Eagle Pass Road Trip

But first... I use a small, retractable key reel, attached to my purse handle, for my house key, so I don't have to dig around my purse for keys when I get home. Just pull and unlock. Bam.

There are some really cute ones, about .75 inches diameter, at an Etsy shop called Made On Terra, out of California. I have the dragonfly one, and just ordered the Tree of Life. I've used mine a lot for about a year and it's just now starting to stick a little when retracting. Check 'em out! Search for "lanyard belt" to see the little retractable key rings with clasps to attach to things.

Went on an overnight road trip to Eagle Pass with Scott-n-Julie last weekend! We drove Hwy 165 from Henly to Blanco (one of our old faves) and drove through The Swiss Alps of Texas, a famous loop with amazing hills and valleys. Jeff and I had never been there. It is SO green compared to our area right now. Just breathtaking.

We stopped in Medina at The Apple Store. (Not THE Apple Store. The fruit kind.) We wanted to pick apples at their Love Creek Orchards, but our schedule was tight and I don't think there were any available for picking anyway at the time. (Call ahead to check!) So we had burgers at their cafe, which were recognized as one of The 50 Greatest Burgers in Texas in 2016 in an issue of Texas Monthly. They were REALLY good. The soft bun was my favorite part, but the burger is perfect. They also have soft-serve apple ice cream and apple pie, if you're so inclined. Also excellent.

Went to UT's Briscoe-Garner Museum in Uvalde, at Vice President (during FDR's first two terms) John "Cactus Jack" Garner's home. That's a neat place! Lots of info about Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (in the 70s) and VP Garner. We love small town museums. You would be amazed what they have at these places. Surprisingly cool. And you can get closer to things than you can in large city museums... even touch some stuff! We liked this museum. Worth the stop.

We made our way to Eagle Pass, checked in to the hotel and then headed to Lucky Eagle Casino. Scott was very lucky that night and only lost $50 out of the $200 he wagered at the slots. Julie, Jeff and I each lost the $20 we wagered at the slots. My twenty bucks was gone in about 3 minutes. Not even kidding. I'm a video poker girl, if I gamble at all, since I feel like it gives the longest play time per dollar. Lucky Eagle only has a few video poker machines, all at the two bars in the middle of the casino.

We had dinner at a casino restaurant, Sage. We tried everything from pasta to short ribs, and it was all great.

The people in Eagle Pass were very friendly, without exception. They couldn't have been nicer. May have been the casino drinks, but definitely happy, talkative folks.

We drove along the Rio Grande on the way out Sunday morning, but you can't see the river from the highway because there is a lot of brush blocking the view. There are dirt roads through the trees, but Scott advised us not to go there, because they are border patrol roads. Okie doke then!

Had Sunday lunch on the way back in Castroville at The Alsatian Restaurant. Delicious! They have German fare, along with French and American food, and artisan pizza. I had a reuben, my favorite sandwich. Their sauerkraut is really yummy. Next time, I'll try the Jägerschnitzel. We talked with the owners, a couple and their brother.  The building is from the 1800s, with some courtyard seating outside, perfect for a romantic evening meal.

Good times!