Small Towns, USA

It was a little bit chillier this morning on our departure from San Antonio, 15 degrees and the wind literally pushed me towards the car, my suitcase on its wheels was in front of me and pulled me like a bullet towards the street. Thank goodness my travel weight gain has happened, who knows where I would have ended up!

We were on our way to Waco. I requested this stop, a reason I will get to but we also wanted to travel the county roads and get a feel for the small towns that dot the highways. First stop was breakfast at The Bluebonnet Café, in Marble Falls. Oh boy, a Café or as we call it a Diner that has been around since 1929. Friendly, famous and fabulous. We watched meals pour out of the kitchen from their all day breakfast to those dinner treats people wanted for breakfast, homemade pies, with meringue six inches high were obviously the specialty. We were so sad we were too full from our breakfast to try the pie. A place that is a must to stay at is the Antlers Inn, too early to tuck in, we have filed this for future reference.

Marble Falls is a popular vacation spot due to its prime location. Five lakes, wineries, lots of Texas history, art galleries galore, it was packed with people, obviously a place to spend some time.

In the photos can you guess which meal was Tony's? He has never had "chicken fried steak" before. When he mentioned he was surprised to see dark meat, he learned quickly it was not chicken but beef. We laughed. Nothing for us to eat until tomorrow!

The flowers, Bluebonnet, is the state flower of Texas. There are fields of them changing the roadsides, pastures, lawns, you name it from green/brown to blue. They are from the Lupin Family and down here they are stubbier and only blue. When you come across a sea of them in Spring it truly is a gorgeous sight.

We continue our journey, the clay land turns from amber to beige, cacti appear. Ranches stretch for miles, iron gates and herds of cattle, too many to count are common sightings with the odd sheep ranch thrown in. The sheep are gambling with glee as their heavy coats have been shorn - spring fever is in the air! Little baby lambs galore and yes there is the odd black sheep among them.

We reach Waco, a city in central Texas, where many will remember the siege of the compound belonging to the Cult of Branch Davidians in 1993, over a 51 day stand off. I asked to come here not for this but like many I watch "Fixer Upper" on HGTV with Chip and Joanna Gaines.

The Magnolia Market at the Silos, sad to say is now more popular than the Alamo. Why do 35,000 people come here each week? I find this mind boggling especially after visiting. Shopping, think Pottery Barn with a southern garden rustic twist, a huge green play space filled with porch swings, games, balls, and picnic tables, a gorgeous flower and vegetable garden space with a garden shop and a bakery where the line up circles the block. Families are here, while parents shop grandparents are in the play area and then roles reverse. Not one person came out of the shop or bakery empty handed when it came to taking a momento home. I did not purchase anything because I truly did not see anything that I can't buy in Canada. I guess our style is northern garden rustic!

Employing over 400 people within their different projects certainly is a bonus for Waco. According to local press it just keeps getting better!

We thought we would be spending a huge day "on the road" but quickly found ourselves an hour away from Mike and Cathy's. It was time to make a decision.....