I've Gone Country!

Ok, not really! Recently my husband and I traveled to Austin, Texas! It was funny how many people responded "why?" when we told them that's where we were going! Lol! Here's the not too long but not super short version of how it happened!

Vacations are tricky for him and I. Because he is a commercial fisherman his schedule is the farthest thing from normal. So we have always tried to sneak in a vacation when we could. We used to do it completely last minute if a season got delayed. That's when I discovered the importance of using Airbnb rentals versus hotels. See, my husband trains himself to need less sleep during the crab season because the boat runs 24/7. If we're in a hotel and he's only sleeping a few hours a night there is no where for him to escape somewhere in order to stay awake without disturbing his peacefully sleeping wife. But a rental house with a bedroom door - golden! Ok, there I go with my signature rambling. Anyways, we now try to do a fall vacation between fishing seasons. I usually pick somewhere hot and tropical. Last year I convinced him to get a passport and leave the country for the first time in his life for my friend's Belize Birthday getaway! We had a blast! Then we went to Hawaii that spring to celebrate my daughter graduating from college!! So much fun! But he is from Alaska and not a fan of the hotter climates. The lack of walls and air conditioning in Hawaii was a little traumatizing to him. So I told him this time he got to pick our destination. Shockingly, I still picked! =] You see, he picked Vermont to please his wife but also in hopes of cooler temperatures. I was 100% on board, it's on my bucket list to visit Vermont in the fall...until I saw how long it was going to take to get there from WA. I don't travel well and was not willing to take multiple flights plus a long drive to the town making us arrive late at night. I know, I'm a big baby. I think I mentioned that in my last post too! So I started googling fall vacation destinations. I felt like Texas would be husband friendly as he is an old school country music fan. I heard Austin was the music capital so it sounded perfect. Right? It is a pretty cool town. Still hot, though! Oops! We actually stayed in Lakeway on the lake in a beautiful home with fantastic views and sunrises. We only did a day in the actual city of Austin, which was plenty. Everywhere we did check out was nice, great food at all our dining picks and we did a speakeasy tour which was awesome! Fun cocktails and a funky cool hostess! It was a highlight for sure! I would totally do it again! On our last full day, though, we went to Fredericksburg and Luckenbach Texas - this was the absolute best part of our trip! I was so sad we waited until the last day! I wish we had stayed in Fredericksburg, I barely made a dent in exploring that town! But it did give us a place to visit again that we know we both love so I'm so happy we went! I told him if there's an event he ever wanted to see at Luckenbach I would go back in a heartbeat! This would also be a great girls trip! Did you know they have over 100 wineries there? And as an added bonus, breweries and distilleries! Plus, FOOD! So many great restaurants to choose from! If you're ever in Austin or San Antonio, make the drive to Fredericksburg! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Funny side story - I am and always have been a pop music fan. My sister turned me onto country because one of my favorite pop artists did a duet with a country band. I am not completely converted to country by any means but I have learned to appreciate it and do have some favorite country songs on my Spotify playlist! I am also now a fan of country western boots! I bought my first pair for our trip to Austin and as soon as I put them on I was in love! Everyone should own a pair! Is that even what they're called? Country western boots? Cowboy boots? Just boots? I have no idea, but they are a wardrobe staple in my opinion!

I would love future vacation destination suggestions for my husband and I! No hot weather for him. Small walkable towns for me. Let me hear your thoughts!