Blue Corn Harvest uses local sourcing

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One thing we enjoy about traveling is the wide variety of dining experiences available. Georgetown is north of Austin and is a favorite destination for us when we’re in he Austin area. It is one of the locations for the Blue Corn Harvest restaurants.

Inviting entrance

Welcoming dining room

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that we like about Blue Corn Harvest is their use of local sourcing for their supplies. These places always have extra fresh ingredients for their offerings. Blue Corn also has a wonderful menu with something for everyone.

Sher’s Veggie Sandwich

Maj’s BBQ Burger

We were served warm sweet cornbread before the meal

We certainly enjoyed our lunch today. Sher had the Roasted Veggie Sandwich, stuffed with farm fresh veggies and topped with a bun sized mushroom. I enjoyed the 8 ounce BBQ burger with jack cheddar, onions and pickles and house made BBQ Sauce. Both came with hand cut fries.

Full service bar made good Margaritas

Adrian was our server and was most helpful. This was a very nice and comfortable place for a tasty lunch. The  food was delicious, service was great and the price was reasonable.

Turning Texas trees into Texas art

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There are some impressive trees along the banks of Cypress Creek in Wimberley Texas that we saw during our trip there a few days ago. Some very talented people have turned some tree trunks into quite remarkable carvings in a popular picnic area just behind one of the buildings housing restaurants and shops.

Quite the signature…

Now that’s a stare!

Pointing skyward..

For UT Longhorn football fans

By the creek bank

It is impressive to see that a chainsaw was utilized to create such detailed works of art like these.

 

Lake Travis is only 35% full

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This photo was taken today from a road to a Hudson Bend marina. the water level is very low…

Lake Travis is a huge lake in the Hill Country northwest of Austin, Texas. It normally has 29.5 square miles of water. That is when normal precipitation falls on the Colorado River basin areas. The whole world has seen lots of area under drought conditions. The Colorado basin and Central Texas is no exception.

That boater has to watch for shallow water not normally there!

As of today, 10/20/2023 Lake Travis Mean Water Level was 627.30 above sea level. One year ago today it was 640.76. Thus in one year the Mean Water Level has dropped 13.46 feet. Another parameter measured daily is the total surface area in acres of the lake. Today the Lake Travis surface area was 8,799 acres. Last year, same date, it was 10,746 acres. Nearly 2000 acres less one year later. Seeing the low level of the water today was quite a shock.

Artemis Mediterranean Grill in Bee Cave, Texas

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It was definitely time for lunch, actually past time. We were in Bee Cave, Texas, a few miles due west of the center of Austin. Our map search “food near me” led us to the Artemis Mediterranean Grill. We are glad it did.

A lovely entrance to this establishment

Gotta have a Grecian Urn at a Greek Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked in and at the door we were told to sit wherever we wanted. A soon as we sat down our server Chloe came to our table to take our order, and answer questions about anything. I had a couple, and she explained what Falafel was (meatless, so no thanks) and if she liked the Greek Burger (1/2 lb house-ground lamb burger). She said she did.

Sher’s Artemis salad

Maj’s Greek Lamb Burger and fries

We both had the Mediterranean Mule

Sher went with the Artemis salad, complete with onions, walnuts, sliced pears, figs and other good stuff. My Greek Burger came with feta and caramelized onions with garlic-mint aioli. Oh, the Artemis seasoned fries with their special sauce were great as well, and deserved the “highly addictive” menu label.  The adjectives “delicious” and “filling”  did not do our meals justice.

Bar, TV’s, it doesn’t get any better

Well, maybe outside patio dining is better?

 

 

 

 

 

We had a delightful, relaxed and satisfying dining experience. Chloe went above and beyond in her attentiveness to our every need. The food was marvelous, served quickly and prepared perfectly. If you are anywhere in central Texas, do yourself a favor and head to Artemis Mediterranean Grill. This is the website. It has all you need to know. Oh, by the way,  you west coast folks will find another similar establishment at Lake Tahoe.

 

 

Some sights and sounds of Wimberley

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Wimberley Texas is in the Hill Country southeast of Austin. We spent part of the day this past Saturday with our son and his family checking out the town and sites.

The boot’s size should not be a surprise here…

There are lots of restaurants and shopping places in the town. We got there about noon and finding parking within a reasonable walking distance was a challenge. But we spotted a vehicle loading up to leave, and we got their spot, which worked out well.

Plants, incense and other stuff

Everybody needs one or two of these…

Good idea with good humor too

Strange tree looking at you.

Buy a plant, get it potted here!

Oh yes, here’s MY angel, eat your heart out guys…

We enjoyed walking around the town, visiting shops, seeing the nature preserve and of course grabbing a bite to eat. Wimberley is a must visit when you are in and around the Southern Hill Country outside of Austin.

 

Wimberley, Texas beautiful bald cypress trees on Cypress Creek

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Wimberley, Texas is in the Hill Country outside of Austin in the central part of the state. It is a small town that is hugely popular for its many shops and restaurants and the natural beauty of the area. There are some famous swimming holes close by too!

The Preserve entrance

A worthy project

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypress Creek runs right through the town, and the banks and surrounds have become popular recreational locations for locals and visitors alike. Sher and I went with our son and his family to see the town, the creek side trail and the huge bald cypress trees.

I was told this a favorite place for weddings

The cypress trees along the banks live for hundreds of years and are massive in size.  One nearby tree has been dated to be from at least as far back as the year 1426. You can stand inside one tree whose base was blown out decades ago by a lightning strike We had to get our picture in that one!

Note the creek in the background

Close up detail of photo to the left

 

 

 

 

 

 

The roots of these trees run shallow and nearly parallel the ground surface both above and below. These exposed roots are fascinating to observe.

Typical shape of the cypress at the waterline

Shadows and reflections on the water

The size of these trees is impressive!

One shop owner explained to me that yes, these are the same bald cypress trees you see in Florida in the swamps. He pointed out that in Texas they don’t do as well or are as prolific because there is not enough water in the Texas Hill Country to support massive groves of the trees. They are still fascinating to see. Wimberley is fortunate to have such a  lovely attraction as the Cypress Creek Nature Trail & Preserve .

 

 

 

 

 

 

No glasses but still saw the eclipse

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Nope, did not have the glasses. Every store was out. However, we did see several pin hole camera type effects. One was a light ray through the curtain onto a rug.


Ok, maybe a stretch, but still look at the center and you can make out that crescent: that’s the sun partially blocked. We were at Austin, so not full eclipse. That was down at San Antonio.

Here’s another one, this was on the front sidewalk with a bunch of “pin hole camera” effects through the leaves.

See the greenish image that looks like a pin-hole type of view.

Finally, this one with the iPhone. I was holding the phone in front of my face kind of blindly snapping a couple just to see what I’d get. The above mini-green thing showed up.

Oh well, that’s what we saw at the so-called “Peak” of the eclipse at Austin, Texas.

Chill’s on the Creek in Wimberley Texas

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Wimberley, Texas is a a small community in the Hill Country outside of Austin. Our son and his family suggested that we go to Wimberley for a day trip. While there, we found a delightful and unique restaurant known as Chill’s On The Creek.

Out side wall mural

Sign behind the stage

 

 

 

 

 

As we had a group of five, we were led to a table indoors. There was also plenty of outside seating too. Sher and I started with a frozen margarita. There seems to be something especially good about margaritas in Texas.

Fried fish and chili

Chicken fried chicken and loaded mashed

Veggie Tacos and salad

The menu at Chill’s has something for everyone. Our granddaughter had grilled cheese and fries. Our daughter-in-law ordered the chicken fried chicken and a salad. Our son had fried fish with a side of chili. Sher had veggie tacos and salad, and I went with the chicken fired chicken with a side of loaded mashed potatoes and gravy.

With Rebecca, center

Shelby, our bartender

 

 

 

 

 

Our meals were quite delicious. This place was hopping for sure, and we witnessed a lot of meals coming out of the kitchen. Our service was very good, Rebecca made sure we had everything we needed.  And like I mentioned, Shelby made a mean margarita! We both said we’d definitely come back for a return visit. I want to try the Brunch offerings! This is the Chill’s website.

One of the best Tex-Mex restaurants

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At least some critics claim the verbiage of the title of this post. We are visiting family in the Austin area and happened on this eatery while out and about and decided to give it a try.

Turns out that decision was the right one to make. The Texican Cafe proudly states it offers “El Paso Style Mexican Food”. Regardless of the title, we were most pleased with the quality of the food at this fun place. There is another one in Austin and the newest  one in Kyle, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got there right at noon, were seated right way, and soon had a bowl of home made extra tasty chips and salsa and some iced tea. Our wait staff explained some of the menu items, and made some great suggestions for Sher’s desire of a vegetarian plate.

Enchiladas El Paso!

Nachos

Jalapeno Poppers

I ordered the house lunch special, El Paso beef enchiladas with cheddar cheese topped with a red chile sauce and a side of pico de gallo. Sher dined on a large appetizer plate of seven nachos of refried beans and melted cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. We shared a plate of  4 red jalapenos filled with luscious cream cheese in a crispy batter and served with sweet jalapeno jelly.

Comfortable dining room

The food was excellent, good sized portions and served hot! The decor of the restaurant was very unique with interesting wall art, color patterns and comfortable seating.  Here’s the pitch: When in the Austin area look up The Texican Cafe. It is worth a stop.  This is the company website.

Awesome best describes Beef & Boards “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

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The hilarious and heartwarming telling of the Biblical story of Joseph sent into slavery in ancient Egypt breaks out in sight and sound at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre now on stage through November 19th. The classic Andrew LLoyd Webber/Tim Rice production last played at Indy’s beloved dinner theater in 2017, and the current run features TJ Wessel repeating his starring role.

Joseph, center, and the Narrator, front, sing about his multicolored coat

Where do you begin when discussing such a marvelous, talent packed show? The set  and lighting execution is striking, and does “set” the mood for each number. Watch for very clever and not so subtle references to a nearby local landmark on the set. Costuming for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is near perfect eye candy for the audience, and covers not only “Biblical and Egyptian” attire, but also some modern looks, namely Go-Go Disco in the “Go Go Joseph” number.

The cast sings “Go, Go, Go, Joseph”

TJ Wessel does a fine job carrying the production in the lead role. You have to admire the passion that he demonstrates in his love of the role, which by the way dates back to his days as a nine year old glued to the TV watching a VHS tape of the show! With a powerful voice, TJ is an accomplished actor as well as a dynamic vocalist.

Joseph (TJ Wessel) sings “Any Dream Will Do” with the Children’s Choir

Bridgette Ludlow is the narrator, a simple term for a complex role. She not only fills in the story, this role also shows her singing and acting talent. She also interacts with the Children’s Choir, a group of talented young folks who serve several roles throughout the production.  (There are three different kids choirs, each has its own run time. Our show featured the Sheep Choir!)

Joseph’s brothers plot to sell him

Jeff as Potiphar

Beef & Boards favorite Jeff Stockberger has a couple of roles. One is that of Potiphar, an Egyptian businessman whose wife tries to seduce Joseph. The main role Jeff plays is that of Jacob, the patriarch of the family and Joseph’s father. He once again delights the audience with his marvelous character portrayals.

 

Jeff as Jacob, center

One show stopping number featured the talents of Logan Moore who played one of the brothers and the role of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Suffice it to say that for this performance the Pharaoh looked and acted surprisingly, and accurately, very much like Elvis. (Yes, Elvis) The Pharaoh’s number asking for Joseph’s interpretation  of his seven cows dream sounded and looked like a Las Vegas stage show. This was one of those numbers that brought down the house. Logan even slipped into a Vegas performer character at the end of the piece!

Pharaoh (Logan Moore), center, sings à la Elvis to Joseph about his mysterious dream

You cannot sing enough praise about the cast of this performance. Whether singing or dancing or both simultaneously all bring eye popping songs and dance to the stage. the depth of talent represented in the cast is, yes, awesome. Even at the end, the whole cast was all in white and were given the chance before curtain call to again display their prowess on stage.

Joseph feigns fury at Benjamin for “stealing” his golden cup

The cast and crew then received a well deserved standing ovation. Don’t miss this show, folks. Don’t miss it!

To purchase tickets online, visit the Beef & Boards website. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays).