Engagement Pictures in College Station

With engagement comes engagement pictures. It had been a while since Victoria said yes, so we needed to plan a time to take our engagement pictures. We decided that College Station would be a good place to take the pictures. Victoria knew the area well from going to Texas A&M. It was also a halfway point for our photographer, Briana. Briana is also going to be the Maid of Honor at our wedding.

We hit the road for College Station. Victoria was driving this time.

Driver's view of a divided highway under overcast skies, with a white SUV ahead and sparse traffic on the opposite lanes, guardrail visible along the roadside Woman with glasses driving a Toyota vehicle, photographed from passenger side with rural farmland and green fields visible through the windows Empty two-lane rural highway stretching into the distance under cloudy skies, with green fields on both sides and distant buildings and power lines on the horizon Large orange agricultural tractor traveling on a rural highway, with farmhouses and bare trees visible in the background under overcast skies

For a pit stop, we stopped in Thrall. I was looking for something to eat and found some El Norteno jerky. I had discovered this locally-made jerky previously at the Austin Rodeo.

Buckhees convenience store and gas station building with tan exterior, red trim, and star decorations, several vehicles parked in front under cloudy skies Hand holding a package of El Norteño Cecina (dried beef) with nutrition facts label visible, photographed inside a vehicle Hand holding an opened piece of dark dried beef jerky next to its individual wrapper packet inside a vehicle

After out short stop, we hit the road again. There were a lot of Bluebonnets in bloom.

Motion-blurred view of green grassy field with patches of bluebonnets, bare trees in the background, taken from moving vehicle Distant view of rural property with American flag, fencing, and cluster of trees on green field, photographed from moving vehicle on highway Wide view of empty small-town street with businesses on the left, trees lining both sides, power lines overhead under overcast sky Tree-lined two-lane highway stretching straight ahead under cloudy skies, with house visible on the left and gravel shoulder on the right

We were soon in Bryan!

Road sign indicating Speed Limit 55 and Bryan city limit sign, with green fields and trees along the highway under stormy skies Downtown Bryan intersection at green traffic light showing historic commercial buildings on both sides of the street, vehicles waiting at intersection Downtown Bryan street intersection showing historic brick buildings, decorative street clock, brick crosswalk, and parked vehicles under overcast sky

Our first stop was Papa Perez. This is where we would meet Briana and eat lunch.

Papa Perez Mexican Cuisine restaurant sign on brick building facade, oval-shaped cream-colored sign with chef hat logo, established 2006

After eating, we headed downtown to take some pictures. Briana got her camera ready.

Woman in navy polka dot top photographing downtown Bryan street scene with historic Hotel Bryan building visible in background Woman in teal t-shirt with camera strap standing on downtown Bryan sidewalk with parked vehicles and historic storefronts behind her Rodriguez business building with mural depicting red chili peppers and text Serving the Brazos Valley Since 1978 on tan exterior wall Ornate brass or bronze plaque reading Bryan Downtown with Texas star emblem in center, mounted on white painted column

After Downtown Bryan, we headed to College Station. We planned to take a few pictures on the Texas A&M campus.

Green road sign indicating Entering College Station and Leaving Bryan with commercial buildings and power lines visible in background Multi-lane urban street in College Station with modern apartment buildings on the right, traffic ahead, and stormy clouds overhead Intersection view showing tan institutional building on left and brick multi-story building with K-Top sign in background, landscaped median with shrubs and bare trees Close-up view of large water tower with fluted column design and Welcome to Aggieland text around the rim against cloudy sky Wide downtown College Station plaza with decorative crosswalk patterns, large oak trees providing shade, and multi-story tan building in background View of downtown College Station area showing multiple historic institutional buildings with green space and trees in foreground under dramatic cloudy sky Classical architecture building exterior with cream-colored stone, balustrades, and mature oak tree with sprawling branches overhead, sidewalk along building Large spreading oak tree with thick gnarled branches dominating lawn area, historic buildings visible in background, fallen leaves covering grass Massive century oak tree with extensive branching canopy creating natural archway over sidewalk, historic building visible through branches Upward angle view of historic building facade showing classical columns, fluted pilasters, arched entryway, and ornamental stonework details

Our final picture destination was Research Park.

Driver's view of College Station street in traffic behind red Toyota SUV, modern medical or academic buildings with glass facades on both sides under stormy sky Driver's view of tree-lined campus road curving left with landscaped median, scattered oak trees, and building visible in distance under partly cloudy sky View from parking lot showing metal fence with pastoral scene beyond - bare winter trees, grassy field, and scattered buildings in distance Roadside view of small pond with bare trees reflected in water, tall grasses along shoreline, green grass in foreground Wide view of campus green space with scattered mature oak trees across lawn under dramatic cloud formations with patches of blue sky Calm pond reflecting bare winter trees and sky, surrounded by green grass and more trees with buildings barely visible in far background Close-up of weathered limestone rocks in shallow water feature, showing natural erosion patterns and moss growth, concrete edge visible View across pond from concrete spillway or dam edge showing green lawn area and scattered trees on opposite bank under cloudy sky Park or campus pond view with white pedestrian bridge visible in middle distance, framed by large oak tree trunk in foreground, green lawns beyond Backlit view looking up through canopy of large oak tree with sun filtering through branches and leaves against bright sky View of campus pond from bridge or walkway with metal railing, scattered oak trees along grassy banks, sunlight reflecting on water surface Wooden pedestrian bridge with metal railings crossing pond, casting long shadows on deck, surrounded by trees and green space View from bridge showing pond with stone spillway in foreground, green banks with tall grasses, buildings visible in distance across water Close-up of black and white duck or waterfowl standing on weathered stone or concrete spillway edge near water with grass growing alongside Texas A&M University Research Park entrance sign in tan stone with blue lettering, landscaped with ground cover, sidewalk and modern buildings behind

It was starting to get hot and we were getting sweaty. After a few good pictures, we figured it wasn't worth trying to take any more pictures. We then headed over the way of David's Bridal so Victoria could pick up her wedding dress.

Driver's view of tree-lined suburban street with power lines overhead, chain-link fence on right side, under partly cloudy sky

Since I wasn't allowed the see the dress, I was dropped off at Wings 'N More. I sat at the bar and had a beer.

Northgate Barbecue restaurant exterior with tan stucco walls, red trim, arched entrance, striped awning, vehicles parked in front under stormy clouds Frosted glass mug of dark beer with thick foam head sitting on granite bar counter under reddish ambient lighting

It took a lot shorter than Victoria had anticipated. Briana and her made their back to Wings 'N More. After I finished my beer we headed back to Briana's car. She needed to get going to back to Houston. Victoria and I then went to her grandparent's house. Her aunt and uncle also came over and we headed back to Downtown Bryan.

Dark interior view from vehicle backseat showing silhouettes of front passengers, illuminated dashboard, and bright commercial area visible through windshield at night Dusk view of downtown Bryan street corner with church steeple silhouetted against blue cloudy sky, string lights and street lamps glowing, motion-blurred person walking

The restaurant we chose to go to was Caffe Capri.

Caffe Capri storefront in historic red brick building with C. HUNT name on upper facade, black awning, couple standing outside, downtown street visible

We had a good meal at Caffe Capri and then headed back to Victoria's grandparent's house. We figured we better hit the road back for Austin, as it was getting late. We said our goodbyes and off we went.

Night driving view showing vehicle taillights ahead on dark road, street lamps glowing, trees silhouetted on left side

It was nice getting engagement pictures checked off of our to do list. We did get some good pictures and are currently in the process of sorting through them. Briana did a good job and we'll have some tough choices with choosing the select few pictures. It was also nice seeing Victoria's grandparents and aunt and uncle. The two places we ate at were good. We got our Mexican food and Italian food fixes in the same day. There is definitely a lot to offer in the Bryan\College Station area, so I have a feeling I'll be back soon to explore more!

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