Posted by Sara on Apr 7, 2009 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas Texan’s are serious about their BBQ, and Cooper’s in Llano is reported to be one of the best in Texas.
My oh my, it is yummy.
Tender smoked meat, a peppery rub and a spicy hot BBQ sauce tart with vinegar – how can you go wrong with that combination?
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EATING AT COOPER’S
1. Wait in the line snaking outside the door.
2. Chat with the strangers next to you in line. Chances are their story is more interesting than your own.
3. Pick your own meat right off the smoker.
4. Load up with beans, white bread, onions and jalapenos from the bars of complementary sides.
5. Sit at the picnic tables inside with your new friends from the line. Add a few more strangers to the table for more lively conversation.
6. Enjoy!
P.S. Heed the warning: don’t forget to bus your spot when you’re finished.
Tags: Cooper's BBQ, Llano
Posted by Sara on Apr 6, 2009 in
Texas,
Travel A simple hour’s drive west to Texas Hill Country transports us from our day-to-day ho-hum, to a romantic world of rocky cliffs, scrubby cactus and longhorn ranches.
We are at peak season for the Texas bluebonnets and Saturday we drove a loop from Burnet to Lampasis to Llano in search of these wild wonders.
After an afternoon of driving we stopped in the charming little town of Llano.
The Llano River cuts through the heart of this town, and a bridge connects the otherwise divided downtown.
As we walked the pedestrian sidewalk on the bridge, a hot spring sun beat down on us, and we envied the people swimming and splashing in the river.
I perused several of the cute antique shops. Kenny protected the merchandise from Titus’ curiosity.
Have I mentioned that I love the Texas Hill Country?
Tags: Hill Country, Llano
Posted by Sara on Apr 5, 2009 in
Art,
Texas 
A friend invited Titus and me to join her in a visit to the Blanton Museum of Art on the campus of University of Texas. I like art museums, so I readily agreed. We planned our trip for Thursday, the museum’s free admission day.
The Birth of Cool is the current feature exhibit. The exhibit is a multi-media display of architecture, furniture, art, literature, music and film from California in the mid 20th century. If you like interior design from this period and want inspiration, check out the exhibit. It was…well…cool.
Since we both were accompanied by our antsy preschool-age sons, and the museum is a look-no-touch sort of destination, we made a speedy round of the European art and modern art in the permanent collection at the museum. Then we called it a day.
Thanks for the fun outing Lisa!
Tags: Blanton Museum of Art
Posted by Sara on Apr 2, 2009 in
Texas,
Travel When spring arrives in Texas, head west to Hill Country. The gentle breeze shoos the winter gray clouds away to reveal a warm sun that does not yet beat down with the muscle of the summer heat. Across the state, wildflowers unfurl their petals, ’till the roadsides are abloom with unbridled color. The sleepy gloom of winter is gone and people are awake and ready to explore.
One Friday, Kenny, Titus and I headed a couple hours west to Enchanted Rock State Natural Park. This hike was the perfect length for one couple and a sleepy little boy. By sleepy, I mean fussy; but like all good Southerners, I’m trying to state this unpleasantry in a more delicate manner.
We climbed the steep rock, enjoyed the 360 degree vista from the top, splashed in a few puddles from the recent rain and headed home.
Want to know more about enchanted rock? Well, here’s a teaser from the State’s website:
The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.
Exciting stuff, huh? Well, if words don’t do it justice, maybe pictures will.
Please do take note – the park often reaches capacity and frequently closes on weekends, sometimes by 11 a.m. (which we experienced!) Plan to arrive early and have alternate plans.
Tags: Enchanted Rock, Fredericksburg