Crawfish Festival

Fredericksburg held a Crawfish Festival over the weekend; I love seafood and convinced Russ to brave the crowds of shoppers and tourists downtown for a taste of the spicy, briny crustaceans.

What was I thinkin'?  Russ is a meat-eatin' cowboy from Dallas!  He twisted the head off two of the little red guys, got disgusted and high-tailed it to the booth selling kabobs!  Grrrr...

On the other hand, more for me!!

Buc-ee's

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day Weekend, and Thank You to all who serve their country, their city and their community!!

Ever hear the phrase "everything is bigger in Texas"? 

Well, we stumbled upon the biggest gas station (travel center) we have ever seen.  Known as Buc-ee's, we first spotted a huge sign with a beaver on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin, in the town of New Braunfels, and being curious, exited the freeway to get a closer look.

They do not allow 18-wheelers, and there were no signs that said it was a gas station, nor any signs advertising prices.  I saw at least 15 bays, each servicing 4 vehicles!!  We paid $3.49 for diesel, by far the lowest we have seen on our trip so far. 

Then I went into the "store" which sold everything from hunting gear, to clothing, shoes, jewelry, and souvenirs; and sporting a central island selling, what else, BBQ!!!!    Crazy!

The Salt Lick

The Salt Lick in Driftwood, just outside Austin, is our absolute favorite BBQ.


I know this is beef country, and the brisket is great.  But the pork ribs....  you can smell them the second you exit your car.

I have a hard time not running to the front door!

This pit is just inside the door, they finish off the meat here, and plate it to order.

 The smoke is sweet, the ribs are dry-rubbed with a vinegary sauce on the side if you want.  Served with beans, cole slaw and warm German potato salad. 

Todd and Russ tried the chicken and rib plates and proclaimed it juicy and smoked just right.  Nick tried the brisket and ribs.  I just had ribs, and when I was finished, I tried to sneak a bone off someone else's plate, but their bones were bare. 

Sorry I did not get pics of Nick and Todd -
they always had food in their faces!

The jalapenos are HOT, HOT!!!

Luckenbach

Luckenbach, Texas.  Population 3.

On weekends and anytime Willie Nelson and friends are in the dance hall - Population 1,003.

Below -
the Post Office/Store/Bar/Local Hangout/Museum

"Everyone is someone in Luckenbach"

Todd and Nick

My bro Todd and his neighbor Nick dropped by and spent the night.  The were on a working trip from California to New Orleans then up to our family farm in Neosho, Missouri.  We had fun driving around town, admiring the local Sunday Houses whose style is unique to the Hill Country.

This chapel above, built by the German settlers in the 1800's in Fredericksburg, is constructed with timber and limestone blocks.


Contemplating the jail, with barred windows and doors and of course, no air-conditioning. 

Had to be brutal in the 100-plus degree summer days.


Below, wildflowers still everywhere along the roadsides.  The orange-red Firewheels, cone-flowers, and other flowers that I just call white or blue or yellow - what are they??

BBQ in Llano, Texas

We finally made it to the KOA in Fredericksburg, Texas - the heart of the Hill Country.  It's warm and mildly humid here, the mornings are cool and breezy, just perfect for long dog walks around the Kamp.  There are lots of small red squirrels here, just to drive Riley crazy.  Chickens, guinea hens, longhorn steers, horses, miniature donkeys surround the Kamp, Riley has never been so close to other animals and he thinks it's great, Holly ignores them all.

Tuesday we drove up to Llano, to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ.  It is our second fav spot in the Hill Country, very casual, small town.  This is the original site, but they have opened several other locations.

You step up to the pit outside and tell the cook what kind and how much smoked meat you want.  He will dunk it in the sauce kettle on the right and place it on the plastic tray.  Today's selection was cabrito (goat), sausage, pork ribs, beef ribs, prime rib, chicken and lean or fatty brisket.  I want some of everything, but we settle for pork ribs and fatty brisket.

We walk inside, they weigh up the meats, and we choose our sides - potato salad and cole slaw.  Beans and bread for sopping up all the juices are free.  Next time we will skip the sides because the beans were our favorite - savory with chunks of meat and very spicy jalapenos floating on top.

The dining hall is typical family style, filled with well worn wooden picnic tables and benches.  Paper towel rolls serve as napkins, but the food is so good that I am unashamedly licking my fingers, while Russ is knife and forking it.  I think he is faster because I blink and our goodies are gone!

Mmmm-mm!!

Hatch - the Chile Capital

Hatch, New Mexico



We drove through the mountains again, west this time, destination Hatch, NM.  They call themselves the Chile Capital of the world.  It is really a tiny town of 5,000 surrounded by acre upon acre of chile fields, pecan orchards and other crops. 

And home of "Hot Damm Chile"!!


And, incidentally, closest town to Spaceport America, which we could not tour since we had the dogs with us and it was 90 degrees outside with no hope of shade.

It sure is an eye-catching place!

We came in search of Sparky's Burgers, Barbeque and Espresso - - specifically the famous Green Chile Cheeseburger.

I opted for the 2-meat Barbeque Plate, pulled pork and brisket of course.

Russ chose the Green Chile Cheesburger, and cole slaw, salt content be damned!

And here is the now familiar picture of Russ chowing down...

The burger was fresh, spicy, rich, tasty... and he ate it all.

I was really impressed with the bbq beef brisket.  It was perfectly smoked, no sauce to interfere with the rub, and oh so tender!  The corn and green chile side dish was spicy and sweet, even the beans were well balanced and tender.

We were glad we drove almost 2 hours to this fun place.  Unfortunately, Russ ate half my meal as well as his and later that evening he was regretting the "mass quantities" consumed. 

But he needed the calories for our next trek down to Las Cruces, through El Paso, and out onto the west Texas plains.