Things to Do

Girls’ Road Trip Alert! Round ‘Em Up for Fun in Round Top, Texas

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Girls’ weekend, road trip alert! Ladies, listen up… if you’re itching to get out of the house or the office, gather up your girls and hit the road to Round Top, Texas, for a weekend of antiquing, arts, and fun at a unique 20-acre compound at Rancho Pillow.

Our Texas Hill Country ladies were invited out by our friends at Chevrolet for a weekend getaway in Round Top on April 6-7, 2018 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Round Top Antiques Fair! We had an amazing time! The weather was typically Texas-unpredictable, but we did manage to enjoy some sunshine when it peaked through the clouds. We started our journey among the miles and miles of roadside bluebonnets, which are spectacular this time of year in central Texas.

Junk Gypsy

Junk Gypsy Store

Photo: Junk Gypsy

When we got into Round Top, we stopped off at Junk Gypsy‘s incredible flagship store. Upon stepping inside, it’s clear to see that you could get lost in the beautiful treasures all around you! As the store owners like to say, “We believe every man’s trash is truly our treasure, junking is a way of life, and garage sales are our Rodeo Drive.”

Junk Gypsy store remodel for Antiques Fair

Photo: Junk Gypsy

And, they had been hard at work, redecorating the entire store to celebrate the huge 50th anniversary of the Antiques Fair. There were treasures everywhere, high and low, almost too much to take in during one visit! Needless to say, we had a wonderful time shopping and picking through all of the “junk” at Junk Gypsy.

Rancho Pillow

We finished out the day and spent the night at the magical Rancho Pillow. Set among the farms and ranches of southeast Texas, Rancho Pillow is a whimsical wonderland that has been a true artistic adventure for owner and designer, Sheila Youngblood. What began as a family compound in 2006 has become a heartfelt landscape that invites all of us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. Poetic and playful, it’s an idyllic shelter for Sheila’s Latin American folk art finds, colorful architectural restorations, and collected curiosities from both worldly travels and years of hunting in her Round Top backyard, according to Rancho Pillow’s website.

The Original Round Top Antiques Fair

On Saturday morning, we attended The Original Round Top Antiques Fair. Their 50th Anniversary is a huge deal here in Round Top and is a history earned through their consistent reputation for unsurpassed quality and unusual, one-of-a-kind antiques. They offer three shows each year: the world-renowned Spring and Fall Antiques Fairs, in their venues, and the newer Winter Antiques Show, in the Big Red Barn. When we stepped through the door in the Big Red Barn, we certainly experienced one of the Best Antique Shows in the nation.

And, just like we were in Junk Gypsy, we knew there was no way we could see all there is to see in one trip. Overwhelming, to say the least! But oh what beautiful old antiques they had on display. We took a few items home (but don’t tell our husbands).

The Road Trip

Chevy Equinox in Bluebonnet Field

Photo: Meg Moorhead

Of course, what road trip would be complete without a fabulous ride? We had a wonderful time driving the 2018 Chevy Equinox! It had all of the bells and whistles for sure. And, naturally, what Hill Country trip would be complete without a photo in the bluebonnets? Yeah, we did.

Just for your curiosity, please check out these Chevy Equinox features:

  • 4G LTE Wi-Fi availability: This feature allows you to stay connected on the road, Skype or video chat, stay on top of work if needed, and stream movies, etc. from the road. Can connect 7 devices at once- that means your family will be entertained and can download movies, TV shows or books to your device on the road without using any data
  • OnStar Technology: OnStar offers Turn-by-Turn Directions with the touch of a button and simply telling an Advisor where you want to go. Directions can also be sent to your in-vehicle navigation system by asking the Advisor to download directions to your vehicle. OnStar AtYourService is a new way to discover value in the places you go, providing you with better ways to eat, shop, and play. AtYourService connects drivers with retailers and merchants on their drive, providing information, convenience and money-saving values tied to their specific destinations. When you’re not driving, get valuable offers delivered directly to your myChevrolet app or through an Advisor with a simple press of the blue OnStar button
  • Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto: Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display- so you can make calls, send/ receive messages and listen to your favorite playlists right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Android Auto is built on Google Maps giving you the ability to talk to Google and use several different apps straight from your cars display screen
  • 360 Surround Vision Camera: Surround Vision, a technology that provides a literal look at the vehicle’s perimeter. This available system uses strategically located cameras on all sides of the vehicle to provide a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, helping drivers quickly view the surrounding area at a glance.
  • myChevrolet Mobile App: The myChevrolet app turns your mobile device into a command center for your vehicle. This app allows you to start/stop your engine and lock/unlock your doors from your smartphone. You can even send destinations to your available navigation system, view diagnostic information, customize Wi-Fi settings and set parking reminders from virtually anywhere.

So, ladies, this is a trip definitely worth taking! Grab your girls, your keys, and take a road trip to Round Top! Take it from your friends at Texas Hill Country.