Schilo's Deli

Coming from the East Coast I've been missing the delis.  Even though I don't eat much meat, every now and then I get a hankering (do you like that nice Western word?) for a corned beef or pastrami sandwich and some good dill pickles. I've been reading about an old-time German deli, Schilo's, that's been around since the 1800's.  

Well, the Reuben and German beer we had really hit the spot. And the atmosphere is definitely old-German. It's not the Jewish deli that I'm used to (no Matzoh Ball soup or whitefish salad!) but when in Texas, it's the closest you'll find. 

Wimberley Glassworks

Last weekend we made a visit to the Wimberley Glassworks in Wimbirley, Texas.  Who knew there was a Wimberley, Texas?  It sounds so British.  We were driving along a fairly deserted road when the Glassworks appeared. More about Wimbirley itself in another blog. The Glassworks is fabulous. When we walked in the owner was about to start a glass blowing demonstration. It was impressive to see the speed, dexterity and agility needed to blow a piece of glass. 

Tim de Jong is from Philadelphia and fell in love with Wimberley on a trip out to Texas. He said it is an ideal place for an artist and loves the lower taxes here.


The showroom features lots of blown glass chandeliers and pendant lights as well as bowls, pitchers and some jewelry.
Tim is very personable and specializes in custom designs. You can select your own shapes and colors and I am sure he would work with you on the design of your choice.             

Texas is full of surprises. Who could guess that a glassblowing place would be out in the middle of nowhere. What a great surprise.  Worth a visit.      

San Antonio Deco District

I hate freeways so I take all the side roads. I frequently go through the "Deco District" on Fredericksburg Road. Let me just say it's no South Beach. There's a police station, a uniforms store and, of course, an HEB!

I think the HEB is probably the most art deco of all the buildings in this block. Well, at least the exterior of the store.












Unfortunately, the inside of the HEB looks like a run-down version of other HEBs. This area has lots of potential and someone in San Antonio with some artistic creativity should try to revive it and make it a true art deco destination.

Greek FUNstival

When I suggested to N. that we stop by the Greek FUNstival he thought I was crazy. We are in San Antonio, a city filled with Mexicans. They aren't exactly known for Greeks here! Exactly! Let's go see the handful of Greek people who live here!  


This is an annual event held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. There are church tours available and a large hall filled with Greek souvenirs, t-shirts, religious icons, paintings and some neat Greek fishermen caps. 


There's plenty of Greek food available- stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, baklava, gyros and of course Greek beer, Greek wine...even Retsina. 

It's a small festival (N. was right...there probably aren't a lot of Greeks here) but it was fun and a little different.  Much to my surprise N. wanted to stay to watch the Greek dancers. They ranged from young children to the adults who were well choreographed and lively. 


It turned out to be a fun way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Probably something we won't do again but worthwhile to do once.

Randolph Air Force Base Air Show

Saturday's weather was perfect- temperature in the 70's and a sky of turquoise blue. We decided to visit the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show. What a great day! Admission is free, easy parking and lots of shuttle buses to take you to the site. Top it off with no lines for beer and you have the perfect day.

Little boys and big boys had the time of their life. There are vintage jet planes that you can walk on and lots of air-related rides and activites. Plenty of food and Blue Angels souvenirs. 






No lines for the Porta-Potties!
And they were clean with plenty of hand sanitizer available.  


The air show is terrific. Lots of dare devil stunts and the Blue Angels are certainly worth seeing at least once in your life. Amazing.


Oh, did I mention all the handsome men who attend this event?  Not too shabby!!!

Helotes Country Club

This weekend we made a trip to the Helotes Country Club. Yes. Really. This place has been around for over 40 years and not much has changed. Certainly a lot of ambience! Don't expect to eat or drink anything except beer. That's right. Just beer. We are in Texas afterall. You have the option of sitting inside or outside on the benches. I took a lot of pictures because words just can't describe this place.

For all my friends from past drinking clubs (A.O.D.C. and T.T. members) eat your hearts out! This place would have been our first stop every year. Puts the Northside Tavern on Greenmount Avenue to shame!

Easy to read signs. Friendly customers. We met a lovely man who lost his wife 2 years ago and comes here on a regular basis to get some friendly conversations. The night we visited there was a Randy Travis concert down the street. We could actually hear the music. Lots of Country Music acts perform here. Maybe we'll take a trip out here to see Willie Nelson next time he's in town. But we'll probably just listen while we have our beer sitting outside on the benches.










I am sure you wonder about the inside of the Country Club...well, it won't disappoint you. Check out the charm and the old world atmosphere. If the walls could talk in this place!




















Since I am trying to do a full review of this establishment you will all want to know about the bathrooms. I didn't visit the men's room but the women's room was terrific.  It's all about Texas...because everything in this state is really just all about Texas...

So, if you're planning a trip to Texas and want to see what living here is all about, plan a trip to the Helotes Country Club.  No membership fees required!

Witte Museum

I decided it was time to find some culture so I went to the Witte Museum on Broadway. I would pronounce it Wit but was told it is pronounced Wittey... 


I went on a Tuesday- free day. Discovered there was a Shipwreck exhibit and it sounded interesting so I paid the 5 bucks to see it. When I walked into the exhibit it was filled with small children running around excited by the pirate exhibit and the hurricane simulation machines. Oh, joy. Left the Shipwreck crowd to explore the museum. 


Hmm...Upstairs was a fashion exhibit with 1 mannequin dressed per decade from 1900-1980. Really. Just 1 outfit per decade and they were really sad. All the items were donated by people and I have the feeling some old ladies went through their closets and decided that instead of throwing out some of that old crap, they could instead get a tax deduction by donating it to the Witte. I am pretty sure some of the items weren't even old. Some shoes from the 60's described as "platforms" but they didn't have platforms and they did have a label that looked as though they were about 15 years old. I was the only one in that exhibit and I can understand why.

I did wander into one room that was more interesting and featured items from Texas including a Confederate flag and a spur collection. Interesting but I wish
there were more items. Seemed rather sparse.

Oh, I have to describe the "Museum Store." There were a few books about Texas...nice but they were on glass shelves that were covered in a  layer of dust. Most of the items for sale had to do with the Shipwreck exhibit... Skull and Crossbones items and toys for the kids. The postcard rack was almost empty and the selection was terrible. HEB has a better variety! The front of the store sells soda, chips and candy...more like a gas station convenience store than a museum store.  

I realized that I hadn't seen any art in this place and came home and did some research. In 1926 Alfred Witte left $65,000 for a museum in honor of his parents. His mother, Ellen D. was director for 34 years at the salary of one dollar per year. The museum focuses on natural history, anthropology and Texas and regional history. I guess I need to find an art museum now...