Mr. Hotel Clerk

 

A few weeks ago I was checking out of my hotel in Nacogdoches. The man behind the counter was cute. He had a great smile and a Texas accent. He even spoke Spanish. We had a good, albeit quick, conversation and I did my best to bat my eyes and show my dimples.

I didn't think much of this encounter as I walked out the hotel door except for the fact that he was really cute. As I backed out of my parking space on the side parking lot and before I drove away, instincts told me to look left. I did. There was Mr. Hotel Clerk staring out the window at me. This was the nudge I needed to start my mind spinning.

Why had I been in such a hurry? Why did I not talk to him longer? How could I make this work? What excuse could I find to get me back in the hotel after my hearing? After consulting my schedule and realizing I was being ridiculous, I decided to hold off a few weeks until I would be back in town at the same hotel.

I returned to Nac last week and arrived at the hotel mid-afternoon. As I parked, I reviewed my game plan. (This story helps to illustrate just how infrequent I run into cute, single men - key word single.) As I walk into the hotel I see three people at the counter including him. He looks up and flashes his big, endearing smile. Yep, he's cute. I was still a little unsure as to how this would work with two other people involved and I resigned myself to the idea that it probably wouldn't.

Another male hotel clerk began checking me in. Darn. Despite this I try to make conversation with Mr. HC. The maid stops in to say something to him in Spanish and he responds. I try to make some lame comment about this. Last visit he said he had graduated with a Spanish major and I had remarked that at one point I had known Spanish as well.

I'm all checked in and I ask the clerk helping me if there are any local restaurants he recommends. A fair and sincere question - I really did not want to eat fast food yet again. He tells me I look like an Auntie Pastas kind of girl and begins giving me directions. This is when Mr. HC chimes in.

HC: Oh I'm going there tonight!

Other clerk: Ok, so did you follow those directions?

Me: I think so. If I forget, I'll just come down and ask again. Thanks.

I start walking away not really sure what to do at this point. HC helps me out.

HC: Hey, if you really decide to go...let me know...

Me: Well, I'm going...

HC: [jokingly] Ha, okay, how 'bout I'll drive and you pay?

Me: Okay.

He looks at me like, are you serious?

Me: [shrugging my shoulders] I need the company.

HC: [looking a little flabbergasted] Uh, ok what time?  Do you want to meet me here at 7:30?

Me: Sounds good.

I walk away. Up the elevator and down the hall I think, did that really just happen?  I giggle to myself and immediately call my sisters. They seem a little worried that I will be getting in a car with a  complete stranger. Understandably good cause for concern, but for some reason I'm not. What I am concerned about is my pounding head. I figure my sniffles will ward off any unwanted advances.

Because I can no longer ignore the fact that my cold has taken a turn for the worse, I find a local doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics for what has now become a sinus infection. As I wait for my prescription to be filled at the Walmart pharmacy, I peruse the toy aisle. I come across the Magic 8 Ball and ask it if the night will turn out well - Outlook Good. I send the good news to my sisters.

When I return to the hotel, Mr. HC is no longer there so I ask the other clerk what my soon-to-be date's name is and if he's a good guy. He tells me his name, assures me that he is and that he'll have me laughing in no time. He also informs me that HC said he would be there at 7:00. This reassures me that 1. our conversation actually did take place and 2. that HC was not only going to be punctual, he was going to be early. Impressive.

At 7:30 I head down to the lobby. I'm on the second floor and there is a second floor balcony overlooking the lobby. Anyone sitting at the front desk could easily hear the elevator open. As I exit, I hear guitar music. Sure enough, Mr. HC is sitting behind the front desk strumming on his guitar. No big deal. This is when I also see he is wearing cowboy boots. Oh no, I think. I have a serious, well-documented weakness for cowboys.

Mr. HC and I finally and officially introduce ourselves and I make sure to get his last name as well in case there's any funny business. Mr. HC is a complete gentleman and opens the car door for me. Later in the night he let's it slip that he got his car cleaned before picking me up. Again, impressive.

Auntie Pastas is an Italian restaurant housed in an old railroad building. I'm told the building rattles when a train goes by. As this was a small town in East Texas, I wasn't expecting much but found myself pleasantly surprised. The food was amazing and not just for Nac standards. HC lets me order first. I get the Mediterranean mahi mahi and HC orders the seafood fettuccine. Both dishes come with a little Texas flare that includes crawfish.

The other hotel clerk was right. Mr. HC knows how to make you laugh. He's quite the talker and has plenty of stories to share. HC was raised Church of Christ and still attends church on Sundays. He cycles and loves to travel. He also just graduated from college in December. (What is it with me and younger men?) He tries to do the math as well by asking about law school and how long I've been practicing. It's clear I'm older than him, but I try to narrow the gap by neglecting to mention the years I spent teaching. Doh. But did I mention he has a great smile?

I somehow make it through dinner without the use of a Kleenex even though my constant smile is not helping my sinus infection. When the waitress asks if we want dessert I decline. HC asks if I'm suuurre? I am, but that doesn't stop us from talking.

Me: So do you do this often?

HC: Take out guests from the hotel?  Nope, this is a first.

Me: Ok, because I never do this.

When the waitress comes with the bill, I reach for my wallet. HC assures me that he had been joking earlier and that he's got it covered. We continue to talk until we notice it's closing time and the restaurant is starting to shut down. Closing time comes early in small towns.

He drives me back to the hotel as we listen to the original song of a cover I like and have never heard. He parks too close to a pole and realizes I'll have difficulty getting out as a result so he repositions the car to avoid it.  The song ends and then...

he wraps his strong arms around me for a romantic embrace and a passionate kiss goodnight....

no

he tells me what a wonderful evening he's had, how he's looking forward to my next visit, and in the meantime can he get my phone number to keep in touch...

no

he says he has the morning shift tomorrow and he'll see me then (along with some flower, treat, or guitar serenade no doubt)

no, instead

I open my car door and he awkwardly opens his.  He decides against whatever he was planning, stays in his seat and says,

HC: I'll see you soon.

Me: What? Like tomorrow?

HC: No, I'm not working tomorrow.

Me: Oh ok. Well, thanks for dinner.

And that was that. Besides the hotel clerk smirking at me as I walk in, that is the end of this little tale. No note left for me at the front desk the next morning. No illegal stalking of hotel guest information to get my number and call me. No words passed on by other hotel clerks.

Sorry to disappoint with such an anti-climatic ending.  But in a few short weeks, I'll be back. In the same town at the same hotel with perhaps the same hotel clerks. Maybe I'll have more to tell then. Maybe not. Either way it was a fun night - sinus infection and all - and sure beat sitting in a hotel room all alone.



So what's your take...how young is too young to date?

Tabasco

Last fall I was scheduled hearings in Houma, LA and I was excited. Most Americans have never heard of Houma, LA, let alone know how to pronounce it. (I still don't.) But I knew that on my long drive to Houma I would be passing right by Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauce.

Located 40 miles south of Lafayette and across the freeway from New Iberia, Avery Island is in fact an island. 6 miles off the freeway and across a creek-sized body of water, stands the entrance booth where visitors must pay a $1 entrance fee. Although the booth is stationed on the passenger side of your vehicle, there is no need get out when traveling alone. The entrance man has a long pole with a clothes pin at the end of it with which he will reach inside your car to collect your dollar.

There is one and only one Tabasco factory and it is located here at Avery Island. Factory tours are free and start every 20 minutes or so. The tour consists of a gallery with historical artifacts, an 8 minute video, and a viewing gallery where you can see Tabasco sauce being bottled and packaged. The tour was not as extensive as the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory tours in Brenham, TX, but I did get free bottled samples of Tabasco Buffalo Sauce and Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce.

During the tour I learned several things about Avery Island and how Tabasco sauce is made.

• Avery Island is one of five salt dome islands on the Louisiana coast.
• The harvested salt is used to make Tabasco sauce.
• 40 acres of peppers grow on the island
• The same day peppers are picked they are crushed and mixed with salt.
• The pepper and salt mixture is loaded into barrels with extra salt dumped on top. 
• The mashed peppers ferment and age for 3 whole years.
• After 3 years, the mixture is poured into a vat with vinegar.
• The peppers and vinegar mix non-stop for 28 days.
• Tabasco peppers also grow in various places in Central and South America.
• The peppers are also used in other products including cinnamon gum, toothpaste and, not surprising, pepper spray.

After the tour, I walked on over to the Tabasco Country Store. It is here you can sample various Tabasco concoctions including Tabasco soda, ice cream, and jelly belly beans. I avoided the ice-cream but I foolishly tried the soda. I do NOT recommend it. The taste it left in my mouth was horrendous and it took days to recover. It was so bad, I started having vengeful thoughts against the McIlhenny Company. In the interest of pleasurable experiences and happy thoughts, avoid the soda.

In an unsuccessful attempt to get the soda taste out of my mouth, I walked next door to the food truck and ordered crawfish etouffee, my Cajun dish of choice. I commandeered the only table in the shade (it was warm then) and a tour bus driver soon joined me. He was from Mississippi and was driving French tourists on a trip through the South. They started their journey in Atlanta and were slowly making their way to Dallas with various stops along the way. Once in Dallas, Bus Driver would deposit his passengers and make the eight hour drive back to Mississippi alone. He said he was looking forward to that part of his trip and the solitude he'd enjoy. Earlier that day I had bemoaned all the time I wasted in the car. Bus Driver reminded me that road trips by yourself have at least some redeeming qualities. He also reminded me that I should talk to strangers more often - they have stories to tell and lessons to teach.

Yes, I'm wearing flip flops.

After lunch, I grabbed a quick shot of the Country Store. Bus Driver saw me do it and said I needed to be in the photo - to prove to people I was really here. So here's proof - I was here.

 

I have since forgiven McIlhenny for the horrible Tabasco soda incident (although I admit the vengeful feelings did resurface on my second visit) and I continue to use Tabasco in my meatballs and on my red beans and rice.

 

What do you use Tabasco sauce on?



Waco Weekend

Before my sister and her husband made the decision to move to Waco this fall, most of my interactions with the town had been driving around Baylor campus and down Valley Mills Rd. While Baylor has a nice campus right next to the Brazos River, the city that I saw left something to be desired. When my sister announced this would be her new home, I was determined to venture off my well-beaten but ugly paths and find some of the more beautiful attractions Waco has to offer.  This weekend I got to revisit some of those places.

One place I did not revisit was Health Camp. This is a local burger and shake restaurant that began in 1948 to serve military personnel at the local air force base.

It's located in Waco's traffic roundabout. (Why they build roundabouts in America, I have no idea. I do not like them.) Employee's even wear shirts that say, "I survived the circle." You can order inside or at the little walk-up window outside. I had recommended the local joint to my sister and she tried it when she moved into town. She wasn't so impressed and prefers the burgers at George's. I, on the other hand, had thoroughly enjoyed my chocolate, peanut butter, banana shake.

I was scheduled for a hearing in Waco on Monday and decided to drive up Saturday afternoon to spend a little more time with my sister. We had discussed renting a canoe at Outdoor Waco located downtown and just across the road from the Brazos, but with the threat of rain and waning sunlight we opted for a quick trip to Lake Waco instead.

Lake Waco is man-made lake created by a dam on the Bosque River. Bosque means "forest" in Spanish. (FYI: There's only one natural lake in Texas - Caddo Lake near the Texas/Louisiana border.) When we pulled up to the lake we saw a fisherman with his catch of the day displayed proudly on the bed of his 1980s Chevy truck. The fish were lined up in order of size from smallest to biggest . He caught 1 catfish and about 7 buffalo fish. The biggest weighing 30-35 lbs.

We didn't bring a fishing pole, but with two geologists in tow we soon began looking for brachiopods and gastropods. I just thought they were called shells and bivalves.

When all the specimens were identified, we skipped rocks. Chloe was a natural, but I required a few lessons from Tanner. Apparently, skipping rocks has more to do with rotation and form then pure arm strength. Not that our form looks all that graceful.

After dinner, we got in the Halloween spirit by carving pumpkins. Chloe and Tanner had picked out three the night before at an over-priced, charity pumpkin patch. Supposedly, there was one large pumpkin selling for $100.

Photo taken by Tanner

While I stuck to the traditional form, Chloe decided to get a little creative. Instead of the intended mustache she got something more akin to a cleft palate. Tanner went an alien route.

On Sunday afternoon we headed to Cameron Park. This is by far my favorite part of the town as it has several hiking and biking trails, look-outs, and even a zoo. Our first stop was Proctor Springs.

At the springs, a geology lesson was given as to how and why the water trickles down through the rocks. Regrettably, my non-geologist mind has since forgotten the lesson. All of my Texas geology knowledge comes from four years of teaching Texas History. This spring, and others like it in central Texas, were created by the Balonces Fault which serves as a border between the hill country and coastal plains.

The fault can more easily be seen at Lover's Leap. The banks of the Bosque River differ in elevation before joining the Brazos River just a few hundred feet downstream. (See also photo above.)

In addition to geological sites, I saw a lot of this throughout the weekend...

...newlyweds.

Monday, before I had to take off for my hearing, we went to see the Baylor bears. No, they are not stuffed like I had originally thought. They are actually living black bears housed on campus at the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat just down the street from the Baylor bookstore. Bears became the official Baylor mascot in 1914 after competitive alternatives like bookworm were voted down. The first live mascot came to campus in 1917. In 1974, it was decided that all bears would be given the name "Judge" followed by a surname.

Meet today's live mascots, sisters named Judge Joy Reynolds ("Joy") and Judge Sue Sloan ("Lady").


I'm not sure which is which.

This one was pacing in circles the whole time we were there which made me sad.

The bears are one year apart. The oldest will be thirteen in January. They will live the rest of their lives at Baylor, which will be a longer life than a wild bear ranging between 22 and 25 years as opposed to 18 to 20. Fortunately, the practice of feeding Dr. Pepper (a Wacoan creation) to the bears ceased in the 1990s.

One place we didn't make it to this weekend was the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Baylor Museum of Art. The museum is closed on Mondays. But that's no problem, because I'll be back in Waco next Tuesday for more wac-o fun with my sis. And oh, maybe a little work as well.

George's

What's the best thing about being assigned hearings in Shreveport, LA one day and Austin, TX the next? Driving through Waco! That's right, I get excited to go to Waco.

My sister, Chloe, and her newly-wedded husband, Tanner, moved to Waco this fall so my brother-in-law could attend grad school at Baylor University. (My sister graduated with her master's last spring.) This trip would be the first time seeing them in their new home.

I rolled into Waco on Monday around 5:00 p.m. and chilled in their complex parking lot until my brother-in-law came home with the key. (I had traveled to Waco earlier in the year for work and had used my free time to check-out certain rental properties for my sister. This complex had not been on their list and I suggested they look into it as a potential future home.)

My sister was working until about 7:30 p.m., so, after a quick apartment tour, my brother-in-law and I chilled in front of the TV as I caught up on work and he caught up on ESPN news.

Around 7:30, we drive around the corner and meet up with my sis at George's on Hewitt Drive. I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a year. A hotel clerk once recommended it to me and raved about their Crazy Wings. George's has only two locations in Waco and began serving food back in 1930. They are known for their famous drink "Big O," which was given that name in 1967. George's has catered all over the state and even catered for President George W. Bush while he was at his Crawford ranch.

We decided to sit on the patio because it's Texas in October and only 70 degrees. Our server recommended the Chicken Fried Steak or the Crazy Wings but assured us that everything on the menu was great. And it was. Chloe ordered The Classic hamburger, Tanner ordered the BBQ Sliced Brisket Sandwich, and, breaking from my normal dietary regimen, I ordered Crazy Wings and Big "O" Rings - very much a man's meal I think.

Chloe said it was the best hamburger she's had in Waco. Tanner had no problem finishing his sandwich. And although I couldn't finish my meal, it was pretty amazing.

Crazy Wings consist of "chicken, jack cheese & jalapeño wrapped in bacon and fried." I ordered ranch for the dipping sauce but ended up using the house sauce that came with my onion rings.

Crazy Wings

This would commence my week of eating - see Austin Eats & Treats

More important than the food was the conversation and hearty laughs I shared with my sister. It was hard to say goodbye at the end of our meal and head off to Austin alone, but seeing her broke up the lonely monotony of my trip and reminded me that sisters are the best friends a girl can have.

Tanner & Chloe

Austin Eats & Treats

Normally when I travel, I'm in and out of a city with little time to spare. I drive in the night before, crash at a hotel, do my hearings, and race back home. Or if the hearings are in the afternoon, I'll do all my traveling in one day. It is not uncommon for me to drive eight hours round trip in one day for one hearing. This often occurs on more than one day of the week. So when I get to spend two days in a row in the same city, it's a rare treat.

This week I got to spend an extra day in Austin and I was determined to find unique places to eat. With the help of some friends (thanks Mark, Macie, and Chloe), I found the following three.

1. Torchy's Tacos

For lunch in between hearings, I headed over to the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery located on South 1st Street.

Inside this trailer park of food trucks, I easily spotted Torchy's Tacos as it was the only truck with a line at 11:00 a.m.

There was a cupcake trailer next-door but it wasn't open for the day yet. There was another non-descript lunch trailer, but it received no attention for the 45 minutes I was at the park.

The trailer park is located right next-door to the Texas School for the Deaf. The man ordering in front of me was deaf and I thought about striking up a conversation in my limited sign language, but decided against it.

I ordered the taco of the month, Scarecrow. Torchy's Tacos describes this taco as "pumpkin-seed breaded chicken tenders and roasted poblano peppers, escabeche carrots, queso fresco, cilantro, and creamy Chiptole Ranch." It. Was. Delicious.

 

For all my Houston friends, there's good news. Torchy's Tacos has a trailer in Rice Village and last month, one opened up in the Heights. Check it out.

2. Hopdoddy Burger Bar

For an early dinner, I headed over to South Congress, which was pretty happenin' at 3:00 p.m. on a Tuesday. Parking is limited on the street and I ended up parking in the garage behind the restaurant. (Parking is free for the first two hours so long as it is validated.)

Hopdoddy is named is named after a hand-crafted beer (hop) and a nickname given to the native cow of Aberdeen, Scotland (doddy). Burger choices include: angus beef, bison, lamb, turkey, tuna, and black bean-corn. I opted for the classic and a chocolate shake.

The shake I ordered was called Chocolate Stout. I thought nothing of this. Stout is after all an adjective. I though it must be a funky Austin way of describing a chocolate shake that is thick and full and decidedly delicious. I found out the hard way that the word stout is not only an adjective, but is also a noun. A noun referring to a type of beer.

Despite my degrees, I have a very limited knowledge of all things alcoholic. I have chosen to live my entire life alcohol free (yes, I graduated from undergrad and law school stone cold sober). I, therefore, find it imperative to impart this valuable lesson to my sober friends who have made similar commitments and may be similarly naïve. Be forewarned. Stout is beer. So stay sober my friends. And if there is a word on the menu you think is merely an adjective, you might want to double check before ordering.

3. Gourdough's

To recover from my previous day's follies, I stuck to something familiar for Wednesday's lunch. Partly for punishment and partly for fear. But I did pick up some treats before heading out of town.





Gourdough's, which sounds like the Spanish word for fat - gordo, is another food truck located on South 1st street, just a block or so from Torchy's Tacos. They specialize in donuts. Big. Fat. Donuts.




That's me in the reflection.

Walking up to the truck, I see three people sharing one donut. Uh-oh. Could I handle one donut all by myself? I was heading back to Houston to share this treat with a good friend (and loyal dog-sitter) and wanted donuts that would make the 3 hour car ride back. I chose Miss Shortcake and ODB (which I think stands for "oh dear, beck!" because that's how good it was). Other random flavors include: maple & bacon, PBJ, fudge & marshmallow, etc. It's pretty much donut heaven.




ODB: Cream-filled donut holes with icing rolled in coconut

Miss Shortcake: Cream cheese icing with fresh cut strawberries

Disclaimer: Lest you think I eat like this on a regular basis, I want to clarify that this was not typical behavior. I am a girl who watches her carbs (even gluten and dairy) and eats meat sparingly. Not because I'm watching my weight (although that is an added benefit), but because I feel better and cleaner when I avoid those things. I do believe in self-indulgence from time to time. This was one of those times. I will now go back to rice and beans for the remainder of the week.