Wednesday Weekly January 2: Christmas in Bryan New Years in Austin

Last year was a very somber Christmas with everything going on. We ended up spending it in Austin out of necessity. This year, we were able to spend Christmas in Bryan with her family.

We ended up hitting up a lot of places, so if you want to skip ahead here is the list. The story continues below that.

Her dad also was in town, so we first met up with him at Jim's Restaurant.

Exterior view of Jim's restaurant with distinctive turquoise brick facade and red lettering, parking lot with several cars in front under clear blue sky

After eating, we filled up at this sketchy gas station on Burnet Rd. Hopefully, it's getting a facelift. The crazy thing is it's one of the only gas stations that is with the times and takes Apple Pay. Take that credit card skimmers!

Covered entrance area of Jim's restaurant showing glass doors and newspaper vending machine in the shade Woman in maroon jacket and sunglasses standing at gas pump next to blue SUV with stores visible in background

We then hit the road for the Bryan\College Station area. We made a detour in Hutto to get some beef sticks at Westphalia Meat Market

Woman in maroon jacket and sunglasses standing at gas pump next to blue SUV with stores visible in background Dashboard view of wide urban road with multiple utility lines overhead, light traffic and businesses visible on both sides Strip mall storefront featuring Cricket Wireless store flanked by other businesses including a restaurant, white pickup truck parked in front Close-up of hand holding beef stick or slim jim meat snack inside vehicle dashboard area

It was smooth sailing after that. It was a warm day and the birds were out flying around.

Highway view showing 80 mph speed limit sign on concrete barrier median with sparse traffic ahead Rural road lined with bare winter trees, grain silos and agricultural buildings visible in distance under clear sky Car dashboard display showing 70°F temperature, 11:44 time, and music player on Track 17 with repeat and shuffle options Two-lane rural highway with massive flock of birds swarming across blue sky above dormant grassland and scattered trees Highway view approaching blue welcome sign for College Station, bare trees lining roadside with tractor visible on shoulder

We took a detour to Navasota. We wanted to go to Classic Rock Coffee, but we ended up exploring this cool little town.

Interstate highway sign indicating Business 6 and Navasota Right Lane exit among bare winter trees

After Navasota, we drove back to Bryan. We went to Koppe Bridge for some lunch.

Rustic wooden restaurant building with decorative southwestern-style signage above covered entrance, surrounded by trees Plate of chili cheese dog topped with jalapeños, onions, and shredded cheese served with generous portion of french fries

We then checked into the same hotel we did at for the Texas A&M game, visited Victoria's grandparents, and then went to Saturday mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.s

Large white water tower labeled College Station against blue sky with wispy clouds, street intersection visible below Tree-lined campus or park road with mature oak trees casting shadows, school buildings and athletic facilities visible Quality Inn and Days Inn hotels visible from access road, modern multi-story buildings with parking areas Exterior of tan and burgundy three-story Quality Inn hotel building with covered entrance portico and parked cars Hotel room interior with king bed, white linens with gold accent runner, gray walls, armchair, and window with natural light Sunset view from road showing silhouetted buildings and power lines with orange and pink sky, evening traffic with headlights on Modern church building with tall bell tower and brown roof at dusk, crowded parking lot with multiple vehicles in front

After mass, we headed back to the hotel and called a Lyft. It was time to go #OldPeopleNorthgating! We hit up a bunch of bars at Northgate in College Station. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. You can read about that adventure here.

Vintage street clock showing approximately 4:20, mounted on pole with Northgate text visible at top, photographed at night

The next morning we went to Blue Baker for brunch.

Blue Bonnet Cafe restaurant exterior with parking lot, single-story building with distinctive signage under clear blue sky

We had some time to kill so we figured we'd do more exploring. We first went on the Texas A&M Campus and saw the big Aggie ring.

Texas state flag flying at half-staff against blue sky with small town buildings and businesses visible in background Texas A&M campus view with dormant grass lawn, Kyle Field stadium visible in background with distinctive upper deck structure Large bronze Aggie Ring sculpture monument on Texas A&M campus plaza with stadium visible in background Side view of bronze Aggie Ring sculpture showing interior opening framing campus buildings and trees beyond Close-up view through bronze Aggie Ring sculpture showing polished interior surface and campus landscape visible through opening Woman in Texas A&M sweatshirt and sunglasses posing under modern building entrance with glass windows behind her

We then went to Downtown Bryan. Most of the businesses were closed so it ended up being as dead as when we went on Northgate the night before.s. I did get some cool pictures as we walked around.

Small town main street intersection with historic buildings, minimal traffic, and traffic lights against clear blue sky Downtown main street with angled parking, historic brick storefronts, decorative lamp posts with holiday wreaths under blue sky Street view of downtown showing tall art deco building, white pickup trucks, and intersection with traffic signals Historic Queen Theatre building facade with vertical marquee sign, art deco architecture visible along downtown street Texas historical marker plaque for Queen Theatre mounted on brick wall with blue car reflected in adjacent window Humorous attorney office window display featuring Grinch character cutout in Santa suit with contact information and testimonial Texas historical marker about CW&BV and I&GN railroads in Bryan, bare tree and communications tower visible behind Large red Christmas tree display structure in public plaza with star topper, benches and bare winter trees nearby Woman with arms outstretched posing in front of large decorated Christmas tree display with red bows in downtown plaza Decorative street lamp with dual holiday banners reading Bryan Downtown Holidays in green and red against clear blue sky Downtown Bryan main street with holiday decorations, bare trees in median, lamp posts with wreaths, historic buildings lining street Downtown Bryan street scene with holiday wreaths on lamp posts, large red bow decoration, historic buildings and modern storefronts under clear blue sky Revolution Cafe and Bar storefront sign under covered walkway with directional text Down the Alley, Turn Right and green awning Narrow alleyway entrance with decorative black iron gates featuring Texas star design, Rabbit Hole sign visible, brick walls on both sides Restaurant window display with Breakfast sign, humorous text message conversation about meeting elves, snowman decoration with wrapped gifts inside Historic Carnegie Public Library building with classical white columns and triangular pediment, red brick construction, bare winter trees in front Large decorative Christmas ornament display reading City of Bryan with painted designs, red bow on top, positioned outside library entrance Close-up of Carnegie Public Library facade showing Corinthian columns, arched windows, and Carnegie Public Library text on white pediment Texas historical marker and Carnegie Library bronze plaque mounted on red brick wall of library building Bronze statue of woman in period dress sitting on bench reading book, positioned on downtown sidewalk with storefronts and bare trees behind Colorful painted train engine art installation on railroad tracks, blue and white design with community artwork, downtown buildings in background Downtown street view with ornate clock on black pole showing noon, multi-story historic buildings flanking street under clear blue sky Old-fashioned soda shop storefront with vintage wooden signs advertising ice cream, sodas, shakes, green awning and brick facade Dashboard view of Texas A&M University entrance sign and manicured lawn with trees through windshield with sun glare Silhouette view from car of Texas A&M building with clock tower against bright sky with dramatic sun glare E.B. Cushing Stadium sign for Texas A&M track and field listing national championship years for men's and women's teams

We thought it would be cool to visit the George Bush Library on the Texas A&M Campus. We found out that it was closed because of the government shutdown. We fortunately were able to walk around outside and visit the gravesite.

George Bush Library building sign on hillside with dormant grass lawn and clear blue sky, modern architecture visible Glass entrance doors to Bush Library with closure notices posted, presidential seal visible on signage, flags reflected in windows Scenic pond with walking path around perimeter, bare winter trees lining shores, clear blue sky reflected in calm water Bush family gravesite with white cross marker, flat grave markers, wrought iron fence, and American flag emblems on fence posts

The next day was Christmas Eve. We met at Victoria's aunt and uncle's house for the Texas tradition of tamales and chili. There was a festive porta potty at the end of their cul-de-sac

Overcast rural road with bare trees, wooden fence line on right, power transmission lines, abandoned building visible ahead Maroon portable toilet with holiday wreath and red bow decoration on door, Madole Rental company signage, positioned on residential street Stovetop cooking scene with multiple pans containing tamales in corn husks, pot of beans, and pot of red chile sauce Plate with bowl of beans topped with tortilla strips and two tamales in corn husks with red chile sauce

After the Texas tradition of tamales and chili was finished, a family tradition happened. The ancient slide machine came out and we looked at pictures from times past.

Vintage slide projector with light mechanism visible, positioned on counter in kitchen setting Close-up of Argus 500 Automatic slide projector control panel with green textured casing and white lettering Living room projection screen showing woman playing piano with Christmas tree visible, holiday decorations and stockings in room

There were a ton of slides and it was cool seeing how much things have changed from the past. We spent a decent amount of time watching them until Victoria and I went to First United Methodist Church for the Christmas Eve service. You may have noticed we went to Catholic mass on Saturday. I'm Catholic and Victoria is Methodist so we alternate where we go.

Foggy nighttime view of church or institutional building with bell tower illuminated by street lights

For Christmas, we went back to Victoria's aunt and uncle's place for burgers. There was something in the air and my allergies were killing me. We visited a while but left a bit early since I was feeling pretty sick. It sprinkled along the way to Austin, but the sky and my allergies started to clear as we got closer to home.

Highway view under dramatic overcast sky with American flag on pole, small town buildings visible on roadside Rural highway stretching toward horizon under dark storm clouds with golden light breaking through, bare landscape on both sides

Later that week we go some pretty strong storms. In many ways it was good because it knocked the allergies out of the air. It was definitely a contrast from last year when we received snow!

iPhone weather app screenshot showing tornado watch alert for Austin, Texas with heavy thunderstorm warning and hourly forecast Weather radar map on smartphone showing severe thunderstorm cell with red and yellow precipitation near Austin, Texas area

Another positive thing is Victoria and I finally got to have a lunch date. We haven't been able to do this since I started my new job. We decided on one of our favorite places in Austin, Dos Batos.

Dos Batos Tacos restaurant storefront in strip mall with red awnings, parked car in front under clear blue sky Metal tray with torta sandwich filled with meat, lettuce, tomato, pile of tortilla chips, and two small sauce containers

Victoria's dad was still in town so on Saturday we got burgers with him at the legendary Hut's Hamburgers.

Hut's Hamburgers retro diner exterior with distinctive oversized blue chair and hamburger sign, white pickup truck parked outside

We then went to mass and headed to the Cedar Park Center to watch the Texas Stars take on the Ontario Reign. We great front row seats to take in all the action.

Ice hockey game action from rinkside seats, players gathered near goal during stoppage, packed arena with multiple decks visible

We then took it easy on Sunday. I had to work New Years Eve so I did that. For New Years Victoria's dad came over and we watched the Texas A&M game.

Apartment living room with lit Christmas tree, two stockings hanging on wall, TV showing football game, Wisconsin license plate decoration

After the game Victoria's dad left. We then had a drink before midnight. At midnight, we toasted some champaign and then promptly went to bed.

Hand holding Arrogant Bastard Ale bottle in front of decorated Christmas tree with red tree skirt and polka dot rug Hand holding Vostra Prosecco wine bottle with pink label in front of Christmas tree and polka dot rug TV displaying fireworks over city skyline with Christmas tree beside it, stockings on wall, festive holiday living room setting Woman smiling on couch holding two dark beer bottles, Texas A&M sweatshirt, crosses and throw pillows visible on wall behind

I covered a lot of ground and saw a lot of places between Christmas and New Years. 2018 was a great year and hopefully 2019 will have many more adventures!

See more blog entries here