Suzie stayed in N.O. during Ida, but left on Monday to come north until power is restored. Yesterday, Jan, Suzie, and I took a day trip to Enoch's Stomp, a vineyard and winery near Marshall, TX. It was so much fun and such a beautiful setting--on top of a hill overlooking the vineyards.
We were so busy talking and looking that I didn't even think of taking pictures, so I pulled these from the website.
The pizzas with cauliflower crust and figs and honey were delicious and their Chardonnay was so good, I bought a bottle to bring home for Fee.
After lunch, we stopped by Bear Creek Smokehouse and browsed their gift shop. I did take these pics of the turkey and the longhorn cattle.
I have to remember that there are things in Texas worth visiting and celebrating. I loved visiting Dallas museums, Jefferson, and Blue Moon Gardens until Covid and the disgraceful tactics of state government. Texas has so much to offer, it is such a shame that the state has become synonymous with voter suppression, mask denial, and an ultra-conservative state government.
So true about Texas Jen but, I'm glad you managed to have a nice visit.
ReplyDeleteIt was a delight afternoon, full of good friends, good food, and beautiful scenery. :)
DeleteI live is Texas and I agree. Our state government is a travesty.
ReplyDeleteLouisiana isn't far behind, but at least we have a great governor in John Bel Edwards. The world has lost a sense of balance...and it isn't surprising give all that has been going on. I'm glad I didn't offend you.
DeleteI'm gald you are ok-I was wondering how you were during the terrible storm. I really don't understand banning mask mandates! Seems so crazy.
ReplyDeleteWe were fine here, but for goodness sake, Ida cut a swath of destruction through rain and flooding all the way to New York! A frightening indication of the damage these stronger storms can wreak.
DeleteI don't know what to say about the mask mandates. It does seem crazy, and there is certainly a lot of crazy around now days.
Thank you for reminding us!
ReplyDeleteEnoch's Stomp looks like a wonderful spot to spend an afternoon.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Texas for a few years (the Fort Worth area) and when we moved back to Nebraska, people would ask us what we missed about TX. It certainly wasn't the miserable summers (3 months of 100+ temps), the storms (tornadoes & grapefruit-size hail), the bugs (our house was infested with scorpions for the first two months we were there), and all the concrete (we never made it to eastern TX, which looks quite pretty). That pretty much left the Texas Ranger baseball team. ;) I'm sure there are other nice things about the state, but I'm glad I no longer live there.
It was a lovely day trip with friends. There are some wonderful things in Texas, but there are certainly drawbacks, especially with climate change making it even hotter. What a difference between your Oregon temperatures and Texas heat! Your latest photos make me envious. :)
DeleteYour field trip sounds delightful. NOLA and environs has to be miserable for evacuees stuck in unairconditioned shelters; no wonder they are bussing more people to Shreveport. This is a heartbreaking time we live in for many reasons, glad you ladies enjoyed yourselves. Your favorite holiday is approaching. Our neighbors already have yard decorations out, just saying!
ReplyDeleteThe heat and humidity must be unbearable without power. N.O. escaped much of the wind damage that the lower parishes suffered. Can't imagine losing everything and having to start all over...again.
DeleteWe had such a good time on our little day trip. I would love to go back in the fall (or at least when the temps get down to the 80's).
It is so funny the way we look forward to the fall after our hot and sweaty summers. We anticipate a season that has, truthfully, almost vanished here in the South--dreaming of pumpkins, changing leaves, sweaters--and knowing they won't be practical for 2 months or so. I usually wait until October to decorate, but this year I may just start early.
And yes, my favorite holiday is approaching--"Ghosties, and ghoulies, and long-legged beasties" are on my mind. I need to find a pumpkin patch! During all the strangeness of this year, we are entitled to use our imaginations, fantasize, and decorate the front porches even if we are wearing shorts and flip flops! Good on your neighbors for getting an early start. :)
The poor neighbors have had to put their decorations up and put them out again several times because part of their display appears to be a graveyard in their front yard. Every time the lawn mower guy shows up, the decorations are pulled up then put back out. They had company the other day, two young children, maybe 6 years and 4 years old. They played with those decorations in the yard and had a great time. I was working in the yard and stayed outside because they were letting a Pitbull mix roam off leash. I didn't want it to attack any of the neighborhood TNR cats. I finally asked them if they would keep the dog on the porch--and they did better.
DeleteGoodness, I had thought about the fact that yard decorations would have to be moved to mow. I'm still cautious about Pitbull and mixes. A German shepherd turned on Amelia when she was two and she had to have stitches next to her eye. She was lucky that was all, but it was terrifying.
DeleteSo glad you had a wonderful time. I've been to Marshall before and that was a fun outing with some friends. I'm beyond disgusted with our Texas politics and all the crap that is going on in this state. I hope something changes but sadly I don't have a lot of hope. And, seeing all the horror at the border right now... I don't have words.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great outing. I don't know why your comment went to "moderation" and didn't show up until today! And our Louisiana politics are troublesome as well, but at least our governor is intelligent and reasonable--it is our representatives and senators who are offensive.
DeleteI agree - I lived in Texas for 18 years and in that time I watched it go from Anne Richards to Rick Perry. It was fiercely independent when I moved there but has since crawled into the abyss of far right bull crap. I left for Colorado because I really couldn't take it anymore.
ReplyDeleteFrom Anne Richards to Rick Perry and Greg Abbott has been a terrible down turn. My daughter left last year for CO because of similar problems in LA, although we do have a great governor in John Bel Edwards.
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