Monday, October 18, 2010

Birthday MONTH: Day 14 & 15

Part I:   A CORVETTE WEEKEND GET AWAY...

~through the Texas Wine & Hill Country~

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{sigh}

As I sit here and write this, I'm wondering where did the weekend go? It was much too short but I can guarantee you that every second was filled with fun & excitement!

There were about twenty-something Corvettes in our Louisiana group and it grew as we met up with some of the Texas Corvettes.

Our first stop on Friday morning was Natural Bridge Caverns...

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The photo above was taken after The Man and I were all "wet" from the humidity of being one hundred+ feet below ground in the damp, slimy, slippery, sticky underworld of the earth. ewwww!

But I must rewind here for a second and show you how beautiful the caverns were, even if it did give me a bad hair day.

This photo below is the 'natural bridge' where Natural Bridge Caverns got it's name from...

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After admiring the rock formation, we proceeded to walk deeper and deeper below the earth's surface.

Little did we realize with those silly smiles on our faces that what went down, must come up...

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Okay now, we're 45 feet below ground now...not too bad knowing that there are no more "live" bears down here.

And we were still laughing and cutting up and having a grand ole time...

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90 feet below ground now and things are getting just a little too slimy and wet for me...ewwww~

Not hearing as much laughing and cutting up anymore, I guess everyone is really enjoying the scenery...

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Still going down, down, down...and even though it was dark as hell down there, you could certainly SEE the humidity in the air.

Not a whole lot of laughing anymore. I thought I heard a little grumbling...

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I let everybody go down before me so that I could stop and take photos at my own leisure, but I soon started freaking myself out thinking...that I heard some "one" or some "thing" behind me.

Lucky for me there was no "one" or no "thing" behind me...only bat guano (bat poop) above me. ewww!

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Wondering why I paid a ticket to sweat AND to be freaked out ran across my head a few (several) times  ;)

But as we walked down lower and lower, this was really a site to behold.

I heard no grumbling, only oooooh's and aaaaaaaah's.

Just to think that only 50 years ago this cavern was discovered by four university students while all the while, it had been creating itself for tens of thousands (probably millions as I wasn't paying attention) of years before! Amazing...

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Stalagmites and Stalactites e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

Do you remember which ones are which???

Stalactites grow from the ceiling downward (hang "tight")

Stalagmites grow from ground up ("g" for "ground")

We were now 211 feet below ground.

NEVER was I so happy to be in Purgatory Creek.

That's when I knew there was only one way to go...and that was UP!  :)))

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At the bottom, it was really DARK, really WET and believe me when I say this...there was NO air.

I know this is not a good photograph, but you can see how heavy the midst was reflecting from the light...

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As we went up, I heard huffing and puffing and lots of laughter again.

The scenery became even more magnificent. (or was I just in a better mood knowing I'd see daylight and could breathe again soon?)

The cavern had it's own Fairy Land...

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It's own White Giants...

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It's own Watch Tower which was the tallest column in the cave (so tall that I couldn't fit it into the photo!)...

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And it even had it's own King's Throne...

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And in this photo below (my favorite one of all) I wanted to capture the reflection of the rock formations in the emerald waters below. It was breathtaking!

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My imagination ran wild as I walked through.

The photo below reminded me of a dinosaur jaw bone covered in slime, eating on a tree...

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The cavern was sort of like sitting and daydreaming under the clouds. I imagined seeing all kinds of things from skeletons to rabbits, from birds to ummm...things I don't want to mention...

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I must say that my crazy friend Susie of Vintage Susie and Wings put BAD thoughts in my head when she posted about her visit to Carlsbad Caverns recently. Thoughts SO bad that I was actually 'looking' for these above! haha!

Okay! So do you have enough of the Caverns? I do...

Let's go back out in the sunshine and BREATHE and I'll tell you about the rest of our day!

Being the rebels that we are, we snuck off the tour and drove 2 hours to Llano, Tx just to eat at Cooper's...

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They have these massive MASSIVE barbq pits!

Before you actually go into the building, you pass by this pit...

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point to the meat you want, the guy cuts it off for you and slaps it on a tray. You then walk into the building, choose your side orders, they weigh your meat, you pay, have a seat and ENJOY!

BEFORE...

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AFTER...

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Delish!

We headed to Fredericksburg to check in to our hotel. We were full of barbq and all slimy from the caverns so we rested for a while and then headed for Mexican food later that evening.

Harley people live to ride...

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But did I tell you that Corvette people live to eat?

yeah...it's amazing how some of us even fit into our car. Seriously! We're always thinking of where our next meal is going to be. I just love my Corvette friends  :)))

Next up in Part II is a visit with a friend, a little shopping, fast cars and some beautiful scenery.

Back to work and washing dirty clothes...oh the life!

but I have to say, there's no place like home  :)

23 comments:

Theresa said...

Hi there precious! I have some catching up to do, I have been out of town and didn't read every day! Looks like you guys had SOOOOO much fun! I don't know about going way down below the surface... I might be a bit sceeeerrrreeeed! I love the picture of you and THE MAN! He is so darn handsome and you two are cutiepies together! Love you bunches and can't wait to see the next post! HUGS!

trash talk said...

You and Susie are the only two I know who could get away with a R-rated post! You crack me up!
Debbie
P.S. Do I see a little BBQ sauce on the ol' fingers?

Geralyn Gray said...

What a great weekend with the man......loved the pictures of the caverns.!!!!!!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What fun!!! Great photos ~ I'm trying to diet and you just made me HUNGRY looking at all the delish BBQ!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wow is all I can say. Thanks for taking photos because that might be as close as I get to that place!! LOL...now the BBQ, let me at it. Glad you are having a super month!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Fantastic pictures! What a wonderful adventure! I received the jelly Saturday. Can't wait to try it!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Oh Jodie, Looks like a blast but I think you are a little too fond of meat, in more ways than one, tee hee. Sorry I couldn't resist.I know, I should behave, we aren't on our girl's trip.

zandra said...

Great pics! Looks like a fun weekend.
Hugz, Z

Lisa Phillippi llelsik@aol.com said...

Sounds like you and the man had a great time! I saw several corvettes this weekend and thought of you! I was in Gruene,TX and had a blast- the weather was perfect! I haven't been to the caverns in many years...Your pics are awesome!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

LMAO!!! You naughty girl! I would have thought the same thing! Looks like you had a great time and I can't wait to see MORE!

Lou Cinda")

PinkPug,INK. said...

Definitely sounds like a fun weekend! I love Corvettes...though I can't afford one at the moment, one of these days I hope to have a white '69 Stingray..I can dream right?

Blessed Serendipity said...

Those caverns looked amazing! One picture you took looked like snow. It looked like you had a good time.

-Danielle

E. Charlotte said...

Your photos are great! I love caverns! Such crazy, surreal worlds they are. Glad you could snap so many good shots. Sounds like a fun day indeed!

Beth Leintz said...

Jodie- I swear you lead the most exciting life of anyone I know in "real life".

Geez, you've got me wanting some bbq.

Vicki said...

Love the cavern pictures...You have such an eye for "things"...LMAO. I've already eaten most of my pepper jelly already! Love it! Could you be a dove and send some BBQ now? Please?!

Robin Sanchez said...

What a fun trip. I have never seen any of these formations but someday hope to.

I remember a little saying that helps to remember which ones are which.

When the "mites" go up the "tites" come down.

Robin

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hey Jodie Girl! Happy 18th day of the birthday month. What a fabulous trip you had. We visited caverns like this in Lebanon. Absolutely gorgeous! And I'm pretty sure long ago I went to Carlsbad but don't have many memories of it. Your photos are fabulous as always. Thanks for taking us on the tour. Best wishes, Tammy

Lisa said...

Okay Jodie,
Don't you EVEN talk to me about having fun without you! Look at you guys. Forging underground canyons in search of falic fossils & eating BBQ! What a time. I can just hear you & Thad making funny remarks. I think your corvette club needs to make a trip to Hurst. Did you know there is a car show here once a month? Right by my house, K & I always think of you when we pass by. Look at my Thad in those pics, such a cutie. Give him a kiss for me. See you soon. Lisa

Sylvia Cruz Smith said...

Hi Jodie- Girl I live just a few minutes from Natural Bridge Caverns. Looks like you had fun!Hope to see you soon! Sylvia Smith

Lululiz said...

Flipping heck, that cave is amazing! And the photos are quite brilliant. Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Now don't blame poor Susie for your dirty thoughts, Jodie! I'm sure you would have come up with those all by yourself too, lol!
What a fun trip you had!
Lots of hugs :-)
Julia

Shabby Vintage Junk said...

WOW....I'd LOVE to visit these caverns next time I'm over....Your pics make them look like a 'mitey tighty' wonderland....hahahahaha....!!

GLAD you're both back safe & sound....!

Cheers from OZ,
Tamarah :o)

Payton said...

That place looked amazing:)