March 23, Day 7: Into the Texas Hill Country

On our second morning at the Hoffmann Haus, we take our morning meal in our room, delivered in picnic baskets. Amy is still on her morning run, so I bring the basket in and look inside. Delicious smells emanate and the food looks really tasty. Amy soon returns and we break our fast.

After breakfast and some organization, we pack the X3 and head out, saying "goodbye" to our B&B. I would stay here again, for sure, were I ever to get close to this nice little city. We strike east towards Johnson City. Our goal is to experience the Texas Hill Country. After a dozen or so miles, it is clear that the highway is very pretty. Thanks, Ladybird Johnson! It is also clear that there is something very yeasty going on in this neck of the Piney Woods. Wineries are virtually everywhere!

We make it to Johnson City, and I can't resist any more; we pull onto a side road and stop at the Texas Hills Winery to taste. Chatting with server, we learn that the climate and soil of this region is similar to central Italy or Spain. We like the reds and the whites that we taste, but they aren't quite as much to my liking as Washington and Oregon wines. Then we taste the Tempranillo (Titled "Toro de Tejas"). Now this is something special that we don't get in our corner of the country. We buy a few bottles and head back on the road, turning toward San Antonio.

After a couple of missed exits and some confusion about where we are supposed to park, we settle the X3 into a garage and find our hotel, the Riverwalk Vista. It's a charming little hotel with something of a view of the Riverwalk (truth in naming). It's an old building with lots of pictures from bygone days. It's about 2 short blocks from the Alamo, which we will visit tomorrow.

It's very late for lunch, so we head to the Riverwalk and find the Rio Rio Restaurant, where we have a lovely Tex-Mex lunch and enjoy the people-watching.

The Riverwalk

After lunch, we take an extended walk south, scoping out pathways for Amy to run on in the morning. Getting outside of the crowded, touristy 8-block area near our hotel, we really enjoy the solitude of the River. after about 4 miles, we find ourselves back at the "Vista" and settle in for a rest.

After a few hours, we venture forth for dinner at the Lone Star Cafe. We sit upstairs in the bar and split a barbecued brisket sandwich. While eating, we enjoy watching the people down on the riverwalk and I occasionally sneak peaks at Michigan having a fine first half of the Sweet Sixteen.

After dinner, we head to an Ice Cream joint and get desert. A great way to finish off the day, we head home for a good night's sleep.