A Few Days in the Promise Land (aka Texas)

I don't often get to spend time in the city before or after a program but on those rare occassions when I do, I try to take advantage of it. This trip it worked out for LuLu to come along and since it meant visiting a state she's never visited and the added bonus of seeing family she said "have suitcase, will travel".  How perfect was it that it was also Mother's Day Weekend...Happy Mother's Day LuLu!  

We got to San Antonio a couple days early and did a little sightseeing.  When I was here for our planning visit in January, the DMC (destination management company...area experts that help make my life so much easier) took us to The Historic Pearl as of our activities was a cooking competition at the Culinary Institute of America.  We didn't have a lot of time to explore the area so decided to check it out.  There are some cute shops and lots of restaurants...everything at The Pearl is local so it was refreshing to not see chains.

Saturday morning we Googled "best brunches in San Antonio" and one of top picks was The Hayden.  I love a good Jewish diner so off we went and WOW is all I can say!  We both ordered the Fried Chicken and Latke Waffle and it was probably one of the best brunches we've ever had!  The chicken was encrusted with matzo meal and the waffle was made from potatoes and to top it all off was bourbon apples and apple syrup with a dollop of sour cream.  Not only was the food delicious...the service was exceptional.  If you're ever in the area, definitley go by The Hayden.

With our bellies full, we headed down to the Riverwalk to take a little boat ride and check out The Alamo.  The DMC told us the best thing to do was park at the Hyatt Regency and then head out their back door to the Riverwalk.  You can book your ticket online or just go the the Go Rio store front on the river which is what we did.  The tickets aren't timed so you just buy them and wait for the next boat...they run about every 15-20 minutes.

Snagged a pic of LuLu taking a break
back at the hotel after giving her a tour

After a little fun, it was time for me to work for the next week.  So while I worked, LuLu spent some time at the spa, relaxed and of course made friends.  I had clients and customers coming up saying they met my mom!  When my program was over, we headed up to Waco to check out the Fixer Up spots and go out to Hico to see our cousins.

On the way out to Hico to see Betty and James, we saw this fella.  I seriously thought he was going to charge me because the second I got out of the car, he stood up.  Turns out he was just possing for the tourist!

James and Betty took us to Hard Eight BBQ Pit for lunch and basically a tray o' meat.  Gotta love a place where you can get anything you want dipped in garlic butter to boot!

Betty & James told us we'd pass Chip & Jo's farm on the way back so we had to do a slow roll and snag a picture.  We did learn on our tour the day before about all the things they've done for Waco. They've definitely changed the narrative of the city from the 1993 incident.

After a little work and a little play, it was time to head back home.  Once again, LuLu really does enjoy her time in the Sky Club.  We'll be home for a little while and then we're off on our next adventure...Portugal!