Break is over.

What a way to end the year! The Aggies took care of the Wolfpack very nicely in the Gator Bowl. And we were rewarded with Spice Cookies, Cheese Stix

and Moravian Sugar Coffee Cake from Dewey’s in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Delicious!

Thank you, Lee!

And no better way to start the New Year than with great friends at Carney’s Book Club. 

College Station version of Tipsy Tuesday

 During the holidays we heard our girls were visiting their Waco relatives, so we wandered up that way to have lunch with them.

In spite of the rain we were able to get some walking in, including a walk over to the new Zachry Engineering Building on the campus of Texas A&M.

Atrium

Sculpture

Captain spent many hours in the old Zachary Building. As one of his former classmates stated, “That building was brand spanking new when we were sophomores, now it is old enough to need a complete rebuild. What does that say about us?”  Captain is quite impressed with the sleek design of the new building including the learning studios (previously known as classrooms.)

We have had our Texas fix including brisket, ribs, Mom’s sweet rolls, hamburgers at Top of the Hill,

many games of pinochle and dominos and a new pair of boots.

Break is over and we are headed west. Next stop, Menard, Texas.

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Gems in Aggieland

You know how it is; you live in a town but don’t see its gems. Let a new person arrive and you discover some surprises. That has been the case as ABN explores College Station on foot.

More than one local mentioned they didn't  realize it is a very walk-able and bicycle friendly city. With the large number of students who choose cycling over driving, bike parking lots like this one can be found throughout the A&M campus.

Of course, not everyone uses a bike parking lot.

Some locals don't know about the multi-use path around the perimeter of the campus.

A&M golf course with Kyle Field in the background from the multi-use trail

Did you (the locals) know you can walk to the campus from almost anywhere in the city entirely on a sidewalk? This delights ABN as she doesn't like to drive (bet you didn't know that, did you.) She took advantage of the sidewalks to stroll over to the MSC (Memorial Student Center) to visit the art galleries. A Rodin exhibit is featured in the J Wayne Stark Gallery.

Unlike the Rodin Museum in Paris where one sees famous sculptures like The Thinker, The Kiss and Gates of Hell, this exhibit is mostly busts of historical folks 

in which multiple originals were made from the sculptor’s first conception in plaster or clay.

Upstairs in the Forsythe Gallery, is a nice exhibit of works by founding members of the influential Taos Society of Artists.

If you do wander over to the MSC, remember to take your hat off before entering.

(No worries if you forget, no doubt an Aggie will tap you on the shoulder and remind you.)

The true gems of College Station are the A&M students who are very much a part of the community.

And this is how the green-ways are kept immaculate.

So what did Captain do while ABN was out exploring?

Repaired a gate,

washed windows,

grilled

and met up with friends for donuts or beer. Main topic of conversation? The Aggies' chances against the powerful Crimson Tide.

Leaving Faculty Club on Thursday evening, we happened upon Aggie Yell Practice.

So, what about the game? (Alabama 33, Texas A&M)14) Can we just move on? 

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Texas, where ordinary is (bigger) just different.


Texas thinks it is a country all to itself; well that may be a bit of an overstatement. However as we travel throughout the state, we do recognize there is a unique culture. (Actually Captain is a native Texan, so no surprise to him.)

 

No question most Texans are proud of their state and their country. How often do you see state flags flying except at state buildings? Shortly after crossing the Texas state line, how soon do you see the Lone Star, not only at public buildings but on businesses and private property, usually alongside the U.S. Flag.

Kalaches

And they are proud of their food (if you have ever mentioned barbecue, chili or ice cream to Captain, well then you can skip this paragraph.) From the cowboys came the beef brisket barbecue and Texas Chili, from their Mexican neighbors came hot peppers and tamales, from the Germans and Czechs came sausage and kolaches, from the Aggies, Blue Bell Ice Cream. (Of course all of it is the best in the country.)

Remember the Texas version of a wrap?

As we mentioned in an earlier post, we have enjoyed traveling on the secondary roads which are often four lanes and the speed limit is 75 mph. And what do you see traveling these highways? Not many Priuses or smart cars, but quite a few big gas guzzling, four wheel drive pick-ups. (There's that bigger thing.)

And then there are the one stop convenience stores where ordinarily one can buy gas, soft drinks, milk and a souvenir. Have you ever stopped at an Aggie owned Buc-ee's. ? In addition to 80-100 gas pumps, you can do Christmas shopping, get a sandwich or pizza for lunch and pick up something at the deli to take home. For small town ABN, this was quite impressive, and then we stopped at Slovacek's.

Art Gallery

Shopping

Yep, all in

and around the convenience store.

We have had a great time hanging out with our Texas family and friends,

including a gathering to plan a new adventure with new friends.

Our heart strings are being pulled toward the Florida panhandle. The Wanderer is packed and ready to roll.