Texas – Luggage Woes but Awesome Food!

Believe it or not…I forgot my camera when we went to Texas (most of you can, no doubt, believe it!) but my girlfriend took tons of pictures – I’m just waiting on them. So a bit of my Texas trip recapped….with pictures to follow (hopefully soon….no pressure, Mo!)

The trip started on an interesting note. We flew to Austin by way of Chicago. When we arrived in Chicago, the hostess came on and welcomed us all to the windy city and announced, “If you are continuing on with us to Minneapolis, feel free to stay on the plane and we will be leaving again shortly.” And, yes, my luggage did just that – stayed on the plane!!

Seems just about everyone I’ve told my sad but true story to has a lost luggage story of their own, but this was the first time it had happened to me! I wasn’t terribly worried when we first discovered I had nothing. I was sure it would follow on the next flight and find me soon. That did not happen. After our day of shopping, eating and fun (can’t let a little lost luggage ruin your fun), we returned to the hotel and no luggage. I made some more phone calls and was assured they would call me as soon as my lovely belongings were located.

Off to sleep I went. About an hour later, the alarm clock begins beeping/ringing! What?? I didn’t set the clock. I was trying every button and knob possible and I promise you I actually smacked the top of the crazy thing before it went off. I really was only half awake/half dazed and trying to get back to deep sleep…when it goes off – AGAIN! I had the radio in both hands and I think I was actually going to throw it when I realized – OH!?!? That’s my phone going off! What a goof. When I answered the phone in a fog, the lady actually seem annoyed with me that I did not gratefully – and cheerily – answer the phone the first time! The luggage did arrive about 12:30 in the morning! Yea.

That first day we ate at a cool Tex-Mex place just outside of downtown Austin – called Gueros! Tons of atmosphere and yummy food. Then we headed over to New Braunfels/Gruene (pronounced Green) – home of the infamous Gruene Hall. It was built in 1878 and is known as “the oldest dance hall in Texas” where folks like Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Lyle Lovett have played. It was pretty much empty when we checked it out but, yep…Texans are pretty serious about their country music!!

Dinner that night was at the GristMill. Although this restaurant is “open” (read that HOT!), it was so worth it! Probably one of our best meals during our trip! The food was amazing. And – this is weird – our server was a teenager (named Taylor) that just so looked the way I imagine my Tyler could look now. About 6’3″, thin with dark red hair cut short and slightly spiked in the front…..and just so handsome! It was uncanny, exciting in a way and kinda creepy all at the same time!! (It is just so hard to imagine my boy almost 17!!)

Anyways, the GristMill could easily be one of my favorite restaurants but I doubt I’ll ever eat there again. But, it was good! I was stuffed – and that was only day one!! I knew I was in trouble.

7 thoughts on “Texas – Luggage Woes but Awesome Food!

  1. Glad that you are back safely! I enjoyed reading about the adventures. Glad things "eventually" worked out! Some good food can help any situation! Looking forward to the pictures!

  2. Hey, Jennifer. Glad you "stumbled" by. Sounds like you had some real "yee-haw" fun in Texas. Truly, I've got some cowgirl blood running through these veins. I just live in the wrong part of the country for cowboy living (but I've got some boots…).

    I briefly read a bit about your son. I can't even imagine the grief you must feel in losing a son so young. I've known grief in recent days, but nothing that would even compare.

    God bless you as you walk these mellow days of mourning, knowing that "the best is yet to be."

    peace~elaine

  3. OH, you were only 2 hours away from me! Glad you had a great trip even with the lost luggage and the stinking hot, Hot, HOT weather! Can't wait to see pictures!

  4. Jennifer,
    You were an unbelievable blessing to me last year. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is going to use your speaking.

    Thank you so much for praying for our eval group this year. That means the world to me!

    Amy

  5. Waaaah on the luggage… but the alarm clock story was funny! I'm really glad they found your bag so quickly (relatively speaking). And I know there must have been a mix of joy and sorrow when you spotted Tyler's "twin" at the restaurant. Gotta hold on to the hope of a day when he WILL be right there with you again… forever.
    Love you, Jennifer!

  6. Hi Jennifer!
    What a fun story! Yes, I think everyone gets to lose their luggage at least once when flying!
    But just think, you wouldn't have anything to post this time if it hadn't gotten lost! :~D
    Blessings!

  7. sounds like some cool places to eat! glad you are back safe and your luggage did end up finding you in Texas, lol! coming home from texas two years ago only 1 of my suitcases met me in baltimore. the other continued north, lol! they finally got it back into baltimore and out on the delivery truck to me around 3:30am. talk about a wake-up call!

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