Green Happens: GP 2013 Texas

Every other year really fantastic stuff happens.  This year it happened in Texas.  It was big and fabulous and ended too quickly.  This every-other-year thing we have going on is one of the most-looked-forward-to events.  Hilary and C were fabulous hosts and showed us some of the best of Texas, while Mel, who had triplets in the fall, provided the epic surprise of being at the house when the rest of us showed up.  We stayed in a great house in San Marcos (complete with hammock and horse shoes) , that had true Texas pride.  The Texas star adorned the furniture and a cross with a Texas flag that read "God Bless Texas" hung in the front room.  

Everyone got in on Thursday evening (Mar 21) and as you can see by the picture above, we immediately picked up where we left off.  We also didn't wait long to get some serious green started.  We celebrated Ashlee's birthday and then played a fabulous game planned by Hil and C. Keeping in true Texas form, the game included guns--nerf guns, that is. 

 Clark entertained our friends with some thoughtfully whispered words from random books in the house.

He also impressed them with the quantity of green clothing he packed.

 The next day we enjoyed a relaxing morning and then donned our swimsuits to float the San Marcos River in 80-degree weather.  I'm anxious to get a copy of some of the fun pics we took on the actual river.  We thoroughly enjoyed the sun, the scenery and the company.  We were also entertained by some of the people we passed who were barbequing on a raft in a foot and a half of water. 

For lunch we headed to Luling where we filled (or rather, stuffed) ourselves with Texas ribs, brisket and sausage.  Sooo good.

 On the ride back, we had to make a stop in Buc-ee's, which is apparently famous for being huge and having lots of bathrooms.  Turns out that it is really a huge store for a gas station, and it does have a lot of really nice bathrooms.

 That evening we fittingly hung out in Gruene (pronounced "Green"), a cute little town that is home to the oldest dance hall in Texas.  We had dinner, listened to live music and explored the shops. 

 The next day, we hit the outlets (biggest ones you've ever seen) for a couple of hours, then we headed into Austin.  First stop: Torchy's Tacos.  Amazing as always.  We even tried a chicken & waffle taco.  There was also a fabulous little hot chocolate place--which I very much enjoyed in spite of the non-hot-chocolate-like weather. 

 Next stop was to Mount Bonnell for a beautiful view of the Colorado River. 

 Then we headed downtown where we walked through the state capitol building, ate at more yummy food trucks, browsed through quirky shops and watched the bats. 

 Our tour guide

 Some of us stayed in Austin a little later to walk 6th Street.  We enjoyed the lights and live music and my friends were the lucky witnesses to one of my most embarrassing moments EVER.  We laughed til we cried.  Really truly. 

 That night we video-chatted with Thomas and honored our amazing hosts.  Did I mention that provided us all with a Texas mixed cd to listen to in the car while we drove to and fro?  And they provided us with our stellar green bandanas--just so we could all be a little more like Hilary.

 And as the night got later, crazier things began happening with the nerf guns, our continuing game of jelly belly roulette, and other fun randomness.

 Not sure how this tradition started, nor how it continues...

It proved to be a challenge for the guys...

These dear friends truly feel like family.  We've known each other for some 13 years now.  We can talk about anything.  We can entertain each other to no end.  We can laugh together, cry together and even drive each other little crazy.  Thank you, dear friends, for another memorable green party.