Waco Shop Hop

It's time --- it's time!!  January means the Waco Shop Hop and a chance to see friends once again.  It signals the end of the holiday friend fast and I am ready. 

Rocky and I are out of town bright and early meet up with Sherri, Paula, and Karen for breakfast.  Arriving in Waco far quicker than we expected, we decide to head over to the Waco Suspension Bridge and watch the sunrise.  It's really quiet and the early morning calm is perfect.



Have you been to the bridge?  I've got a little info for you in case you haven't.  "In 1866 the Waco Bridge Company was granted a 25 year charter to build a toll bridge here.  The charter guaranteed that no other bridge or ferry could be built within five miles.  construction began in 1868 and, after much financial difficulty, was finished in 1870.  Bridge traffic included wagons, pedestrians, and cattle herds.  Special rates were given to heavy users.  From 1875 to 1889 the public agitated for a free bridge, but the company retained its monopoly.  Then, in 1889, the bridge was sold to McLenna County, which gave it to the city of Waco as a free bridge."

Additionally, it is "The first bridge across the Brazos River and at the time of it's opening was the longest (475') single span suspension bridge in the world.  The steel and cables were furnished by John A. Roebling of New York, builder of the Brooklyn Bridge."  Pretty cool right?

As we arrive, we can see the first color of sunrise - (I brightened this one a bit to see Rocky)

This one is true to our view - it's so beautiful and the water is just dang calm.

A little more color -

Reverse view -

Ooooh, it's getting closer -

While waiting, some play happened -

Thank you, Rocky, for sharing pics

And then SUDDENLY, and I'm serious here --- the color vanished, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees and the wind picked up.

Rocky had gone to the car for her camera and just barely caught the last bit of color and then it was gone.  Poof.  Crazy.  We decided that since the official "sunrise" was just minutes away, we would wait and see if a miracle happened.

It didn't and soon, the freezing wind won.  On the way back to the car, a quick stop to say howdy to the cattle and on we go.

Look at those eyes, aren't they just so fun?

It's almost time to meet the gang and we discover that we are literally right around the corner.  We had no idea and laugh at the fact that we even drove as the convention center is right across the street from the bridge.  Silly girls.

Breakfast is planned at The Olive Branch and they are not quite open when we arrive, but luckily we can wait inside the little mini mall next door.  Perfect.

This is a new spot to me and as we enter, I spot this on the wall:

Karen has another friend with her and we are excited to meet Bobbi.  Woohoo, another new friend for us to enjoy and spend time with.  Hopefully she will join us at some future retreats.

Hello ladies ---- so glad we can spend some time together.  Karen, Sherri, Rocky, Paula, and Bobbi.  I'm a lucky girl and my hope for this day is already fulfilled.

So, my camera went to sleep at the shop hop but I do take one picture of a quilt block that I wish to attempt.  This looks like the pinwheels I remember playing with as a child.  Gotta find a way to make this part of something.  The brain is working.

After a couple of hours, I have managed to complete all the shopping that was on my list and so many great deals were found.  Oooooh -- I wish my budget had been higher, but I'm happy with the new pretties to touch and work with.

Bellies are hungry again (in all honestly - breakfast was just not that great) and we are off for lunch before separating and heading back home via all of our different directions.

It was a fun day and I have goodies to share --- Just look at all this fabric fun.  See y'all around -- perhaps in Waco next year.  Until then, stay creative everyone.