Let's Go to Luckenbach Texas

Before reading the rest of this post, you should click here to get in the proper frame of mind!

There now?  OK!  LET"S GO!

Luckenbach, Texas is just a few miles outside Fredericksburg (see previous post).  The last official census prior to Luckenbach being incorporated (sold) to Fredericksburg was...... 3!  Yep, a 3-person town, all three being of the same family!





Basically, the "town" is a small saloon and a dance hall... and, of course, a souvenir shop.  Janice and I first visited the saloon (no surprise there).

Yep, that's it... all of it!  And if the dog on the floor bothers you, you can always sit a the one table in the saloon, seen below.

Check the Illinois State Police patch on the door post!  If you don't like either dogs or cats, you can have a beer under the "Luckenbach Squirrel." (notice spelling on the sign)

After getting our Lone Star and Shiner, we walked the few feet over to the dance hall.

Luckenbach dance hall.  Dances are held Wednesdays and Saturdays during this time of the year.

We made it over  to the picnic tables and enjoyed our Texas beer while listening to a singer.  Can't remember the guy's name, but he had recorded a few CD's and was pretty good.  He did a great job on my request of "You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'."

And if you haven't warmed up to the dog, the cat, or the Luckenbach Squirrel, you may enjoy the several roosters that freely roam (and crow!)  BTW, we found they like peanuts.

What a great time!!  Janice liked it better than the wine tasting... never thought I'd hear that!  A house in hill country and hanging out at Luckenbach would be... well... back to the basics of life!

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, with a population of a little over 10,000, is considered by many to be the epicenter of the Texas hill country.  Founded in 1846 and named in honor of Prince Frederick of Prussia, the town maintains its German roots, as shown is this collection of signs.

If you like German beers, this is the Texas town for you!  And if beer isn't your beverage of choice, there are A LOT of wineries located within 5-10 miles.  They all have nice areas where you can enjoy a glass (or a bottle) of the local vintage.  Janice and I did a tasting and the wines are very good.  In fact, this area is consistently rated as number 2 or 3 in U.S. wine production.

Fredericksburg is also known as the home of WWII Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz.  The Nimitz family was one of the original settlers of Fredericksburg, so I guess that means they just had cable TV?  The family ran the hotel in Fredericksburg, which has been preserved and is now the home of the Chester Nimitz museum.

Life-size statue of Chester Nimitz next to the Nimitz museum

The hotel owned by the Nimitz family now houses the Chester Nimitz museum

Adjoining the Nimitz museum is the National Museum of the Pacific War.  Started in 1971, the museum's foundation has developed the museum into a first-class facility.  It is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to telling the story of the Pacific and Asiatic theaters in WWII.  It is a fantastic facility!  Great displays and information from the start of the war and its causes to the dropping the atomic bomb and subsequent armistice.  Between the Nimitz hotel and the War in the Pacific Museum, you walk through a very moving memorial courtyard.  In the garden are located walls bearing hundreds, if not thousands, of plaques honoring individuals, vessels and crews that served in the Pacific.

One of the Memorial Walls

 All in all, Fredericksburg is a fantastic destination, and allow at least one  full day to go through the museum.  You can click these links to learn more about the museum or  Fredericksburg 

Going to the Hill Country

We left the motorhome for a few days and drove the truck through the hill country, planning on staying in Fredericksburg for a few days.  The hill country is very pretty!  here's a couple of examples:

This was taken from a highway overpass.  The water is only a couple of feet deep, but notice the visibility of the rocks comprising the creed bed.  The water is crystal clear!  This next pic was also shot from the highway.

Researching real estate prices, the lan itself is going for about $5K / acre.  It is common to see 600+ acres being offered for sale as one block of land.  Once I win the loto, I'm in!!  Beautiful scenery, hunting and fishing!  Did I mention mild winters?

The Alamo

We finally got reliable internet back, so time for a few updates.  No visit to San Antonio is complete without a visit to the Alamo. 

This was my second visit to the Alamo, but was Janice's first.  It was a beautiful day and we spent considerable time reading the various history markers.  Of interest was a monument given by the Japanese to honor the heros of the Alamo.  The monument is now pock-marked by gunfire!  Seems the Texans took exception to the monument following Pearl Harbor!

The Alamo also has a very nice memorial garden in the rear.  Great place to sit and reflect.

OK, enough reflection!  Time to head to the River Walk for cocktails.  See ya' later!