We checked out of our hotel in San Antonio by 10am and headed Northeast to the Natural Bridge Cave. Juju's flight wasn't until 5:30, so we figured we had enough time to do something touristy. After a Starbuck's breakfast on the road, we made it to the cave around 11am. The girls got on their hiking boots or running shoes and we bought tickets to the cave walk.
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| Quinn smiling. |
I am not going to go on and on about a cave. I am not saying it wasn't cool - it really was. But it is just one of those things that you can't really describe. Maybe if I was Faulkner or Twain I could pen something in 30 pages or so. But I ain't. I am Jeff. So you will just have to go to a cave yourself and see something that you don't see everyday. All the stalagmites and stalag-whatevers. It is so bizarre and awesome and majestic and forbidden - all wrapped into one.
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| We took a total of about 200 pictures between us. It is a different world down there. |
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| G, A, and S are up there at the top left. |
The cave had a good supporting business around it. The buildings around it all appeared to be new. We didn't do the second cave tour - we didn't have time. But we did do the Zip Line and the Obstacle Course - well, at least, three of the girls did (remember, Quinn is only interested in sun tanning). Which reminds me of the trip we did when I was younger. My mom and dad brought all five of us kids on a three week tour of Canada and California. Jasper, Banff, Redwood Forest, etc. It was incredible. On that trip what I remember most about my oldest brother, William, was that he had his headphones on the entire time. He didn't smile much and he wanted to be alone. He was 15. Hmmmmmm.).
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| Shelby |
From there we drove to the airport and dropped off my mom. Juju was fun to be with. She is up for anything, is funny, and loves the girls. I am a lucky son.
Off we drove North and West to the Hill Country. Kerrville was our destination. We made a quick stop at a grocery store for some snacks to substitute for a formal lunch. The girls listened to music from one of their iPhones as we enjoyed the rolling hills of Texas. We got into Kerrville at about 4pm. The Y.O. Ranch is our home for the next two nights. We got a great deal on a suite, which means we are all bunked in together. This is the first time I have had all my kids in the same hotel room since they were very little. The biggest issue? One bathroom - five girls.
The hotel is dated and reminds me of the hotel in the Shining. No, I have not seen any twin girls in blue dresses. In fact, I haven't really seen anyone. Not a single person was at the pool when we were there. Every chair was available. There is maybe one or two people behind the front desk in a lobby that is about the same size as the one Jack tended. And you remember how the hotel in the Shining has a western decor? Well, we are in Texas.
It is a cool looking place, but we are pretty much alone in this compound.
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| Rails. The restaurant in an old train depot. |
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| Panino |
After some sunning by the pool (Quinn's addiction), we headed off to dinner. Our destination tonight is an old train depot that has been turned into a foodie restaurant. Think Pane Vino Dolce crossed with Bluebird. Solid. Great waitstaff and great food. I got the Axis Burger (yes, another burger. But I am a sucker for an out-of-place burger on a menu of mostly light Italian cuisine. And this one is a venison burger from the Axis deer that is local to this area). Janna got a pesto linguini with shrimp and the girls all got Paninos (which is either the plural or singular for Panini - not sure). Dessert was very good too. We all enjoyed cake.
As we left the restaurant, we saw something that I would have never thought you could even dream up. A Drive Thru Liquor Store. Yup. Maybe they are common down here. I have no idea. But like they say about Texas: its like a whole 'nuther country. Here is the photo.
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| Drive Thru Liquor. |
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