Nomadic Texan

    One of Austin’s iconic structures is the Driskill Hotel downtown on sixth street and about a block off Congress Avenue. The hotel was completed in 1866 and was named after a cattle baron named Jesse Driskill. It is filled with western motif and furniture that takes one back to the old days in […]

    In Toronto at #TBEX the #Travel blogger conference this past June, I had the good fortune to finally meet with the Coffee Club. We are a group of six travel bloggers who absolutely love coffee and have a passion beyond the norm, for this magical elixir! We are always trading remarks about who […]

    Who recognizes this airport? It is like my home away from home and I have lost track of how many times I have been in and out of the airport. You could probably blindfold me and I would still be able to navigate the terminals.

    When my three sons were growing up in Austin Texas, they practiced what was called “Mudding” with their vehicles. The young men from their high school would go out on weeknights and weekends and locate a muddy area, that they could drive through and eventually cover their trucks or vehicles with mud.   […]

    Clifford Antone was a very ardent supporter of the Blues Genre and was raised in Port Arthur Texas. Over the years he grew to know and help many a musician down on their luck. Clifford would give a blues player a gig, whether he was popular or not and was the sounding board […]

  The Cilantro Cafe Restaurante in Cuenca is a fabulous place to eat an economical meal. It has daily specials that follow the traditional meal platform, with a soup, entree and dessert for $4.00. It also has a wide array of vegan dishes.     I chose to eat their deluxe hamburger and as most […]

    One afternoon, while I was street walking in Cuenca, I saw this young girl and from the angle it appeared she was getting ready to hop on the motorcycle and go for a ride. I guess one is never too young to dream, imagine and travel! So go for it. Get up off […]

    I am a long time fan of Eggs Benedict and when I feel down, as I was when leaving Cuenca, I had to treat myself. The Eggs Benedict at the California Kitchen are to die for! I have only had one comparable dish and that was at the Royal Sonesta Garden restaurant in […]

  Had to post a photo of my mentor and fiend. She was so instrumental in getting me started and helping me grow my Nomadic Texan travel sites. I saw another post today on Facebook, where she had helped somebody out. This lady possesses an innate ability to help everyone and everybody around her, regardless […]

  Okay I am going to jump out into the sandbox and enter the “Capture the Colour” contest this year. I have never done anything like this, as I am petrified to even submit my photos. When you consider the excellent professionals that are involved I really don’t stand a chance, but what the hell, […]

  I have traveled extensively around the world and had the pleasure of meeting many interesting individuals. I met Colon Campos recently when I ate at his restaurant, the Don Colon  in Cuenca Ecuador. I even wrote a blog describing one of my experiences, entitled Don Colon Rules. Today I received a thank you and […]

  I have always loved flora and fauna and have several plants I am most partial to. One such species is the Australian Tree Fern. I travel extensively, but have never been exposed to so many ferns. I am most partial to this particular plant as a result of its lovely umbrella of fern leaves, […]

  If you travel to Ecuador, there are a vast array of Hostals located in and around Cuenca’s old town. This one is one of the more attractive and clean ones in the city. It also has a Cathedral down the street if you are so inclined. Right at six blocks from the center or […]

I have sampled pizza at many places over the years on my trips to Cuenca and some have been great and others well, not so great! This trip I started eating pizza at a new place. The name of the restaurant is La Fornace and they had an extensive menu that might surprise you. Its […]

  As I walked Cuenca last night, I inevitably had to pass through Parque Caldron. I saw this dramatic photo just waiting for me to shoot and had to take the picture. Cuenca has become like a second home to me and I love the architecture, the people and definitely the food!   I have […]

  I have been debating purchasing one of these hats with the tassels, while I am staying in Cuenca. They are quite popular across all age groups here in Ecuador. They appear to really be a heavy wool and have great flaps to keep your ears warm.   I am just afraid that if I […]

One of the charming factors about being in Cuenca is the Indigenous People and the various and sundry apparel they wear. Each area has a traditional costume and appearance right down to the hat color and style. You can stand near the Parque Calderon on Saturdays and see a myriad of color explosions scurry past […]

One of the true pleasures of Cuenca, is walking the streets of Old Town. I never get tired of performing this activity and it is a great form of exercise for individuals. Each time I go out I have no plans and just start walking in one direction or another with no agenda. Its amazing […]

    One of the common sights one sees when walking the streets of Cuenca, is the fruit vendors selling their wonderful items from a wheelbarrow. I think the wheelbarrow business would be a good business, as the vendors are set up almost every two or three blocks. Mostly locals purchase these items, but occasionally […]

  One of the more strange things you run into on the streets of Cuenca are toilet paper vendors. They have large baskets and simply walk from store to store or even sell to passers by, if they are in need. Most of the public restrooms are not equipped with toilet paper and I would […]