“Bus Babes” Linda Overfield, Peggy Crandell, Ruby Wilson and Betty Gardner
Very early on April 21, the “Guadalupe Express” departed Robson Ranch with 50 Women’s Club members on board setting off for the Gruene Historic District at the Water Tower.
Our motor coach was manned by the steady-footed, smiley-faced, full-of-fun bus babes: Betty Gardner, Linda Overfield, Peggy Crandell and Ruby Wilson. The day began with breakfast, games and prizes. Mid-morning bloody marys were served along with a small snack, and guess what…more riotous fun.
Arrival at The Gruene Mansion Inn was at lunch time; our first opportunity to try some of their great restaurants. We spent the afternoon shopping and browsing in this lovely 4rict and getting settled into our beautiful rooms, e.g., Sunday Haus, Corn Crib, Das Flus Haus, Bluebonnet Lodge. The evening was kicked off with happy hour on the Inn’s patio, where we 50 ladies were much better acquainted after a few hilarious ice-breaker games like truth, truth, lie and what goes on in Gruene stays in Gruene.
The chefs at the Inn were inundated with compliments for their marvelous breakfast buffets; let’s just say they couldn’t bake enough homemade cinnamon rolls for us. The Inn’s staff bent over backward to make us welcome; what a great place!
On Wednesday it was off to the artsy community of Wimberley for more shopping, browsing art galleries, unique gift stores and lunching alongside the beautiful Cypress Creek. Wimberley’s 30, six-feet-tall fiberglass cowboy boots painted by local artists and scattered throughout the town were eye-popping. “Bootiful Wimberley” will see many of us again. Back to our Inn we went with a bus filled with treasures (and many pairs of shoes) to enjoy another happy hour in our hospitality room. After dinner it was off to Gruene Dance Hall to do some boot scootin.
A leisurely breakfast on the Inn’s veranda was a great way to wrap up our time in Gruene. The legendary Collin Street Bakery served us lunch and provided a needed break. Again many goodies were stowed aboard our bus. We celebrated happy hour during the final leg of our trip. The incomparable bus babes served everyone abundant food and wine, all the while providing more fun. Dill pickle has taken on a new meaning.
A special thanks to all the great travelers and to Mary Ornberg for capturing all the good times in photos. Thanks to Jan Utzman who helped behind the scenes planning and of course to our bus babes, Betty Gardner, Linda Overfield, Ruby Wilson and Peggy Crandell. Without them these trips wouldn’t be as special as they are!