What better way to enjoy the fall weather then hitting the road and trying something new. There are plenty of places outside of Austin to taste new foods, explore different towns and enjoy the fall weather. The Herald set summer intern Jora Bothun loose to enjoy and experience some communities within about a 30-minute drive from Austin.

LeRoy

Sweets Hotel

Sweets Hotel was one of the first things that caught my attention when I arrived in LeRoy. When I read the sign of the building, I expected assortments of candies and desserts. As I went inside, I realized my assumptions were wrong. I saw tacos, beans, grilled cheese and a variety of other foods being served on the main floor. Sweets Hotel offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, daily specials and a salad bar. From dining next to a fire place, to having a drink at the bar, the Sweets Hotel will offer you just about any thing for a reasonable price.

Not only do they serve delicious food, but they have over a handful of unique styled hotel rooms for customers to stay in. One room that caught my eye when roaming the upstairs rooms was the Shooting Star Suite. The room was painted lavender, accented with mint green. On the side of the room, the sun was beaming through a thin, light colored window curtain that make the room’s colors glow. Each room has its own individual style. They even have a room named the LeRoy Room, decorated in red and white, their school colors.

St. Ansgar

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home was a local shop I went to in St. Ansgar that has just about any thing and every thing. Their  building was established in 1984, in a restored building built in 1872.

This store is a two-story building full of home decor/furnishings, cloths, earth-friendly goods, antiques and more.

They have rustic style displays to country styles. I have never seen a local shop that was so big, had so many things, and stayed organized and well put together.

The top floor consisted mostly of blankets, quilts, pillow cases and clothing. The bedding had all different kinds of colors and styles that you could mix and match.

The bottom floor was mainly home decor, gardening decor, vases and a whole room of candles. Home Sweet home is the perfect place to shop for friends, family or even yourself.

Hayward

Calico Hutch Quilt Shop

Calico Hutch Quilt Shop appeared to be a big hit in Hayward. The whole time I was there, there was a variety of different people of all ages coming in and out of the store. There was about three rooms full of different quilt designs, equipment, threads and more. There were quilts designs for kids, parents, grandparents — you name it.

For all of the items in the store, it was very organized.

Calico Hutch Quilt Shop was established in 1982 and has expanded since then. They now do all kinds of classes, clubs, bus trips, custom quilting and retreats. When talking to one of the workers there, I was told that they have had people from all over the country come into their store. People from Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Florida were all brought up.