Even though there are amazing European destinations within reach of London to celebrate a 40th birthday, traditions are hard to break. I’d like to say that I was surprised when the hubs told me he wanted to return to Texas Hill Country for his 40th birthday, but I wasn’t. I really wanted him to have his own unique 40th since that was where we celebrated mine. But Texas Hill Country is an annual family tradition and nothing was going to change that. Not even the distance between us. With international planning and logistics coordination, I pulled off a 40th Texas Hill Country birthday party from England. Definitely, a unique Tex-Brit 40th not to forget.
The Concept
A destination weekend to Gruene, Texas centered around a floatilla, country music, and Texas’s own beer, wine, and food.
The RSVP
With a Texas destination party spanning a couple of days, advance notice was required. Emails were sent out 3+ months in advance to book airfare, babysitters, and hotel rooms, with reminders as the weekend approached. Once final numbers were confirmed, a detailed schedule and 40th floatilla goodies started to take shape.
The Meeting Point
With people traveling from Austin and Houston, the meet up starting point was north Hill Country, with beer and wine tasting along the way to the final stop: Gruene, Texas.
Day 1: Driftwood Before Check-In
Salt Lick BBQ – A unique BBQ experience.
Vista Brewing – Great new brewery and restaurant that opened in May 2018. They offer free tours (ask for Amanda) and have a great space for hanging inside or out. And they even channel the Brits with their Hyde Park brew! Though the jalapeño cornbread and Texas corn chowder sound dreamy, it doesn’t beat Salt Lick BBQ. Have BBQ first before starting the tasting part of your day here.
Fall Creek Vineyards – They have a great GSM. 😉 Wine tasting is $20 per person.
Driftwood Estate – Great view but always busy. The bonus at Driftwood is you get to keep your wine glass. Wine tasting is $15 per person.
Duchman Family Winery – Stop here if you have the time for a 4th tasting. Or simply be spontaneous and pop into any of the wineries on your way towards the Gruene Mansion Inn for check-in at 3.
Gruene River Grill – Perfect for dinner located next door to the Inn.
Where to Stay
The Gruene Mansion Inn with its southern daily breakfast spread can’t be beaten. Every room is different from the next. Rocking chairs adorn patios and country music can be heard from every corner of the property. Adjacent to Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, and just minutes away from Rockin’ R, it’s hard to not love the convenience and charm of this old Texas town.
Day 2: The Floatilla
With a float crew of 9, toobs were loaded (reserved in advance), coolers prepped and sunscreen applied before boarding the bus for the drop-off point for the 5-hour float on the Guadalupe River. It’s not a river rafting type float, but a lazy, let’s-get-our-drink-on, and just relax type float. You never know how the river is going to flow every year. It might be fast, insanely slow, or somewhere in between. But it doesn’t matter when you’re hooked up with your floatilla crew taking it all in: people watching, rope swinging, and music pumping. Sure, someone is guaranteed to lose something on a floatilla, but thanks to years of experience, we’ve learned to leave the valuable stuff behind.
The Finale
After 5 hours on a river in the sun, everyone is ready to eat, chill out and get to bed early for departure the next morning. Inferno Pizza is the only way to go with a large crew. And if there is still energy left after that, get tickets for the show at Gruene Hall or simply relax on the Inn patio and listen to the bands from next door. You can’t go wrong either way.
The 40 Factor
Although the charm of Gruene and overall experience is memorable enough, it wouldn’t be perfect without highlighting the reason for the occasion. Every guest received a basket of goodies to celebrate my hubs 40th: personalized sunglasses to wear on the river, personalized mason jars, personalized rhubarb gin from Foxdenton in England (one of our favorite 5 under £5 British foods), English tea, marmite, and paracetamol, of course. Mediterranean fever tree tonic was bought and ready to make our favorite English G&T, for those that wanted one on the spot.
And for my hubs, a personalized hat to wear on each day of his 40th floatilla party.
His big group gift was a Chris Stapleton (also born in 1978) Traveller vinyl signed by all his floatilla friends, to be framed and hung up in his office in England to remember his 40th Texas Hill Country birthday party.
Everything was designed by me and either shipped or carried to Texas, but coordinated in England. It was a challenge but one I had to take on to ensure this years floatilla would be an extra special one.
What Next?
Taking a planning break! Looking forward to the next several birthday years being uneventful ones. 😂 Who knows if we’ll make it across the pond again to Gruene next year, but one thing’s for sure. My hubs 40th Texas Hill Country birthday party with a touch of British is complete. It might have been a bit tricky at times coordinating, but it all worked out. Brilliantly.