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!

San Antonio by the river.

We arrived at our hotel “Marriott by the riverwalk”, caught up with the rest of the team (now we are eight) and went walking!!!

San Antonio river walkway.

Russell enjoying the colourful gardens.

Seven (plus one photgrapher) in search of a Mexican restaurant, recommended by a friend of Jai Leigh as our dinner destination.

Busker under a bridge, Al and Chip looking on.

Rainbow umbrellas, at a restaurant, lining the shores of the river.

The evening was young and we did not give up on our five block walk, although tempting as we passed many delicious cooking smells!

We left the river, and headed north (or south) up at city level.

And finally (a good 30 minute walk) arrived at the marketplace.

A very much decorated Mexican/Spanish part of town.

Sharing the fruit, and enjoying the buzz of the marketplace.

Serenaded through a very delicious Mexican meal.

We then headed back to the river to take our river cruise, now it was dark and all the Christmas lighting is on display.

Past the gingerbread house (actually the courthouse) Trina and Sue staying close so as not to get lost.

So…… everyone else on tour in San Antonio decided this also was a good time to take the cruise! Rather a queue but we managed to get our ride after not too long a wait.

The lights reflecting on the river.

One of the many bridges we passed under.

Statues and huge trees on the riverbank – glowing from the light reflections.

The electricity services building lit up like a Christmas tree!

Lila Cockrell theatre – with the total top half in a mosaic artwork design.

Back to dock, the wind blown out of the team, all ready for an early night and a big day of adventures and fun tommorrow!

So it’s good night from the 23rd floor of the Marriott Hotel in San Antonio Texas!

A seven am deadline departure time, and we were on the road north from Lake Jackson – first stop Goliad!

In search of a coffee through the main street Christmas bunting!

And I say ‘careful what you wish for’, today I probably would have been best without a coffee.

The county courthouse in the middle of the Goliad town square.

Friendly locals, and Tonas daughter-in-laws’ sister (Keli), was there to show us around her town!

This is Keli’s Christmas tree decorating project, where all the town groups and school classes come in to decorate a tree, and then these are donated to families in December!

Russ in front of the hanging tree in the square, that served as the execution spot for the town deviants.

Then off in search of the two historical sights, earmarked for a visit, just out of town.

Mission house of Zuniga. 1722 to 1830, a catholic mission settlement for local people, who worked the land and raised cattle. This was pretty much abandoned after 1830 during the struggle for Texas to gain independence from Mexico, and restored as a historical site in recent years.

Inside the very Spanish decorated chapel.

Trying the traditional headwear on for size – the metal balaclava making my neck shorter by the minute (extremely heavy).

A weaving loom used by the missionary families.

The out buildings, homes of the families.

The plastered, restored missionary buildings and chapel.

Then on to the fort, that was built to protect the missionaries and local landowners.

Fort Bahia. After the Mexicans massacred the Texans, in an attack in this town of Goliad in 1835, the Texans eventually won in a battle closer to Houston later in the year and the first steps for Texas to become independent of Mexico began.

The Presidio Chapel, here at this fort was where the signing of the first declaration of Texas independence took place, in 1935.

A little bit of Texas history, I hope I have this correct.

So we have just arrived in San Antonio, let the party begin! I will start a new story for this part of the adventure.

Today Tona left her Lexus Jeep for us to drive, sooo….

A button to start, move the steering wheel into position, move the seat and away we go! On the right hand side of the road and Russ navigating!

First stop the coffee bar and this cute little caravan Christmas display, bringing camping into the Texas winter

A bit of Christmas shopping at TJ Max (Steph you’ll appreciate this).

Home for a little break…and off to collect Tona from work.

Tona and Sue getting nails done, Russ came for the ride to navigate but couldn’t decide on a colour for his nails!

Sue and Tona had fun, all ready for our four day road trip starting early in the morning.

Driving in at dusk, finally the wildlife came to visit.

These little guys (deer) in the yard at dusk.

We are looking forward to our road trip and visiting lots of new places, and catching up with more cousins, over the next few days. Hope ya’ll are ready for the ride!

Another very chilled day in the ‘heart’ of Texas. Our hearts at least!

Making a cold meat curry from the left over lamb roast, needed a few essentials (like curry powder)

Hitched a ride into town with Garry again early afternoon (no public transport out here).

Walked today from one end of Lake Jackson to the other , navigating freeways (no pedestrian crossings) and enjoying the sunshine.

The treasures we found (not necessarily bought)

A huge array of Christmas cake boxes (this ones for you cousin Trish), unfortunately not collapsible so unable to stock up!

Trudi!!! I hear you girlfriend!

A whole city of replica Christmas houses – and people.

We had arranged for Tona to collect us on her way home, a trip to the charity shop, and Russ was getting a little thirsty!

Low and behold….

Restaurant and bar just leaped our in front of us!

The complimentary snacks and a nice cool beer before home to finish off my curry for dinner.

The family all left for work before the Kiwis got up this morning, leaving us to ‘amuse’ ourselves.

Showers, coffee, washing, newspaper, crosswords and sudoku!

A beautiful day in Lake Jackson so we went for a walk out to the road.

Admiring the blocks on the way and keeping a lookout for the wildlife (deer, bobcats, raccoons) sadly the only one we saw was a snake on the road that was well and truly Roadkill.

Trying to amuse ourselves – not really succeeding (a terrible movie on tv) and Gary, Chucks brother arrived early afternoon and very kindly dropped us to the town.

Even Russ was keen on looking at shops by this time!

We finally made our way to Walmart and had a great time in this superstore.

George look what we found – a small sample of Christmas jersey options, of course not needed for the NZ summer Christmas!

Shopping done, mainly food and beverages, we made plans for Tona to collect us on the way home from work.

Russ hanging out with the shopping trolley.

In a busy car park of trucks!

The temperature has dropped even though we have sunny days ahead and looking good for our side trip towards the end of the week.