Room with QUITE a view!

I wouldn't mind waking up to this every morning :-)

Sometimes journeys can be LOOOOONG!

Friday I finally arrived in Birmingham six hours behind schedule, and can I just say that the Houston (George Bush) International Airport is STUPID!  You have to go through security to change terminals.  I mean, come ON!  This is after I sat on a plane on the runway in San Antonio for an HOUR before they decided to let us know that they were cancelling our flight.  Thanks for that, Continental.

Today I arrived at Birmingham's airport at six thirty, was laid over in Dallas for three hours.  Get on board the flight to Eagle County Airport (closest to Vail) and they discover that a cargo net is ripped.  So we sit there while that's repaired.  Then when we started making our descent into Vail, it's snowing so badly there (they got 13" last night) that we can't land, so we circle.  This has happened to me a few times before, and I know that eventually we will probably divert to Denver.  I should have advised our captain, because he decided to just flip u'ies in the sky for an additional hour.  At this point, I've already tired of the wonderful book I'm reading ("Ahab's Wife" by Sena Jeter Naslund) that I'm basically just sitting there getting myself more worked up, primarily because of Collins.

Collins is "Sewanee folk" and currently resides in Fort Collins (I'm serious), CO.  She decided to drive down with her skis and hang out with me.  So when we land in Denver it's after four and Collins was all set to pick-up me up at two.  I phone her immediately and explain what's happened, and wouldn't you know it, Collins was also unable to get into Vail.  What was originally reported as a 75 car pile-up later turned out to be 40 cars (+ fatalities :-(  )  No one was getting into or out of Vail, and Collins was not getting out of Copper.  She had finished her run at Copper, was taking some sort of shuttle, and an eavesdropping bus driver divulged the secret of an alternate route.  Sat on the plane in Denver while we refueled and waited for someone to tell us what was wrong.  Renewed interest in my book for lack of anything else to do.  Ate some granola bars.  Waited a little longer.  Made it into Vail before Collins and took a shuttle to my resort.  The drive was absolutely breathtaking, especially because we took the backroads 'cause the Interstate was still not accepting traffic.  Saw deer.  Saw elk, saw the sun set on the mountains at 9,000 feet.

This is when I remembered what Mama had just told me a few minutes earlier when I called her with a travel update.  "You know, you taught yourself to read when we drove through those mountains."  I remember that!  Stuck in the middle seat of the Aerostar Minivan on the drive to Lancaster, CA from The Farm, IA.  I was determined to read, being the middle child and never appreciating feeling left behind (Brooke could read!)  So I did.  I taught myself to read.  I even remember the book and the word that I had a complete come-apart over.  "Could" was the word I just could not get.

Anyways, I'm safe and snug here at the Vail Cascade and Collins and I are enjoying a bottle of Pinot Noir, complements of the property (I guess?)

"Wining" my way through Texas

My first experience with Texas wines left much to the imagination.  If it hadn't been for the sheer volume of libations offered and the ensuing giggliness, I might not have enjoyed myself so thoroughly at the Vintner's Dinner we attended at the Cotton Gin restaurant.  A prix fixe five-course meal with a different variety served with each course.  Thank you, Emily Antonen, for discovering a little known German tradition called "Damenfest" and bringing it to life at our female-only dinner table.  I'm not at liberty to discuss in detail what was guffawed over at our Damenfest celebration, but it ran the gamut from favorite movies to much less tame topics I will not mention on the world wide web.  As we left the restaurant, Pam overheard another table comment, "That was the RUDEST table."  Ha!

I also participated in a wine tour, which renewed my faith in Texas wines.  We visited Becker Vineyards where I had the most amazing cabernet sauvignon (I brought home three bottles.)  Our sommelier, Henri, was entertaining, to say the least.  "Always use real corks, and always have red zinfandel," one of the many anecdotes told with his charming french accent.  Off in our luxury wine bus (think short bus meets stretch limo) to Grape Creek, where I had the best Pinot Grigio EVER and was sincerely upset that Texas winemakers do not distribute outside of the state of Texas :-(

National Museum of the Pacific

I cried.  But how could I not when I saw the displays of the battles I knew my granddaddy had been involved in?  I can't imagine being in your early twenties, experiencing the atrocities that made up the Second World War, and then living the rest of your life without any psychological damage?!  I understand now why he doesn't like to speak about it.  How could anyone understand who wasn't directly involved?  

This museum is a must for anyone with loved ones who served in the Pacific during WWII.  Wow.  I really can't say any more than that.

I had seen this place on HGTV, but.....

somehow it had seemed cool, not creepy.  Maybe if I was into guns and killing things I could have appreciated it a little more...but I had this feeling that Michael Jackson was lurking around every corner.

All the tables had glass tops for displaying a collection of really weird stuff (i.e. SKULL?!?!)  That's appetizing, huh?!

Despite the decor, I was pleasantly surprised my amazing vegetarian entree!

The property boasts the world's largest cap gun museum.

And an underground chapel and swimming pool.

Walking around Fredericksburg

This is a town you could walk around for days and still see something new and different (it reminded me of Asheville in that respect.)  It has it all, history, architecture, boutiques, amazing restaurants, and art galore.  If only a single-wide trailer didn't cost twice as much as my 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom home in Birmingham (sigh...)  I'll share some photos and tidbits about my pedestrian time in the little town.

The Vereins Kirche is situated in the town Marketplatz (Square) and was once used as a school, church, community hall for the town.

I don't remember the name of this church but the vaulting was impressive for such a small town.

It seemed a shame to waste these flowers by EATING them, but they were actually quite tasty.  This is an Edible Flower Spring Roll I tried at the Herb Farm.

There are tons of beautiful gardens in Fredericksburg, but I particularly liked this Star Garden (laid out like a star) at the Herb Farm.  They also had wonderful smelling lotions/soaps/candles.  I came home with three bottles of Mint-Eucalyptus Lotion (yes, Mama, one of them is for you!)

This is one of many galleries in the area.  My favorite was the Artisans at Rocky Hill, who offer everything from mosaiced furniture and pottery to jewelry and wind art.  Affordable, too.

Enchanted Rock

From the bottom...

Located about twenty minutes outside Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock, the second largest granite dome in the country (or world maybe?)  Anyway, very interesting topography and vistas from the summit, and we even got a song out of Heather, who regaled us with "On top of the world/looking down on creation."  I shot the music video but it was so freaking windy up there all you here is wind.  Like when Mama calls me from Iowa as she's standing outside: "DO YOU HERE THE WIND?!"  

At the top...

Taking flight (it was sooooo windy!)

Push!

Descending...

my green thumb is seriously throbbing

I could have spent my annual salary at Wildseed Farms.  You think I'm joking.  But I'm not.  Thank you, Mama, for the love of plants.

LBJ, dude!

I learned a lot about this dude on my first full day in Texas.  Primarily that there are busloads of senior citizens who will knock you over to see the bed he once slept in.  Even when the docent repeatedly tells them to cool it: "If you are not a writer or photographer with a publication, this tour is NOT for you!"  But you cannot tell some people "no" tactfully.  They will peer through windows.  They will follow you around from the outside of the house as you walk around the inside.  They are die hard history lovers.  Gotta respect that.  

At one point the docent said, "Here at the museum, we're not afraid to use the V-word," and damn my nasty Talk Soup mind for thinking "Va-jay-jay" when, in actuality, she was referring to the Vietnam War.  Stupid Oprah!

Aside from his boyhood home in Johnson City, we visited his ranch in Stonewall.  I'm not big on bus tours, but our driver was so freaking passionate (and secretly in love with Lady Bird) that he literally cried when we visited the cemetary.  Yeah.  That's dedication, right there.

I was fascinated with the scrub oaks and live oaks and this one particular goat on the tour.  That's what I remember most.  Oh, and the fact that LBJ was responsible for Public Broadcasting, Medicare/Medicaid, and 10% of all National Parks.  Thanks for those, Baines, by the way.

Rollin' Out the Red Carpet

I'm touring Fredericksburg with Geiger & Associates, who represent the Fredericksburg, TX CVB.  Fresh off the airplane I was whisked away to the Hangar Hotel (www.hangarhotel.com) where I walked in mid-speech and stood in the corner shoving my mouth full of miniature wheat crackers and cheese squares, waiting for the correct opportunity to partake in the rare open bar, for an opening reception and tour of the facilities.  I've never experienced a themed hotel that pulls it off so tactfully (not at all tacky or over-the-top.)

The same people who own the hotel hosted our group for dinner at the Fredericksburg Brewing Company (www.yourbrewery.com) where you could get anything you wanted deep fried (much like the Iowa State Fair.)  You could also enjoy a flight 'o beers (which Brooke, pre-pregnancy days would have relished.)  It's just a sampler of all their local brews.  I coerced my table into pooling our empty cups for a photo op.  Surprisingly enough, we were the first such table to create such a lovely work of art in the history of the restaurant.  Amateurs.

coolest hotel accommodations EVER

Let me start off by saying that I've been traveling for Executive Traveler for a little over two years now and have stayed in some pretty sweet places (the private hut on the lava beach in Hawaii comes to mind) but this room is by far the coolest.  If I had money, it's exactly how I'd decorate my own house.  Just three suites on top of a baby and women's boutique, there's no innkeeper, no front desk, no maid service.  They stock your room with enough food, towels, and toiletries to last you the length of your stay and you're on your own.  I'm considering moving in.  Some photos (just click to enlarge and I suggest doing so):

My living room

My kitchen/dining area, stocked with home-made muffins, fresh fruit, and honeynut cheerios (what my breakfast in Birmingham usually consists of!)

Bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub and a rain shower.

Very comfortable platform bed.

Private balcony.

More posts on the trip to come (as I get photos downloaded/edited!)