Don't Mess with Texas!

Yee haw! Welcome to the Texas two step y’all!!!! What a night we had in Austin. After driving, driving and more driving we just about covered half the state of Texas , where, if it’s in Texas, it’s bigger! EVERYTHING! We decided to hit the town on a very hot night so where does one go when in the State Capital? Well the Broken Spoke Pub of course! Every Friday and Saturday nights they teach the Texas two step for an hour and then it’s a free for all. Dancing in time to step step, pausssse..... paussssse and trying to avoid each other’s feet and the couple beside you, the place was set in an old Western barn style with REAL cowboys wearing their cowboy hats, jeans and flannelette shirts but thankfully leaving their spurs at home.

Serena had the great opportunity to be asked to dance with multiple locals.... all happened to be over the age of 75 though so no luck for her finding a cowboy boyfriend but boy could they all dance! The tour leader Brian did his round with each ‘lady’ on the Trek and considering he is 6’5 and the rest of us are all between 5’1 – 5’7 it was quite a funny sight! By the end of the night, we were all pros and ready to take on any Texas local who asked us to dance, all we needed now was our pink cowgirl hats! The bar boasts having hosted such celebrities as Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Clint Eastwood and a frequent visitor and performer the legendary Willy Nelson. It was a great night and our favourite so far on the trip.

Serena reaches for the sky to dance with Brian

Heidi and Brian master the Texas 2 step

The Gang get's their 'Cotton Eyed Joe' on! Yee haw

The Band Plays at the Broken Spoke in Austin - Yeehawwww!


With the heat making our sleep very restless during the night camped out, we got up early and headed into San Antonio to educate ourselves on a little American history and headed into the Alamo. Apart from learning about the Texans taking on the entire Mexican army 200+ years ago, we enjoyed the comfort of the modern invention know as airconditioning. Heading down along the riverwalk we enjoyed the local atmosphere and the smells rising from all the restaurants selling good ol’ Tex Mex food. It was then onto the town of Gruene – no no no it’s not said Gru-en! It’s pronounced Green of course! Gruene (Green) is a quaint little town in old country and western style. The most popular place in town had to be the Gruene Hall where there was a live band playing country music in a room filled with .... well I think the only way to honestly say it is, hicks. It was great! Lots of dancing and drinking beer which was like liquid gold considering there was no aircon in this hall and it was approx 40+ degrees and stiii-cky. The only cure for the heat was a trip to the campsite pool and to hang out in the airconditioned toilets, voted the best toilets of any on the trip so far. That night dinner was at Satl Lick, a BBQ steak house.... outdoor style. Serena and Heidi dined on 12 BBQ flavoured ribs, Coleslaw, potato mash and pickles. Yummo! Like we said, Don't Mess With Texas!

Serena and Heidi chill in the shade down by the Riverwalk in San Antonio

The brightly coloured umbrellas of the Tex Mex restaurants on the Riverwalk

Chowing down on some Texas style ribs and Coleslaw.


So as for tomorrow, its further East we head where the temperatures are hotter and so is the food. Bring on Louisianna and Nawlins!

H and S