tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52495305024541828942024-03-12T21:51:27.957-05:00365 Things To Do In The Texas Hill CountryDaily postings of great things to do in the Texas Hill Country. Events, places to go, things to enjoy, restaurants, lodging, drives, etc.Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-45192306649203029662010-08-04T15:53:00.000-05:002010-08-04T15:53:13.338-05:00#40. Enjoy a series of hilarious crime-spree mystery novels centered in the Texas Hill Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA3aXriEBO5EjEwXExTcGHsnkzj82JcoHbdrxJ-V6SW2BsFFtHY3kZTZiieOtuIkLp4elU2CLt0kSGq4zWiSCTGIsxj_soMfXe9e1B0cN2tB7jCIYmkAcaEKUlPsoGiAEALITE6OUOpw/s1600/buck+fever+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA3aXriEBO5EjEwXExTcGHsnkzj82JcoHbdrxJ-V6SW2BsFFtHY3kZTZiieOtuIkLp4elU2CLt0kSGq4zWiSCTGIsxj_soMfXe9e1B0cN2tB7jCIYmkAcaEKUlPsoGiAEALITE6OUOpw/s320/buck+fever+2.jpg" /></a></div>The fact is that it's pretty darn hot outdoors right now. Days like today remind me to stay in the "AC" and maybe enjoy a great novel, especially one that takes place in the Texas Hill Country. <br />
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Ben Rehder writes some really hilarious mysteries about a game warden in the Texas Hill Country. There are six books in the series, starting with Buck Fever. Here's a description of Buck Fever from Ben's website at http://www.benrehder.com …<br />
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“Blanco County, Texas: It's the week before deer hunting season, as close to a statewide holiday as you get in Texas, and the locals are getting restless. Game Warden John Marlin has his hands full with poaching complaints coming in faster than he can write out-of-season tickets. Then a call of a different sort comes in. A man dressed up in some sort of deer costume has been shot at the Circle S ranch, and witnesses are reporting a massive wild-eyed buck prancing about the pasture in a lovesick frenzy. Marlin's seen a lot in his years, but this is wilder than he could have imagined: the man in the deer suit is a good friend, and the whacked-out whitetail isn't exactly a stranger either. It's the beginning of a mad, frantic weekend in Blanco County, one that will see a few more men shot, an invasion by Colombians with more than hunting on their minds, and damn near the end of Marlin's life. Ben Rehder serves it all up with a huge helping of humor in this debut comic mystery that will firmly establish him as the funniest crime writer in Texas”.<br />
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Ben is a Hill Country boy himself and knows how to write a great story. The series of six novels all take place in Blanco County (the Johnson City area of the Hill Country) and feature the names of cities, creeks, roads and rivers that are actually there. Ben has a talent for capturing the essence of some funny Hill Country personality traits in his characters. <br />
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You can purchase Buck Fever at most book stores, from Ben’s website, or on-line at <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Fever-Blanco-County-Novels/dp/0312992203/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202251600&sr=1-5">http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Fever-Blanco-County-Novels/dp/0312992203/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202251600&sr=1-5</a><br />
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Over the next few months I’ll tell you about other books in Ben’s “Blanco County” series. Want you to have time read each one before I tell you about the next one in the series! <br />
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Good reading!<br />
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-Don Gray <br />
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P.S. This posting was suggested by Cindy Ivy, a friend of “365 Things To Do In The Texas Hill Country”.Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-87940851146863734652010-08-04T09:11:00.000-05:002010-08-04T09:11:11.893-05:00#39. Rabke’s Table Ready Meats, Willow City, TX (near Fredericksburg)A few miles north of Fredericksburg toward Enchanted Rock, and between the little communities of Willow City and Crabapple, you’ll find Rabke’s Table-Ready Meats. The Rabke family has been producing delicious smoked and fresh meats, sausages and cheeses on their ranch since the 1950’s. I love all of their products, but I always gravitate toward the dried sausage, jalapeño cheese beef sticks, and their beef and turkey jerky. Other Rabke products include salami, fresh beef, pork and turkey sausage, smoked boneless turkey breast, smoked hams, whole smoked turkeys, beef sticks, and tamales. Their address is 3875 Eckert Road, Willow City, Texas 78675, just off Lower Crabapple Road. <br />
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A visit to Rabke’s is always fun, especially when you are out for a drive through the Hill Country. Rabke’s is not some large glitzy commercial business. You won’t find large billboards pointing the way to Rabke’s. Rather, their processing/smokehouse facility is located right next door to the Rabke family house on the family ranch. When in the area I always stop and pick up some cheese, dried sausage and jerky to munch on during my drive (plus some extra to take home). It’s a good idea to call first to make sure a Rabke will be there to take care of you, as sometimes they are off-site (a run into town, a calf that needs to drop, etc.). If your travel plans include Enchanted Rock, then be sure and stop by Rabke’s. Rabke’s is located just a few minutes from Enchanted Rock, with Rabke’s being located east of the Crabapple Community. <br />
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Rabke’s is a great source for holiday gift treats. Send Rabke’s your client list and Rabke’s will ship a gift box that is certain to impress. <br />
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Rabke’s began as a family owned and operated turkey hatchery, slaughter facility and processing operation for the sale of fresh and smoked turkey products. Over the years Rabke’s has evolved into a family owned and operated smokehouse, catering, retail, and deer processing business. <br />
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Rabke’s is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country just an hour and a half from Austin and San Antonio. Found thirteen miles out State Highway 16 North from Fredericksburg, then four miles west on Eckert Road, it's a pleasant, beautiful drive. Rabke's also provides custom deer processing; making your venison into delicious German sausage, smoked deer hams, backstrap steaks, salami, jerky, and more. <br />
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Rabke’s also has a deer hunting facility; R Diamond Ranch, right next door. The ranch offers guided, in-season, day hunts on 320 acres of high fenced, game managed land. We have available trophy and management hunts for Fallow, Axis, and Blackbuck Antelope as well as White-Tailed Deer. Call them for details. <br />
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If you can’t make it by Rabke’s, you can always place an order by phone. All you do is look over the list of select items on their website and call to place your phone order. They will do the rest- box, wrap, and enclose a gift card if you choose. Rabke’s offers free delivery to Fredericksburg, Texas or can ship via UPS to other areas. <br />
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Check out the Rabke’s website at <a href="http://www.rabkes.com/">http://www.rabkes.com/</a> <br />
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I’ve been a Rabke’s customer for 20 years or more. Two Rabke’s have passed on during my years as a Rabke customer, and both times it was like losing family for me. They had become true friends. They are just good ordinary hard working people who make an exceptional product. <br />
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Contact Rabke’s at: <br />
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Phone: 830-685-3266 <br />
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Cell Phone: 817-395-3881 <br />
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Think of me when you snap off a peice of dried sausage or slice a thin strip of jeky! <br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-88009899740149163612010-08-03T11:05:00.000-05:002010-08-03T11:05:39.811-05:00#37. Celebrate Whataburger’s 60th birthday with a free burger tonight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuhI8Uj2SnCQGS7gv0FUo_bIbRoUfVmHjm56aSaoz1NX0x4FmvKjcyjka2PxP1hvX3OuGfZLVy3NlRSaM-tU_Zp_5C-OUdN3lAscTuKLteQaE1oTKgK5k-YijOu93Vy1KmfWbS6NCapk/s1600/wbs-60yrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuhI8Uj2SnCQGS7gv0FUo_bIbRoUfVmHjm56aSaoz1NX0x4FmvKjcyjka2PxP1hvX3OuGfZLVy3NlRSaM-tU_Zp_5C-OUdN3lAscTuKLteQaE1oTKgK5k-YijOu93Vy1KmfWbS6NCapk/s320/wbs-60yrs.jpg" /></a></div>Sixty years ago today, Texas entrepreneur Harmon Dobson opened a small burger stand in Corpus Christi and called it Whataburger because he believed that’s what customers would say when they took a bite of his big, fresh, made-to-order burgers.<br />
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Today, Whataburger is a southern burger icon with more than 700 locations in 10 states. To mark the occasion and to thank its millions of loyal fans, the company will host “Orange Night Out” at most of its restaurants on Tuesday, August 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Every dine-in customer who comes dressed in the company’s signature orange will receive a free Whataburger.<br />
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You'll find Whataburger locations all over the Texas Hill Country (but you already know that!) <br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-82212325137305779012010-08-03T10:04:00.000-05:002010-08-03T10:04:17.652-05:00#35. The Shade Tree Saloon in Spring Branch, TX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7gOl4oY40wXjvatUtd6IfNMbsH7kXFOpPMX6uGiEAPbssSMHpA_8fMbW-B0dyZmEmXd3aJWxLlRloUndeF9LyfatbXVVFqHVpZe500W3ppJmyNJFHoISDk9AYed81IIKe3xIKzMoUpg/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7gOl4oY40wXjvatUtd6IfNMbsH7kXFOpPMX6uGiEAPbssSMHpA_8fMbW-B0dyZmEmXd3aJWxLlRloUndeF9LyfatbXVVFqHVpZe500W3ppJmyNJFHoISDk9AYed81IIKe3xIKzMoUpg/s320/002.JPG" /></a></div>The Shade Tree Saloon in Spring Branch, TX is a place you feel at home at. It has the feel of a traditional Hill Country ice house, complete with roll-up doors, pool tables and a shuffleboard table. And they often feature live music. They serve lunch and dinner too! You’ll find it on Highway 281, just north of the Guadalupe River Bridge (between where Highways 46 and 306 intersect 281).<br />
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Their beer list includes all of the domestics and a wide array of imports, including imports on tap. The Shade Tree also takes care of the vino folks and the “set-up” crowd. <br />
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I enjoyed a really good home-style cheeseburger and fries at the Shade Tree. But their menu also features shrimp poor boys, philly cheese steak sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches, catfish sandwiches, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, tater tots, dressed up spuds, and salads. They offer a large assortment of appetizers, including fried calamari. And the service was also great, complete with a server who kindly laughed at my comments and enjoyed a fun round of verbal jousting with me. <br />
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The Shade Tree would be a great place to visit after enjoying the nearby Guadalupe River (swimming, tubing, canoeing or kayaking). That’d be my kind of day and how I will do it next time there. <br />
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I don’t often include comments about bathrooms, but the men’s room had a special twist. It was scented with a fragrance that smelled just like a vanilla cake coming out of the oven! Except for the traditional bathroom facilities, I thought I was in my grandmother’s kitchen on baking day! Not many places got that going for them! <br />
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The Shade Tree is also dog friendly (in the outdoor areas). <br />
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Website: http://www.theshadetreesaloonandgrill.com/<br />
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-Don Gray<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsnPPyFJjYb6EPn-V2ZWlYb9yKauQlDYHT8zENgfwaZw16-ReGoblgXgf4Su7rF_0D0QF2fAUDaVJ8GNZSM9dOokRPRBUc83X1Jr72PHnq3bb4OXDijLwPhy_2mGDXOTKfFlzkJSWqQE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsnPPyFJjYb6EPn-V2ZWlYb9yKauQlDYHT8zENgfwaZw16-ReGoblgXgf4Su7rF_0D0QF2fAUDaVJ8GNZSM9dOokRPRBUc83X1Jr72PHnq3bb4OXDijLwPhy_2mGDXOTKfFlzkJSWqQE/s320/001.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyWpbdld3IqpE9-LwwmUnFQTfzgXXErilGLl4pblsXqgNWxWthqhPrbSsxzMZ_oQJ_HdL191vcwNGAaJTt4R2UNrovrmHhmo632qy9-Sn1u-TCSryN_K0DyCFJiKHd07k7Z8AQM0ELss/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyWpbdld3IqpE9-LwwmUnFQTfzgXXErilGLl4pblsXqgNWxWthqhPrbSsxzMZ_oQJ_HdL191vcwNGAaJTt4R2UNrovrmHhmo632qy9-Sn1u-TCSryN_K0DyCFJiKHd07k7Z8AQM0ELss/s320/013.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2XCeaPZIreIt5uE2d-ZL3DLlekFGNdmVrhtJ03j6gjYemZLXuld-2bBCvE506CArSoyK-4nhZAwH1xCF9qZME7TMmtKpbrrVY8_jsTKcDbRYKFYa8Yc4S7DOo9TFua1RtyrSFK9zEeU/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2XCeaPZIreIt5uE2d-ZL3DLlekFGNdmVrhtJ03j6gjYemZLXuld-2bBCvE506CArSoyK-4nhZAwH1xCF9qZME7TMmtKpbrrVY8_jsTKcDbRYKFYa8Yc4S7DOo9TFua1RtyrSFK9zEeU/s320/012.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajOXUGt657dsvvUh_LW51GTz2GFRZjvLbAmXkxWeVptcIco7JEOCCgLojb34JQF6KG5zaBG3gK0LIQJj1T7lE45qh6MMIQJxjZPva8ibC9PGwWTXCv1q79x6Rv89JudkeWcdG0-KL_M0/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajOXUGt657dsvvUh_LW51GTz2GFRZjvLbAmXkxWeVptcIco7JEOCCgLojb34JQF6KG5zaBG3gK0LIQJj1T7lE45qh6MMIQJxjZPva8ibC9PGwWTXCv1q79x6Rv89JudkeWcdG0-KL_M0/s320/014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhglZLNz19ZYWkNK2kWEYsOg4K9s3VYLfR8GSpirvExQEeL0Efsps3An2PcGPDBoG1srDYoJk9TDUVnzwU3m4gQi0OL5nrQC3Lrf-9JZnYOsw3tnuRsZnm-RGfq17KDU_cyAjJakbcsMI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhglZLNz19ZYWkNK2kWEYsOg4K9s3VYLfR8GSpirvExQEeL0Efsps3An2PcGPDBoG1srDYoJk9TDUVnzwU3m4gQi0OL5nrQC3Lrf-9JZnYOsw3tnuRsZnm-RGfq17KDU_cyAjJakbcsMI/s320/015.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgARQsSrK6Fqc1yKQIJ5YdlYmgHL1rR1bR2HZSg2AYxYb5G2aWldns1lPVMm-lNjs46G4vdcOsSaNyLOnokY30Mvd0Sp90pK8go5glj5aE00h_UJB2DXMUDIo5-BcS9pYxKDz1aKyJuIM/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgARQsSrK6Fqc1yKQIJ5YdlYmgHL1rR1bR2HZSg2AYxYb5G2aWldns1lPVMm-lNjs46G4vdcOsSaNyLOnokY30Mvd0Sp90pK8go5glj5aE00h_UJB2DXMUDIo5-BcS9pYxKDz1aKyJuIM/s320/016.JPG" /></a></div>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-18807170649349484582010-08-02T12:38:00.001-05:002010-08-02T12:57:32.352-05:00#34. The Eckert/James River Bat Cave near Mason, TX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73WLBqkoy0gsKnRFuHj3tdnla5GaPyU7jt9fkqfAPfUjTJjRdIPd1QQEXx_Y988Z7N7nbruM8BB4LPl4l26TD3QnDMs033CzlaKlOcGqH_yyux2dSIMbmO_3kEhLkngolvyI4KUiS8OY/s1600/ry=4006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73WLBqkoy0gsKnRFuHj3tdnla5GaPyU7jt9fkqfAPfUjTJjRdIPd1QQEXx_Y988Z7N7nbruM8BB4LPl4l26TD3QnDMs033CzlaKlOcGqH_yyux2dSIMbmO_3kEhLkngolvyI4KUiS8OY/s320/ry=4006.jpg" /></a></div>Since bat caves seem to be the topic of current interest, here’s a posting about another great Hill Country bat cave. <br />
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A gorgeous country road drive will take you to the Eckert/James River Bat Cave about thirty minutes southwest of Mason, TX. The Eckert/James River Bat Cave Preserve is one of the largest bat nurseries in the country. About 4 million female bats inhabit the site from May through September. Most of these are pregnant when they arrive. In the Bat Cave, females give birth to a single pup in June or July. The young bats grow rapidly and are able to fly at about five weeks of age. However, they will remain with their mothers until they return to Mexico in October. <br />
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The Bat Cave is owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy offers public viewing on weekends during the season. The preserve is open from mid-May to early October for interpretive tours. These tours run Thursday-Sunday, from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Some sunrise tours of the bats returning from their nocturnal hunts also are offered. The preserve is open to visitors each summer. There is a $5 entrance fee. Children 5 and under are free.<br />
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An hour or two before sunset, hundreds of bats flutter and chirp around the mouth of the cave. Slowly, a stream of bats emerges and flies in a large circle, low to the ground, just outside the cave entrance. These bats gradually spiral upwards and form a dark funnel of flying mammals, reaching several hundred feet into the evening sky. The bats at the top of the spiral break off, forming columns that stream out over the countryside. This seemingly impossible torrent of bats forms a densely packed "bat tornado" for about an hour.<br />
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Richard Phillip Eckert and Virginia Eckert Garrett donated the cave to The Nature Conservancy in honor of their father, Lee Eckert, and grandfather, W. Phillip Eckert. The Eckert family acquired the property in 1907 when W. Phillip purchased the ranch on which the cave was located. In the early 1900s, W. Phillip mined the bat guano in the cave and sold it to local farmers for crop fertilizer. W. Phillip's son, Lee Eckert, continued his father's legacy of bat conservation and guano mining and left the site to his wife and children when he passed away in 1967.<br />
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This generation of Eckert’s wanted to ensure permanent protection of the bats, so in 1990 they donated the cave to the Conservancy on condition that the land around the cave remain open to the public for enjoyment and education, as it had been for more than 100 years.<br />
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The management plan developed by Bat Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy prevents human entrance to the cave during maternal activity, controls visitation, monitors the bat population and protects the cave opening. Scientific research continues at the site and the cave remains open to scientists throughout most of the year. <br />
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Along the way to the cave I strongly suggest three stops. First, stop at Cooper’s BBQ on highway 87 in Mason, next to the Super S grocery store. Pick up some of the best BBQ in Texas to enjoy on your drive to the cave. Second, don’t miss the “Todd Mountain” historical marker on FM 2389 that tells the story of an Indian kidnapping that occurred at this spot in 1864. That kidnapping became the story for the classic John Wayne movie “The Searchers”. Third, stop and swim in the Llano River where FM 2389 crosses the river. You can park on the gravel island in the river and enjoy the clear cool river. Be sure and wear water shoes to protect your feet. <br />
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Prepare for your visit by calling (325) 347-5970 during the season or (512) 263-8878 otherwise. <br />
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It is wise to phone ahead to obtain local weather conditions and updates concerning the James River, as you will need to drive through the river to reach the cave. This river is affected by flash flooding. Please note that the flood gauge normally reads 1 foot (even though the actual water height is about ten inches when the sign reads 1 foot). Although higher clearance SUVs and pickup trucks are the preferred vehicles to cross the river, if the flood gauge is at 1 foot or below, most vehicles should be able to make the crossing (other than low vehicles like Corvettes). Use your own judgment based upon knowledge of your individual vehicle. Do not make the crossing if the flood gauge is above 1 foot or higher.) Download PDF map and directions or see the directions below:<br />
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Start from the southeast side of Mason town square on Highway 87 South. It is about 16.5 miles to the preserve. Follow Highway 87 about 1 mile to FM 1723. If you pass the city park on the left, you have gone too far. Turn right on FM 1723. Follow FM 1723 for about 2.4 miles to FM 2389. Follow FM 2389 for about 4.8 miles to James River Road. You will cross two bridges over the Llano River just before you reach James River Road (you can park o the island between these bridges and enjoy a nice swim!). Turn right on James River road. It is about 8.3 miles to the preserve. Watch for deer and cattle on this road. The pavement will end about half way through and will then be driving on dirt road. Continue on the James River road to the James River crossing. Before you reach the James River, you will pass the Dalton J. Woods paved turnoff to the right; do not turn, continue straight through this intersection. Cross the James River. The roadway actually fords the river. Drive slowly. When crossing the river, you will see small waterfalls to your right. If you stay near those waterfalls (careful not to go to the right of them) the water level is constant all the way across the river and the river bottom is hard rock all the way across. Although it can be slick at times, it is crossable. Caution: This river is affected by flash flooding. Continue along the James River road about a 1/2 mile until the road turns a sharp left; the gated entrance to the preserve is on the right at this curve. Follow the road to the parking lot.<br />
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The drive from Mason to the cave takes about 30 minutes without stops. There is no opportunity to purchase fuel along the drive from Mason to the cave, so be sure and buy fuel in Mason. <br />
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Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNo5AuRH2To<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>-Don Gray <br />
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P.S. Here's some photos taken along the drive from Mason to the Bat Cave...<br />
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The “Devil’s Sinkhole” near Rocksprings, TX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-92lZOaV5sFf1Xb-wns9duuStQFIAytKpq9hv6oYbBNc5eKcJkNzJMG1YR2kzlnXLGuuYIE1ll7DI6qjsr0CmqKXcL7ETnmLGUzn6G3Qcu4HbBB5bJLOEOmJmpLx-nBSeS8Tq09hsv9A/s1600/Devil'sSinkhole27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-92lZOaV5sFf1Xb-wns9duuStQFIAytKpq9hv6oYbBNc5eKcJkNzJMG1YR2kzlnXLGuuYIE1ll7DI6qjsr0CmqKXcL7ETnmLGUzn6G3Qcu4HbBB5bJLOEOmJmpLx-nBSeS8Tq09hsv9A/s320/Devil'sSinkhole27.jpg" /></a></div>Imagine discovering a huge dark vertical hole in the ground some 50-60 feet across. You walk apprehensively to the edge of the hole, lay down on your stomach and peer over the rock edge to discover that the bottom of the hole is REALLY deep (close to 361 feet deep). As your vision adjusts to the hole, you see that the bottom of the hole is much larger than its mouth, some 250 feet by 450 feet. You also see a large cone shaped pile of rock, some 200 feet tall, rising up from the center of the cavern floor. The pile of rock consists of remains from the roof of the cavern after it collapsed into the cave to create the surface hole you are peering through. At the base of the rock pile you notice two small lakes filled with crystal clear water. <br />
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A man by the name of Ammon Billings experienced this find in 1876, but he was not the first discover the hole. Man has visited this hole since at least 2,500-4,000 B.C. Now it’s your turn to discover the sinkhole. <br />
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The Devil’s Sinkhole is a collapsed underground cave in the Texas Hill Country near Rocksprings. It is the main drawing card to the 1,800 acre Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (DSSNA). The sinkhole is the summer home to one to four million Mexican Free-tailed bats (up to three times more bats than Austin’s Congress Ave. Bridge). It is an amazing sight at sundown when the bats begin to come out, a trickling out at first in handfulls, then more and more until they become a swirling mass, like a “tornado” of bats reaching upward in the sky.<br />
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Visitors are shuttled from a meeting location in the town of Rocksprings to peer down into the sinkhole’s mouth. The Rocksprings Visitors Center serves as the meeting spot. The Visitors Center is located on the town square at 101 N. Sweeten Street in Rocksprings. Rocksprings is located at the junction of State Highway 55 and US Highway 377 on the western edge of the Hill Country, south of IH 10.<br />
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<strong>Four types of DSSNA tours are offered.</strong> <br />
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1. <strong>Evening bat flight tours</strong> are available to the public from May to mid-October, Wednesday through Sunday evenings. Space is limited, so call ahead for reservations. Evening bat tours leave from Rocksprings about 45 minutes before the bats are expected to emerge and then return to town about two hours later. <br />
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2. <strong>Afternoon sinkhole tours</strong> are available to see the sinkhole from a viewing platform located on the edge of the sinkhole, but the bat flight will not been seen during the afternoon tours. The afternoon tours are conducted from January through October. There is no regular afternoon schedule; so you must arrange your tour several days in advance.<br />
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3. <strong>Guided walking tours</strong> of the DSSNA are offered two Saturdays a month, January through October. Reservations for walking tours are required and special group tours can be arranged with prior notice. Walking tours meet in Rocksprings about 10:00 am. and leave about 10:15am. <br />
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4. <strong>Birding tours</strong> are also offered by reservation on the first and third Saturday’s of each month, January through October. The Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area has nesting sites for black-capped vireo, Montezuma quail, and many other birds. The birding tour involves a walk of about a mile on fairly level undeveloped ranch paths. People taking the bird tour must be ten years old or older. <br />
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The Devil’s Sinkhole SNA was established by Texas Parks & Wildlife in 1985. Minimal development was completed in September 1996 to include picnic sites, a chemical toilet, and some trail development. A wheelchair accessible viewing platform is now available and allows visitors to look down into the sinkhole.<br />
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Spanish speaking guides are available for each type of tour, but such tours must be arranged several days in advance. <br />
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To arrange tours, call 830 683-BATS or 830-683-2287. <br />
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<strong>Evening Tour Fees (Bats)</strong><br />
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Adults— $12 <br />
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Child 4 to 11—$6<br />
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Over 65—$10<br />
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Children under 4—Free<br />
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<strong>Afternoon Tour Fee (No bats)</strong><br />
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$6 per person<br />
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Children under 4 years old—Free<br />
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Minimum 5 persons or $30<br />
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Web sites: <br />
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<a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/devils_sinkhole/">http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/devils_sinkhole/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.devilssinkhole.org/">http://www.devilssinkhole.org/</a><br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-1257404989000242782010-07-30T12:48:00.000-05:002010-07-30T12:48:20.453-05:00#32. The World Famous "Blue Bonnet Cafe" in Marble Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb72HXh2f6N8YgKcoF-LWrM_9pYkaw_Hwyixu5F6PH7zFdmH2tqWKoFGAc1PVuyXW8vuXC-26DQ0MLrf3rNY5JrZ5lKkwBjCBXUDTQj3eA-ajMxH9dgkpRypYhE0hvCvtVoSuFX1k9LY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb72HXh2f6N8YgKcoF-LWrM_9pYkaw_Hwyixu5F6PH7zFdmH2tqWKoFGAc1PVuyXW8vuXC-26DQ0MLrf3rNY5JrZ5lKkwBjCBXUDTQj3eA-ajMxH9dgkpRypYhE0hvCvtVoSuFX1k9LY/s320/009.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Is there anyone left in the world who has not enjoyed the Blue Bonnet Café? Fresh home-style food at its best! Where you can enjoy breakfast from opening til closing with food served by the “tops” in friendly waitresses. Where around 26,000 eggs are cracked each month to take care of hungry customers! Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Blue Bonnet have been a Hill Country tradition for close to 81 years now. <br />
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Did’ja know that the Blue Bonnet is named after a woman’s bonnet and not after the flower? Hence, the “two words” in the name Blue Bonnet.<br />
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The Blue Bonnet’s breakfast menu includes eggs, omelets, french toast, pancakes, biscuits, sausage, biscuits and gravy to die for and of course, crispy hash browns. Lunch and dinner features chicken-fried steak, grilled steaks, liver and onions, pot roast, ground steaks, fried catfish, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and Mexican plates. And the Blue Bonnet is well-known for its wonderfully tasty yeast rolls!<br />
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Pies are the BIG thing at the Blue Bonnet. And when ordering a slice, you get a HUGE slice! The pie selection includes apple, cherry, peach, pecan, fudge, chocolate meringue, lemon meringue, coconut meringue, and peanut butter. Pies ”to go” are priced at $12. 95. <br />
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John and Belinda Kempner have owned the Blue Bonnet since February 1981. The Blue Bonnet first opened in 1925 and opened at its present location in 1946. <br />
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Hours: Monday through Thursday – 6 AM to-8 PM, Friday and Saturday – 6 AM to 9 PM, Sunday 6AM to 1:45 PM. Pie Happy Hour 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Breakfast served from opening to closing. No credit cards, but an ATM machine is on site. <br />
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You’ll find the Blue Bonnet at 211 Hwy 281 in Marble Falls, close to the 281 bridge over Lake Marble Falls. And you’ll see Blue Bonnet Café t-shirts all over the world worn by folks anxious to return to the Hill Country for a great meal at the Blue Bonnet. <br />
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-Don Gray <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj47EVe0pNG687bwpvehXAX0jL4I5L1bhtrPtZj63ZwtZohCEQHvpodUKKuuWRUWogEPzo3AbvW7iVcoKiGzxyRQ4B53j0gvp7AAhsfdz4EAqmcfUEfUP6rneOW5uXC2lIfjpe5YrTVI/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj47EVe0pNG687bwpvehXAX0jL4I5L1bhtrPtZj63ZwtZohCEQHvpodUKKuuWRUWogEPzo3AbvW7iVcoKiGzxyRQ4B53j0gvp7AAhsfdz4EAqmcfUEfUP6rneOW5uXC2lIfjpe5YrTVI/s320/019.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liver & Onions</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyfyVUggjZSqVjXY-gUWfVw7WpWyYrElIJRYqtpBHCPOk1GI8lAt60FOxweSZpIc866lwT-lL2eX-pjlV6CF_vAPq933wxGXCa2VGr8ROOxg7nQgUqfgFtNZjE2QiPvNRchSbkhtz0i0/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyfyVUggjZSqVjXY-gUWfVw7WpWyYrElIJRYqtpBHCPOk1GI8lAt60FOxweSZpIc866lwT-lL2eX-pjlV6CF_vAPq933wxGXCa2VGr8ROOxg7nQgUqfgFtNZjE2QiPvNRchSbkhtz0i0/s320/021.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service with a smile!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP4j2bhU4urYKKReOulegFEHxjhPiv4NFld4eoefbg7Tu4M1Yk6jqSkoScQdZocp-I3L3Wqbv8CNZgRooWByCSrZod9JQePqQMhN3zBmihbbbgQO8jU7fzHpdmC1BtnF8mp1zGa8ScI4/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP4j2bhU4urYKKReOulegFEHxjhPiv4NFld4eoefbg7Tu4M1Yk6jqSkoScQdZocp-I3L3Wqbv8CNZgRooWByCSrZod9JQePqQMhN3zBmihbbbgQO8jU7fzHpdmC1BtnF8mp1zGa8ScI4/s320/010.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc3V_5XdoAAh5e-o-hsepU0ARgqH9cOPYqJmxSlhQvNcKknmY0BLWfDz9UJg8RZWfab77uJ_urXgARMriC_QILm4ZbmjPmPz3dTMLaFTN039tGqZZtp-oVwEq8DTLRwF6JkvuwjTwNaA/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc3V_5XdoAAh5e-o-hsepU0ARgqH9cOPYqJmxSlhQvNcKknmY0BLWfDz9UJg8RZWfab77uJ_urXgARMriC_QILm4ZbmjPmPz3dTMLaFTN039tGqZZtp-oVwEq8DTLRwF6JkvuwjTwNaA/s320/011.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBgAVy5fZ46d-tu648eo1-AryFtSAwJG1AyAqHiyzVSohAtDxTKtaWyNv-Z1xIOzGWnMDditpPSjcswxCWMzl55YtXrmPv0eVg5tqHVBeqzpnH4BwvUzSNYBIudWZlw3WEptfwTaBd4g/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBgAVy5fZ46d-tu648eo1-AryFtSAwJG1AyAqHiyzVSohAtDxTKtaWyNv-Z1xIOzGWnMDditpPSjcswxCWMzl55YtXrmPv0eVg5tqHVBeqzpnH4BwvUzSNYBIudWZlw3WEptfwTaBd4g/s320/014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue9aqkCpNc_N78OQd4mIglMmqudFimDuJFl73yImrvB8lGawNnWbJSWwTSDSTHskjiMJj_hPiT7w_YqYyIQ90vwSEJ0ArKXFhi4y_qbO-AJ9wdN04LfVgfcU8CVo_iedztQhMnUk4hJI/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue9aqkCpNc_N78OQd4mIglMmqudFimDuJFl73yImrvB8lGawNnWbJSWwTSDSTHskjiMJj_hPiT7w_YqYyIQ90vwSEJ0ArKXFhi4y_qbO-AJ9wdN04LfVgfcU8CVo_iedztQhMnUk4hJI/s320/020.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pot Roast </div>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-58961727907512701282010-07-29T16:43:00.003-05:002010-07-29T16:44:05.831-05:00#31. Fredericksburg's streets spell out “All Welcome” and “Come Back”Interesting fact: The first letters of streets intersecting Fredericksburg’s Main Street heading southeast from the center of town spell "ALL WELCOME" (Adams, Llano, Lincoln, Washington, Elk, Lee, Columbus, Olive, Mesquite, and Eagle). The first letters of streets intersecting Main Street heading northwest from the center of town spell "COME BACK"(Crockett, Orange, Milam, Edison, Bowie, Acorn, Cherry, and Kay).<br />
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It’s a friendly town for sure. <br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-88497861103107158452010-07-29T15:20:00.000-05:002010-07-29T15:20:33.906-05:00#30. Get filled up at "Porky's" in Fredericksburg. You’ll love it!Ready for some of the best onion rings and burgers in the greater Hill Country? Then head to Porky’s in Fredericksburg. I do my best to make a stop at Porky’s every time I’m in Fburg. <br />
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Porky’s is known for their onion rings, burgers and hand-cut fries. But you’ll also find pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ’ed meat loaf, chicken fried steaks, pork cutlets, muffaletta sandwiches, etc. <br />
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Porky's is located in an old wooden house at 904 W. Main Street (north side of the street) at the west end of Fburg where parking is not a problem, near the intersection of Highways 290 and 87, near to the post office. Enjoy the shaded parking lot there. <br />
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Porky’s hours are 11-4 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; 11-8 on Thursday. & Friday. Closed on Sunday. If you are passing through town and in a hurry, then phone in your order to (830) 997-6882 and they’ll have it ready for you to pick up. <br />
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Porky’s has been around for close to 13 years now. Russ and Sue Engelhardt own and operate Porky’s. You’ll find them behind the counter taking care of customers. Tell’em “hi” for me.<br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-17648967949707302452010-07-28T10:10:00.000-05:002010-07-28T10:10:44.661-05:00#29. Enjoy Kevin Fowler at "Harperfest 2010", Saturday, August 7th in Harper, TX, USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyC467dy1z3nm-spUcsf3_wzoBZN9Q4Pn_IwN7yhwQ-B743A6_mLHuYatEehwHy7QvYP6ZyZ2x1Tdz0LWkF8vJPstdWKEMSWaVd9f_2sEdDlTEhI_gx2JTNK4MfVgzd24lgU0VLoXZtQ/s1600/harper2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyC467dy1z3nm-spUcsf3_wzoBZN9Q4Pn_IwN7yhwQ-B743A6_mLHuYatEehwHy7QvYP6ZyZ2x1Tdz0LWkF8vJPstdWKEMSWaVd9f_2sEdDlTEhI_gx2JTNK4MfVgzd24lgU0VLoXZtQ/s320/harper2010.jpg" /></a></div>Harper is a neat little hill country town just west of Fredericksburg on Highway 290. Kevin Fowler has a ranch near there and now puts on an annual concert in Harper. I met Kevin though our mutual interest in archery and my son and Kevin have become good friends. He’s a first class person with a great talent for country music. His hits include “Ain’t Drinking Anymore”, “Pound Sign”, 100% Texan til I Die”, and “Biggest Mistake I Ever Made”. Kevin wrote “Long Line of Losers” (recorded by Montgomery Gentry) , Beer, Bait & Ammo” (recorded by Sammy Kershaw), and “The Lord Loves A Drinking Man” (recorded by Mark Chesnutt). Kevin was born and raised in Amarillo but lives in the Hill Country by choice. <br />
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The outdoor concert will be at the Community Park in Harper. You can enter as early as 7 PM for the show that begins at 8:30. Pre-show tickets are $17. The pre-sale tickets allow you a quick entry into the event. Tickets are $20 at the entrance. You can purchase pre-show tickets on line at http://www.kevinfowler.com/ <br />
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The parking spots at the Community Park will fill pretty quick that evening. You will find additional parking at the school nearby with a lighted walking path from football field to park. No ice chests or bottles allowed. Main gate will have separate line for presale tickets. Concessions available. <br />
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Harper Community Park is at the intersection of Hwy 290 W and RR 783 S, across from Dauna's Corner Store. <br />
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Hope to see you there. <br />
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-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-49215072013454731522010-07-27T13:35:00.001-05:002010-07-27T14:29:08.439-05:00#28. Enjoy the nectar of Hill Country flowers with a jar of Fain’s natural raw honey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKQZayGlbORwSVSbT1ta-cdFHZcE55UJ8OF-fzC9MWJeiCVL1z7jHzPzdmYCAWkfH6MBROIuVqDJ_IpQcyt8RQBNub8hyphenhyphenQZCrGQfgBZyG64PEJwTp9mRouIDjc_Cbeb0bngcWVQlk8gY/s1600/fains+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKQZayGlbORwSVSbT1ta-cdFHZcE55UJ8OF-fzC9MWJeiCVL1z7jHzPzdmYCAWkfH6MBROIuVqDJ_IpQcyt8RQBNub8hyphenhyphenQZCrGQfgBZyG64PEJwTp9mRouIDjc_Cbeb0bngcWVQlk8gY/s320/fains+honey.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Fain's Honey Store</strong> south of Llano specializes in 100% Texas Hill Country honey. That is, honey made from bees who pollinate Texas Hill Country flowers, primarily the flowers of “bee brush” found all over the Llano area. Bee brush produces tiny white, incredibly sweet smelling flowers after each rain. The honey it produces is considered by many to be the most delicious honey of all, tasting just like the flowers smell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fain’s has always been a family business. The business has been in operation since 1926. It is now owned by Keith Fain, the third in the line of Fains to own the business. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most enjoyable way to get Fain’s honey is to visit the store south of Llano, open 9-5, except closed for the noon hour, weekedays. There, you can personally select from 9 cremed honey spreads (also called creamed honey), natural raw honey, sorghum molasses, and ribbon cane syrup to custom build your own gift box... or choose from several pre-selected, unique Texas honey gift boxes. Fain’s produces it’s famed cremed honey in several delicious flavors: pecan, amaretto pecan, almond, lemon, cinnamon, jalapeño, peach, and peach amaretto. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can’t get to the store, you can order on line or find Fain’s at HEB grocery store. Fain’s Honey is a great, unique gift (Texas gift or birthday gift) for someone special. Visit Fain’s website at http://www.fainshoney.com/</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fain’s is located two miles south of Llano on Highway 16, eastside of the highway. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM, closed for the lunch hour, Mondays through Friday only. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a trip to Fain’s for me…you’ll be glad you did. And I sure wouldn’t complain if you dropped a jar off for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Don Gray </span>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-31525257914142832562010-07-27T10:21:00.000-05:002010-07-27T10:21:08.789-05:00#27. The Hill Top Café near Fredericksburg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY9BdVUUjy8pSTOf4WEl7Vl_tJqnozpQbIce_elYFtHXcRLv81uuuuQ8aORjpsrzHMjs12R6yEihIiBJCggOgkObH_ciAPRJyJNfdC1SlrhLRTv-RQAM6IzMeOWyfmhGCsLC7IcIgOYY/s1600/hilltop+good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY9BdVUUjy8pSTOf4WEl7Vl_tJqnozpQbIce_elYFtHXcRLv81uuuuQ8aORjpsrzHMjs12R6yEihIiBJCggOgkObH_ciAPRJyJNfdC1SlrhLRTv-RQAM6IzMeOWyfmhGCsLC7IcIgOYY/s320/hilltop+good.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfjA5-SrnRhcHqnJPUbqpvdlTb7cgzQq92jZd8vEO1eA4ujIxZc_U0sfbg-rtO8NnDgE2J-4M5RLqniES7oibzAsZ9z9_Lg4QJEd-MUYT0Hf4MceNyzcHa-BBWRo8P4VEJzg2LRwZ7zY/s1600/hilltopjam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfjA5-SrnRhcHqnJPUbqpvdlTb7cgzQq92jZd8vEO1eA4ujIxZc_U0sfbg-rtO8NnDgE2J-4M5RLqniES7oibzAsZ9z9_Lg4QJEd-MUYT0Hf4MceNyzcHa-BBWRo8P4VEJzg2LRwZ7zY/s320/hilltopjam.jpg" /></a></div>It might not look like it from the outside, but the Hill Top cafe north of Fredericksburg is a first-class restaurant that features Louisiana, Greek and Hill Country cooking and some of the most authentic blues music you’ll ever hear. Johnny Nicholas and Brenda Schlaudt (husband/wife team) opened the Hill Top back in the 80’s. The Greek specialties reflect Johnny’s heritage, the Louisiana dishes reflect Brenda’s roots in Port Arthur. The live “blues” music comes from Johnny’s days as a well-known blues performer. <br />
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The café is actually an old gas station that has been transformed to be a diamond in the Texas Hill Country. The Hill Top is a true “destination” experience. Many folks actually plan trips to Fburg for the primary purpose of dining at the Hill Top and then to enjoy everything else that Fburg has to offer. <br />
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You’ll find the Hill Top on Highway 87, ten miles north of Fburg. It’s a popular place, so for weekend evening meals you’ll need to make reservations several days in advance. An evening at the Hill Top is an experience in itself. I like to say “If you haven’t taken her to the Hill Top, you don’t deserve her!”. <br />
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The evening fare includes fresh salads, fried shrimp, Greek tenderloin, flounder, pork chops, crab cakes, and chicken fried steak (plus music!!). And it’s a sin not to taste the Hill Top’s gumbo, fried oysters and homemade pies. Lunch at the Hill Top offers juicy burgers, poor boys, sandwiches, boudin, gumbo, and of course, gyros. <br />
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The Hill Top is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch (11 AM to 2 PM) and dinner (5 PM to 9 PM except to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday). <br />
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For reservations call: 830-997-8922. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Check out their website at http://www.hilltopcafe.com</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-Don Gray </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5e_XyWOLEyyQHRPy8WK0w6eb16S_QHl9GRTkiwCIZwTOuKttccJPGlEKWr90ZDGH7uu9XOVpmO4Q2kDuiKZY68cLenx7fvA6xJgySXjAFrrOOfuSjLls8wEF1O7abr43vTEIjHka178/s1600/hill+top+images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5e_XyWOLEyyQHRPy8WK0w6eb16S_QHl9GRTkiwCIZwTOuKttccJPGlEKWr90ZDGH7uu9XOVpmO4Q2kDuiKZY68cLenx7fvA6xJgySXjAFrrOOfuSjLls8wEF1O7abr43vTEIjHka178/s320/hill+top+images.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-70112188915210221552010-07-25T17:05:00.000-05:002010-07-25T17:05:36.815-05:00#26. Go “Topaz” hunting! Find your own Topaz gemstones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5QYuYFqoyCTlYQBh5eiidZ8X3g4wuPEGn6JW0166B-K8rmmXjjXXqaerg7-bL9ifwd6NQqZaTjMiTW3MY145Y8q9R0u1fgemDrmb1QAbXTXFHkYMIdB0GtKIHH6ZLeEkzwyTU8hOZeE/s1600/topaz.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5QYuYFqoyCTlYQBh5eiidZ8X3g4wuPEGn6JW0166B-K8rmmXjjXXqaerg7-bL9ifwd6NQqZaTjMiTW3MY145Y8q9R0u1fgemDrmb1QAbXTXFHkYMIdB0GtKIHH6ZLeEkzwyTU8hOZeE/s200/topaz.bmp" width="143" /></a></div><br />
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Grab your shovel, screen, and water, and go hunt for the Texas state gem. It’s fun for all ages. In Texas, topaz is only found within Mason County. The Seaquist Ranch near Mason, TX offers access to topaz hunters for a nominal fee. For a demonstration of what you’re looking for and how to find it, stop by “Gems of the Hill Country” on the north side of the square in Mason. Be sure to pack something to sit on and maybe some knee pads, as the ground can be hard. Gem quality clear and smoky quartz are also found, along with arrowheads. The topaz is found in certain creeks running through the pink granite. It is suggested that your sifting screen have a mesh size of ¼ to ½ inch per square. The screen can be fastened to a frame made from 2x2 lumber, sized to your liking. <br />
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Visit the Gems of the Hill Country website (link provided below) to get contact information for the Seaquist and Lindsay Ranches and to view photos of rough gems and cut gems. <br />
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The web link is: <br />
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<a href="http://www.texas-topaz.com/aboutus/rockhounding.htm">http://www.texas-topaz.com/aboutus/rockhounding.htm</a><br />
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Send me photos of your gem finds! <br />
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-Don Gray <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87nr_Zjqc2igVKrmpV_cb-4LriR8cGxar_q6bH-xol1KqRD9KIh01TeHN4POZpau5pPPSkD1XXLKlr-hCy0jlX2uVZMOwFQBGXDs7S3_pub9PtCTXANtd91t7KFk5_aUYnXRDn4D1qaU/s1600/topaz2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87nr_Zjqc2igVKrmpV_cb-4LriR8cGxar_q6bH-xol1KqRD9KIh01TeHN4POZpau5pPPSkD1XXLKlr-hCy0jlX2uVZMOwFQBGXDs7S3_pub9PtCTXANtd91t7KFk5_aUYnXRDn4D1qaU/s320/topaz2.bmp" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNryhx9ywfpadgtLyfKhcbFBs4CXFqW_6Mqh-L_6hQoWnVAnPSwkuxW_EVXdiOPAQrCf4Xck7px75RLYkfRir9yxFl98MuTVXA7Ue7D9X12FGDSzomT86GhCvsegUplS_oq__oQH_Bp4/s1600/topaz3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNryhx9ywfpadgtLyfKhcbFBs4CXFqW_6Mqh-L_6hQoWnVAnPSwkuxW_EVXdiOPAQrCf4Xck7px75RLYkfRir9yxFl98MuTVXA7Ue7D9X12FGDSzomT86GhCvsegUplS_oq__oQH_Bp4/s320/topaz3.bmp" /></a></div>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-78011496826093358712010-07-25T14:28:00.000-05:002010-07-25T14:28:45.305-05:00#25. Angel's Ice House on a hilltop near Spicewood, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN5u9lyjBvD2PRrVIF9hY7Wjo8FvD8WG2nVO9iwCUUjk9fi23kX-FmqMDK_xTm8kQA_Iitl0RZ8mqoNNJgtxagYX-UMdwzjRWWBrMWU14ZhyE3ubgSOlnhZhuWOu7zdbnjvMJqBSKU5I/s1600/angels+icehouse+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN5u9lyjBvD2PRrVIF9hY7Wjo8FvD8WG2nVO9iwCUUjk9fi23kX-FmqMDK_xTm8kQA_Iitl0RZ8mqoNNJgtxagYX-UMdwzjRWWBrMWU14ZhyE3ubgSOlnhZhuWOu7zdbnjvMJqBSKU5I/s320/angels+icehouse+sign.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sadly, there’s only one Angel’s Icehouse. I wish they had locations all over the Hill Country! Angel’s is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or evening and chill out. I recently picked Angel’s to celebrate my birthday celebration with 50 friends. What a time we had there dancing to the Fabulous GTO’s! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angel’s is a place for all ages. A place to be casual and enjoy yourself. Hang inside or enjoy the shaded picnic tables outside. Great food, drinks (full bar), live music, good bands, casual atmosphere, pool table, a large outdoor area, a killer jukebox, a playscape for the kids, outdoor misters, and large screen televisions. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angel’s has the appearance of an old authentic corner ice house, complete with concrete floor and roll-up walls. And even strangers treat each other as old friends at Angels. People-friendly dogs are even welcome outside while leashed. You’ll enjoy live music inside Angel’s on Tuesday and Friday nights, and live music outdoors on Saturday night. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angel’s food selections include hand-dipped chicken fried steaks, home-style burgers in assorted styles, hand-cut french fries, fresh salads, fish and chips, sandwiches, home-style chili, wraps, etc. Even a menu for kids and pets! Appetizers include nachos, crispy fried pickle wafers, crab cakes, chicken wings, gliders and frito pie. And the food is supported by a great wait staff and cooks that prepare a great meal. The friendly waitresses even call you "baby" if you're sweet. And lately Angel’s has been hosting $2 tacos on Tuesday nights. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And don’t miss the humorous signs posted around the place! Such as “Finish that beer, there are sober kids in India”!! (an old twist on what our parent’s use to tell us about finishing a meal). </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angel’s live music scene is also good. Recent bands have included the Fabulous Chevelles, the Troubadillos, The Fabulous GTO’s, Wyatt Akers, Freddy Powers, Jr., Andrea Marie & Magnolia, Derral Gleason. Angel’s hosts a gospel lunch on Sundays from 1 PM to 3 PM with live music. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angel’s is located along Highway 71W on a hilltop between Austin and Marble Falls. The address is 21815 Highway 71 West, Spicewood, TX. Check out their website at <a href="http://www.angelsicehouse.com/">http://www.angelsicehouse.com/</a> and see the calendar for upcoming bands. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Open Tuesday through Sunday at 11 AM til late, closed Monday. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>See ya' there... <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-Don Gray (just turned 56 at Angel's on Friday!) </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi-niNmloCNR7A38PkgHLeh9Ehg-R39cz1H-dp3sXNQXqbWXreL3vPgYwzCFQqcsZXTMqwJXkOSKcF2r2o8FtZwK8kBwpLqsOi8FRMxg2CoMRoR8uZT9woaJbhhU7H3gJgC3mI06NSLk/s1600/angels+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi-niNmloCNR7A38PkgHLeh9Ehg-R39cz1H-dp3sXNQXqbWXreL3vPgYwzCFQqcsZXTMqwJXkOSKcF2r2o8FtZwK8kBwpLqsOi8FRMxg2CoMRoR8uZT9woaJbhhU7H3gJgC3mI06NSLk/s320/angels+1.bmp" /></a> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-xcEywZxp2VJzeMnvdRqxnBBRsVp_q9hGwKIv5vB6EgkHxCqdQvdVxZLIyWx2v0M5rVvw6ORORQkHSOjO68ozwErG92nDdTFpBmZFG_JQF6oYGuoNcRWOceT1L5s-wd6Rlt3-ckawBo/s1600/angels+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-xcEywZxp2VJzeMnvdRqxnBBRsVp_q9hGwKIv5vB6EgkHxCqdQvdVxZLIyWx2v0M5rVvw6ORORQkHSOjO68ozwErG92nDdTFpBmZFG_JQF6oYGuoNcRWOceT1L5s-wd6Rlt3-ckawBo/s320/angels+2.bmp" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBepk8Hj8tSfvUfAV0Kkj8ZzrQHD-ACs8pr2GZra5xJINPzHkHYRnJdbyu61eushVpm7OO-wgLDrDcpWyzJ2aCgIcdpPfMDZo1JiIDjpT1TljuvCH4vJz-qF2i5KMxJZXHwi_ay-WS5KQ/s1600/angels+icehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBepk8Hj8tSfvUfAV0Kkj8ZzrQHD-ACs8pr2GZra5xJINPzHkHYRnJdbyu61eushVpm7OO-wgLDrDcpWyzJ2aCgIcdpPfMDZo1JiIDjpT1TljuvCH4vJz-qF2i5KMxJZXHwi_ay-WS5KQ/s320/angels+icehouse.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykKj-Sxby3cVuwel8hl0IerS9bx57uMmouEaVgpNs7_MlEI4ncoEpYPqpUFkySCDta29RMhuWHOKLvGFm-JANVxWNlqNdoPxx2dttgt4xPAPeZJswF9Ee77_DFtZkjFPDYodA24T0UsA/s1600/angels+icehouse+out+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykKj-Sxby3cVuwel8hl0IerS9bx57uMmouEaVgpNs7_MlEI4ncoEpYPqpUFkySCDta29RMhuWHOKLvGFm-JANVxWNlqNdoPxx2dttgt4xPAPeZJswF9Ee77_DFtZkjFPDYodA24T0UsA/s320/angels+icehouse+out+back.jpg" /></a></div>Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-38019387928757284272010-07-22T11:25:00.000-05:002010-07-22T11:25:50.779-05:00#24. Watch the stars, satellites and a great meteor shower under the dark skies of the Texas Hill Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKtaqipHP1RQybqssRWZGe75Iw1jlOrrbIU0eawFcGPbKPCehwIeW_qganevfAR39XtDvv4Y8BeQNUWMRRWsM3qKSv-lJg3D2OTxtjLANSB84Q8i5MO-9hfS6GKEOa3GVpnvBup4cv5E/s1600/wholeskychart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKtaqipHP1RQybqssRWZGe75Iw1jlOrrbIU0eawFcGPbKPCehwIeW_qganevfAR39XtDvv4Y8BeQNUWMRRWsM3qKSv-lJg3D2OTxtjLANSB84Q8i5MO-9hfS6GKEOa3GVpnvBup4cv5E/s320/wholeskychart.gif" /></a></div><br />
The Hill Country is filled with miles and miles of areas where you can escape the glow of city lights and enjoy a dark sky. Dark skies at night provide excellent stellar viewing opportunities. Find a hilltop on a county road away from town where you have a good view of the horizons around you and you’re in for a treat! Share the experience with kids or turn it into an evening with that special someone (in my case, that’d be my yellow Lab dog Honey! Oh well!!). <br />
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The moon will not be visible at night on August 10, 2010. And it won’t be visible for much of the night during the 3-4 days on either side of the 10th. If you are in a dark spot out in the country and “if” we don’t have clouds, the stars and satellites should be great for viewing that night. You can monitor the time that the moon rises and sets for any day of the year at http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us . There you will find that the moon will set at 8:44 PM on the 10th, at 9:21 PM on the 11th, and at 9:58 PM on the 12th. <br />
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The planets Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Mars will be setting on the western horizon near 10PM on August 10th-12th . Scorpio and the Big Dipper will also be visible at this time. Jupiter will rise above the eastern horizon around 11 PM. <br />
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There’s a great website that can be used to show you in advance what the skies will hold on any given night, at any given time and at any give location. Type in your location and it does can provide you with a map of what the skies will show that evening. It will even show you exactly when and where that satellites will pass over! Find this website at http://www.heavens-above.com/ . See the photo above from this website which features the night sky on August 10 at 10 PM. <br />
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And to top it off, the annual Perseids meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12 and the dawn of August 13 (but be seen to a lesser degree on the 3-4 nights either side of the 12th). Most of the meteor action will be seen during the hours of 1 AM to 6 AM on the 13th. You can expect to see 25-50 or so meteors per hour as they shoot across the northeastern sky. We’re lucky this year in that the moon will not be up during prime viewing times. In 2009, the moonlight spoiled the whole show! Jupitor will be overhead most of the dark early morning hours on the 13th. <br />
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The meteors are certainly bright, but they are actually only tiny objects, usually no more than a grain of sand. They travel at mind-blowing speeds of 71 kilometers per second which helps these small particles put on such a brilliant show year after year. <br />
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For photographing the meteors, a digital camera mounted on a tripod helps to steady the images that race across the sky. A quick trigger finger also helps. Even random clicks during the height of Perseid "prime-time" will guarantee that you'll catch something! Be sure to have the camera focused on infinity and, if your camera permits, leave the shutter open for several minutes for the most spectacular photographic effects.<br />
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Pack comfortable chairs, bug spray, food and drinks, blankets, plus a red-filtered flashlight for reading maps and charts without ruining your night vision. Binoculars are not necessary. Your eyes will do just fine.<br />
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Now let’s just hope for “no clouds” on the nights of the August 10-12! <br />
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–Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-38095049073523965392010-07-21T19:10:00.001-05:002010-07-21T19:17:22.171-05:00#23. Junction, TX and the South Llano River State Park should be on your summer list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BAiZo9yNwVFsDKLR1xK5oTSxqHLozF4a8E12chAKjT9z5f94HSIGZfr0ZQ1WJiCHhQVU432Csn7qWj8R36h-a4ccK4xkSakBIZ27XE-zUI9wkgy05CtXjITGXRZQg2PBSmGKAVE_-Ww/s1600/south+llano+river+sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BAiZo9yNwVFsDKLR1xK5oTSxqHLozF4a8E12chAKjT9z5f94HSIGZfr0ZQ1WJiCHhQVU432Csn7qWj8R36h-a4ccK4xkSakBIZ27XE-zUI9wkgy05CtXjITGXRZQg2PBSmGKAVE_-Ww/s320/south+llano+river+sp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another great Hill Country place to enjoy is Junction, TX. Junction accurately bills itself as the “Land of the Living Waters”. You will find the South Llano River State park on the southern edge of town. Floating the clear South Llano River is the main draw here (except for deer hunting in season). Summer visitors enjoy swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing and fishing the river as it winds its way for two miles through the park, beneath beautiful limestone bluffs and past ranchlands. It’s a relatively small (524 acres) and quiet park. <br />
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Campers can choose from water-and-electric sites and 30-amp service or 6 walk-in campsites with picnic tables and fire rings for those seeking more solitude. Most sites are shaded by mesquite and oak trees or have shade shelters. <br />
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Next door you will find the 2,200 acre Walter Buck Wildlife Management area which is also operated by the State. Walter Buck is open to the public and features over 20 miles of hike and bike trails. <br />
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South Llano River State Park is good for either short or long floats. Most "toobers" put in just above the low-water crossing at the park entrance and enjoy short floats to downriver gravel shoals and banks. For those seeking a longer tubing experience, the park recommends floating more than a mile to a designated takeout point. You can rent tubes at the park's visitor center for $5 a day. In addition, several Junction area outfitters offer canoe and kayak rentals for daylong trips or shorter treks. For a longer float, you can float all the way into Junction (the “City Park”). <br />
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Suggested tubing trips are: <br />
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• between the first and second crossings on the South Llano River (approximately 15 miles from Junction on Highway 377 south) <br />
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• within the boundaries of South Llano River State Park (park fees apply) <br />
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• beginning at Flat Rock Crossing (near Texas Tech Center) and finishing at the two privately owned campgrounds or the City Park.<br />
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Rio Grande turkeys are seen most every day strutting through the campground, river bottoms and woodlands throughout the park. From October through March, turkeys roost inside the park, restricting visitor access to much of the park during the six-month season. You will also see white-tailed deer and axis deer that roam the park.<br />
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Bird watchers love the park too! Four wildlife observation blinds equipped with benches afford a close-up view through large windows that looks out on a water feature, brush piles and feeding stations. Painted bunting, pyrrhuloxia, black-capped vireo, Eastern bluebird, house finch and other colorful species are frequently seen, especially in spring. Occasionally, birders spot the endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler. All three kingfisher species, too, can be spotted at South Llano.<br />
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South Llano River State Park is located in Kimble County five miles south of Junction on U. S. 377<br />
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The park website is found at <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/south_llano_river/">http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/south_llano_river/</a><br />
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Time your trip to enjoy Junction’s Summer Classic Rodeo held on August 13-14, 2010. <br />
<br />
-Don Gray <br />
<br />
(This posting was suggested by Cindy Ivy, a true HC girl)Don Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-971412036959550462010-07-20T23:19:00.001-05:002010-07-21T19:18:23.351-05:00#22. It’s time to pick apples in Medina, TX (north of Bandera)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoBZKdTSSOtVskHCBtbadaCymlyA7eH2eTw1VBEl4RUiS2wOFL4a-t2zqc0fmkXytB74IIzMTMJtTk8Xe6nzTNY_PTlOeuywG_vuBZgJ6Q7iEYSI1eO5_56QWfyLCW8903Mha-aDmk-Q/s1600/apple+kids+pick_image3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoBZKdTSSOtVskHCBtbadaCymlyA7eH2eTw1VBEl4RUiS2wOFL4a-t2zqc0fmkXytB74IIzMTMJtTk8Xe6nzTNY_PTlOeuywG_vuBZgJ6Q7iEYSI1eO5_56QWfyLCW8903Mha-aDmk-Q/s320/apple+kids+pick_image3.png" /></a></div>Gather up the family and head to Love Creek Orchards in Medina, TX to pick fresh ripe apples straight from the trees (north of Bandera). Love Creek Orchards opens seasonally for you to pick various types of fruit. May and June typically offer with fresh blackberries. In July you can pick fresh tree-ripened apples and in August they offer some of the sweetest figs in Texas. As with all fresh fruit, this is dependent on Mother Nature. The best time to pick is when fruit is at their peak of ripeness. Love Creek posts picking times on their web site or you can call the orchard at 830-589-2588.<br />
When you come to pick, Love Creek provides the containers for picking. Prices are generally based on current market prices at the time of picking. They have a shaded picnic area near the orchard for you to enjoy a picnic lunch if you want to bring one or visit the Apple Store just up the road from the orchard and eat at the Patio Café. Get the hot apple pie! The Patio Café was listed among the Top 40 best Small Town Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine.<br />
<br />
Love Creek Orchards became pioneers of the Texas Apple Industry when Baxter and Carol Adams planted their first experimental apple orchards in 1981. Little did they know that their experiment would not only produce such wonderful sweet apples, but would also start a new industry for the state of Texas.<br />
<br />
Baxter and Carol expanded their operation in 1988 when they opened The Cider Mill and Country Store in downtown Medina. At the Cider Mill, Love Creek lovingly produces over fifty different products made from sweet Texas Apples. Their apple butters, jams and jellies, baked goods and specialty items have become famous for their homemade goodness and attention to detail. Each item produced is handmade and packaged by the Adams Family and friends. In 2007 Baxter and Carol retired from the Cider Mill and Country Store and sold it to Bryan and Stacie Hutzler. The store name changed to “The Apple Store” simply because that is what all of the locals and tourist called it. Bryan and Stacie have worked hard to maintain the quality of apple goodies produced at the store and continue to sell the apple that Baxter produces in the orchards. Tours of Love Creek Orchards and The Apple Store are offered April through October. The Apple Store is open seven days a week and there is always fresh apple pie cooking.<br />
<br />
The orchard and the store are located on main street in Medina, TX (Highway 16 North). You can’t miss them. The orchard is open daily, except Sundays, 9:30 to 3:30 during the picking season. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lovecreekorchards.com/">http://www.lovecreekorchards.com/</a><br />
<br />
Don’t forget to wade the lovely Medina River while there! Clear water over a slab rock bottom. Fantastic! Enter the river at the crossings on Highway 470 or Highway 337, just to the west of Highway 16 North. Stay in the river to avoid trespassing on private property. <br />
<br />
Have fun! -Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-14703195938858367392010-07-20T23:16:00.000-05:002010-07-20T23:16:33.390-05:00#21. Beat the heat at Krause Springs near Spicewood, TX (west of Austin)Krause Springs is one of the best places in Texas. Bar none. It is a wonderful clear water swimming hole in Cypress Creek. They also feature a seperate spring water swimming pool, a butterfly garden and camping (tent and RV). The 115 acre property has more than 30 springs and lots of enormous cypress trees. There are also camp sites and 24 RV sites with electricity. <br />
<br />
To get to Krause Springs, take Texas 71 W from Austin. Go about 18 miles past the intersection of 620 and 71 in Bee Cave and take a right on County Road 191 at the Exxon on the corner. Just a bit down 191 and you will see the sign for Krause Springs. Turn right on CR 404 and follow the signs. <br />
<br />
General Provisions: <br />
<br />
Open Year Round<br />
<br />
No dogs allowed<br />
<br />
No glass containers<br />
<br />
Credit cards not accepted<br />
<br />
Admission Prices: <br />
<br />
Day Guests<br />
<br />
$5 per Adult (12 years and older)<br />
<br />
$4 per Child (4 - 11 years)<br />
<br />
FREE for Children under 4 <br />
<br />
Camping Per Day<br />
<br />
$10 per Adult<br />
<br />
$5 per Child<br />
<br />
$10 per RV camp site <br />
<br />
Krause Springs is open year round and the pools are open daily from 9 AM til sun down. <br />
<br />
Check out their photos at http://www.krausesprings.net/index.html<br />
<br />
-Have fun, -Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-36006395614378757642010-07-20T09:01:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:01:41.293-05:00#20. Dance at the Quihi Gun Club & Dance Hall in Quihi, TX (near Castroville and Hondo)This is the only place I ever got kicked out of (back in the 70’s). But I still love to return (using an alias of course). <br />
<br />
Two German men met under an oak tree on Quihi Creek in 1890 to organize the Quihi Schuetzen (shooting) Verein (club). Now called the Quihi Gun Club, it is one of the oldest social clubs in the country with over 600 members. Having been built on the Quihi Creek, the club's building had been washed away 3 times before the building that stands today was built.<br />
<br />
Dances are still held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month! Visitors of all ages from all over the world enjoy dancing on one of the best wooden dance floors ever. You can bring your own bottle. Beer, water, soft drinks and set-ups are provided. Traditional “Texas CW” dancing at its best.<br />
<br />
From Boerne<br />
<br />
Take Hwy 46 West going towards Bandera-go right on Hwy 16 North<br />
<br />
then at Hwy 173 Intersection go South going to Hondo. Turn left on <br />
<br />
FM 2676 and go 6 miles. Look for the Quihi Gun Club sign and turn<br />
<br />
right. Follow this road to the Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall.<br />
<br />
From San Antonio<br />
<br />
Travel to Hwy 90 going towards Del Rio, exit in Hondo at Hwy 173 and<br />
<br />
go North towards Bandera. Turn right on FM 2676 and go 6 miles. <br />
<br />
Look for the Quihi Gun Club sign and turn right. Follow this road to <br />
<br />
the Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall.<br />
<br />
From Devine<br />
<br />
Travel on Hwy 173 North and go towards Hondo. Go past Hondo<br />
<br />
2 miles and turn right on FM 2676 and go 6 miles. <br />
<br />
Look for the Quihi Gun Club sign and turn right. Follow this road to <br />
<br />
the Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBNyYWpDtxtSzqnI5C6-yUnL_SWLr8qfIEiLT33fRmc1RM0QBCm3Mub2pWzKmEsI0O383bvXAWEjw7rPcXFLLQ6zaJizcn27v4CBUivrr1TZbr2D5MePP2UChSNRr5h_hsFJ4aQRLKU4/s1600/quihi+untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBNyYWpDtxtSzqnI5C6-yUnL_SWLr8qfIEiLT33fRmc1RM0QBCm3Mub2pWzKmEsI0O383bvXAWEjw7rPcXFLLQ6zaJizcn27v4CBUivrr1TZbr2D5MePP2UChSNRr5h_hsFJ4aQRLKU4/s320/quihi+untitled.bmp" /></a></div>-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-67331520091594813022010-07-20T08:59:00.001-05:002010-07-21T19:20:01.625-05:00#19. Do some boot scootin’ at the Twin Sisters Dance Hall, south of Blanco, TX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwQmwPXM6iywc0aOtmZwDcodfxS6kTaTiAjbbJFTi917KmCamJt51Ig483DI3FPU32vBlWDZ-PkW7cJP8aMYAtXmAhqjcfiDqM_WcxT5tec4BgpYzh0WwHDJZK-mJR8iiT5f0Zop2AXc/s1600/twin+117932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwQmwPXM6iywc0aOtmZwDcodfxS6kTaTiAjbbJFTi917KmCamJt51Ig483DI3FPU32vBlWDZ-PkW7cJP8aMYAtXmAhqjcfiDqM_WcxT5tec4BgpYzh0WwHDJZK-mJR8iiT5f0Zop2AXc/s320/twin+117932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Twin Sisters Dance Hall, built in 1870, still has dances held the first Saturday of each month from 9PM to 1 AM. On August 7 you can dance to the Mike Cowen Band. The Hall is an old wooden structure and features a large wooden dance floor. Folks of all ages dance here. <br />
<br />
Although Gruene Hall in nearby Gruene boasts that it’s the oldest dance hall in Texas, the real honor goes to the Twin Sisters Dance Hall. <br />
<br />
You can bring finger foods and BYOB and/or champagne. You cannot bring beer, water or soda water, as these are sold on site.<br />
<br />
For additional information and renting Twin Sisters Hall for private parties, contact Karen Jones at 830/833-5773.<br />
<br />
The historic hall is located approximately 7 miles south of Blanco on Highway 281, just north of the intersection of 281 and 473. It is not visible from 281, but the entrance is on the west side of 281. <br />
<br />
-Have fun , Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-92147485065796064622010-07-20T08:57:00.000-05:002010-07-20T08:57:30.191-05:00#18. “Chili & Chillin” this Saturday at 9 wineries located near FburgNine wineries located near and around Stonewall and Fredericksburg will be serving perfectly paired chilies and chilled wines this Saturday, July 24. Enjoy music, fun, and great food from area restaurants. There is no cost to participate in the pairing and there are no tickets. Usual tasting fees apply at each winery for regular wine tastings. Check with each participating winery for hours. <br />
<br />
Becker Vineyards: http://www.beckervineyards.com/<br />
<br />
Chisholm Trail Winery: http://www.chisholmtrailwinery.com/<br />
<br />
Fredericksburg Winery: <a href="http://www.fbgwinery.com/">http://www.fbgwinery.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Grape Creek Vineyards: http://www.grapecreek.com/<br />
<br />
Pedernales Cellars: http://www.pedernalescellars.com/<br />
<br />
Rancho Ponte Vineyard: http://www.ranchoponte.com/<br />
<br />
Texas Hills Vineyard: http://www.texashillsvineyard.com/<br />
<br />
Torre di Pietra: http://www.texashillcountrywine.com/<br />
<br />
Woodrose Winery: http://www.woodrosewinery.com/<br />
<br />
-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-53242139447826765422010-07-19T13:43:00.002-05:002010-07-19T13:47:30.125-05:00#17. Peaches!!I love a juicy Hill Country peach. And this year's crop is super tasty!! <br />
<br />
<br />
If you travel the Hill County near Stonewall, JC and Fburg, you will see roadside peach stands galore. I'd love to meet that lady "Peaches", her chain of fruit and veggie stands are everywhere. Don't really understand her business plan, as sometimes she has stands right next door to each other! Just kidding about "Peaches" and her business plan, as there is not really a woman named Peaches that owns the stands! They are simply seperate seasonal busiess ventures each advertising their fresh picked peaches! Whether you buy them from a stand or pick them in one of the many orchards along Highway 290, you are bound to find some really tasty peaches this season. Be quick, the season closes soon! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-91616495508593594302010-07-19T10:32:00.000-05:002010-07-19T10:32:28.353-05:00#16. Enjoy a “Limo” Tour of Hill Country WineriesThe Hill Country is now home to at least 25 wineries that are open for the public to enjoy. The best way to visit several in a day and to take full advantage of the "wine tastings" is to arrange for a limo tour of several wineries. This way you leave the driving to your tour guide and will be able to fully enjoy the tastings at each winery. You can put together your own group of friends to share the experience with, or join in on a regularly scheduled limo tour and make new wine friends. You can even arrange for the limo to pick up and return you at a central location of your choice (like your driveway!). The tour operators feature luxurious busses and limos for your comfort.<br />
<br />
<br />
This is a great way to enjoy a birthday or anniversary with friends. <br />
<br />
Web links to two tour transportation operators are found below…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bluebonnet Wine Tours: http://www.bluebonnetwinetours.com/<br />
<br />
Texas Wine Tours: http://www.texas-wine-tours.com/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-52809470664282454322010-07-19T10:07:00.000-05:002010-07-19T10:07:08.399-05:00#15. Tour “Cave Without A Name”I think that “Cave Without a Name” is the prettiest cave in Texas. The stairwell into the cave has 126 steps descending to approximately 90 feet below the surface. You’ll even find a large flowing stream in the cave. It’s a constant 66 degrees, so it is a great place to spend a hot afternoon. It features 6 large rooms full of interesting things to see.<br />
<br />
<br />
The cave is located 12 miles northeast of Boerne, TX. Map it at “325 Kreutzberg Rd., Boerne, TX 78006”. It is open 9 AM to 6 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and from 10AM to 5 PM the rest of the year (except closed Labor Day until Memorial Day) <br />
<br />
To get there from San Antonio, head west on Interstate 10, go about 18 miles, take the first exit for Boerne (Highway 87), and follow the road into town. When you reach the fourth traffic light turn right onto 474. Follow the road out of town for 6 miles, turn right onto Kreutzberg Road, and then follow the signs for 5.3 miles to the cave<br />
<br />
Check out the cave’s website for admission fees and some really great photos. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cavewithoutaname.com/">http://www.cavewithoutaname.com/</a><br />
<br />
-Don GrayDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249530502454182894.post-53204195120451551962010-07-19T08:02:00.002-05:002010-07-19T08:02:55.697-05:00Just exactly where is the Texas Hill Country?According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the following 25 counties comprise the Texas Hill Country: <br />
<br />
<br />
• Bandera<br />
<br />
• Bell<br />
<br />
• Blanco<br />
<br />
• Burnet<br />
<br />
• Comal<br />
<br />
• Coryell<br />
<br />
• Crockett<br />
<br />
• Edwards<br />
<br />
• Gillespie<br />
<br />
• Hays<br />
<br />
• Kendall<br />
<br />
• Kerr<br />
<br />
• Kimble<br />
<br />
• Lampasas<br />
<br />
• Llano<br />
<br />
• Mason<br />
<br />
• McCullouch<br />
<br />
• Menard<br />
<br />
• Real<br />
<br />
• San Saba<br />
<br />
• Schleicher<br />
<br />
• Sutton<br />
<br />
• Travis<br />
<br />
• Val Verde<br />
<br />
• WilliamsonDon Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757495193805339601noreply@blogger.com0