Fort Worth Touring

Epic fail, y'all. I went on a trip to visit my favoritest book loving gal pal, D,  in her new home and didn't post a thing. Not one word, not one little snippet since then. Time to rectify the situation!

Tanner and I left work on Friday and hit the road for what should have been a 4.5hour trip. Correction, there is Houston traffic everywhere on a Friday. We took our lumps and settled in, listening to Mitch Hedberg as we sidled out of city limits.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very ferocious white furball by the name of Sergeant Doakes but within a few minutes and after a few belly scratches, he was our friend.

Meet the roughest, toughest, ooey gooeyst Srg. Doakes!

The next morning we woke up and traversed to the Giampietro's favorite breakfast spot and chowed down on some killer pancakes plus a Dutch baby which I'm pretty sure is the greatest thing ever invented. Wait, no, that would be Fried Oreos most recently eaten at the Rodeo. Yum, yum, yum!

After stuffing our faces, we were off to tour the brewery! Here's my favorite thing about brewery tours...there's really no tour. You drink. And then you wander. Then they talk about the process for about 20 minutes whilst trying to be heard over the live music and frivolity behind us. And you drink. Let's not talk about the ridiculous line for the bathroom...

Clever, no? And there were some fantastic beards, I tell you.

Disregard the trash can but check out the cutest chick ever. On the right. :-D

My main squeeze and a much better picture taker who said let's NOT be by the trash can. Smart girl...

We were lucky enough (mmm, I go back and forth on the use of lucky) to be there for the beard competition. They have all sorts of categories: mutton chops, GINGERS, length, bushiest, etc, etc. Emphasis on ginger's because who doesn't love a daywalker? With a purchase of some sweet pint glasses plus toting our Beer'd glasses from the tour, we left fully satisfied and definitely entertained.

Our day of liquidity and delicious food surely couldn't end with just beer and pancakes, respectively, so we sauntered over to a nice cafe not far from where my cousin and his now new wife lived to imbibe some well brewed coffee. Mine was with coke! Numnumnum.Then it was time for a pre-dinner dessert...this is completely logical when on vacation. And this also does not negate the enjoyment of post-dinner dessert, either. Boom, logicked.

What a keeper. That guy, on the right. Best TBot in town.

 We sat outside and enjoyed the fabulous weather that despite the wintry month was a cool and comfortable 70*. With some Christmas music to keep us company as we people watched the hours slowly slipped past until it was time for dinner. At a place with a S'MORES FIRE AT YOUR TABLE. Epic. Brilliant. Best restaurant ever?

But why end the fun there? Let's Jenga with absurdly loud live music behind us, but this time let's add in my cousin and his now new wife (note: when this visit happened, they weren't engaged!)

Please note the faces of Sweet D and Fran because TBot really enjoyed playing the jerk and going for the trickiest pieces. Guess who lost? :-D Guess who gloated? :-D

Obviously you cannot forgo the glass to grab the block.

The very nice and safe player, my very own strategy.

The poker. He was nearly as bad as TBot.

The sly one.

Our day in Dallas was done after this and poor Doakes needed a reprieve. Plus, we had to be rested and ready for our delicious breakfast with mimosa's and bacon while we watched Brave. 

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful and we slowly stirred ourselves awake. Apparently D iz far more deaf than she has a right to be and I heard the beautiful gonging of bells for a good twenty minutes as I roamed their very sweet abode. When Doakes and Fran returned from a run, Sweet D was awake and we got breakfast started. With the best griddle from South of the border, Fran whipped up some delicious pumpkin pancakes while I stuck bacon in the oven. We sat down to watch Brave and I just melted with that first accent. There is something about the Celts/Scots/Irish, pick your poison, that just bestills my beating heart.

It was a wonderful way to wrap up our whirlwind trip in Ft. Worth and I was so grateful to have seen my cousin and his wife as well. We made the long drive home with one stop along the way...

Bucee's!!!!! Plus, Beaver nuggets. Must love tradition!

I look forward to visit number two! Get ready, D and Fran...and we mustn't forget the Sarge...