Department Retreat...

I had a great time at the Biochemistry's Department Retreat in New Braunfels, TX - it's held every year at the T Bar M Ranch.   As usual, I got lots of flora pictures - except for the grass, these blooms are all very small (less than a couple of inches)...

 

 

 

While the other admins work the registration table...

I spent a lot of time on the phone

working out issues with the local transportation for our invited undergraduates from all over the country (15 this year, competing for the Frank & Sara McKnight Award in Molecular Sciences...)

After a great barbeque dinner, we held the poster session for current students, postdoctoral fellows and the invited undergraduates - I always enjoy that part of the day - I take pictures of the undergraduates and their posters (here's two of them mugging for the photo op)

and I get to hang out with them and learn a little more about them

All 15 were very personable and EXTREMELY bright...such a pleasure to work with them!

The next day, Darlene, Angela, Andrea & I went to the Wimberly TX Market Days, which is a fabulous once-a-month flea market -

We spent several hours there and didn't even come close to seeing it all!

Then we stopped at the San Marcos outlet malls before heading toward San Antonio - where we did even more shopping at the SAS Factory outlet

where I really enjoyed their collection of old vehicles

After that we went on into San Antonio to eat at the Tip Top Cafe - as seen on Food Network's Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives... and, I will admit, I had my doubts, but OMG what GREAT food!!  And a great time!


Amazing Onion Rings and not greasy!

 

Andrea's Chicken Fried Steak was almost as big as the plate and delicious!



Darlene's Fried Chicken was crispy and scrumptious!



And the Fried Fish (Angela and I both had that) was classic wonderful diner food!

 

Darlene & Andrea

Jo & Angela

After getting back to the ranch, we stayed up until 1 a.m. playing UNO...I laughed so hard it hurt!

The next day, Darlene and I treated ourselves to Collins Street Bakery in Corsicana for lunch and got home in the late afternoon.

All in all:  good shopping+good food+good friends = Great Time!

Dave as Flag Bearer...

While I was off at the Department retreat this past weekend, Dave had the opportunity to be one of the flag bearers from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at the dedication of the memorial to Union vesterans at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery on 11/6/11...