest of our adventures, we chose #3.

3). The "long" loop. This "long" route of the river took about 3.4-4 hours to float. We went through many RAPIDS (we saved the cooler!) and saw some beautiful views along the way. Even though there were a lot of people, we were able to see some gorgeous views, such as this:

Our group consisted of 3 people from ND and 1 from WA, so we were all northerns. Two of the wanted to bring the game, "Slap the Bag" with, so we did. We grabbed our wine bag out of the box and threw it in the cooler. I was surprised at how many Texans looked at us like we were crazy, but then wanted to "slap the bag." We had a 21st birthday girl slap it, a bachelor on his "day out" slap it, and others. It was entertaining to see all the people try it out!

Since we were on the water all day, I was not going to brave brining my camera out; no way no how. They did, however, have someone in the water taking pictures of people floating in the river. He caught Kyle and I just as we were going through some rapids. (I had to purchase the rights to get the high quality photo, so I apologize for the low grade. I was not going to pay $12 for a single picture). Overall, we had a blast and can't wait to do it again!