THE NEXT LANFORD ADVENTURE?

Where's the tuba?

I didn't have much time for exploring New Braunfels while I was taking my 3-day class. I was pooped by the end of our workday, and still had a long drive home, so I didn't linger. Still, I did manage to discover a few interesting spots on my lunch breaks, which might be worth going back for -- places I'm pretty sure our good friends Paula and Tim might enjoy exploring with us. After all, it was their invitation to go rafting with them here in this very town about 40 years ago, followed by dinner at the Grist Mill and dancing at Gruene Hall, which spawned this Hill Country addiction of mine in the first place!

I actually made a trial run over to New Braunfels the day before my class started, since I'm bad with directions but also technology-adverse. Great combination, right? Mainly I just wanted to see how long it would take during rush hour, and figure out where the special parking lot was that we were supposed to use, since street parking is limited to two hours. It was well worth the trip since, though I accidentally overshot my mark on San Antonio street, it led me to rediscover a great place to have lunch called Cravings, which a friend once told us about. Then, on the first day of class, a whole group of us wandered across the street to an amazing place called Gourmage, which specializes in the three main food groups -- cheese, chocolates and wine -- and where I had the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, made with Manchego cheese, prosciutto, and fig preserves. Orgasmic! Just don't go there when you are running short on time. Fortunately, our instructor was with us, so we didn't get into trouble for our tardy return to the classroom.

The next morning I arrived to find a wonderful farmers' market setting up directly behind the gallery where our class was meeting. Since I am ever the early bird, I had time to wander around a bit.

That booth on the left had chocolate croissants! Wonder if they had any almond?

I had brought along a PB&J that day, not wanting to waste anymore time in a too-slow restaurant, but after spotting the gyros and kielbasa vendors that morning, I decided to ditch the sandwich from home and listen to some Oompah music instead, whilst enjoying one of these!

On the last day, a Sunday, I finally went out to do some serious exploring, only to find many of the shops closed, including my primary destination, Henne Hardware. I just can't understand them doing that in a tourist town, since that's their busiest time! Luckily, this little bakery was open...

and from there I spotted this awesome little toy store...

and a place called McAdoo's Seafood Company, which I've been hearing good things about.

Loved the Cajun music that was wafting from their courtyard dining area!

Yep, I'm thinking this could be an ideal location for a bit more splorin' and adventurin', only I'm thinking we should probably wait until the temperature drops just a tad. Just can't take these triple digits anymore!