Blanco Bowling Cafe, Texas!!

This week I was visiting my Grandma in Spring Branch, Texas. While I was there my mom needed to register my little brother for school in Blanco.  I was excited to go because I used to go to the school when I was a little girl. Blanco has changed some since last time I visited but it is mostly still the same. My grandfather just passed away around thanksgiving so I was happy to remember all the places he used to take me.

Registering him only took a few minutes so we were out of there in no time. I started to get hungry so my mom asked me if I wanted to go to the Blanco Bowling Alley. I said, “no, I don’t feel like bowling I am hungry!”. Turns out the Blanco Bowling Alley is a restaurant and there is no bowling alley at all!

It was alright but the thing that caught my eye was a picture on the table. It was the Blanco Courthouse! I took a tour in there around my brother’s age. All the people there dressed up with wigs and suits from a different time for us. I took a picture of this because it just shows how proud Blanco is of its history.

After we ate we ended up passing by the Blanco River  off 281. It really a beautiful river.  I used to swim in it when I was a baby all the way up until middle school. Now that I have my own child in a few years I will be able to take her to all the places I went too. The great thing about all this is that it is free! You can go to this river for free and view the courthouse free! The only cost to you is gas and food. The food is inexpensive as well.

Christmas time would be a great time to visit because the electric company there has a walk way of lights close by. This is great for family and romantic couples!!!

A Walk Down a German Memory Lane

This week I was thinking about all the things I haven’t done and what I have done. My grandfather passed away this week and I was thinking I wish I saw him more. It got me thinking of the people before him of his German descent . This instantly reminded me of the time I went to Germany myself. It was no wonder he wanted to go back. It was beautiful.

The Alps go through Germany, France, and Italy like a chain. There is even a tunnel that takes almost two hours to drive through! You get no signal inside and its never ending. There are emergency phones in case something happens because if something were to happen there would be no way to contact anyone for help.

Driving through The Alps is like a whole different world opened up. Here I would think about going to paradise. This is what my paradise looked like in my head. So when I went I was amazed every second. If you live overseas it is a great free place to visit. If you live here in the states its quite expensive due to flights. This kind of trip is the kind of trip anyone can go on. Singles, couples and families.



Wildlife Ranch- African Safari - Texas Style

This week while I was moving into my new home I started to think about where I was the last time I was moving into a new apartment. I remember wanting to do something new  and go somewhere but I didn’t feel like hiking or doing any extreme exercise.  My husband asked me if I wanted to go to Natural Bridge Caverns. I had  just been there 2 weeks ago. He said there is another half to Natural Bridge Caverns called Wildlife Ranch.

Basically it is where you drive on a straight road through a natural animal life land. When you start you buy animal food for a few dollars, then feed it to the animals while you driving through.  There are Ostrich, Kangaroo, Rino, Camel, Zebra, Giraffe , Emu, Long Horns, & Deer!

There are many different activities to enjoy. When you see an animal, you stop the car and roll down the window. The animals walk to the car because they know you have food. It is either really funny or really scary to some people. This trip is fun for children and for friends or couples. I went before I had my daughter and had a blast and I plan on taking her when she gets a little older.

The best part is that you do not have to travel far to get there! It is right off Hwy 35 north, right outside of Hwy 1604. Admissions are a little pricey but it is well worth the experience. Plus, on the Wildlife Ranch home page there is a coupon always available!! There is also a military discount of $2.50.  Children under 3 are free.

Halloween in San Antonio!

Halloween is a certain holiday where you do not have to spend money to have fun! Halloween is short for Hallows Evening, or how most of us know, All Hallows Eve! It's the one day of year where you get to be who ever you want and get free candy!

San Antonio has a lot of free events for Halloween celebration! To start, the famous Zombie Walk. Everyone meets the Saturday before Halloween at the Hemisphere Park dressed as dead zombies. They have been doing this for many years. People come up with some crazy things! This year I saw a pregnant lady walking around with a fake zombie baby on her belly!

Another thing San Antonio has are Pumpkin patches, hay rides, and more. Churches and people all over the county set them up. Sometimes they even raise money for better causes. People can pick their own pumkins and take them home to carve them.

The best part of halloween is trick or treating! I find the Zarzamora neighborhood off of 35S is a lot of fun. It gets really pack and it is pointless to drive. There are so many people that walking is the quickest way around. The other area is Woodlawn Lake. This community comes together to make trick or treating great for everyone. Every house gives candy and everyone is friendly.

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

This weekend I was walking downtown and I happened to stumble across people break dancing! I personally am not a big fan but it sparked a memory in my brain! The last time I saw people break dancing was in France. People there are very different but they make it all the more interesting! I loved it!

Right next to the spot with the break dancers was Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile. It is a beautiful structure which people from all over the world travel to see. Like me!

The arch was finished 1836 at 164ft tall in Paris, France. It took 30 years to build! The purpose is to honor those who fought and died for france in the French Revolutionary and Napoleanic wars.


 Names of all french victories and generals are inscribed on it's inner and outer surfaces! It is FREE to go to and you can climb the stairs to get to the top and see across Paris!

Neuschwanstein Castle

The other day I was dressing my daughter and she looked like a little baby princess. I was thinking to myself, gosh, I hope I get to take her to Disney land to see Sleeping Beauty’s Castle! As I was thinking about it, I remembered, “Hey, I kind of have been there already!”.

Even if I can never save up to go to Disney Land and take her to a princess castle, I can still take her to a castle like it! Sleeping Beauty’s Castle was based of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany! When I was pregnant I went to this castle and It did not cost me an arm and a leg.

There is also a beautiful mountain you can walk up and take pictures of waterfalls and a beautiful view of the castle itself! Bavaria is a beautiful place to visit!

When I went on the tour, the person leading had so much to inform us of. I remember the castle was being built in September 1869 and was never completely finished. I remember this because my sisters birthday is that month.

I also remember hearing the lady tell a story and the king. They all were incest and they all had psychological problems! These people put mentally ill people as their kings and queens! Well this king was found in a pond outside the castle and it was said he committed suicide! But really, people think he was murdered! There is more to it and it is quite an interesting story.

This castle is so famous that thousands of people visit a day. I would recommend stopping here. They don’t allow people to take pictures inside but it is the most beautiful and luxurious castle. I never thought I would see something so royal and real.

Relaxing at Possum Kingdom

Sometimes I feel the need to relax where the scenery is beautiful and there are no big cities.

If you drive up 281 North from San Antonio about 4 and ½ hours there is a beautiful peninsula called Possum Kingdom. The vast lake is both calming and fun and the huge hills are beautiful and entertaining. 

 

The cabins there are beautiful. There is a place right off the edge of the lake called Hide-Away-Cabins. They are Inexpensive, beautiful, and vary in all different sizes and types. You can cuddle up by the fireplace, hike the hills behind you, fish in the lake, swim in the lake, or go canoeing.

The view is amazing! You can walk out of your cabin door and see a sight for sore eyes.

 

There are lots of places to take the family or just you and your significant other for dining. My favorite is Rockin' S Bar & Grill.

It really is a quick and easy get away. I have listed all the things you need to know when going up there. When you visit all the links you can see just how easy it is to enjoy life for a weekend, a week, or over night.