Frio Rio

Has it really been over a week since I posted last?! I apologize. I can't believe how fast time is going lately...

So. Over the weekend Kyle and I went on a little get-away to the Frio River near San Antonio. It is a 100% spring-fed river, so it was impressively clean and cool (I didn't feel like I was in bathwater all weekend!) It was a GORGEOUS river, and I have pictures to prove it! We took Tucker along with and he had a BLAST. Seriously, I have never seen that dog swim so much. The pictures pretty much explain the weekend, so I will let them speak for themselves!

This is where we spent most of our time, sitting on and around these rocks in the cool water.

I still can't get over how crystal-clear this river was. That is about 5-6 feet deep.

The puppy dogs LOVED it.

Texas' largest tree was right where we stayed for the weekend. It is 96' tall. Circumference of 438". Crown spread of 112'. Seriously HUGE.

The pups look so tiny!

Our group for the weekend.

We were quite impressed with the set-up behind us. Do you see that tent? Those chairs? They had obviously done this a time or two. Don't worry, I took notes.

When we weren't sitting on our rocks, we were floating! .

So relaxing and so refreshing

 Overall it was a super fun weekend outside the city with some great friends! I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. It still was not quite like the lakes in MN, but it was as close as we are going to get I'm afraid! Cheers to the summer!
 

Big Sister Comes to Town

Roshelle just came down to good ol' Texas for a visit! It's been a LONG time since she has been down, so it was fun to take her around to some good local hot spots. I can't remember the last time it was just her and I, no husbands, no friends, just the two sisters. It was a great time to catch up, chat, talk, laugh, drink, and even catch a few (or a lot) of rays.

I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Eating some Mexican out on the patio at La Hacienda. Side note, the margaritas are ah-mazing.

Out for a stroll on the riverwalk!

Flowers were in full bloom- it was a gorgeous day!

More riverwalk- we walked roughly 4 miles that day!

Of course we needed to refuel along the way...

Another pit stop to refuel!

The next day I took her to Buc-ees! Remember that place I shared with you earlier? See it HERE.

And, no trip to TX is not successful unless BBQ was devoured. I got her a little but of everything from Rudy's so she could taste it all. It was a pleasant meal out on the patio....until a bird pooped on me. Somehow it got me while sitting UNDER an umbrella. Some of life's great mysteries!

It was a great time with the sister...makes me miss her more! Until next time...

The River...again

I think this summer we have been to the river more times than the lake. Not sure what that really means, but at least we are getting to a body of water.

The temperatures are still in the mid 90s with no short of humidity. I think with the approaching tropical storm we have seen more clouds than normal, but nothing too abnormal.

On Sunday we took advantage of the sunny weather and headed to the river. It was very similar to this river trip, but this time we went to a different location on the river. A different TOWN even. Crazy when you think of it that way.... Anyway. The scenery looked similar to the last location. The only thing different is where we hung out on the river was at the end of a tube float, so if any of the floaters got caught in the current and had trouble standing or getting off their tube, we could watch and laugh help them out. It was very entertaining.

River in San Marcos

One MAJOR difference was this guy. Oh yes. We brought Tuck-Man with.

He LOVES the water!

In addition to dove hunting, Kyle wants to take Tucker duck and geese hunting this fall so he was working with Tucker and a bird dummy in the water. Tucker did not hesitate and lept right in the water every time the bird was thrown. Or the ball. Or his other dummy. Or the frisbee. He basically would stand in the water waiting for us to throw something.

 

Not sure who had more fun. Kyle or Tucker?

It was another fun afternoon in the water and sunshine. We took the trip with a guy that Kyle met through work, so of course he wouldn't take a picture with me (shocking!) so I found the next available guy to pose with me in front of the camera. And he is SO good at it. ;)

Love my puppy dog!

I promise we do other things besides playing with Tucker all weekend. I swear we do. Now I just need to document it so you believe me... ;)

Today was the first day of school here in San Antonio, so I hope Back to School up north is going as well as it can go!

El Rio

The river. If you look at any major magazine or tourist brochure in San Antonio, they will tell you that you HAVE to float the river. What they fail to mention is that it is just like any other river, except super low 85% of the time due to lack of rain. This summer is no exception. The first year we were down here it looked like this: River in 2010. This year you can actually "float" the river, you just have to get up and walk around low spots so you don't end up like beached whale stuck on rocks.

This past weekend we did venture out to the river with one small change. Instead of floating the river we, um, well....sat in the river. Now that it is in the 100s, it is very hand sitting and having your legs, feet and bum nice and cold while the rest of your body is being cooked under the sun (with sunscreen to protect, of course!) This is what it looked like this time:

Sitting in the water, chillin' and keepin' cool.

 Some of our friends we met through Kyle's work has acreage down by the river. You basically can drive your car right up to the rivers edge. From there you grab your $5 camping chair, find a good spot and plop down in the water until your heart's content. It really was a nice relaxing afternoon.

Kyle and I at the river!

 But, as you all know, nothing is too relaxing when you have a group of guys together. Low and behold there were 2 rope swings situated over the river not far from us. OF COURSE Kyle had to go check it out. Due to the fact that the river is so low and I don't trust the level, I decided to only document rather than partake in the swing. Maybe next year. If we get a flood. ;)

Kyle swinging

Can you spot him? Kyle? I called him Tarzan the rest of the day. Crazy man. I will spare you a heart attack and not show you the video I have of him DIVING into the river from that rope!

To top things off, there was a public campground right across the river from where our friend's land is. So, if we ever have the urge to go camping in 100 degree weather, this might have to be the spot to go!

Hope everyone is enjoyingd the summer up in MN! Happy Lake Season!

Jackson Hole, WY

You must be thinking...another trip?! I know, I can't believe it either. Somehow we have managed an entire year's worth of traveling into 3 months. Go figure.

This past weekend Kyle's branch here in San Antonio/Austin had their PCI Branch Trip. What that means is, if his branch has a good year (fiscally speaking) then the PCI company rewards them and their significant others on a mini-vacation anywhere in the 48 states. Last year, Kyle's branch had an EXCELLENT year, so they chose the location of Jackson Hole, WY as their branch trip location.

In the Town Square in Jackson. All these antlers are "sheds" of Elk around the area that are collected. I saw at least 5 arches like this around the area.

It. Was. BEAUTIFUL. Now I know why it is considered one of the top 10 most beautiful places in the United States.

Jackson Hole from the top of one of the Teton Mountains.

 This is Jackson Hole. The term "Jackson Hole" refers to the valley that most of the towns reside in. The town of Jackson, Teton Village, and the airport all kind of nestle in this little valley nicknamed Jackson Hole. We actually stated at the foothills of the Grand Teton Mountain range, in Teton Village. It was a beautiful location, only 10 minutes from the town of Jackson.

We spent a day touring Yellowstone, something that has always been on my Bucket List. Right along with seeing Old Faithful. I'm all about seeing these places you read about in school. ;)

Sooooooo beautiful it almost looks fake!

Standing in front of Old Faithful

We spent a day going golfing and Whitewater rafting. We bummed around the town of Jackson and took a tram to the top of the mountain by our hotel. We ate elk and buffalo. We saw a ton of wildlife, and I actually think everyone really enjoyed themselves!

Whitewater rafting. I'm in the middle and Kyle is in front. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip! SO much fun, but the water was SO cold.

It was an amazing trip and I highly recommend taking a trip, it is even a great trip to make with the kiddos! Who doesn't want to see a Grizzly Bear, Moose, and Elk all in the same weekend?!

When Friends Come to Town

Over the weekend Kyle and I had some friends come visit. My friend Ann and her husband, Justin, came down for a long weekend (conveniently over St. Pattys Day as well!)

I was SO excited for her to come down I didn't even know where to begin! Friday they arrived around noon and the boys went golfing and Ann and I stayed at the house and talked/tested the margaritas and prepped the food for grilling that night. When the boys were finished, we had chicken kabobs, grilled veggies and potatos. So yummy. The night ended with a few rounds of games around the table. It was so awesome that we can just pick up from not seeing each other since December and be normal, like living 1200 miles away has no impact on our friendship. Awesomeness.

For St. Pattys Day we walked the Riverwalk and since there were like 3 million people at the river for the parade, we found a mexican restuarant off the beaten path and enjoyed the views from there. We then headed to the Quarry Haufbra for a beer-rita and then we went to a friends St. Pattys Day party. Sunday we did a little mini-golf and enjoyed chilling and talking. The weekend went waaaaaay too fast, but it was SO NICE to see them and catch up.

Walking along the river! I totally missed the 80º weather memo. haha

So. Many. People. at the riverwalk!

Ann and I enjoying our Beer-ritas! They were tinted green for St. Pattys Day, of course!

Ann & Justin at minigolf!

All of us at the mini golf course. We all managed a hole-in-one except one person *cough* Justin *cough* ;) 

Now we need to start planning the next trip :)

I have to share with you as well, Tucker was even in the St. Pattys Day spirit!

Such a trooper!

Parents Come to Town

On Wednesday evening, Kyle's parents, Steve & Jill and a former forign exchange student, Philipp from Austria, came to visit! After driving straight through the night, they were pooped from the 19 hours in the car. We went out to eat and chilled the night and caught up on talking. Steve was in the mood for shrimp so we enjoyed Pappadeux while dining on the patio during a very nice evening of weather.

Thursday headed downtown to the Riverwalk while Kyle and I went to work. Philipp was able to see the main tourist-attractions such as the Alamo, Riverwalk, and different shops and good food. They had fun looking at all the souvenier shops and sayings. That evening we walked down to Rudy's BBQ and enjoyed some amazing Texas brisket, turkey, sausage, and their famous cream corn.

Enjoying some good ol' BBQ

Friday they explored some Caverns near Boerne, and Kyle and I made it home and we invited Dan & Jason over for a fun night of games and homemade shrimp gumbo thanks to Jill! Lots of laughs, as usual! Saturday we walked all around the rodeo, exploring shops and livestock barns. Always some good finds, there! We went out to eat at Red Robin (YUM!) for Philipp...he loves nothing more than a good burger and endless fries! It was so nice on Sunday that we drove down to the Pearl Brewery and walked the entire Riverwalk (since we followed the river it totaled about 3 miles one way). Once we got down to the main area we enjoyed some good ol Mexican food before taking the hike back.

Kyle and I outside the Chocolate store along the Riverwalk

It was a pleasant weekend with family- full of laughs and adventures! Always good to have family visit!

A BEAUTIFUL day for a walk!  

Until next time!

First Visitor

The Bruns' Hotel is officialy open, and we had our first visitor the past weekend. My very dear friend, Sarah Mathiowetz, came down for a long weekend to escape the cold and snow (although she did get to experience a Texas snow day!). We had a blast and I was so happy she was able to come down for a visit.

Friday we treated ourselves to pedicures and manicures. There is something that is so relaxing about getting your hands and feet massaged! Saturday we headed out on the town to see the sites. We went to the Alamo, took a river boat tour, and experiences the night life on the River Walk.

We went to the Coyote Ugly Bar and was fortunate enough to see them perform the "Devil Went Down to Georgia." If you have ever seen the movie "Coyote Ugly" you know why that is exciting!

After downtown, we saw the Japanese Tea Gardens, and I love that even though its winter, they have foilage that is "winter proof." Plants were still green and there were still flowers planted.

On Sunday we were blessed with a beautiful day so we played lawn games (Sarah was in capris and a tank-top!) before the Super Bowl game. We hosted a party, so Sarah met alot of our friends down here, and we all had a great time!

Thanks for coming down, Sarah! Had a blast...and now I can't wait for the next one!

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!