My Trip to San Antonio

Once it was finally time for my much anticipated trip to San Antonio.. Nicole, and I could hardly stand the wait any longer.   One day we discussed staying awake the entire time so we wouldn't miss spending any time together, then quickly nixed that idea because we would be super grumpy and not like each other for a while...it happens.  So...it's time...it's time...it's finally here..I woke up super duper early to get ready to go to the airport...Kyle tossed my luggage in the back of my car, and we were on the road bright and early.

I flew standby.  A few people asked me what that meant...well, ok...mainly my sister did not understand even after I briefly explained it.  Basically it means that I paid way less for my tickets (less than half of the ticket price) because I did not have a reserved seat..I only had a seat request.  Many people fly standby, and where you are on the waiting list depends on your seniority...such as...current Delta employees and their family, retired employees...etc.  I was flying on a buddy pass because my husbands Grandfather was a pilot for Delta...beginning in the mid 40's.  He has since passed, but his wife still receives an X amount of buddy passes each year.  After months of waiting for ticket prices to go down, I asked if there were any passes left over...and luckily I was able to use one.  Hopefully that semi-cleared that up for those in question...  Anywho, since I never knew if I would have a seat on the flight, annnd I had a layover in Atlanta... it seemed like it took an eternity to arrive at my destination....

Finally we landed...If you know me personally, you know that I get super excited...a lot...and I am not shy when it comes to showing my feelings....So, I clapped...some of you know what I am talking about...I clap...a lot.  I'm weird, I know, and it's not nice to judge people, so don't.  :)

Nicole and Henry met me at baggage claim, and we hugged and laughed, and I probably clapped some more..I don't remember.

We went to the grocery store, then finally made it to their house...as soon as we pulled into the driveway her husband and I were waving at each other like two year olds, and I jumped out to give him a big hug.  You would think that we had not seen each other in years...even though it had only been a few months...It is a wonderful feeling to see your oldest friends no matter how much time has gone by.

First thing's first...I had to hold the baby!!  If you've been following my blog for a while, this is Henry.  The little boy I have been talking about long before he was born.

We instantly became best buds!

After I got settled... Nicole and I sat in the garage listening to music, talking, laughing, drinking...just like old times.  The besties were back together again..

I think we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning.  I finally made it to my bed around 5:00 a.m, and of course the first thing I did when I woke up was hold onto this sweet boy again.

While Nicole and Frannie were getting ready for the day Henry and I got to spend quality time together.  Nicole told me she had been telling him about me since he was born...so I think he already knew I was the Auntie.   :)

The first day we went to a winery in New Braunfels, Tx called Dry Comal Creek Winery.  It was gorgeous...the countryside was breathtaking, with a creek running alongside the property.  It looked like the place had been there for centuries.

The wine was fabulous, but most of all the sangria was to die for.  Most def the best I have ever tried...and I got the recipe...

After Dry Comal we drove a little further down the road and went to Wurstfest.  A lot like Oktoberfest, but better. We laughed, drank some more...they had the yummy sangria there...and I had my first sausage on a stick...and it burnt my tongue like you wouldn't believe.  Someone commented that Nicole and I were eating ours wrong...lol...that we were eating them like Southerners...trying to eat it politely..I'm sorry, but there is no classy way to eat sausage on a stick...I tried...I failed...you've just got to do it...no class to it.

Sooo, Wurstfest...I came, I saw, I ate my sausage on a stick, drank...did the chicken dance....got the hat...laughed a lot, and had a great time...

The next day we went to Mi Tierra in downtown San Antonio.  A famous Mexican joint with a bakery at the front of the restaurant.  They had the most amazing looking pastries...Too many to choose from, but I did end up leaving with a giant chocolate cupcake.

and the best Mexican food I have ever had...I want some right now!!

After lunch we walked to the Mexican market.  We meandered in and out of all the shops...I bought some Mexican jewelry, and some handmade wine glasses...

Downtown was really cool...a lot of old history, I enjoyed just walking the streets looking at all of the old buildings and whatnot.  We went to the Riverwalk after dark...I did not get a picture, but it was fun to see.  It really is a beautiful city.

This is random, but it has to be mentioned...At some point along the trip Nicole showed us a text her friend had sent her of the ermahgerd girl.  Do you know what I am talking about?  This crazy girl made us laugh so hard...like tears rolling...basically you pronounce your words with an "r" in there somewhere...Like omg is ermahgersh...or lol is ler...or good night is gerd nert...get it?  My favorite one is this...You have to say it out loud as you read it...

Ermahgerd...ersn't irt furnny!!??  We talked like this for the remainder of the trip. I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard.  When Kyle would call me he had a hard time understanding my new found language...He didn't get it...luckily I have converted him, and he can now speak fluent ermah-areserm--nerss.

Ok, back to it....my last full day in Texas we went to Gruene...pronounced Green.  I had difficulties sounding out the town names in Texas.  I am a phonetic kind of girl....I always sound words out the way they are spelled, not so much the case there...

Gruene is a small, historic town.  It was probably my favorite place that we visited, and we spent most of the day there.  We had lunch at Mozie's, and then walked down the road a bit to the Winery on the Gruene.

A teansie tiny family owned winery.  They are very generous with their serving sizes...rather than a "tasting" they would fill our glass up to what would be a regular sized serving of red wine.  Ermahgersh...I broke out into a sweat, which is normally what I do when I drink too much in a short period of time, and immediately caught a burzz...That was some good wine...

We laughed, and laughed, and I don't even remember what was funny...we just instantly laugh..a whole lot when we are together....

I ended up buying a few bottles of wine from this winery...

It was the perfect end to my last day in Texas...

Besides Henry, I also managed to make another new friend....Harley, the dog, loved me...like.. super crushing on me, loved me.  She followed me everywhere, slept in my bed, wanted to lay on top of me, and also sit in my lap.  It became apparent that she wanted to somehow be touching me at all times. 

This is how she slept on our last night together....with her hind leg right on me, and when I woke up in the morning her paw would be in my hand.  I miss that sweet girl!

She stayed by my side even up until it was time for me to leave for the airport.

I am pretty sure she did not want me to go..

and I certainly did not want to leave this little guy...I got snuggles, and kisses until it was time to walk out the door...

I had such a good time, and made memories that I will never forget.  It was a wonderful visit with a ton of laughs, tears, and just plain silly good times. These are two friends that are like family to me.  It is hard to be friends with people for 17+ years, and not love them like family, and now that I have finally met the newest member of their family I love them even more, and I really enjoyed seeing them as new parents. Life is such an amazing journey.  Friendships such as this that last over time...are often tested, and grow stronger year by year are so special, and rare.  There are so many blessings to be thankful for all around you.  This family is a blessing that I am thankful for, and I cannot wait to see them again soon...

Goodbye San Antonio, until we meet again.....

xo

Carrie