THROUGH A VIRGIN'S EYES

There's nothing quite like traveling with a pair of virgin eyes, to help give you a new perspective on things that might have seemed old hat or run-of-the-mill before.  Outdoor Woman just happened to have some friends from Australia, who are working their way from L.A. to Houston, stop in this week.  We left Peter at home with Mr. O.W., but we kidnapped Helen at 8:00 a.m. and took her on one of our Muses' Marathon Road Trips, 'cause we just didn't think she was getting enough time in the car, driving across the country and all.

The first of several stops for sustenance throughout the day.

Our primary purpose was to attend two art shows that were going on simultaneously over at the  Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center.  One was the Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show, and the other was a fiber arts show, in which our own Fiber Woman had at least six or seven pieces on display.

One of FW's amazing hand-woven and -dyed leather dresses, and her woven wall assemblage, plus a small quilted piece by one of her friends.

Here's the way we think: "Well, if we are going to Kerrville, we should probably stop in Fredericksburg first, at that fun ice cream shop that had the really good pastries at the back," says one.  "Then we may as well take in a few galleries while we're there," says another.  "Oh wait, and what about all those great salvage and thrift stores in both towns?" says a third.

Then another says, "Hold on!  Remember that "Top 50 Burgers" article in Texas Monthly?  Wasn't #3 on the list somewhere in that general vicinity?"

You have to sit on it first, just to get it in your mouth -- especially if you order it as recommended, with added green chilies, caramelized onions, and avocado!

Haven't seen hair-dos like this in a coon's age!

Then, of course, someone else said "Wow, with this being Helen's very first time in Texas, we really can't go home without swinging by Luckenbach for a cold one.  It just wouldn't be right!"

Which is how it ended up being 9:00 p.m. before we dragged our tired tushies home.  But, I just have to say one thing.  I have to say "Thank you Helen.  Your eager attitude, wide-eyed smile, and wonderful accent made every person we ran into seem a little bit friendlier, and made all that is ordinary to us seem just a bit extra-ordinary!"