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Our Last San Antonio Adventure: A Stay at the Omni La Mansión del Rio

I had been wanting to stay at the Omni La Mansión del Rio ever since we first enjoyed brunch there. The food and service were always excellent, so I had a feeling a stay at this river walk hotel would be just as wonderful.

When we started looking for a San Antonio hotel, I did a fair amount of research considering we’d lived in the area for almost three years. I was surprised how reasonable the rates at the Omni La Mansión del Rio were compared to other nearby hotels.

Our stay started off with the same kind of excellent service that we’d experienced when we’d gone to the Omni for brunch. The moment my daughter stepped out of the car, she received an Omni kids pack that included a magnifying glass, frisbee, and some small toys in a cute little backpack. She was thrilled…which meant I was thrilled too.

There were several things I liked about our stay at the Omni:

Location: Sure, the riverwalk might be a little touristy, but it really is pleasant when it isn’t too crowded. Plus, a riverwalk hotel allows you to be within easy walking distance of restaurants, bars, shops, and the lauching point for the river cruises.

Outstanding Food: As I said, I love brunch at the Omni La Mansión del Rio, but during our stay we got to experience dinner there instead. The service was impeccable. Although everything was wonderful, the appetizer is what really stood out to me. It consisted of three cheese puffs accompanied by sweet bell pepper coulis: one filled with zucchini and mint, the second with gruyère and comté, and the third with brie and sun dried tomato.

Cozy Room: I loved the room’s unique design. It definitely had a San Antonio flare that you don’t find at all hotels. It was warm and inviting, not stuffy or pretentious. Take a look:

Room Service Coffee: One thing I like about Omni hotels in general is that members of their select guest program (you can sign up for free when you make your reservation) receive complimentary morning beverages like coffee or juice. I’m hopelessly addicted to caffeine, so I like being able to have a coffee delivered to my room first thing instead of having to leave the hotel in search of a Starbucks.

Even though we liked this hotel, it might not work for every family. The rooms were descent-sized, but not huge. I could see this being a problem for larger families. Although the room could sleep four people, I think a family of four or more would feel confined in a standard room. Also, the pool is very peaceful and pleasant…perfect for those travelling without kids. However, the pool area didn’t have the kid-friendly vibe that you find at many hotels and resorts these days.

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay.

Note: All opinions are my own. I was not asked to write this post, nor was I compensated in any way.

We Found Our Favorite Coffee Shop

We first noticed Sambalatte after eating lunch at the nearby Gordon Biersch. We’re always looking for good coffee shops, so we figured we’d stop in for a quick coffee.

But there is no such thing as a quick cup of coffee at Sambalatte. And that’s what makes it great.

Instead of grabbing a quick, been-sitting-around-all-day-on-the-burner cup of coffee, we enjoyed freshly-ground pour-over coffee, listened to live music, and enjoyed some delicious little desserts.

This is a cafe where people actually hang out, talk, read, relax. You don’t see many people here getting their coffee to-go. This is a gathering place.

Despite the fact that this is a pretty sophisticated coffee shop, my daughter loves it (probably because I let her pick a few treats from the dessert case). The prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the coffee and food, and I love that most of the desserts are bite-sized, so you can try a few different things instead of ordering one large item.

As you can probably tell, Sambalatte Torrefazione gets a thumbs-up from my family. Highly recommend!

Sambalatte is located in Summerlin, at Rampart and Charleston:

750 S. Rampart Blvd, Suite 9
Las Vegas, NV 89145
(702) 272-2333

Note: All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Another note: I’ve stopped watermarking my photos…at least lately. But they are all still mine, unless otherwise noted. No reuse without permission.

One more note: Wondering why I published my food post on Thursday this week instead of Wednesday? Click here and then here.

15 Family-Friendly Adventures to Enjoy Before Halloween

Whether you’re travelling this fall or just sticking around your hometown, here are fifteen adventures that you and your kids can try.

1. Visit a historic cemetery. (We’ve explored cemeteries in Boston and Castroville.)

2. Pick out your pumpkin at a pumpkin patch.

3. Go apple picking.

4. Ride a pony.

5. Take a hike at a local park or nature center.

6. Bundle up (depending on where you live) and have a fall picnic.

7. Act like a tourist and take a carriage ride through downtown.

8. Go to the playground on a weekday.

9. Take a day-trip to a nearby town that you haven’t visited before.

10. Go to a state park and check out the fall leaves.

11. Go to a cave or other geological site. If you live in Texas, consider one of the state’s many caves or go the other direction and climb Enchanted Rock.

12. Visit a locally-owned coffee shop and have a hot chocolate.

13. If you live in Texas, consider attending the Texas Book Festival in Austin.

14. Visit the zoo or other nearby-attractions before they close for the winter.

15. Go to a football game. Bring a blanket.

On the Trail, Cibolo Nature Center

Happy Fall!

Beignets!

Beignets, Cafe du Monde, New Orleans
Delicious beignets from Cafe du Monde

When I started asking around about things we should do during our one full day in New Orleans, it became clear that Cafe du Monde should be high on our list. We set out in the morning determined to get those delicious beignets!

I was a little discouraged when I saw the line of people out the door and down the street, but I remembered what my friend Kim told me: don’t fret when you see the line…it moves fast…those beignets are worth the wait.

Sure enough, the line did move quickly, and in about ten minutes we were sitting at a table anxiously awaiting those powdered sugar-covered pillows of deep-fried dough.

E. loved the beignets, of course, although they were a bit messy. As soon as she picked up her first beignet, she turned it upside down and powdered sugar was everywhere. Oh well. C’est la vie!

Cafe au lait, Cafe du Monde, New Orleans
Cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde

For more food-themed posts, stop by WanderFood Wednesday at Wanderlust and Lipstick.

Lunch (and Coffee) at Austin Java

As we drove through downtown Austin, we didn’t have a specific lunch destination in mind. I saw the Austin Java sign and was surprised to see that they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to coffee.

Pasta Primavera at Austin Java
Pasta Primavera

I liked that their kids menu went beyond the “basics” like chicken nuggets and hamburgers. E. enjoyed her generous serving of penne in alfredo sauce, while I was slightly disappointed with my pasta primavera, which contained lots of yummy veggies but was a little bland for my taste. Nick ordered a veggie sandwich and a bowl of Spicy African Peanut soup. I tried some of the soup, and it was wonderful! Next time, I’ll order that instead.

Cupcakes, Austin Java
Austin Java cupcakes: vanilla with chocolate icing and banana/peanut butter

After our meal, E. and I ordered two cupcakes, which were delicious. Even though it was ridiculously hot and we were eating outside, you just can’t enjoy dessert without a cup of coffee.

For more food-themed adventures, stop by WanderFood Wednesday at Wanderlust and Lipstick.

Austin Java--City Hall

San Antonio to Arlington: A Texas Road Trip

It was a perfect storm…in a good way. Nick noticed that the Cubs would be playing the Texas Rangers in Arlington, and my friend Andrea sent me an article from the New York Times about sights along U.S. 281. We put the two ideas together and *poof* a Texas road trip was born.

We left Saturday morning, not quite as early as we’d hoped. As soon as we got out of the suburbs, I could tell we’d chosen wisely when we decided to take 281 instead of I-35, the busy interstate that runs north and south through the center of the state. U.S. 281 is definitely the scenic, rural route. We saw lots of old abandoned gas stations, fields filled with wildflowers, and small Hill Country towns.

Our first stop: the Hill Country town of Burnet. We stopped for lunch at Storm’s, a burger joint that I had read about in the New York Times article. The portions were generous, the prices were reasonable, and the food was average. However, it was certainly better than stopping for lunch at some chain restaurant. We got to enjoy our lunch outside on a wooden deck, in the shade of a few large trees. Definitely not the kind of scene you’d find along an exit ramp off the interstate.

We got back in the car and continued north on U.S. 281 until we decided it was time for some caffeine. Luckily, we spotted Kool Beans, a small coffee shop located in Hamilton, Texas. Nick and I enjoyed some coffee–the house blend for Nick and the special vanilla bean coffee for me–while E. had a lemonade. The woman working at the cafe that afternoon was so friendly. We had a nice conversation before it was time to get back on the road.

Kool Beans

We reached Arlington just in time to check into our hotel before taking the trolley to Rangers Ballpark. The trolley, which takes fans to and from area hotels to the stadium, was certainly a convenient way to go. However, taking the trolley back after the game is extremely inconvenient, but I’ll get to that later.

The baseball game was great! As I’ve mentioned before, we’re Cubs fans, so Chicago’s 10th-inning win was a thrill to see in-person. E. hung in there for all ten innings, and we were thrilled that she seemed to enjoy the game.

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Afterwards, we walked out of the stadium to catch the trolley and noticed that there were no trolleys waiting to transport fans…but plenty of fans waiting for the trolley. After waiting and watching two trolleys come by, barely making a dent in the number of people waiting to return to their hotels, we decided it was time for plan B. We spotted a cab and hopped in. About ten minutes and $12 later, we were back at the hotel.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and hit the road, this time taking I-35 back to San Antonio. We definitely missed the scenery we had enjoyed the day before. However, there were a few advantages to taking I-35. For one thing, it cut about 90 minutes off of the driving time. Also, it allowed us to stop in Waco for lunch. Thanks to Twitter, we were directed to Ninfa’s where we chowed down on some Tex-Mex.

We had a wonderful time, and I’m so glad we were able to explore some new places in addition to seeing the Cubs play. Country roads, good coffee, baseball…what could be better?

Ninfas Waco

 

A Big Pecan and Other Adventures in Seguin

To be honest, I didn’t have a clear idea of what we would do during our afternoon in Seguin, Texas. I will admit, however, that I had read about the world’s largest pecan. What can I say? I love the fun photo-ops for little E., even if they’re kind of silly.

Seguin is a small town located about 30 miles east of San Antonio, and it is known as “The Mother of Concrete Cities” because so many of its buildings are made of the material.

Downtown Seguin was quiet on the afternoon we arrived, even though it was a Saturday. We took a quick look at the Guadalupe County Courthouse before heading to a very unique coffee shop: Chiro Java.

What makes this place unusual? It’s a coffee shop and a chiropractic office! Although I can’t comment on the chiropractor, I can say that it was a pleasant place to sit and have a cup of coffee.

Afterwards, we headed outside to the park across the street from the courthouse, known as Central Park. The park features a large fountain, a statue of the town’s namesake Juan Seguin, and a gazebo.

Before we left town, we took a short walk around the courthouse to see the world’s largest pecan–or what we thought was the world’s largest pecan. Turns out the largest one is in Brunswick, Missouri. However, the Seguin pecan was the world’s largest at some point, which is good enough for me. Oh well. We had fun on our adventures anyway.

Corpus Christi and a Few Thoughts on Travel Elitism

Our day trip to Corpus Christi got off to a rough start. We left later than we intended, so we didn’t make it to our destination in time for lunch. Then, when we were about halfway there, E. threw a temper tantrum. To top it off, the sunny skies that the Weather Channel had promised were replaced by clouds and fog.

As we walked up the ramp to the USS Lexington, a retired aircraft carrier that sits near Corpus Christi, I looked into the water and saw dozens of dead fish. I started to wonder if maybe this trip was a mistake.

However, my worries were unnecessary; we had a great time! E. loved exploring the flight deck and talked endlessly about airplanes and boats and water. Nick likes military history, so of course he found the exhibits fascinating. Also, he got to see a plane that was used in the filming of Top Gun, which was one of his favorite movies when he was a kid!

After our visit to the USS Lexington, we drove around downtown. I noticed several parks, some of which had playgrounds, along Shoreline Drive. “Maybe this isn’t so bad afterall,” I thought. After a quick dinner, we noticed a coffee shop called Agua Java, and I really enjoyed my cup of the Costa Rican blend.

In order to be a responsible traveller, I think you have to give a place a chance. Today, I was guilty of judging a town too soon. Sure, it might not be a faraway land full of pristine beaches and gorgeous sunsets. That doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to be learned. Of course, there are places that I like better than others. However, I think almost any place is worth my time.

Fredericksburg: Part 2

When we visited Fredericksburg last week, I knew that we would be returning at some point. Little did I know that our return visit would take place five days later, on the day after Thanksgiving.

E.’s grandparents came into town, and they wanted to visit Fredericksburg, so off we went on the scenic drive from San Antonio. Even though our last visit was still fresh in my mind, I loved the beautiful scenery: the rolling hills, wide open spaces, and strange (at least to my eyes) trees and shrubs that populate the landscape.

We ate lunch at Winslow’s Restaurant on Main Street, which boasts “the best burger in town.” Since this was my first Fredericksburg cheeseburger, it’s hard to say whether that description is accurate, but I can say that the burger was very good. The service was great, especially considering that the restaurant was crowded that day.

We also got to stop by the Clear River Pecan Company, which has a 1950′s diner theme, for ice cream and coffee. E. loved riding the old mechanical horse that sits outside.

As we walked around the downtown area, I noticed several Texas Historical Commission markers that I hadn’t spotted the first time, such as this one at the Hoerster Building, located on Main Street.

And here I am posing next to another historical marker, although this was our second encounter with this particular spot:

After our first visit to Fredericksburg, I knew that there were many more places to see that we hadn’t gotten to that day. And I still felt the same way after our second trip. As we rounded the corner to walk to our car, I spotted this church spire in the distance. I wondered about the age of the church, its appearance, its history. I guess we’ll be making yet another trip to Fredericksburg sometime soon.

Miss out on Part 1? Check out my post Half a Day in Fredericksburg.

Half a Day in Fredericksburg

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About an hour’s drive northwest from San Antonio, you’ll find the Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Here’s how we spent our afternoon in this history-filled town:

Fredericksburg Brewing Company: This is the place to stop for a beer and some lunch. I enjoyed a Not So Dumb Blonde Ale and an order of the chicken penne pasta. Nick said his spinach alfredo pizza was above average. One tip: bring your own crayons. They give kids a children’s menu/coloring page, but no crayons!

Vereins Kirche: This distinstive building sits in Fredericksburg’s Market Square. The octagonal structure served as a meeting hall, school, and church until it was demolished in 1897, 50 years after its construction. The building was reconstructed in 1934, and it’s this structure that we see today. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also in Market Square, in front of the Vereins Kirche, you’ll see a memorial to the town’s founder, John Meusebach.

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Birthplace of Chester W. Nimitz: The U.S. Navy hero was born in a house on Main Street. The home was built in 1866 and is typical of Fredericksburg dwellings from that time.

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Java Ranch: Stop by for some coffee or ice cream. I love the large mural on one of the walls that gives us a glimpse of historic Fredericksburg.

Interesting and historic buildings scattered along Main Street: As you’re walking from one end of downtown to another, you’ll pass lots of interesting sights along the way. We saw this building with an elephant above the door, and it made me very curious about its origins. Apparently, this used to be the White Elephant Saloon and operated during the 19th century.

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As you can see, we managed to do a lot in one afternoon. All of the sites listed above are located on Main Street, which makes seeing them in one day very easy.

So, today I’m dreaming of Fredericksburg, Texas and all of the small towns out there that we have yet to explore. For more Mondays are for Dreaming posts, visit The Mother of All Trips.

Don’t forget to check out Fredericksburg: Part 2!

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