texas road trip, the coast

we headed down to one of my favorite parts of texas,
mustang island/port aransas and padre island.
i've been down to the island when the water was so beautiful,
and when it was brown from the churning of the tides.
this time, the colors were perfect.

we saw the sweetest sea turtles in the ship channel at port aransas.

 gifts from the sea.

the shark picture, it's a given, it happens every time.

we did a lot of shopping and looking around.
i love the feel of an island souvenir shop,
and we always visit the candy store when we are there.

 bob hall pier, on padre island, was probably my favorite this trip.
the beach there was stunning.

wind blown and salty on the pier.

we pretty much stayed that way all week.

boyd read about some of the dangerous fish,
and then went on to inform some of the fisherman about them,
as if they didn't already know.

 a fisherman caught a baby shark,
and boyd got to touch it,
before it was thrown back.

we spent our last night by the marina and the ship channel.

least favorite parts of the trip, mostly according to boyd...

his first bee sting

a possible jelly fish sting, we're still not sure what happened

the smell and feel of the seaweed
sand in his pants
the heat

highlights of the trip...
seeing the bats fly in austin

the older gentleman riding by in only a t-back. highlight because it was funny, 

but it was not desirable, if you know what i mean

 bologna sandwiches, and whataburger
searching for shells
seeing the sea turtles

the beautiful colors of the ocean

laughing and rolling down the windows because boyd was gassy

petting a baby shark

spending time together

on our last night we turned and said goodbye to the ocean, until next time.
thank you, texas, for being so beautiful.

love,

nicolle

texas road trip, austin

we weren't going to go anywhere this summer,

but the itch always hits me,

and i'm always up for a road trip in my favorite state.

we kept it simple and very affordable, 

and so my mom, boyd and i hit the road this past week.

we always have to stop in west, texas at the czech stop on our way down south,

for the best kolaches anywhere.

then we made it to austin.

oh austin.
i love that city. 

probably one of my top 3 or 4 favorite cities anywhere, ever. 

 i couldn't wait to have some jo's coffee, and see the cutest building in austin.

 boyd wasn't too happy about the long, hot walk to get coffee,
but he sure did look cute.

 we ate at a couple of places that we haven't been to before.
homeslice pizza was delicious.

amy's ice cream was good too.
i had the mexican vanilla. it was incredible.
if i had more room, i would have had the coffee and the shiner ice cream as well.

then we shopped.

we checked into our hotel, tried to cool off a bit,
then booked a boat ride to see the bats fly at the congress street bridge.
we ate at the original chuy's restaurant, then were off to see the bats.

 the congress street bats.

i've always wanted to see them.

last time we were in austin boyd was scared,

but he was {kind of} up for the adventure this time.

there are millions of them that live under the congress street bridge.

it can take several hours for all of them to take flight each night.

it was a pretty cool thing to see,

and the sunset cruise was pretty perfect too.
 

  

  we had 2 nights booked in austin, 

but it was so hot, and we were itching for the beach,

so we changed around our hotels, 

stopped for breakfast tuesday morning at magnolia cafe,

and headed to the coast.

love,
nicolle