Toes above the Nose

Toes above the Nose
Originally uploaded by amboo who?

Ready, Set Go! It is Comal County Fair time. Polish those boots and get your seat early for the Comal County Fair Parade. Great Photo from Flickr. Remember to enter your photo and memory at http://www.newbraunfelsstories.com

Comal County Fair Parade is Friday, September 24th in downtown New Braunfels.

First Day of School

School started today in New Braunfels! I am somewhat melancholy as I will miss those afternoons at the island.  Homework will take over the after work routine.  But I vow this year to get that out of the way and take advantage of day light savings time not changing till early November.

Today would be the perfect day for a float.  Hot weather, cold river, and you could nearly have the river to yourself.  Don't write off water recreation just yet.   Schlitterbahn is still open weekends through September 19th.  These are some prime dates for visiting the park and enjoying some relief from the back to school madness that plagues us all.   Camping and floating will still be on the top of many lists through September and then skip right into the Comal County Fair. You can keep up with Fair happening's on Facebook.

Closer to Time - Thursday

Come out and enjoy --- Come and Take It! at the Grapevine in Gruene Historic District.  This Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm.  Cheers!      

Summer still hoppin' in New Braunfels

Let's line out out August and September.  No need to quit celebrating summer... the temperatures sure don't think we are past summer....  August - swim, float, play, relax. http//www.nbjumpin.com

While thoughts are on back to school, a great many Texans know when to take advantage of short lines at the Bahn! The next several weekends tend to be a great time to visit Schlitterbahn.

• September 2 - 29 you're invited to view art works based on the land and sea theme.  http://www.newbraunfelsartleague.com/
• September - every Friday - A Gruene Hall tradition with the Friday Afternoon Club.  Get your weekend kickin' at the Hall 4-7.  Enjoy happy hour, prize giveaways, and the best in Texas Tunes, broadcasted live on KNBT 92.1.  http://www.gruenehall.com/
• September 11 - Dry Comal Creek Vineyards - Winery U!  Gooseberry Bush, and other Aromas.  

• September 11 & 12 - 7th Annual Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene.  10- 5 Goldsmiths, tinsmiths, silversmiths, blacksmiths, and sculptors.. watch, buy, and have fun!  http://gruenetexas.com/ or zeekandmarty@netzero.com
• September 11 - Gruene 10K http://www.athleteguild.com/node/33
• September 12 - Gospel Brunch with Texas Twist at Gruene Hall
• September 17-26 - the Comal County Fair -  The oldest county fair in Texas! 
• 9/17 - Washer pitching tournament 6p
• 9/18 - BBQ Cook Off  830 am, Rodeo Queen Contest 10 am, Mutton Busting 7 pm
• 9/19 Fair Queen Contest 730 pm
• 9/21 - Carnival opens at 6pm
• 9/22 Carnival 6-11 pm, Night in Old New Braunfels 6-11
• 9/23 Carnival 6-1145 pm PRCA Rodeo 730 PM, Midnight River Choir 8-Midnight
• 9/24 Fair Parade 10 am, Carnival 11am - 1245 pm, High School Bands 1-4 pm, PRCA Rodeo 730pm, Six Market Blvd 7-9 pm, Rio Grande 9:30 to 11:30 pm
• 9/25 Carnival 11 am - 1245 pm, Jeremy Richards and Blake Meneley 1-4 pm, PRCA Rodeo 7:30 pm, Kyle Kutcher Band 9:30-11:30 pm, Gabe Garcia 11-12:30 pm
• 9/26 Carnival 1-10 pm, Bull Riding 2 pm, Rio 6-10 pm      

Swimming Bobcat!

While it looks small, it is only 6 months old.  A cable network was in town on Saturday to film this pixie bobcat.  The cool thing about them is that they have 7 toes on their front feet and love to swim.  Where else would they come but to New Braunfels, Texas.  Stay tuned for information on this story and when you can view it on television.

Scenes of Summer in New Braunfels

Spending sometime at Schlitterbahn at the Rapids (CampWarnecke) was a step back to 1980 for me. It looks the same, it feels the same; great water, rapids, smell of sunscreen and picnics. It was great to see that the traditions of my childhood still play out today. As we swam and watched folks having a ball, I was struck by the diversity of guests: families with small children, couples of all ages, grandparents and grandkids, all enjoying for a day, what I get to enjoy everyday.   It was especially fun to watch the tweens! There they were tween girls making sure they looked as cute as possible and those tween boys sucking it in and trying to be buff. It is a time honored tradition of summer. A right of passage, memories and grins were all around. The buff flat bellies diving off the dam and trying, in vain, to catch the ledge. The girls not sure whether they should let the guys know there was an easier way. The conversations about who was cute and who had been "going" with whom? It was a blast!

I encourage you to come and make some memories with your family soon or revisit some touchstones from your past - it's refreshing! Jump In!

Wednesday - Hump Day

Being hump day this week, my thoughts drift to a mid week float.  Need to wash the worries of the week away and look forward to the weekend.

Our team is working hard on the next New Braunfels TV Show from the Richter Center in Downtown New Braunfels. 

Here is what is on tap for the  August 25th weekend forecast live show and the August 28th live show -

Kids Report at Two Tarts Bakery

History of the Bandstand

Prince Solms Inn

Vacation NB

Buck Pottery

Myron's Prime Steakhouse

Seth James

Stay tuned...

Wine Tasting Thursday

Come and Taste It Wine SeriesWhen: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 26Where: The Grapevine Texas Wine Bar, 1612 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, (830) 606-0093, grapevine!ingruene.comCost: ComplimentaryInfo: A winery representative will be on hand during this summer wine tasting to answer questions.

Beautiful Weekend

Landa Park Train

This past weekend was beautiful in New Braunfels.  As I spent Saturday morning in historic downtown, I was reminded of those folks that make the ultimate sacrifice for us - in the heat.  We welcomed our local National Guard Troop home from the Middle East where they endured temps up to 125 degrees for us.  My daughter and I were on the Plaza with out insert the New Braunfels Herald- Zeitung provided and some flags - waving and cheering the buses that were brought in by a police escort and then on to Landa Park for a proper New Braunfels celebration.  BBQ, live music, dignitaries, but most important those troops and their families soaking up home in Landa Park.  While we didn't know any of those deployed, many in my family have served and I have two nephews that are serving our nation now.  This was a good life experience for my daughter in patriotism and respect.        

Comal River at Hinman Island

We were then off to the Comal River.  Ahhhh, there is no better place.  Crystal clear water from the largest spring system in Texas creates the Comal River and keeps it at a wonderful 73 degrees year round.  You can see the Aquifer in action at Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can see up close and person the limestone formations that filter this amazing water source to such a pristine clean that the lights in the water stay on in the caverns.  Floating for a while was heaven, watching my daughter play with lifelong friends took me back to my youth and those lifelong friends that I need to reconnect with soon.