PATRIOTIC - FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY

These are some of the family members who served in the Military over the years.  These are the only family members that I have military photos of.  I'm posting these in honor of them and their service and as a memorial tribute for the Fourth of July week-end.  May God Bless each and every one of them and may God Bless America!

My Dad...Charles Denton Scarlett

Kenneth Hughes...Daddy's nephew

Henry Dow Hughes...Daddy's nephew

Jack Fields...Daddy's nephew by marriage

Billy Howard Watts...Daddy's nephew

Donald Ray Hughes...Daddy's great- nephew

Daniel Scott Herron...Daddy's grandson

April 22, 2011 - 6th Day of Riding in TX "Hill Country"

We made it up in time to say good-bye to Wally and Dianne, then Bud and Deb and Bill and I headed out to Fredericksburg. 

After picking up brochures, etc. from the Visitor's Center we rode around town looking at the old homes and buildings.  One of the buildings that intrigued me was the Nimitz Steamboat Hotel, which is now a National Museum of the Pacific War.

Rose in front of the Visitor's Center - Fredericksburg, TX

Typical architecture in Fredericksburg, TX

The Nimitz Steamboat Hotel - National Museum of the Pacific War - Fredericksburg, TX

After touring the area on the Harleys, we parked on Main Street and Bill waited in the Fredericksburg Brewing Company while Bud, Deb and I explored the town on foot.  We spent an hour or so doing that and then headed back to meet Bill.  On the way, Deb noticed three ladies dressed up like bunnies, dining at one of the outdoor eateries.  We stopped by and asked them why they were dressed like bunnies and could we take their picture?  They said they had donned the attire for their favorite charity and happily posed for us.

Fredericksburg Bunnies - Fredericksburg, TX

We had lunch on the patio at Bejas Grill, with a view of Main Street.  Afterwards we stopped by the Fredericksburg Ice Cream Parlor for ice cream.  Needless to say, Bud was a happy camper as he has an addiction for ice cream.

Lunch at Bejas Grill - Fredericksburg, TX

After checking out a few of the shops on Main we decided to head back to the RV Park and start getting ready to pull out the next morning.

One of the sights we saw along the way back to the RV Park

Beautiful entrance to one of many ranches in TX "Hill Country"

Back at the RV Park, Bud and Bill loaded up the bikes while Deb and I uploaded our pictures.  We then had a wonderful dinner, consisting of left-overs and Bud's grilled "Mojo Chicken," along with a nice bottle of wine.  The weather had cooled down enough that we were able to eat outside, so was a pleasant way to end the day.

Thus ended the 6th day of riding in beautiful TX "Hill Country."

April 21, 2011 - 5th Day of Riding in TX "Hill Country"

Mike and Chris flew out today, heading back to Canada.  Wally and Dianne, Bud and Deb, and Bill and I rode with them part of the way to the airport, then said our good-byes.

After breaking away from them the rest of the Crew stopped off at Mananita's in Pipe Creek for coffee, then  headed back to the Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg for one more of their great lunches.  I knew we would make it back there...the food was just too good to pass up!

Coffee stop at Las Mananitas

Normally, the TX wildflowers would have been a beautiful blanket covering the area at this time of year, but due to the lack of rain over the previous three years not many had popped through.  I saw a few Indian Blankets and Primroses in front of the Cafe, but no Bluebonnets,  Bluebells or Indian Paintbrush.  That was really sad, as I really wanted the girls to see how beautiful the landscape is when the flowers are in full bloom. When they're in their full glory it literally looks like someone has painted the landscape with a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors.

Indian Blanket

Primroses

We spent a leisurely afternoon riding the backroads, then headed back to the RV Park.  Once there, Bill and I moved into the RV with Bud and Deb, which was really great as Bud had installed a Queen size guest bed, (was certainly a great change after "bunking" in the cabin for the past few days).

Riding in TX "Hill Country"

Nice curvy roads for riding - TX "Hill Country"

Heading back to the Park - TX "Hill Country"

Dianne and Wally dropped by to say their good-nights and possibly good-byes as they were leaving early the next morning heading for "Cajun Country" LA.

Thus ended the 5th day of riding in beautiful TX "Hill Country."

April 20, 2011 - 4th Day of Riding - TX "Hill Country"

Today our destination was Gruene, (pronounced Green), TX.  Again, we travelled many narrow, twisty back roads, which was great for motorcycle riding...1341 East to 473  to Comfort - to Sisterdale - took a left at 1376 N - 1888 East to Blanco, then south on 32 to Canyon lake, then South on 3424, which became 306 @ Canyon City, then 306 into Gruene.  First stop was in Blanco, home of "Lackey's Ghost," and the Lavender Capitol of the World.  Blanco was pretty quiet - didn't see "Lackey's Ghost," and  not much action going on in town; however, we did have a great snack at a little place on the square.

Blanco - pretty quiet town today

Then it was on to Gruene where we had lunch at the Gristmill Restaurant, (best onion rings in the world)! Wonderful choice - great food, service and ambiance.  We sat outside on the balcony where we could see the canoes travelling down the Guadalupe River, as we looked through the canopy of tree boughs on the hillside below us.  What a beautiful view!

Lunch @ the Gristmill Restaurant - Gruene, TX

Dianne's new "Onion Ring Earrings"

Entrance to the Gristmill Restaurant - Gruene, TX

The girls then toured the "Historic District," taking photos and doing a little shopping, while the guys waited in the bar.  It was a fun-filled afternoon.  One thing of interest to me was the "Man Cave," complete with TV and cold beer, in one of the shops, where guys could hang out while their significant others shopped.  Seemed like a real "win/win" to me.  Guys were happy, women were happy, and shop made more sales!

Gruene Dance Hall

Shopping in Gruene, TX

Garden display in Gruene, TX

After an afternoon of shopping, we headed back to the RV Park in Kerrville. We took 46 to Bourne, then 10 North out of Bourne back to Comfort, then 1341 to  Kerrville.  Once we were back at the Park, Mike went out and picked up Bar-B-Que for everyone.  We sat out by the fire pit at Wally and Dianne's campsite and had dinner.

 

While shopping today, we girls picked up some "flashing teeth."  So...when twilight came we went into Dianne and Wally's RV and put in our "flashing teeth."  Of course, we were all laughing like maniacs, so it was hard to keep the teeth in and keep them flashing, but somehow we managed to do so.  We came outside, grinning at the guys, with the teeth flashing.  I think they though we were nuts, but a good laugh was had by all.  Another great way to finish  a wonderful day.

Debby, Dianne, Chris and me with our "Flashing Teeth"

Thus ended day day four of riding in the beautiful TX "Hill Country."

April 19, 2011 - 3rd Day of Riding in TX "Hill Country"

Today was another awesome day of riding along narrow, winding and twisty roads from Kerrville to Leakey, to Campwood and back to Leakey then into Bandera, and back to Kerrville. We rode Ranch Road 337, one of the best roads for riding in the Texas "Hill Country," and part of "The Three Sisers," or the "100 Mile Loop," which follows canyons and climbs over jagged, steep, crumbling hills with shear drop offs and tight twisty curves.  Believe me, after this ride I know why it's called "Twisted," and why there are warnings that if you are not an experienced rider you should maybe try another route!

Winding, twisty, curvy road - TX "Hill Country"

More of the great riding roads available in TX "Hill Country'

More curves for great riding

Lunch was at the Bent Rim Grill in Leakey, TX, also home of the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop, which bikers have nominated as the #1 hangout four times by Ride Texas magazine.

Lunch at the Bent Rim Grill

Lunch at the Bent Rim

Debbie with her "New Bike"...lol - Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop

I saw my first Boot Fence on this run, which brings to mind...Why do some ranchers put boots on fence posts?  After a little research I learned that one thing all cowboys and ranchers hold dear are their traditions.  An old tradition is to put boots up on  fence posts for varied reasons, such as in memory of fallen comrades, to let their friends know they're at home, in memory of a lost hand who may have died or moved on, or even for a prized horse, should it ever be sold or die.  It's just a matter of respect.

TX Boot Fence

Just one of the interesting sights we saw along the way - I love the hide!

Beautiful TX "Hill Country"

Horses along the route today - TX "Hill Country"

TX "Hill Country"

Once we made it into Bandera, the girls went shopping and the guys headed back to the 11th Street Cowboy Bar.  I found a stampede string, made out of leather and trimmed in horse hair, to put on my cowgirl hat - maybe now it won't be blowing off my head!

One of the old buildings in Bandera, TX

The guys relaxing in the 11th Street Cowboy Bar - Bandera, TX

More beautiful Cacti - these in Bandera, TX

       

 After leaving Bandera we went back to the RV Park where Wally grilled some Nettle's Sausage that Jimmy Ray had brought from Florida.  Afterwards, Jim and Debbie and his brother, James and his wife Darla said their good-byes and headed back to San Antonio.  The rest of the Crew sat around for a while reminiscing, then Dianne, Chris, Debby and I went for a walk along the Guadalupe River to watch the sunset.

Nettle's Sausage time! - Kerrville, TX

Dianne and Chris on the banks of the Guadalupe River - Kerrville, TX

   

Dianne, Debby and me on the banks of the Guadalupe River - Kerrville, TX

Sunset on the beautiful Guadalupe River - Kerrville, TX

 Thus, ended the third day of riding in beautiful TX "Hill Country."         

      

April 18th 2011 - 2nd day of riding in TX "Hill Country"

Today we rode up to Trois Estate which is located near Enchanted Rock north of Fredericksburg.  Bill and I met Charles and Rebecca, owners of Trois Estate, a few years ago when we went to a New Year's Eve party there with our friends, Bruce and Linda from Atlanta. 

Trois Estate started out as a "dream home" for Charles and Rebecca and gradually blossomed into an artistic village hand built by Charles in an old world European style.  Its grounds include a wonderful Italian ristorante, a European Day Spa, shops, museums, (the world's largest capgun collection), underground grotto, underground chapel, bed and breakfast villas, a theater, and the most recent additon - the lodge, which hosts 18 rooms.

Great host and hostess, Charles and Rebecca, made our group feel right at home as soon as we stepped inside their door.  Rebecca popped a bottle of wine, (she remembered I like Merlot), and served the guys cold beer.  She and I talked for a few minutes and then we were pretty much on our own to explore the Estate.  We spent the better part of the afternoon there, just meandering around over the premises, taking pictures, and enjoying the old world ambience.

Rebecca and me at Trois Estate

One of the beautiful old doors at Trois Estate

Debby outside the St Pauls of Presidio - Trois Estate

One of many beautiful statues at Trois Estate

Silhouette of Dianne - Trois Estate - I love this picture!

Relaxing with the girls - Trois Estate

Underground Chapel - Trois Estate

Chris with Roy at Trois Estate

The Crew in the bar at Trois Estate

Debbie's best pose...I love this picture! - Trois Estate

The girls "Repenting' at Trois Estate

Bill and me saying our good-byes to Charles and Rebecca - Trois Estate

Group shot of the Crew before leaving Trois Estate

Beautiful Cacti at Trois Estate

After leaving the Estate we finished off the day with a great dinner at the Fredericksburg Brewing Company then headed back to the RV Park to rest up for the next day's ride.  Thus ended day two of riding in the beautiful TX "Hill Country."