Scribble World Travel Blog

New Year’s Eve in South Padre Island, TX

We spent one night on the beach and then found a great rate at the Beachside Inn. We got a great deal- it was cheaper than camping at the KOA would’ve been.
We walked around town, and drove the length of the island and explored the beaches. We saw our first jellyfish.

For New Year’s Eve, we spread a huge beach towel on a secluded beach and could see the fireworks from all around the island.

Walk to Matamoros Mexico

From South Padre Island, it was an easy drive to Brownsville where we found parking then walked across the boarder to Matamoros, Mexico. I was finally overcome with curiosity, and paid $1 to one of the many street vendors to find out what a corn on the cob stick with mayonnaise, red spices and sprinkled with cheese would taste like….  It was surprisingly good and unlike anything I’ve ever had before.  I had another new experience when I randomly picked out a drink that turned out to have a sweet cinnamon taste.  After walking around, we had a late lunch at the Cafe Paris.  I had the house special soup made with avocado, hard boiled eggs, rice, shredded chicken & broth.  Again, I was happily surprised.

Chris wasn’t as pleased with our Mexico experience-said he just didn’t feel very surprised by it-nothing really new.

Maybe that’s what aging is like-feeling like you’ve “been there, done that” and you measure each new experience against the best of your previous experiences, and if it does not surpass them, a sense of disappointment settles in—and you’re left wondering if all the best surprises have already come and gone—?  Just theorizing here.

South Padre Island night on the beach

After arriving in South Padre, we followed directions to a public beach access, that turned out to be closed, but it’s a narrow island, and it wasn’t too hard to find another beach access. This one was deserted except for us and one other truck. We got out and walked around the dark beach, taking in the starry sky and the smell of the ocean. The other truck eventually left and we had the whole beach to ourselves for the rest of the night and a very peaceful comfortable night by the beach. By morning, there were dog walkers, runners, and sea-shell combers walking the beach.

We drove around the island and found lots of other beaches to explore.

Night on the beach

We just spent our first night parked on a sandy beach, mere feet from the ocean.  It was both soothing and kind of scary listening to the powerful waves so nearby. I had a hard time sleeping because I kept wondering how close the waves were getting to the van, but it was too dark to see.  But when the sun finally surfaced, I saw everything was just fine and I regretted having to leave so soon, wishing for a 2nd night without the worrying this time.  But alas, we were one our way to South Padre Island, TX to spend New Year’s Eve there and had to be on our way.

USS Lexington Museum on the Bay

Passing through Corpus Christi today, we decided to stop to take a tour of the USS Lexington ship, which is now a museum-complete with movie theater.  We easily could have spent more than 2 hours weaving our way through the many rooms and exhibits, but our parking meter would’ve expired.

Austin, TX

My cousin was kind enough to show us around Austin.  We walked around a very nice running park and saw a Stevie Ray Vaughan statue. We went to the awesome Whole Foods headquarters, which had all kinds of goodies including fresh unpasteurized juices-they are so heavenly.  We treated ourselves to unusual customized drinks at Momoko’s tea room.  They had bubble tea (boba) drinks.  I tried a peppermint boba tea, not bad.  Oh! And we went to our first Hookah Bar. 

Trail of Lights; Austin, TX

We made it to Austin, TX just in time to go to the Trail of Lights with my relatives.  It was quite a sight.  We all twirled beneath the Christmas tree lights until we were dizzy and then walked by the many decorative displays.

Dr Pepper Museum

We stopped in Waco Texas and toured the Dr Pepper Museum.  It was pretty much what one would expect-lots of old ads, commercials, memorabilia, and info on the changing ownership.  In the cafe, we split a cup of piping hot Dr. Pepper.

Birthday dinner at Lake Elmo Inn

Lake Elmo Inn, known for its pampering service and delicious food, is independently owned and operated.  It’s also the first place I ever worked. Back in the day, I fell in love with their wild duck soup, which I was pleased to see is still on their menu and just as good as ever.

Other options include roast duck, rack of lamb, mouthwatering steaks….delicious pasta, and lots of other choices.

My favorite day to work at Lake Elmo Inn was Sunday.  That was the one day I actually got to sit down for a rushed 10 or 15 minute break and chow on the delectable brunch buffet offerings….all the expected breakfast fare, and a whole array of unbeatable dessert offerings too-like the classic Sin Of The Inn.

When I make it back to Minnesota, it’s cool when I have an excuse to go to Lake Elmo Inn as a pampered guest-kind of a ”Yay! It’s my turn!” moment.  Pretty slick of me to have my birthday in MN this year, made for a perfect excuse to go, and my Mom was kind enough to pick up the check-even better

Just a side note, but Lake Elmo Inn is one of the only places I’ve seen an automatic seat cover changer in the bathroom…you push a button and a new plastic seat cover spins out.  And that’s even before those paper ones started popping up everywhere.

And another innovation, now they have a coat attendent to give you a pickup ticket for your Minnesota bulky winter coat.  As a special birthday treat, our table was offered our choice of complimentary champaign or sparkling grape juice also.

Visit with Billy and simple delights

Billy came over today and it was a good chance to catch up. He thinks it’s great I’m traveling and gave me a “pop can” stove he’s been working on, and demonstrated how to use it. It really works-it’ll boil a cup of water in about 2 minutes, and is just the right size (nice and small).

He told me about his 4 year old daughter Emma’s delight in knowing the outcome of the paper rock scissors game ahead of time-and how they can do that for hours and she’s delighted each time.

Makenna

Here’s my new niece, Makenna.  Born weighing less than 7 pounds, she’s just a tiny little thing.  I like petting her soft head, she is very sweet and easy going.  We’ve had no trouble sleeping through the night on her account.

Minnesota Snow

We knew this day was coming…our first real Minnesota snow of the month.  Chris & I were guarding the fort while my sister and family were running errands.  The snow just kept pouring down and it occurred to us, they might not be able to get back in the driveway-so Chris & I -reverse snowbirds that we are—-from Arizona, but oddly choosing December as the time to come hang out in Minnesota-found ourselves taking turns using a small shovel and a broom to clear the driveway. The broom actually seemed to work better, but it was tiring pushing the thick heavy snow.  I’m glad we were doing it as a favor though and not as a routine consequence of living in a cold snowy climate.  The sheer novelty of the situation made it fun.  It was a cold but pretty night, and our efforts paid off-making the driveway passable until the snow plow could come.