A Visit to Fredericksburg, TX

After our stay in Austin we headed for Fredericksburg to visit family.  It was still warm and sunny that weekend - extending our great luck with traveling weather.

Fortunately, we didn't have to leave Austin via I-35 which looks like this on a typical weekday at commuting time:

I-35 from our hotel window in Austin

Nan & Mike recently finished their new home in Fredericksburg, and are currently working on landscaping.

Front view - those are pecan trees in the back

Rear view - the covered patio is pleasant all day long in the summer

Texas icon

We enjoyed walks around the neighborhood and a hike to Cross Mountain:

Burr Oak

Lots of grackles here, too

Gulf Fritillary near Lantana plant

Yep, that spike is over 10 ft tall

Beaver tail cactus

The mountain's namesake

The 290 corridor near Fredericksburg is home to around 30 wineries.  We checked out the offerings at one, Inwood Estates, with Nan and Mike. 

Waiting to try some reds and whites.  They were quite good.

A visit to Lorrie and Marc's and an evening at The Club wrapped up our stay in Fredericksburg.

Us on the patio at Lorrie and Mark's

Lorrie's photogenic cat Mae

A great place for the locals in a beautiful setting

The Club's owners believe in entertainment that doesn't
overwhelm conversation.  We'll drink to that!

One those rare sunset photos taken somewhere besides California

 

Sightseeing in Austin, TX - The State Capitol

The morning of our second day in Austin was sunny and mild - perfect for a walk to the State Capitol grounds. I couldn't help but be impressed with the beauty of the building and grounds. The walk to and from the Capitol, especially Congress Avenue, had points of interest, too.

All photos taken with my Olympus SH-1. The zoom feature really came in handy at the Capitol. Click on a photo for a larger version.

Sidewalks made for walkers

The Driskell

The Littlefield Building

First Citizens Bank

Landmark for a bakery building

Paramount theater marquee

Theater landmark plaque

Texas and US flags

Another sightseer making its way along Congress Avenue

The Capitol building:

The Capitol building from the main walkway

Side view

Close up of symbols  above the entrance arch

At the very top

The grounds and monuments:

Old fountain sculptures and plantings

Firemen's memorial

Texas Ranger memorial

The Tejano Memorial: