On Feb. 1, DH and I are heading south on I-35 from Minneapolis, MN to San Antonio, TX. We will stretch the drive out over 3 days, 2 nights exploring sites on the way, and then spend a week based from a small resort in the TX hill country and make day trips from there exploring Austin, San Antonio, and small towns and parks throughout that region. Our great loves on trips like this are hiking, eating unique foods, and tasting regional wines. We'll visit a dear old family friend in San Antonio, and I'll show Randy the Riverwalk and the Alamo. It will probably be too early in the year to catch the wildflowers on the LBJ ranch. We plan to return home by Feb. 12.
Anyway, for those of you living near I-35, what quilt shops should I be sure to stop at to break up this long drive? Can you recommend any unique places to eat? What sites should we not miss?
Keeping my fingers crossed for good weather...
On the banks of the Mississippi River in north central Minnesota (Brainerd lakes area)
Nancy, I hope you have wonderful weather and a great time!
Life is like a quilt...bits & pieces, joy -and- sorrow, stitched with love
Nancy,
sorry I' don't have any recommendations but I do want to wish you both a safe and wonderful trip. I pray mother nature is in your favour.
Nancy
Can't help you with recommendations. But have a great trip. Wishing you good weather and safe travels.
Vinton, Virginia
Nancy - I don't have any recomendations either, but I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Me either, but have a safe and marvelous time
[Ava, Missouri
Nancy--
Sounds like a great trip. Have a blast!
Kissimmee, FL
Fons and Porters Quilt shop is in Winterset, IA. That is off I-35 . . . not sure how far, but doesn't look that far, maybe 30 miles?
Have a safe and fun trip!
Definitely, Winterset, IA! I don't think it is even 30 miles.
(913) 764-8600
Nancy wave at me when you go by Liberty , the best one I can think of is in Jamestown ,that is the Amish shop but I have no idea how to get there , You would have to check the map . There is another good on in Cameron not to far off 35 it is real close to the Walmart about a half mile west of 35. I think you go to the first light and exit to the right and when you see the Walmart there is a little stripmall and the shop is right in there . I know there are some nice one south once you get into Kansas but I was on a bus tour and don't remember how to get to them There are some really nice ones in OK and Texas . Hope you all have a great time .I really like San Antonio,the river walk is so neat .. We didnt's stop a the LBJ ranch drove thru the town , Had a great trip in Texas .. so much to see ..Barbara
Nancy , I was having a senior moment ,When You get to Kerney ,home of Jessie James .there is a great quitl shop there called And Sew Bee It ,in the old downtown section .It is a really cute shop .You will more then likely see some of the billboards as you come down 35 in Missouri . It is a lovely little shop .. Barbara
Nancy - do you have a Quilters Travel Companion book? There are a bunch of shops shown in there along I35 through Iowa, a couple in MO, a bunch in Kansas, a few in Okla., and bunches and bunches in Texas. If you don't have the Companion, it may be worth your while to pick one up at LQS since you and Randy plan to travel now that you are retired.
Griffin, GA
Jeanine and Barbara - thanks for the quilt shop recommendations! I don't know if Randy would have the patience (or if I have the pocketbook) to hit all the stores in the quilter's travel book, so I appreciate recommendations of shops that others have actually been to that they have especially liked. I noted the Fons and Porter store, but having been there just last fall during the IA retreat, I'll pass that one by this time.
I did also find the discussion thread from last year when Gini was planning a road trip to Texas [ http://www.quiltersclubofamerica.com/forums/t/4159.aspx?PageIndex=1 ], and found some good listings for our time down there. I remember that when she got back, Gini recommended taking in a show in Austin, too, which sounds like fun.
Still hoping to hear about eating establishments you all like, too. I'm going to check out Food Network "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" web site, as well as public radio "Road Food with Jane and Michael Stern."
Marge, as far as purchasing the Quilter's Travel Companion, I've always been concerned that as soon as I would buy something like that, it would be out of date. I know many small quilt shops that have suddenly gone out of business due to the economy, and I know of other small shops that can't afford to buy a listing in those kinds of books. Have you had pretty good luck with it?
I have the travel companion and really like it. I also like to pick up a copy of the Country Register at our quilt shop. It has adds from lots of different quilt shops and shows where they are. I think there is even a way to get copys from other states.