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.

 

 

 

$5 Spot! Guadalupe River

Driving down 281 Hwy there are beautiful areas everywhere. Every few miles, once you get out of town, there is something neat to look at. If you dive 20 minutes north of 281 you would come across a bridge with the Guadalupe River running underneath it.

 

 

Right after this bridge to the left is the entrance to a place called, the $5 Spot. The great thing about this place is the prices! It is only $5 to stay the whole day! You can camp here, tube, kayak, Barbeque, and swim! They even have discounts! People have been coming here since 1971 to relax and have fun.  This is a great way to travel a short distance and take the family and kids, go on a date, or party with your friends.

 

 

This place is easy for me to go to because I can wake up around 10 Am and still get there in time without any stress or planning. It is also a very clean environment. They try their hardest to keep the place clean as well as getting others to do the same. I give this place 2 thumbs up!



Coco Bongo anyone???

Sunday I decided to go help my sister out at the bar she started working at. If she made the bar enough money that night she would get promoted and have Sunday as her night. So, I brought some friends and my younger sister brought some friends. This bar, Coco Bongo, is set up like a beach inside. In a corner they have a mini beach set up with sand and a surf board. The bar was made into a Tiki bar with coconuts and bamboo everywhere.

Being at this bar made me think about the last time I went to the beach. I went to South Padre Island this year around spring time. It was still a little cold but it was breezy and felt real nice. Driving there was very interesting. You can watch the road side be full of trees and little by little there becomes less and less trees. It becomes full of sand in an instant.

There are a lot of places you can stop by on the way before you get there. There is a place full of adventure called Bobs World. It is a souvenir shop/ Adventure walk through. Bob made a different world you can experience on the way to your vacation spot! You notice it from a mile away because there are huge objects that catch you eye.

For example, the reef in the front:

 

Or a huge Gorilla.

 

 

The thing I liked most is the free interactive activity. Starting from outside the shop to inside the shop. You have more fun at Bobs World and forget the time passing by! You can go as a couple or as a family because they have something there for everyone. The gift shop has clothes, shells from the ocean, food, ocean toys, and much more.

 

Bobs World

36451 Texas 100 Los Fresnos, TX 78566

(956) 554-4540





 

About Me

About Me

 

 

Who am I?
My name is Andrea Ramirez…

...mother of one, Graphic Designer, and student at Northwest Vista College. I am from San Antonio but I’ve been to many places, although I always end up back home.  I do my best to make others happy and provide for my family. Every week I try to go somewhere or think of all my adventures, So, every week I post a blog also helping others when they need a quick adventure. 

So, what is my blog about?
As I was driving down San Antonio famous 281 Hwy, I was thinking about how miserable I was without AC and how this is what partly makes San Antonio, TX. I realized Life is short and I didn’t want to waste my life away and never enjoy it. My blog is about the eventful places and things my family and I do each week. Whether it’s out of town or somewhere new in town. When I do not go anywhere new I write about other places I have been and what events go on there. When reading my blog, others can learn of places to go and how inexpensive it can be. From local places, to half way across the world, there are many different adventures awaiting us.

Where do I get my expertise?
Through out my blog I explain the experiences I went through on all of my travels. I use relevant and interesting pictures of where I have been and what I am talking about. I also use links to other pages to show where I get information for events and places I have adventured to. These links can include anything from a  home page for a city or an event giving credibility to my blog. This shows that I am not the only person knowledgeable in the subject but also that others can be aware with the things offered to us. 

These things are laid out in front of us, all we have to do is pick up the news paper, surf the internet or look up an event/home page of the town.

How will my blog help you?

Some people may feel bored and need something to do or somewhere to let go. This can cause some to go crazy from the same repetitive week after week. Others may not know where to go when they feel this way. My blog can help:

·         Families

·         Couples

·         Singles

from local San Antonio to all over where to go and what they can do while they are there. On each adventure I go to I list the place and what the place has to offer. Life is short and my blog is a quick way to enjoy it without spending a paycheck.

How to contact me?
I can be contacted at andy0790@yahoo.com or through my blog at http://andrearamirez8.blogspot.com/. Leave me a comment or send me a personal message so we can get to know each other better and share each other’s Travels and adventures. I want to hear from you!

Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/#!/Andycandy8

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Traders Village in San Antonio

Traders Village is a local San Antonio flea market.  It is located on the south side of town right off of 1604 & 35 south. This weekend I set up my own table there. My mom has a small business called Picture-Perfect Memories where she sells photography, little girls/babies clothing and accessories. Pettiskirts, tutu, shoes, fairy wings, jewelry, headbands, etc. These are the things I sell while I am there.

Click the photo!

The tables are pretty cheap. This flea market is designed for anyone and everyone. In the middle of the whole lot is a courtyard full of rides for kids and adults. They even have a train that rides around the whole market. Kids and adults ride it to both have fun and to see what the market has before walking the whole thing.

 

Along the way are food vendors all over the place offering different types of food. From local dishes and snacks to the usual. I like the mango on a stick with chili sprinkled on top.

 

I also like how they have different events every weekend. This last weekend they had a car show for volkswagon. People came from all over to show off their bugs or hippie vans all decked out! Live shows also happen through out the day consisting of dancers, singers, performers, etc.

 

This is a great place for families, couples and everyone in between. The vendors have something for everyone at an extremely affordable price so everyone goes home with a tresure of their own. 

Reminiscing...

I did not go very far this weekend. This week was more of a reminiscing week. I was thinking of all my travels and one in paticular just fell right into my lap.

This weekend I was cruising through Brackenridge Park, in San Antonio, Tx. I didn't go anywhere special but something caught my eye that I swore I've seen before. Next to the Witte Museum there is a cemetery. You can see it if your driving along Hildebrand, at Hwy 281.

View from Hildebrand Rd. :

Then it hit me. This is a replica statue! The last time I saw this I was in Paris, France. I was at the Musée du Louvre. I remember this because while I was there I remember saying, "this statue looks like the one back in San Antonio".

I couldn't believe I had actually remembered something like this and connected it on the otherside of the world. Obviously this statue I saw this weekend is a replica of the one in Paris. While thinking of the my adventure, I remembered a statue which is pretty close to the angel statue in other room.

Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio CANOVA (1757 – 1822)

This was one of my absolute favorite pieces. The way they are so passionate yet stuck in time. Their bodies themselves are art. Just beautiful. I would hope everyone gets to take a trip to the Louvre. It's quite amazing and full of interesting history.

San Antonio Zoo

This week my tiny family and I did not go very far. Where we did go, local San Antonian's enjoy all year around. The San Antonio Zoo. We go quite often to see my daughter reaction to the animals as she goes. My husband and I have been going since before her birth because we enjoy seeing all the animals they have there that Texas does not really have. The good thing about the zoo is that anybody and everybody can go. There is something for everyone. Kids, Adults, and everyone in between.

This time my favorite part was the flamingos:

 

My daughter flipped when she saw them. She was jumping up and down in my arms screaming random baby words. Two of the flamingos started fighting and squawking so Dahlia stopped her ranting and just watched. I don't know what she was thinking but whatever it was she was stuck in awe.

After a while we ended up in this big air cooled building full of birds. My daughter stopped what she was doing at one point and crawled to a window to see what was inside.

Inside this little glass room was some exotic birds that were following her as she was scooting along the window. They had long pointed beaks and it was as if my daughter and the birds were talking. I like watching her do and learn new things. I guess she was so fascinated by these birds we had to stay there for a little while. This was okay with me as it was hot outside and cool inside this building.

As we were going further into our adventure at the zoo it was getting hotter and hotter. We ended up by the Rhino's area but were too hot so we had to sit along the side in a spot where there was some shade. All of us look hot and bothered.

 

Dahlia was so thirsty she drank all the water in her sippy cup. Then she was ready to go again. As we were coming to the end we passed the Komodo Dragons and the Bears. But it was way to hot for them as well. Click on the picture to see some of the reptiles the zoo here has!

As you can see these animals were so hot they were just laying around trying to keep cool. Although it is hot in the summer time, the fall and the spring are the best time to go. The air is cool, the animals are active, and it can be a different experience.

Whats my blog about?

This Fall semester 2012, I plan my blog to be about my tiny family and I traveling. We like to go places we've never been before. Sometimes revisiting the places we just discovered. These places can be near or far. On the weeks where I do not go anywhere I will reminisce on past favorite travels. I may also post on places I would like to visit in the near future and why I want to go there. I hope you enjoy my little blog and learn about places close to home and a bit of a distance so you can go too. :)

Here is a little something to think about: Can you guess where these pictures were taken?