But I didn't just work! GLS and I also took a field trip to...
in Bastrop. It's off Highway 71. Totally do-able as a short trip from Austin or if you're already on 71. Ten life-sized dinosaur statues (painted) are perched along a nature trail. "These statues range in size from the 6-foot long Velociraptor to the 40-foot long T-Rex." The plan is to add more steadily over time. Other highlights include a playground, fossil dig, picnic area, and gift store. Weather permitting, I recommend taking your kids or inner kid to check it out.
As long as we were in the neighborhood, we decided to have lunch afterward and take a peek at the relatively new Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. It's a ranch-style (horses!), destination hotel with a spa, shopping, and several restaurants, including Stories Fine Dining Establishment, which celebrates the literary history of Bastrop.We went to the Firewheel Cafe, which has gorgeous stained-glass windows of Texas wildflowers, and split both the Shrimp and Green Chili Quesadilla (Chipolte aoili and roasted tomato salsa) and a Cedar Creek Wrap (smoked turkey breast, crisp bacon, black forest ham, smoked cheddar, herb spread, and kettle chips).
We were impressed by the resort and plan to return for a weekend getaway as soon as we get a chance.
The hands-down highlight of the weekend though was dinner at GB and MH's lovely home in near East Austin. D&JG also were guests. The menu:
Nibbles
-black pepper almonds
Starter
-salad with green olive dressing
Main Course
-bacon wrapped pork loin with rosemary
-roasted cauliflower and leeks
-black truffle mac 'n cheese
Dessert
-brown sugar ice cream with spiced walnuts
