escape to the Texas Hill Country

Mike and I worked till noon on Friday and then quickly loaded up to head to Austin.  Our ultimate destination was Hunt, Texas to pick up Colby from scout camp but we also got to enjoy a few hours of just the two of us too!  It's been a crazy, hectic, full couple of months so anytime we can get away, we jump at the chance!

So, what fabulous plans do we have?!  A "quick" stop at IKEA, of course! ;)  We needed to pick up just a few things for the house...

When we decided to stay in Austin, I was super excited when Mike forwarded me our reservation email from the Archer!  "With a nod to its Texas heritage, the 8-story boutique hotel mixes Texas limestone and wildflowers with the eclectic, creative soul of Austin."  Southern hospitality from the moment we checked in till we loaded up our car to leave.  We'll definitely be back!

Did I mention they are dog-friendly too?!  

These salted caramels were fabulous!!!  The perfect snack before we headed out for dinner.

I appreciate the little things - especially attention to detail.  

How cute are these slippers?!

An aerial view of the Second Bar + Kitchen.  

After a quick tour of the hotel, we were ready for dinner!

Mike and I are creatures of habit so we took the hotel's complimentary shuttle to Gloria's Latin Cuisine.  Cause we all know how much I love chips, salsa, and margaritas!

And we all know how much I love this guy!

After dinner we decided to walk back to the hotel.  The weather was near perfection and it didn't hurt that The Domain has so many amazing places to shop!  For a complete list of stores, click here.

After a bit of shopping, Mike was on the hunt for an ice cream shop.  We saw the line at this place and decided to see what the fuss was all about!

Technically not ice cream but their gelato was pretty darn amazing!

Mike decided to try Cookies & Cream and Mint Chocolate Chip and I chose Strawberry + Champagne - yummy!!!

A night cap at the Second Bar...

And then we arrived to our room to find more goodies!  Perfect way to end a fabulous day!

After a restful night's sleep, we were up, packed and on the road by 7am.  UGH!  If you know me, you know I do NOT like to get up early!  But, while we had been sleeping in a nice comfy bed, Colby had been sleeping in this for the last week...  Not to mention, I was ready to have our boy back!

They were one tent short so Colby volunteered to sleep in his hammock all week!  He was a little dirty and a lot hungry so we loaded him up for a few hours of enjoying only kid status.

Many years ago Mike and I went to pick-up day for my niece at Camp Waldemar which happens to be right down the road from the scout camp Colby was at.  Mike said we stopped at Stonehenge II when we were there but I have zero recollection of this.  #Iblamethreekidsthathavedrainedmymemorybankpriortotheirarrivals

This replica of the original has been moved to Ingram, Texas but even after stopping to see if, I still have zero memory of it! #oops

As we continued on our way I convinced Mike to stop in Comfort, Texas.  Mike and I spent a couple of days there in the Spring and I absolutely fell in love with this little town!  My main objective was to add another dinosaur to my collection.  #missionaccomplished  You can see my original dinosaur in this post. Which reminds me that I desperately need to share a post on this trip!  

As we drove into town, we noticed all kinds of detours - due to the most amazing 4th of July parade!!!  I get so geeked out excited over these things (and I might have even teared up!).

We showed up at almost 11 am and the parade had started at 10 am!  Comfort knows how to celebrate!

This car actually clucked when they honked the horn!

That's all, folks!

I did a little shopping while the guys did a little admiring!

I love getting to spend some time with just my boys!

After Comfort, Colby requested that we stop in Luckenbach.  Who am I to tell him no?!  I mean, it is HIS special day, right?! :)  And, and when you are too tall to stand on the porch, you have to get strangers to take your picture again!

Mike and I stopped at Luckenbach on our Spring Hill Country trip and this kitty was sleeping on the bar then too!

Look at those sweet paws!

We sat outside and enjoyed some live music and some tasty treats.

After a week of questionable food, Colby was SO glad to have edible options!  He was super thankful for the funnel cake!

My favorite road trip partner!  He takes my itineraries and gets me where I want to go!  

More admiring!

After lunch we wanted to take Colby by Magnolia Pearl in Fredericksburg.  The style of clothing isn't me but Mike and I love the vision, the architecture, and the people here.  It's definitely a place you can't explain - only experience for yourself.

We chatted with the designer's husband for quite a while and Colby was even asked to help with the pulley system to get a gentleman in a wheelchair from the second floor to the third floor.  

Our day wasn't over yet!  Colby wanted to know if we could stop by Top Golf in Austin on our way home.  And, well, the answer was "sure"!  He definitely was getting his money's worth on his Only Child Day!

After a few hours of golf, we grabbed dinner and made our way home a little before midnight.  We were gone for less than 36 hours but we filled those hours full!  We love visiting the Hill Country so if you have any fun spots you enjoy, please share!

Hope you guys are having a great week!

and visit my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today!