Bluebonnets, Bluebonnets and more Bluebonnets

We are still on the lookout for the tallest Bluebonnet (as previously reported in the last posting) ever recorded.  Luckily our intelligence sources keep providing clues as to possibilities.  Our latest location is near Spicewood, Texas in an area known as Muleshoe Recreation Area.  This is an area adjacent to Lake Travis in a spot controlled by the Lower Colorado River Authority.  Imagine our surprise when we topped the hill to take in this view.  (click the arrow to view the video)

According to our source, you can actually smell the flowers before you see them.  Since the wind was blowing rather strongly, we did not smell them before seeing them but once we made our way into the midst of them, we were enveloped in a smell that cannot be described but only experienced.  It was glorious to see the sights accompanied by the beautiful fragrance of all these flowers.  Since our mission was to locate the largest Bluebonnet, we drove through acres and acres of these bluebonnets but to no avail.  Even though our search was unsuccessful, we have experienced something beyond our wildest dreams with all these blooms.

After such an excursion, we were famished and decided we needed nourishment.  As we looked on our iPhone app to see what was around us to choose from we discovered an obvious choice after seeing so many Bluebonnets. Located just a few miles from the fields of Bluebonnets is the Bluebonnet Café in Marble Falls, TX.  It was as if a ‘sign’ was provided to affirm the choice.  So off we go to find this ‘landmark’ business that has been around since 1929.  One of the interesting phrases associated with this establishment is ‘Pie Happy Hour’ and you know that was enough to seal the deal.

Upon arrival (around 1 PM) at the café, it is determined this is a great choice according to the line waiting to get seated.  The line stretched out the door and was steadily growing in length.  In order to secure our place we hopped out of the car and hastily made our way to the end of the line.  We were not at the end very long as there were a number of folks with the same intent.  We spent maybe 30 minutes waiting before being seated.  Interestingly, this is what you pass right before you get to the point in the line where you will be seated.  You get to spend approximately five minutes in this spot surveying all of the possibilities.

Yes, that is super tall meringue on the pies.

Once seated, you are amazed as you watch this machine like performance of the workers as they steadily provide drinks, take orders, deliver food and slice the aforementioned pies to serve to the guests.  It is a well-oiled and practiced crew that can turn the seating over efficiently and keep that seating line moving at a respectable pace.  The food is fabulous too and the pie is delicious as well.  Unable to continue our search for the largest Bluebonnet (due to stuffed bellies and sleepy eyes) we managed to make it back to the campground for some needed rest.

See that guy staring at my pie, wishing he had a bite?

Lemon Meringue

During our stay at Canyon Lake, it was nice to catch up with folks from our past.  David and Sophie met with a former co-worker and caught up on what has transpired between the time they last saw each other and now.  Beverly and I got to meet her former supervisor and his wife at their Canyon Lake condo home.  After some very good directions we pulled up to a great looking place that was even nicer on the inside.  We had a nice visit and got to see their place with a view that was really outstanding.  We also encountered this friendly reminder during our visit to the lake and the dam.

  

As with all things, time moves on and we needed to do so too.  We left our recent home to head east towards our next destination at Lake Somerville just outside of Brenham.  This is our next destination in our quest for wildflowers, including the largest Bluebonnet on record.  Upon arrival at the park, we are pleasantly surprised about the beauty of the sites chosen online having never been here before.  We are not so pleasantly surprised to find out there is no water in the park and the distribution system is being repaired.  My comment to the gate attendant is for one day only correct?   Her response is, “We hope so, too!”  We had water by the end of the day and are very thankful we did not have to move.

Our first excursion into this area reveals many wildflowers but unfortunately, the grasses have grown up taller than the flowers.  Many spots have some beautiful fields of color that are all but obscured by the waving tall grass.  Oh well, we commented we have been blessed beyond measure as to what we have already seen.  Besides, we still have a Bluebonnet Festival to attend this coming weekend.  What better place to look for the largest Bluebonnet on record than at the festival celebrating Bluebonnets?

Before we make it to the festival, we have stopped to examine the first location of Baylor University at Independence, Texas.  Just down the street from where Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836.  This location is also close to where Sam Houston lived prior to taking up residence in Austin as President of the Republic of Texas.  The university was eventually abandoned when moved to Belton for the females and Waco for the males, eventually becoming Mary Hardin Baylor and Baylor respectively.  From there we pushed on to Washington-on-the-Brazos state park operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Here we saw lots of historical sights and things associated with the birth of Texas.

Original site of Baylor

Flowers at Independence, Texas

Lutheran church built in 1860, addition on left was recent

Before heading back to the campground, we made our obligatory stop at Wal-mart to stock up on supplies once again.  It is tough having to rough it like we do.  Here is an example of one of our camp meals and just how tough we have it when traveling.

Baked Ham, Purple Hull Peas, Mac n Cheese, Rolls, Pickles, Iced Tea - This is roughing it!

The day has finally arrived.  It is overcast and threat of rain and thunderstorms so we head out early to the festival.  Not just any festival but the ‘official’ Bluebonnet Festival of Texas as designated by the Texas Legislature.  It is held on the second weekend of April each year at Chappell Hill, Texas right outside of Brenham, Texas.

51st Annual Bluebonnet Festival

Upon arrival, we head directly to the whirligig exhibit just inside the gate.  We could load up on these fun and animated by the wind objects but through great restraint just admire them and move on.  Now the same cannot be said about certain products encountered along the way.  Towards the end of the exhibits on Main Street, David and Beverly spotted a strange and unique sight.  It was a gentleman wearing an odd-looking apron (with a pattern resembling a Holstein cow) of black splotches on white background.

 

Like a magnet, they were immediately drawn to this odd looking sight and listened attentively to the sales pitch.  That was not their downfall, it was the next extremely smart marketing move employed by the gent.  He dropped some of the product he was hawking onto their hands and asked them to rub it in.  This they did obediently (since he had them in an almost trance-like state) and he began to close the noose, er I mean push for action on their part.  Being strong-willed our intrepid festival going partners resisted the urge to make a purchase and moved on.  However, this skilled peddler was not through with them by a long shot.  The product he was peddling and had liberally spread onto their hands was having the desired effect.  About a block later, the two of them had discussed the most economical means of obtaining this highly desirable product and had done an about face, double timing it back to the concessionaire’s location.  Here they are coming back, triumphantly showing the purchased goods.

Guess what we got?

Now what is this alluring, cannot be resisted product you ask?  Why it's Udder Balm!  Yes, that is correct ‘Udder’ as in a cow’s udder.  Of course that is part of the sales pitch.  “The balm that will make even a cow’s teat soft and just think what it will do for your skin.”  I am happy to report that it does make the skin soft and according to Bibi, makes her feel good.  However, I am not sure she appreciated my remark after caressing her skin, ‘that makes me want to milk your arm.’  I can say without hesitation that it is udderly fantastic as to how much fun I am having in describing this udderly wonderful episode from our udderly great travel adventures.  I think I will ask her to pass her udder arm to me so I can caress it too!

That is not the only strange and beautiful sight at the festival.  There were many things to see, including various live performances from different types of musical performers.  One of the most outstanding items was a huge, old house that was not part of the festival but belonged to a local resident.  This is a side view that shows its size, the manicured lawn and gardens.

Side view of house on Main Street in Chappell Hill, Texas

After leaving the festival, we decided we needed a pizza fix.  After consulting the iPhone app, we located a pizzeria and headed there to satisfy the urge.  There were other folks there and some we even recognized as having attended the Bluebonnet festival.  During the meal, Sophie announced she needed a new hairdo and was possibly entertaining trying the look sported by a lady in a booth close to our table.  From this ensued a very serious conversation between David and Sophie (as you can see in the following picture) about the ‘do’ under consideration.  You can see the ‘do’ in the picture immediately following the discussion picture.

David wants to know if she is serious about this potential change????

The DO - Please DON'T do the DO Sophie!!!!

Until the next post, let this thought (along with the udderly marvelous udder balm) dominate your every udder thought.