There's just no place like Texas for us when it comes to good music, dancing, good Texas beers and wines, friends and food! These past few weeks we have got to celebrate all these senses!
The first part of this trip was a visit to the Flatonia/Schulenburg area for Czhilispiel 44! As we have been doing, we stayed at the Schulenburg RV park, a really great place. It is close to Weimar, so first stop was Kasper's Meat Market to pick up some good Texas beef and sausage. Visited with Ron's Aunt Gladys too, always a treat. The next morning called for a good breakfast from the Kountry Bakery. When is the last time you had a poppyseed roll? Plus you never know who you will run into.
 |
| Any more explanation needed? |
 |
| Look who else is here!!! Yolanda!!! |
The next day we took a driving tour with our friends Donna, Greg, Carol and James. Girls in one truck, guys in the other. First stop was the Piano Bridge outside of Dubina. Pretty awesome one lane bridge. This is one of the few remaining iron bridges in Fayetteville County build in 1885 by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Called the "Piano Bridge", the name is technically derived due to the piano-wire truss design.
 |
| Girls in one truck, guys in the other! |
 |
| Piano Bridge |
Next stop was Ammansville at St. John the Baptist Church. If you aren't from this area, there is a Painted Churches tour around the countryside. Interiors of the Painted Churches within a 20 mile radius of Schulenburg are examples of elaborate faux finishes emulating gold leaf, stone and polished marble columns and ceilings open for viewing. German and Czech immigrants fleeing the Austrian Empire celebrated religious freedom found in Texas by building churches with painted interiors designed after European cathedrals, with their elaborately painted walls and opulent altars.
Next stop was Shiner! And the Spoetzel Brewery! After all, Shiner is our favorite beer! Had a great time enjoying some of their new brews.
 |
| Having fun with our friends the Lingo's and the Gregurek's, sampling some Shiner beer! |
 |
| Not sure what James is up to........ |
 |
| You are given 4 tokens for samples of beer. |
Last stop of the day was at Moravia - the church and the Moravia Store. Pretty cool place!
 |
| A really cool place! |
 |
| These are some really great musicians! |
|
 |
| The Moravia Church |
Next day we spent at Czhilispiel 44 in Flatonia. What a day! And it's hot! Almost too hot for chili! Well, we had to start the day again at the Kountry Bakery. Then went out to Mark and Barbara's to check on the progress of their house remodeling. Then to the festival. We were all chili judges. Some is good, some is not so good. Just needed a few Tums afterwards. Came back for a nap and some cool a/c before heading back for marathon music from Curtis Grimes to Kevin Fowler.
 |
| Feeding the fish at Mark and Barbara's pond. |
 |
| What a nice place to chill! |
 |
| As a chili judge, these are the foods you are given to help you clear your palette. |
 |
| Waiting for the judging to start. |
 |
| Mark and Barbara, holding up the rules! |
 |
| And this is what your box looks like after sampling a dozen different chilies. |
 |
| Listening to the Shiner Hobo Band! |
 |
| Main Street, Flatonia TX |
 |
| Greg, living the dream. |
 |
| Chili judging contest |
 |
| Poor guy, gave it his all, but no win. |
 |
| Some of the night's entertainers.....Curtis Grimes |
 |
| I think he had his Halloween costume on! |
 |
| Mark and Ron taking a break from the music. |
 |
| Aww look what Ron won! |
 |
| Kevin Fowler |
Sunday morning we were able to catch part of the Cowboy Church - great music! The parade started at noon. Really good and entertaining small town stuff. Went through the car parade before heading back to the RV. Made a stop at Praha church that was recently remodeled. So beautiful inside. Also made a stop at an Art Show on the side of the road. Glad we stopped! Some of the best music was to be had. The Poteet Brothers - really good stuff! The highlight of the whole day though was coming back to the final event of Czhilispiel and listening to the band - The Velvets. When Ron and I were dating, this is the band we loved to go dancing to. As a matter of fact, we got engaged at a Velvets dance. It is so fun to go to a dance where you can actually "dance"!
 |
| These guys played some really good Gospel music for us Sunday morning. |
 |
| And the parade at noon on Sunday. |
 |
| There were queens on their floats from many surrounding towns. Shiner happens to be our fav. |
 |
| Look! It's Emil driving his tractor! |
 |
| Then there was the car show. |
 |
| The Praha church |
 |
| Newly remodeled. |
 |
| These painted churches are so beautiful. If you haven't been, put it on your bucket list. |
 |
| Making socks, believe it or not. At the art show we stumbled on. |
 |
| The Poteet Brothers......really good! |
 |
| And the day ended with one of our favorite bands from way back in the dating days - The Velvets! |
Next stop on this tour was Stonewall, where we stayed at Peachland RV with Donna and Greg. We headed to Fredericksburg for a late lunch and a stop at our favorite store - the Kitchen Store. Made some great BBQ ribs that evening and called it an early night.
In the morning, we decided on a road trip that took us to Marble Falls where we had breakfast at the Bluebonnet Cafe. Then it was a drive to Hamilton Pool. This is a unique natural area that surrounds this pool, collapsed grotto and canyon. There are many lush plants that surround this area. I haven't been here since my childhood. We also took a hike down to the Pedernales River. Pretty sights along the way. In the evening we enjoyed visiting with some of our friends we met when volunteering at LBJ National Historical Park.
 |
| The Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls |
 |
| No caption needed |
 |
| Great Breakfast! |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Hamilton Pool. Too bad the water level is so low. Still beautiful. |
 |
| Isn't this view so cool? |
 |
| Hiking down the river. |
 |
| Looks like fall! |
 |
| See the turtle? |
 |
| Checking out the fish |
 |
| Finally reached the Pedernales River |
It's hot and humid, considering it is the first of November. The next day we drove to Johnson City - ate lunch at Pecan Street Brewery, shopped a little, then we drove out to the LBJ ranch and visited with old ranger friends! Good to seem them all. But by far, the best thing is Albert! Today is Wednesday, so we know that Wednesday evening at Albert means some really good and serious guitar picking and singing and dancing and lots of good conversations with great local folks.
 |
| Two of our favorite peeps from LBJ - Rachel Megan and Nikki |
 |
| Albert |
 |
| Albert - where you want to be on a Wednesday night |
 |
| Such a cool place. Hope nobody finds out about it. |
 |
| David and Judy |
 |
| Donna, me and our new friend Rick. Watch for him on the Voice! |
 |
| Good music and watching the World Series |
 |
| Don't you just love the dog? |
 |
| The local comedian. I still laugh just looking at him. |
 |
| And Garrison Brothers bourbon round for everyone! The Cubs must be winning! |
 |
| Yep.....lots of fun at Albert! |
Left the next morning for Bandera after a rainy drive. Staying at the Pioneer RV resort, which is pretty cramped, but the location is good. We are here for their annual Hunters Weekend. Bandera is known as the Cowboy Capitol of the World. In the evening, we all drove out to my cousin Don's for some good steak cooking. He has a really nice home on the Medina River. Had a really good thunderstorm move in which cut our visit short a little.
 |
| Don's patio on the Medina River |
 |
| Watching a black buck antelope at Don's |
The next morning Amy and James showed up. We all went antiquing then we drove with them to a deer lease in Tarpley. That evening we went to the Chamber Fundraiser for some BBQ and dancing to the Almost Patsy Cline band, which was pretty good! After we left there, we decided to go to Arkey Blues and wow! I don't remember the name of the band but they were one of the best dance bands we had heard. So fun!
 |
| Only in Texas can you have guns and a happy hour! |
 |
| Amy and James at the Chamber BBQ |
 |
| Best dancing band ever! |
 |
| Amy and Lingo dancing a jig |
Saturday morning is known as the Bloody Mary Morning. It starts at 7 a.m. (We didn't get there that early!). They had some good, old music again. Had to take a nap, do a little shopping. Then met Amy and James at his friend's ranch that evening. Lots of deer, axis and other animals out there. Cooked some awesome steaks.
 |
| Bloody Mary's!!! |
 |
| More good music! |
Sunday us and the Gregurek's drove to Kerrville to make a trip Gibson's. Wow. If you've never been here, you need to go. Even bought an ice maker for the RV.
It's been a great time out here in our favorite part of Texas. Enjoyed good times with great friends and family. Now we are at our new "temporary" home here in Sweeny. I have an opportunity to work at my old job for a few weeks. Ron will be having shoulder surgery. It hasn't been scheduled yet but will be soon. It may be a while before I have something exciting to share about our adventures, so stay tuned!
