What we've been up to this Winter of 2018

Well, we don't really have an excuse for not posting for 2 months other than we're in Fredericksburg Texas and having a great time this Winter of 2018.  As you may know, this is our second Winter here and we've really learned how to do it.  Christmas parades, the Marketplatz, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, great shopping and wineries all over the place!  Fredericksburg has it all and it's even better in the Winter, according to us.

First off we learned last time we were here (October 2017 - March 2018) that there was a winery circuit we needed to check out when we got back.  Lupe joined the Grape Creek wine club, after a lot of tastings, and I joined Becker's.  So, we learned, after a lot of trial and error (LOL) how to go to two wine tastings every day we are in town and get two free glasses of wine, each!

At Becker wine club, chillaxing with Lupe drinking White Wing Chardonnay

So far, it's just December 15th, we've made it to both tasking rooms 50+ times since joining in October. I guess we're getting our money's worth!  That's probably not a record but we've had fun every time.  You and a guest get a free glass of wine each day and on certain days at Becker they have locals night with free charcuterie.  WARNING: To be Wine club members, you agree to get quarterly wine shipments which are usually 3-6 bottles.

Charcuterie at Becker Tasking room

But even before we hit the wine circuit we already had a scheduled event.  We got the Garrison Brother's email inviting us to participate in their October bottling while we were still at Big Bend National Park.  We'd been waiting for a year since we tried last season to get in after our Distillery tour.  At that time they told us to signup via email and we'd get notice if we got picked.   And we did.  So, the first week we were back we headed to Garrison Brothers Distillery to bottle some of their amazing bourbons.

And, it's a secret but here goes: when you are done you get 'employee pricing' for a day at their shop - on top of the gifts Dan Garrison graciously provides us after 2 days of bottling.

Thanks to Dan Garrison for a great time

With that great start, we both realized how lucky we were to be right here, right now.  Lupe began looking for seasonal work and I began my volunteer work as a park host at Enchanted Rock SNA.

Hiking Enchanted Rock's Echo Canyon under October's stormy clouds

And as luck would have it the first thing that happened here at the park was a flood.  Mid-October this area got massive amounts of rain just like many parts of Texas.  There was major damage and clean up to do at Enchanted rock, and my friend Bob and I got to do some cleanup before the park could open.   Bob if your reading this, we miss you guys!!

Sandy Creek bridge after mid-October flooding

And that is volunteering as a park host.  You do what's needed and you look for opportunities to contribute.  I've really enjoyed this season at Enchanted Rock and Fredericksburg. I again got a chance to do some gardening in beds around the buildings and I was 'Santa' again for Christmas.  The Texas Hill Country is an amazingly beautiful place with views in every direction with wonderful people to spend time with.

We've been so lucky to find this place and participate here.  I hope we will be able to do it again.  Right now, as workampers, we are planning our stops for 2019.  Early in the year, we'll be traveling to Quartzite and Lake Havasu Arizona to spend time with the Xscapers group for my birthday in January, like last year!

January 13, 2017, Quartzite AZ, in my PJs :) 

After that, we'll travel with some of them to San Felipe, Baha California, Mexico for the Mexico Convergence. Yes, we're taking the Airstream out of the country for the first time, and we're so excited.  From our Maiden Voyage to Mexico.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bert and Lupe on the Road.