Last night the rain came in to southern Texas, deterring the plans of all our house guests travelling on Friday night – about 8 inches overnight and in this low lying part of the USA instigates severe flood warnings.

Woke up this morning to a very damp landscape, even though the rain had subsided.

The jetty was under water and the lake banks almost up to the grass level.

The temperature had also cooled off.

It was party day today for Polly (Chucks mum) and Don (Tonas dad), 90 and 80 respectively.

Tona, Chuck, Russ, Sue and Mary (Tonas sister) went to the church hall at 10am to set up and decorate for the 1pm party kick off.

Plenty of practice for these Kiwis, as many a ‘Bonnici Day out’ has been had and party set up is par for the course.

Pink for Polly (strawberry cake)

Chocolate for Don!

Plus a lot of food for lunch. The rain held off and a great time was had by all.

Polly and Don being serenaded (happy birthday) and ready to blow out the candles.

Polly and her two Boys, Chuck and Garry!

It was our hosts work Christmas party tonight, so the kiwis are hanging out at the homestead with family members down for the weekend!

This weekend is all about socialising and catching up with friends before we pack our bags….

The reason we are in Texas is for Polly’s 90th birthday and this is today!

Winter months and a balmy humid 22 degrees Celsius! The rain is coming they tell us!

We headed off this morning to visit the state park that houses the oldest plantation in Texas!

First stop coffee, first coffee shop we found….telling us to have a relaxing morning!

Inside the cafe, sporting an old Texas fuel pump aptly named ‘Texaco’.

And a garden full of teapot flowers!

Then off to the Varner-Hogg Plantation.

This is the historic of the home of :

‘Austin colonist Martin Varner, sugarcane mogul Columbus Patton, and Texas Gov. James S. Hogg. This property hosted sugarcane production, rum distilling, and oil drilling as it transitioned through families.‘ (Copied from website to save iPhone typing!)

The homestead – rebuilt after the 1900s hurricanes.

Front of home getting its Christmas decorations by its volunteers.

Three photos from inside the homestead – redecorated to the time of Govenor James Hogg and his family.

The river that divides the owners residences from the slaves quarters and sugarcane fields.

The first oil rig named Ima – after James Hoggs daughter, which was the start of the oil strike on the property which made this family (Hoggs) one of the richest in Texas.

Site of the slaves quarters in the 1800s sugar cane era – during the time when it was home to the Patton family.

James Hoggs bathing tub, fed by a spring that still runs today, now actually home to a number of frogs.

The run off from the spring and Tub produced this swimming hole.

We then went into what was the barn housing some old modes of transport!

Wagon wheels (this reminds me of a song)

Carriages and Russell – both magnificent specimens.

Carts for the big boys and little boys. All these were pulled by horses.

This state park is a valuable piece of southern history, run completely by volunteers and very well maintained. Well worth a visit, although we were the only ones visiting today! Wide open spaces all to ourselves.

We headed back before the predicted rain (which hasn’t arrived yet and it is still very humid).

I have made a macaroni cheese pie for dinner and baked a chocolate cake while Tona is home early having a tidy up before the party weekend (lots of house guests due).

We are in for a big weekend, our last weekend of our big adventure!

This morning started off well, if a little overcast.

The kiwis went into town for a little shopping – mainly larger bag to accomodate belongings.

Every shop has a plethora of Christmas bunting!

Big stuff, musical stuff (ok so you can’t hear it) and sparkly stuff.

Peppa pig Christmas style and every other ‘Thing’ you can imagine.

Sooo….leaving Walmart, this is where the day deteriorated! (And not talking about the weather)

Reversing out of the car park in the Toyota Corolla (not so small car), almost out…and BANG – a truck reversed out of the opposite side (and a little back) and hit me.

The usual reactions from the kiwis, and hunting for a pen and paper (to get details) we realised our co-crasher was a Mexican lady who didn’t speak English!

A witness translated, and off we went, again, to the rental car agency to report the crash!

Luckily we had taken the damage waiver insurance, however it seemed it was our responsibility to call our insurance company? Duh! It’s their insurance company! Oh well they have our phone numbers if they need to call. I will cancel my credit card when I get home, so they cannot charge me any more!

They seem to want us to say who was at fault – both cars backing and not seeing each other, I question the logic!

Russ is a little tired, needs a lie down after all the excitement and I think I need a beer (yes I was driving).

We say, it’s ok, no one was hurt!

300 miles (500 kms) from Lake Jackson through Houston to Orange for a swamp cruise, then back via car ferry to Galveston, Surfside and home! So here goes….

With a three and a half hour leisurely drive to Orange County, we left home at 8ish to get the tire pressure checked on the rental car (warning light was showing). Turns out the tyre wall was torn and they changed us from the peanut car to a medium size car! However this then meant the 3.5 hour leisurely trip became a 2.5 hour, no stop, frantic trip through all the big freeways at 120kms per hour most of the way.

Our trip out the swamps on the border of Louisiana and Texas was booked for midday and we just made it!

Ready to go, looking rather more relaxed than I felt. Two hours (private tour as no one else had booked) on the waterways hunting for alligators certainly gave me time to relax.

Cyprus trees that grow in the water – the water was like glass and the reflections were perfect!

Turn this one upside down and it looks the same!

Osprey eagle on top of the tree.

Egret – white heron – these birds were all through the swamp.

A houseboat still above water (just) after the last hurricane.

More sunburned Cyprus trees – they go orange in the sun when the moss falls off them.

And finally the bridge from Texas (left) to Louisiana (right)

Note the absence of alligators, at this time of the year they lower their body temperature and heart rate to four beats a minute (not quite hibernation) but in a state of in activity.

It was a beautiful clear day and not a breath of wind, the air was cold (as it is actually winter here) but a perfect day for exploring the swamp lands.

We then had the most delicious fish burger for lunch, and headed off on part two of the days adventure!

South towards Galveston Island, a two hour drive, and with still half an hour to go we were sure to miss the 4.20pm car ferry.

However…. as luck would have it we were the last car on, the gate was lifted and we were off!

The last little black one at the end of the left row!

These seagulls took a ride with us – though my black car was well and truly in danger of getting some white artwork!

And the sun is going down – we only had about half an hour of daylight left.

Off along the coast of Galveston – the beach holiday destination for Texans.

The beach at twilight.

Bubba Gump shrimp restaurant on the pier – offering breakfast with Santa!

The amusement park on the pier – open after dark! We still had an hour and a half drive so we’ll put this on a future to do list!

What a beautiful evening at Galveston – sort of makes you want to sing the Glen Campbell song!

We then drove, in the darkening evening, the length of the island and across the causeway to Surfside, south of Lake Jackson. We had half an hour, in the dark, north to get home with all the work traffic (this was a little tedious).

We had completed our full circle (500kms) with a couple of side trips in 11 hours! Big day for the kiwis in Texas… I was very glad I was in a bigger car today, especially on the five lane freeways.

Sunday morning brought another bright sunny day to the mid Texas hill country.

A stroll around the Condo estate.

The recreation centre – a little chilly for swimming.

The view from the top – yes Texas does have hills.

A little birthday celebration (and cake) for Kelly and Eric who both have birthdays next week.

Then off to the Texas town of Luckenbach – a small settlement which is a country music venue 365 days of the year. There is a song by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings named “Luckenbach, Texas” This outback settlement sports; bars, a general store, dance hall, stages ( for artists), eating kiosks and more bars!

The beer saloon – one of the bars.

The original post office, now general and souvenir store and a bar at the back.

Inside a bar – every inch of the walls and ceilings are covered with memorabilia.

The family chilling at the tables, waiting for lunch.

Funnel cake! Like crunchy donut strips – great diet food but goes well with a beer and country music.

Chilling in the shade, listening to the live music, Sitting on a railway sleeper.

Russ trying his luck at Luckenbach.

The motorbikes Park here, a pretty impressive array of Harley’s.

So this is really the heart of Texas that we all envisage and see on the Wild West shows of old! These places still exist, and operate in a very relaxed, chilled, Texas outback, hill country way!

Heading back to Lake Jackson – for what is to be our last week of adventures!

Last night at the John T Floores Store and historic music hall, just outside San Antonio, two Kiwis and six Texans went to party and hear Ray Wylie Hubbard and son sing.

Russ inside the venue warming up and checking out the stories. This venue has seen the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan and Waylon Jennings! A mini Grande Ole Opri.

The star attraction in action – us hanging out by the stage! Country style mosh pit for the young and not so young!!

We arrived back at the hotel around midnight – all ready for bed!

This morning we breakfasted and four of the Texans headed for home, Tona and Chuck, Russ and Sue hit the road for FredricksBurg, a German inspired town, to meet Kelly and Eric (and kids) for our next adventure.

All the towns are Christmas excited in December.

Nativity scene in the park.

Russ, Eric and James (and decorated tree in background)

Ice skating rink set up for the winter – even though it was definitely a shorts day.

James driving the gingerbread train!

Russell disguised as a Christmas tree.

And back into town to have lunch at the Fredricksburg brewery.

The beer runs and even in the heart of Texas, the kiwi flag is flying!

Lunch was another ‘large’ affair before the proposed hike on enchanted rock!

St Mary’s gothic German style church just off Main Street.

And the highly decorated hat store!

Heading out to the trek, we found that the track for today had been closed, due to excessive numbers on the Rock and a star gazing annual concert tonight! Not the best day to free wheel for this hike.

Hike abandoned, we headed to our condo for the evening, the opposite direction, in Texas hill country. Dinner in and probably a quiet evening with the family.

A hike is certainly on the agenda for the morning, we definitely need to walk off some of these huge meals we have been devouring.

I’ll leave you with this thought for the day….

Not really selling off our retired loved ones!

Starbucks coffee, buffet breakfast and the team (with a few sore muscles from last nights excursion) took off on foot towards the tourist spots.

We took a shortcut from the riverwalk, through the Hyatt hotel, and through the water featured walkway to The Alamo.

The team, minus Sue (photographer), ready for the morning adventures.

The Alamo is the mission and fort famous for “the battle of Alamo”. This was in the Texas Revolution time of 1835-1836 and while the Mexicans won this battle, they were soon to be defeated and the fort was eventually taken back (leased from the Catholic Church) by the US Army in 1845.

No photos were allowed inside the chapel. However out in the grounds…

Prickly pears have followed us from Malta, although they don’t eat the fruit here.

These carp were swimming in the channels running through the fort grounds – waiting to be fed (they were about 18inches long)

Re-enactment – soldiers holding the fort! (I’m guessing back in the day they may have been a little younger)

The girls taking a rest on the tree stumps. (The long and short of it)

While the rest of the team watched a video story, I went in search of the local wildlife.

This little squirrel played eight-ball and allowed me to get really close, even treated me with a smile.

Leaving the Alamo, we took a side trip to the Menger hotel.

The three story Christmas tree in the enclosed foyer – the building decor has remained the same in 200 years.

Tona found her favourite Christmas decoration (Kelly you’ll love this one) – the Nutcracker!

Outside in the streets, the Horses and carriages (to hire for rides) are decorated in a somewhat bridal fashion.

The next stop was to the Buckhorn Museum.

This museum is a monument to the Texan hunters and lifestyle of their past. These hunting activities are now pretty much outlawed internationally, however were a part of survival historically.

Designer, one off chairs were made from beef long horn cattle – their horns and hides after the meat was carved.

A wood carved monument of the tree of life (Thailand inspired)

Chip and Trina in the illusions house – magic travelling shows were a part of the Wild West! They are not really leaning.

Out with the old and into the current day streets of San Antonio.

The Courthouse and post office.

We made our way back to the hotel, to collect luggage and cars, and set off to the next stop! Helotes (place and new hotel) and close to our venue tonight – Live Concert!