Love that toothy smile, Brother Dave!
The Flying Kiwis Return: American Road Trip Part 2.
- Thread starter Kiwi cop
- Start date
Sounds kike a good trip so far, Kiwi. As I live in Calif. I would invite you & Karen here but as you are traveling in the south, that isn't in the cards. Please keep us posted.
OP
It was a cool 56 degrees when we left Waco. Karen thought the cloud cover would make for a much cooler day, but I had my doubts. As it was the temperature was once again back in the mid to high 80's by late afternoon, much different that the winter chill hitting Kiwiland this week 
From Waco it was a 90 minute drive to Austin, and a lot of that time was spent in the last 25 miles, just like last time
Our visit to Austin was short, barley two hours, but was much better than last time when traffic on a Sunday made the inner city undrivable. I don't know what it is about iMaps and Austin, but it insists on trying to get me to drive down a closed off road. Last time was in search of a guitar shop, this time heading tot he State Capitol. I canceled the app and drove around a bit, then put in for a new route. This seemed to work so I looked for parking nearby and found the Capitol Visitors carpark a short walk away from the building. Parking for the first two hours being free.
I left Karen reading in the car while I walked to the Capitol, arriving just in time for the scheduled tour to start. Actually I was the only one who took the full tour, although three other groups caught up with and left us at different times during the tour.
Back in the car it was a short drive across the river to the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, after which we were back on the road for San Antonio.
At New Braunfels we stopped for lunch at a McDonald's, mainly for a cold drink, then on into San Antonio and the World's Biggest Pair of Cowboy Boots. It took a little effort to find. The boots are on the I-35 N frontage and we came off the south side, U turning (as directed by iMaps) after the boots on the north side. I parked at the rear of the North Star Mall and walked through to the frontage road where I found the sculpture. A few photographs later I returned back to Karen for a short drive to a final shopping expedition for her. (Our overloaded cases are now officially "overfull". I've paid for an extra bag and just hope we can get through the weight restrictions).
At our hotel we checked in and cooled off a for a while in the room before heading out for dinner. I really wanted to eat at the Buckhorn Saloon again, but on arriving we found they only serve lunch, 11 am - 3 pm. We wandered up and down Houston St looking for somewhere to eat, but none of the restaurants took our fancy (actually everyone gong in looked dressed up, we were in our "touring" clothes, sandals, shorts and shirt for me, leggings and tee shirt for Karen. We felt "underdressed". Then we found that there was a show nearby which probably explains the dress standards).
Back towards our hotel we found Mavericks, which was described as barbecue restaurant. Ahh.. No. It was decidedly more upmarket than that. But we didn't find that our till we were inside, by which time we were too hungry to go anywhere else.
I have to admit it was one of the best meals of the trip. Roasted pork with salad, roasted veggies and desert, all in the one price. But what a price! After dinner it was back to the hotel for the evening.
As we approach our last days in America for 2022, we are both happy, but looking forward to getting home on Saturday morning (Kiwi time). We just wish we could take the weather with us
From Waco it was a 90 minute drive to Austin, and a lot of that time was spent in the last 25 miles, just like last time
Our visit to Austin was short, barley two hours, but was much better than last time when traffic on a Sunday made the inner city undrivable. I don't know what it is about iMaps and Austin, but it insists on trying to get me to drive down a closed off road. Last time was in search of a guitar shop, this time heading tot he State Capitol. I canceled the app and drove around a bit, then put in for a new route. This seemed to work so I looked for parking nearby and found the Capitol Visitors carpark a short walk away from the building. Parking for the first two hours being free.
I left Karen reading in the car while I walked to the Capitol, arriving just in time for the scheduled tour to start. Actually I was the only one who took the full tour, although three other groups caught up with and left us at different times during the tour.
Back in the car it was a short drive across the river to the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, after which we were back on the road for San Antonio.
At New Braunfels we stopped for lunch at a McDonald's, mainly for a cold drink, then on into San Antonio and the World's Biggest Pair of Cowboy Boots. It took a little effort to find. The boots are on the I-35 N frontage and we came off the south side, U turning (as directed by iMaps) after the boots on the north side. I parked at the rear of the North Star Mall and walked through to the frontage road where I found the sculpture. A few photographs later I returned back to Karen for a short drive to a final shopping expedition for her. (Our overloaded cases are now officially "overfull". I've paid for an extra bag and just hope we can get through the weight restrictions).
At our hotel we checked in and cooled off a for a while in the room before heading out for dinner. I really wanted to eat at the Buckhorn Saloon again, but on arriving we found they only serve lunch, 11 am - 3 pm. We wandered up and down Houston St looking for somewhere to eat, but none of the restaurants took our fancy (actually everyone gong in looked dressed up, we were in our "touring" clothes, sandals, shorts and shirt for me, leggings and tee shirt for Karen. We felt "underdressed". Then we found that there was a show nearby which probably explains the dress standards).
Back towards our hotel we found Mavericks, which was described as barbecue restaurant. Ahh.. No. It was decidedly more upmarket than that. But we didn't find that our till we were inside, by which time we were too hungry to go anywhere else.
I have to admit it was one of the best meals of the trip. Roasted pork with salad, roasted veggies and desert, all in the one price. But what a price! After dinner it was back to the hotel for the evening.
As we approach our last days in America for 2022, we are both happy, but looking forward to getting home on Saturday morning (Kiwi time). We just wish we could take the weather with us
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OP
Changes.
I had a full program for San Antonio today. The Riverwalk, some "window shopping' for hats and boots, and a trip tonight to Luckenbach for some live music. I shoulda known I was pushing it.
For the last few weeks Karen has been telling me we should have returned to Houston today so we could spend the afternoon and tomorrow morning preparing to fly home tomorrow night. "Nah," has been my reply "We'll be right. It's less than 4 hours from San Antonio to Houston, we'll have plenty of time. Besides, we'd lose a whole day of our holiday".
Some day I'll learn to listen to my wife
Last night we repacked our "spare" suitcase, including yesterday's purchases. We also cleaned out some excess items from our regular cases. At Karen's urging I checked the web site for Luckenbach and saw that there was an afternoon "music circle" today starting at 1 pm. Karen wanted to spend some time today getting ready to travel home (clothes, washing her hair etc) and asked if we could make the afternoon session instead of the evening one. "You go out in the morning and do what you want" she suggested. "I'll get my things ready and do my hair in the evening". Sounded good so I agreed.
This morning I woke up just after 5.30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up to read some online news and that's when it hit me, my get up and go had got up and left during the night.
I'm not sure if it is the result of four weeks of what seems like constant travel and activities, or the final release of stress that has hit me. During the last month before our trip we had two bad scares that we might not be able to travel, we all got Covid and Ryan received a skull fracture confronting two youths intent to smash their way into my man cave. (He was due for surgery yesterday but it was cancelled due to "staffing issues" at the private hospital the surgeon uses). All of which added to the "stress quota" for me. Last night I just collapsed, went to bed early and slept.
This morning after two coffees, a shower and breakfast, I returned to the room. We had decided to do one last load of laundry this morning so that we each only had one set of dirty clothes to take home. We put it on before heading down to eat. With the clothes in the drier I sat down to complete some writing for 1/2 an hour, and couldn't move. I decided that I didn't need the stress of big city traffic today, an easy day would be of more benefit to us both.
By 11 am we were ready to leave for Luckenbach. Karen and discovered that she had bought two copies of the same book instead of two different books a few weeks ago after she finished on yesterday, so I suggested we pick up another one this afternoon on the way home.
Reaching Luckenbach just after midday I noticed that the entrance and been changed. Instead of wandering down a tree shaded driveway we drove right into the parking area. We visited the main shop in the old post office/store and then headed into a new (newly built timber framing and "old" iron cladding), where there is another, bigger, souvenir shop where the old feed lot had been.
We both bought identical tee shirts and I also bought some postcards, officially stamped in he old post office, and a few more lapel pins. Then we headed to the bar for a couple of Coke's and sat in the shade out back until Jimmy Lee Jones was set up for the regular Luckenbach Circle. When he announced that anyone was welcome get up and sing, and that there was a guitar or two in the bar that could be borrowed, Karen nudged me in the ribs and said "Don't even think about it"!
Actually the only song I could think of performing in that environment was .... "Luckenbach Texas", one of my favourite club songs, and I wasn't too sure how it would go down. Mind you, with visitors from California, Arkansas, the U.K and Germany, not to mention these two Kiwi's, I think I'd have been all right. But next time, and there will be a next time , I'll be ready to go.
By 1:45 we were ready to leave. We backtracked to Bourne and on the way stoped in Sisterdale where there have been changes too. The old store shut down and is now a saloon, while the Opera House and Dancehall hosts a gospel show and luncheon a=ont he also Sunday of the month. In Bourne I found a Walmart where Karen got two new books and some road snacks for tomorrow. We also grabbed a four pack of chocolate muffins for lunch.
Back in our hotel room by 3.30 we both just chilled out for an hour before Karen went into the bathroom to "get ready for the flight home". I spent the time packing away our "hanging clothes", less what we were wearing home, and found the pouch for my charging cables etc. With everything ready for a final pack in the morning we thought about an early dinner.
There is a Pizza Hutt just down the road we pass every time we leave the hotel. Karen wanted pizza for dinner so I wandered down of a Chicken Hawaiian pizza and some cinnamon sticks.
Tell the truth, the pizza was different from our home ones, thinner crust and a bit dry. The cinnamon sticks however were delicious!
With dinner over I am catching up on my writing. I am thinking of heading down to the spa pool soon for a decent soak. I can carry damp bathing shorts in a plastic bag in my suitcase no problem (I hope).
Tomorrow we will head back to Houston mid morning. We have a stop at Snowflakes Donut Shop in Weimar planned on the way. A cream filled chocolate eclair awaits us there. In Houston we will make our way to the airport, return our rental car about 4 pm, then wait for our flight home just before 9 pm.
Unlike last time there is no sense of letdown that this visit os over. While last time it was more a question of if we would return than when, we both know we will be back for an American Road Trip part 3 within the next 18 months.
I had a full program for San Antonio today. The Riverwalk, some "window shopping' for hats and boots, and a trip tonight to Luckenbach for some live music. I shoulda known I was pushing it.
For the last few weeks Karen has been telling me we should have returned to Houston today so we could spend the afternoon and tomorrow morning preparing to fly home tomorrow night. "Nah," has been my reply "We'll be right. It's less than 4 hours from San Antonio to Houston, we'll have plenty of time. Besides, we'd lose a whole day of our holiday".
Some day I'll learn to listen to my wife
Last night we repacked our "spare" suitcase, including yesterday's purchases. We also cleaned out some excess items from our regular cases. At Karen's urging I checked the web site for Luckenbach and saw that there was an afternoon "music circle" today starting at 1 pm. Karen wanted to spend some time today getting ready to travel home (clothes, washing her hair etc) and asked if we could make the afternoon session instead of the evening one. "You go out in the morning and do what you want" she suggested. "I'll get my things ready and do my hair in the evening". Sounded good so I agreed.
This morning I woke up just after 5.30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up to read some online news and that's when it hit me, my get up and go had got up and left during the night.
I'm not sure if it is the result of four weeks of what seems like constant travel and activities, or the final release of stress that has hit me. During the last month before our trip we had two bad scares that we might not be able to travel, we all got Covid and Ryan received a skull fracture confronting two youths intent to smash their way into my man cave. (He was due for surgery yesterday but it was cancelled due to "staffing issues" at the private hospital the surgeon uses). All of which added to the "stress quota" for me. Last night I just collapsed, went to bed early and slept.
This morning after two coffees, a shower and breakfast, I returned to the room. We had decided to do one last load of laundry this morning so that we each only had one set of dirty clothes to take home. We put it on before heading down to eat. With the clothes in the drier I sat down to complete some writing for 1/2 an hour, and couldn't move. I decided that I didn't need the stress of big city traffic today, an easy day would be of more benefit to us both.
By 11 am we were ready to leave for Luckenbach. Karen and discovered that she had bought two copies of the same book instead of two different books a few weeks ago after she finished on yesterday, so I suggested we pick up another one this afternoon on the way home.
Reaching Luckenbach just after midday I noticed that the entrance and been changed. Instead of wandering down a tree shaded driveway we drove right into the parking area. We visited the main shop in the old post office/store and then headed into a new (newly built timber framing and "old" iron cladding), where there is another, bigger, souvenir shop where the old feed lot had been.
We both bought identical tee shirts and I also bought some postcards, officially stamped in he old post office, and a few more lapel pins. Then we headed to the bar for a couple of Coke's and sat in the shade out back until Jimmy Lee Jones was set up for the regular Luckenbach Circle. When he announced that anyone was welcome get up and sing, and that there was a guitar or two in the bar that could be borrowed, Karen nudged me in the ribs and said "Don't even think about it"!
Actually the only song I could think of performing in that environment was .... "Luckenbach Texas", one of my favourite club songs, and I wasn't too sure how it would go down. Mind you, with visitors from California, Arkansas, the U.K and Germany, not to mention these two Kiwi's, I think I'd have been all right. But next time, and there will be a next time , I'll be ready to go.
By 1:45 we were ready to leave. We backtracked to Bourne and on the way stoped in Sisterdale where there have been changes too. The old store shut down and is now a saloon, while the Opera House and Dancehall hosts a gospel show and luncheon a=ont he also Sunday of the month. In Bourne I found a Walmart where Karen got two new books and some road snacks for tomorrow. We also grabbed a four pack of chocolate muffins for lunch.
Back in our hotel room by 3.30 we both just chilled out for an hour before Karen went into the bathroom to "get ready for the flight home". I spent the time packing away our "hanging clothes", less what we were wearing home, and found the pouch for my charging cables etc. With everything ready for a final pack in the morning we thought about an early dinner.
There is a Pizza Hutt just down the road we pass every time we leave the hotel. Karen wanted pizza for dinner so I wandered down of a Chicken Hawaiian pizza and some cinnamon sticks.
Tell the truth, the pizza was different from our home ones, thinner crust and a bit dry. The cinnamon sticks however were delicious!
With dinner over I am catching up on my writing. I am thinking of heading down to the spa pool soon for a decent soak. I can carry damp bathing shorts in a plastic bag in my suitcase no problem (I hope).
Tomorrow we will head back to Houston mid morning. We have a stop at Snowflakes Donut Shop in Weimar planned on the way. A cream filled chocolate eclair awaits us there. In Houston we will make our way to the airport, return our rental car about 4 pm, then wait for our flight home just before 9 pm.
Unlike last time there is no sense of letdown that this visit os over. While last time it was more a question of if we would return than when, we both know we will be back for an American Road Trip part 3 within the next 18 months.
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Safe travels and thank you for visiting our great country.
Have a safe flight home and hurry back.
OP
It's farewell time again.
Right now, Karen and I are sitting at the departure gate at George Bush Intercontinental waiting to board our flight home.
We started this morning in San Antonio. After a sleep in, our first in four weeks, we went through our usual morning procedures, shower, dress, almost fully packed, breakfast, then finally close and lock the cases.
By a little after 9am we were ready, but it was still too early to get on the road. Karen doesn't mind waiting in airports but I do.
A drive up the road to Cavender's Boots and Western Wear where I found a nice shirt of the right size. I looked at boots and almost bought a pair, but knew there would be issues in packing them away. In the hat department I went to pick up a straw Stetson to see what the size was, and found it was a perfect 7 5/8, and only $60. The hat and shirt along with a pair of sandals that caught Karen's eye were bought, and I half unpacked the "spare" suitcase in the parking lot to get them in.
Gas up the car ($25) then on the road. We made our way through San Antonio then out onto I-10, our last Interstate drive this trip would mirror our first in 2018, although in reverse.
It was slow going at times, particularly when we hit the slowdown of a truck breakdown at a long stretch of roadworks.
By midday we arrived at Weimar. I was anticipating a nice eclair at Snowflakes Donut shop but… Snowflakes no longer exists. It is another burger place.
Burgers for lunch then back on I-10. By a little after 2pm we were driving through Katy. I got off the interstate to find a gas station (just over $18 from San Antonio) so the car would have a full tank when I dropped it off, then on to Terminal D where I dropped Karen and our bags before returning the car.
I missed the first shuttle back to the terminal but the next one arrived within 5 minutes.
Back at the terminal it was "hurry up and wait", even after the line formed before check in.
Our flight is about to board. 15 hours from now, about midday tomorrow in the U.S., 5 am for us in Auckland we will land, then another flight followed by a 2 hour drive and we will be home.
Oh, and a big thanks to Muss Muggins for the phone call wishing us well. We were sorry not to catch him this time.
Now the planning starts for part 3.
Right now, Karen and I are sitting at the departure gate at George Bush Intercontinental waiting to board our flight home.
We started this morning in San Antonio. After a sleep in, our first in four weeks, we went through our usual morning procedures, shower, dress, almost fully packed, breakfast, then finally close and lock the cases.
By a little after 9am we were ready, but it was still too early to get on the road. Karen doesn't mind waiting in airports but I do.
A drive up the road to Cavender's Boots and Western Wear where I found a nice shirt of the right size. I looked at boots and almost bought a pair, but knew there would be issues in packing them away. In the hat department I went to pick up a straw Stetson to see what the size was, and found it was a perfect 7 5/8, and only $60. The hat and shirt along with a pair of sandals that caught Karen's eye were bought, and I half unpacked the "spare" suitcase in the parking lot to get them in.
Gas up the car ($25) then on the road. We made our way through San Antonio then out onto I-10, our last Interstate drive this trip would mirror our first in 2018, although in reverse.
It was slow going at times, particularly when we hit the slowdown of a truck breakdown at a long stretch of roadworks.
By midday we arrived at Weimar. I was anticipating a nice eclair at Snowflakes Donut shop but… Snowflakes no longer exists. It is another burger place.
Burgers for lunch then back on I-10. By a little after 2pm we were driving through Katy. I got off the interstate to find a gas station (just over $18 from San Antonio) so the car would have a full tank when I dropped it off, then on to Terminal D where I dropped Karen and our bags before returning the car.
I missed the first shuttle back to the terminal but the next one arrived within 5 minutes.
Back at the terminal it was "hurry up and wait", even after the line formed before check in.
Our flight is about to board. 15 hours from now, about midday tomorrow in the U.S., 5 am for us in Auckland we will land, then another flight followed by a 2 hour drive and we will be home.
Oh, and a big thanks to Muss Muggins for the phone call wishing us well. We were sorry not to catch him this time.
Now the planning starts for part 3.
Safe travels, Kiwi. Let us know when you're back home, safe and sound.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Let us know about trip 3. I may be retired by then.
GUNMIKE
US Veteran
Y'all come back anytime. I forgot to mention that I enjoyed your write ups about your trip.
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Hate to see you go, have really enjoyed reading about your trip. Wished you would have had the time to stop and visit with every forum member on your route. Have a pleasant and safe trip back home.
Kiwi, glad you had a great trip! I am curious though were you fly to out off Auckland? Palmerston perhaps?
OP
Well, we left San Antonio for Houston around 10 am Thursday U.S. Central time. We made it to Houston GBI and had our car returned by 4 pm, and our flight to Auckland took off a little late, about 9:15 pm.
15 hours in cattle class in a 787-9 Dreamliner, fortunately in an exit isle seat so we had no-one in front of us. I managed to get about 3 1/2-4 hours sleep, Karen a bit less. By the time we landed at Auckland it was 5:45 am local time Saturday, about 11.30 am Friday U.S time, and our rear ends and lower backs were showing, or rather feeling, the strain.
Just under an hour to go through immigration, customs and biosecurity (which the U.S. does not seem to have as a seperate process from immigration). Once outside the international terminal the mid spring cold snap that has hit Kiwiland this week was clearly felt. While Houston was still bathed in temperatures in the mid-high 80's it was 6 C/42 F in Auckland's early dawn light.
Karen took the shuttle to the domestic terminal. I balked at loading (then having to unload) our three suitcases and two carry-on bags, so elected to take the 10-minute walk between terminals.
Once we met up again at the domestic terminal I checked in our luggage (we had already checked into the flight online) and bought a coffee each, then we sat down for an hour waiting for our flight to Palmerston North to board. A quick 70 minutes in a prop driven aircraft and we landed at Palmy where my brother and S-I-L were waiting to pick us up.
A little less than 2 hours later, just after 11.30 am Sat NZ/5.30 pm Friday US, we were home, roughly 31 hours after leaving San Antonio.
I bought our luggage inside then found the keys to our checked bags were missing from my carry-on. I last saw them in San Antonio when I repacked our "extra" case and remember placing them (locked in the hasp of a spare padlock) in my carry-on. It must have fallen out somewhere when I opened the carry-on.
Fortunately I have several hacksaws with good blades in the garage and it was a matter of a few minutes to cut the locks off.
I managed to grab 2 hours sleep in my own bed this afternoon. I still feel sleep deprived and well below optimum, and probably will for the next few days.
Tomorrow it will be four years since we arrived in Houston on our first trip. Right now I am having trouble remembering everything we encountered in the past month.I scrolled through the photos on my phone and refreshed my memory. It is a bit unreal that all the planning and anticipation over the past 3 1/2 plus years is now behind us.
I will leave it a few weeks then start to seriously look at the next chapter.
Until them..... The flying Kiwi's are grounded at home once more.
15 hours in cattle class in a 787-9 Dreamliner, fortunately in an exit isle seat so we had no-one in front of us. I managed to get about 3 1/2-4 hours sleep, Karen a bit less. By the time we landed at Auckland it was 5:45 am local time Saturday, about 11.30 am Friday U.S time, and our rear ends and lower backs were showing, or rather feeling, the strain.
Just under an hour to go through immigration, customs and biosecurity (which the U.S. does not seem to have as a seperate process from immigration). Once outside the international terminal the mid spring cold snap that has hit Kiwiland this week was clearly felt. While Houston was still bathed in temperatures in the mid-high 80's it was 6 C/42 F in Auckland's early dawn light.
Karen took the shuttle to the domestic terminal. I balked at loading (then having to unload) our three suitcases and two carry-on bags, so elected to take the 10-minute walk between terminals.
Once we met up again at the domestic terminal I checked in our luggage (we had already checked into the flight online) and bought a coffee each, then we sat down for an hour waiting for our flight to Palmerston North to board. A quick 70 minutes in a prop driven aircraft and we landed at Palmy where my brother and S-I-L were waiting to pick us up.
A little less than 2 hours later, just after 11.30 am Sat NZ/5.30 pm Friday US, we were home, roughly 31 hours after leaving San Antonio.
I bought our luggage inside then found the keys to our checked bags were missing from my carry-on. I last saw them in San Antonio when I repacked our "extra" case and remember placing them (locked in the hasp of a spare padlock) in my carry-on. It must have fallen out somewhere when I opened the carry-on.
Fortunately I have several hacksaws with good blades in the garage and it was a matter of a few minutes to cut the locks off.
I managed to grab 2 hours sleep in my own bed this afternoon. I still feel sleep deprived and well below optimum, and probably will for the next few days.
Tomorrow it will be four years since we arrived in Houston on our first trip. Right now I am having trouble remembering everything we encountered in the past month.I scrolled through the photos on my phone and refreshed my memory. It is a bit unreal that all the planning and anticipation over the past 3 1/2 plus years is now behind us.
I will leave it a few weeks then start to seriously look at the next chapter.
Until them..... The flying Kiwi's are grounded at home once more.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
Good to know that you and Karen made it back safely! Thanks for taking us on your vacation. I got to see parts of the USA I would never have seen otherwise!
Are you going to write a book for this trip?
OP
Are you going to write a book for this trip?
All is except the last week has already been written in draft. Hopefully will get it finished and published by Christmas
Good to hear you're safely back to your own home and bed.
There's no place like home, there's no place like home.........
There's no place like home, there's no place like home.........
Been a very interesting read
