Busy Traveler

Spicewood Vineyards, Spicewood, TX

If you are a good navigator, check out this laid-back Central Texas winery. It lies off Highway 71 W on County Road 409. When I visited, the signage was almost non-existent, so make sure you check the website for directions.

Bring a picnic lunch (and the family/canines) and enjoy the scenery from the shaded pavilion. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere idyllic. It gets even more idyllic when you realize you can taste seven of their wines for $2. They are known primarily for their Chardonnays, but you be the judge.

They've recently added a beautiful event center where they host concerts. It looks to me like it would be a wonderful place to hear a concert. The line-up is primarily classical and acoustic. It is available for weddings and other get-togethers and would be a perfect gathering spot for a group.

 

1419 Burnet County Road 409
Spicewood Texas 78669
830.693.5328
http://www.spicewoodvineyards.com/

Happy Hour: 219 West, Austin, TX

Because this place is consistently voted “Best Happy Hour in Austin” we decided to check it out. The menus are built around alcoholic beverages, which seems pretty weird, but we were up for the challenge.

We ordered the mini-cheeseburgers from the Beer Menu, the Artichoke-Spinach Quesadilla from the Martini Menu, and (if I remember correctly) the Grilled Chicken Lettuce Wrap from the Wine Menu. We also tried a happy hour wine flight for $12 and enjoyed the tasting.

Everything was tasty and the bill was reasonable. We were definitely older and less fashionably dressed than the other patrons, but didn’t care!

Thanks to Pat for reminding me about this place. We need to return!

Deals on appetizers and drinks: 5pm-9pm weekdays and 5pm-8pm Saturdays.

219 W. 4th Street Austin, TX 512.474.2194

http://www.219west.com/

Ilsa’s Kitchen, Spicewood, TX

This Bavarian restaurant opened in an ill-fated location in December. So far, it doesn’t seem to be doing much of a dinner business and that’s a shame. Everything we ordered was fantastic, including the German potato salad, the sauerkraut, and even the side of veggies. The star was Kaese Spaetzle, a huge helping of egg noodles, cheese, and onions (bacon optional)—basically German macaroni and cheese.

I’ve heard the weekend brunch selection is out of this world and I plan to check it out very soon. If you’re on the way to the lake or other recreation in the area, please stop by and keep this gem in business!

 

20700 State Highway 71 W
Spicewood, TX 78669
512.494.4270

http://www.ilsaskitchen.com/

Luxury on the Lake

My dear friends own this gorgeous place on Lake Travis and you can rent it!

Stone House Lodge on Lake Travis

• Sleeps up to 15
• Vanishing edge pool, hot tub, paddle boat, canoe
• Home theater room, game room, workout room

It's a dream! 

http://www.stonehouselodgeonlaketravis.com/

And I love that they are using one of my photos on the site:

Traveling again

After a hiatus for the holidays and bad weather, I'm on the road again. I will be focusing on the Texas Hill Country in the Marble Falls/Spicewood area. Let's see, how do we know we're in Texas?

Beer, bait, and ammo. What else do you need? Well, maybe hardware to enhance the entrance to your ranch.

 

Fabulous list from the fabulous Anne Gentle about the lessons she's learned from implementing agile programming. These principles would work in any aspect of our lives. http://justwriteclick.com/2010/01/18/last-sprint-first-step/

Getty Art Museum, Los Angeles

Finally! I’ve been salivating to see the Getty since it opened. The Getty on the Hill sits next to the 405 overlooking LA. Parking is $15, but then you ride a tram up to the museum and the entrance is free. I assume some sort of mass transit will deposit you at the tram stop. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The views at the top are amazing…from the hills to downtown LA to the ocean.

The complex is made up of several buildings, housing the permanent collection, exhibits, offices, conservation labs, and cafes.

We first checked out the European Paintings. The galleries were painted deep colors and the collection was impressive, of course...all the art money can buy.

It was such a beautiful day, we spent most of our time outdoors. Every step brought a new view: white curves of the limestone-and-marble buildings against the bright blue sky…

Monumental sculptures set in simple gardens with great views…

And lovely gardens, including this floating azalea labyrinth:

...and the cactus garden:

This place is must if you are anywhere in the LA area. I can’t wait for a return visit.

Copyright 2009, Beth Schrader

Long Beach Aquarium

The day after the conference, we visited the aquarium. It provided the soothing, meditative zone we hoped for.

It’s not the biggest or best aquarium I’ve been to, but they had a great collection of jellies.

I fell in love with these little sea dragons that look like weeds. (This one is in the middle of the photo.)

Divers were in the tropical tank feeding the inhabitants. These sting rays were all over the window. We were fascinated to watch them breathing and eating. Scary, right Emily?

Copyright 2009 Beth Schrader

Scenes from upstate New York

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the trip.

 

 

 

Copyright 2009, Beth Schrader

Boldt Castle, Thousand Islands, NY

On our boat trip around the Thousand Islands, we went ashore on Heart Island to explore Boldt Castle.

 

The story behind this extravagant structure is gloomy. In 1900, George Boldt was the wealthy proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Being the typical "nouveau riche" millionaire of the time, he built a summer “cottage” for his family in the Thousand Islands. The structure became ever more grandiose to display his love for his wife, Louise.

 

During four summers, 300 workers constructed the six-story, 120-room castle. Not a single detail or expense was spared. The basement area included a pool and bowling lanes and the children enjoyed a whimsical playhouse.

Even the yacht garage was extravagant.

 
In 1904, Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to stop construction -- Louise had died. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love. For 73 years, the castle and its related buildings were untouched, deteriorating from weather and vandals. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977 and began restoration.

Most of the rooms on the first floor are restored and furnished, but most of the second, third, and fourth floors are unfinished. There are interesting exhibits in some of these rooms containing artifacts from the Thousand Islands region during this period.

 

At the top, we were rewarded with beautiful views.

 

www.boldtcastle.com

Copyright 2009, Beth Schrader