SOUTH
BROWNSVILLE
Texas’ southernmost city is best reached by plane for a weekend trip since it is some 525 miles from Dallas.
(Braniff’s round-trip fare is $126; Southwest flies to Harlingen, some 27 miles from Brownsville, for $50 round-trip
on Saturday, Sunday or evenings).
Brownsville dates back to 1846, when General Zachary Taylor established Fort Brown to maintain our claim to the Rio
Grande river as boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. Today, it is the major city in the incredibly fertile Rio
Grande Valley, from which come citrus fruits and cotton in abundance.
The mild climate and tropical vegetation draw visitors all year round, and make the city especially appealing for a
winter vacation.
Brownsville is also an international port (largest shrimp fleet in the world) and gateway to Mexico. A colorful
costume fiesta, Charro Days, takes place every year the week before Lent, and boasts flower-float parades, mariachi
bands and dancing in the street.
A five-minute walk and a 5￠ toll will take you across the International Bridge and into Mexico. In Matamoros, you
can shop to your heart’s delight (don’t miss Mercado Juarez, the largest market in the city of 220,000 inhabitants)
and eat elegantly at the Drive Inn restaurant.
Back in Brownsville, stay at the Fort Brown Motor Hotel ($23 a night for a double), located on an attractive
peninsula about 3 blocks from the international bridge.
The Gladys Porter Zoo is a multi-million dollar haven for rare and endangered animals who live here in natural
settings without bars or cages. Open every day of the year from 10 a.m. until an hour before dusk. Admission is
$1.50 for adults, $1 for student, and 50￠ for children under 12. Touring train and children’s zoo as well.
Some 12 miles southeast of Brownsville is Palmito Ranch, site of the last battle of the Civil War, fought on May 13,
1865, more than a month after the surrender at Appomattox.
If you decide to come by way of Har-lingen, be sure to stop at the Confederate Air Force Flying Museum, which houses
the world’s foremost collection of World War II aircraft from the U.S., Britain, Germany and Japan. Flight
demonstrations are often presented. Admission $2.
One of the finest places to stay in the Valley is the Rancho Viejo Country Club, located about 10 miles north of
Brownsville. Golf course and lake, heated pool. Call (512) 541-1211 collect for reservations.
LAREDO
This city is the number one gateway to Mexico and is rich in Latin-American flavor. Take Interstate 35 all the way,
435 miles to be precise. Settle in at La and an old jail are open to the public.
Independence Park, on the banks of the Guadalupe River, has camp sites, as does Palmetto State Park some 10 miles
away. The Lexington Inn in Gonzales has excellent accommodations at $21 a night for two.
Posada Motor Hotel, one block away from the International Bridge, for $29-35 a night.
Laredo is historically interesting because, unlike the rest of Texas, seven flags have flown here. Despite
Texas’ victory at the battle of San Jacinto, Laredo and much of the land between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River
remained under Mexican rule. However, in 1880, an independent Republic of the Rio Grande was proclaimed, with Laredo
as its capital. The building that once served as the capitol of this unsuccessful country is now a museum.
Laredo is a festive town: The Washington’s Birthday celebration is a four-day fiesta, celebrated on both sides of
the border, that includes parades, fireworks and dances. The Border Olympics are held in March with track and field
stars from high schools and colleges, Mexican rodeos are frequent events, and each September Nuevo Laredo hosts
EXPOMEX, a gigantic fair in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day. Excellent golfing and hunting in the area.
Across the border, Nuevo Laredo has a huge central market, lots of shops, good restaurants and night clubs.
GOLIAD
The third oldest town in the state, Goliad is a shrine of Texas history second only to the Alamo. “Remember Goliad”
became a famous battle cry of the Texas revolution in honor of the men who were massacred here after they
surrendered to the Mexicans. March 27th is Goliad Day, an occasion for memorial services for the 300 men who died
here. Take Highway 181 southeast from San Antonio to Kenedy, then Hwy. 239 to Goliad, a trip of 100 miles in all.
Dating back to the days of the Spanish colonization, Mission Espiritu Santo has been restored, as has the nearby
fort, Presidio La Bahia, the finest example of a complete Spanish presidio in Texas. It was in this presidio that
Col. Fannin’s men were imprisoned and then massacred.
Some 65 miles to the north is Gonzales, the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution in October 1835, hence
its nickname, “the Lexington of Texas.” The Texans waved a banner with the words, “Come and take it” at the Mexicans
who had come to seize a cannon from them. The banner became famous and a mosaic tile of it can be seen today on the
Gonzales Municipal Building. Many old houses and an old jail are open to the public. Independence Park, on the banks
of the Guadalupe River, has camp sites, as does Palmetto State Park some 10 miles away. The Lexington Inn in
Gonzales has excellent accommodations at $21 a night for two.
BANDERA
This town of 1,000 inhabitants, some 42 miles northwest of San Antonio, calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the
World.” Other places might dispute that, but there’s no question that Bandera is the dude ranch center of Texas.
There are at least a dozen dude ranches in this authentic Western town, so take your pick. Recommended: The Mayan
Dude Ranch and the Dixie Dude Ranch.
The Mayan, for example, has a minimum stay of one week during the summer months of June, July and August. The week
runs from Sunday to Sunday, but one actually pays for only six days. The rate is $34-36 a day per adult (children
between 12 and 18 are $20, under 12, $16) and includes all meals and all activities. Off season, the adult rate is
$32.
Guests begin the day with cowboy breakfasts cooked on the open range on the banks of the Medina River, and then have
a choice of guided horseback rides, fishing, swimming, hay-rides, and the like. Twice a week, in the evening, there
are western dances accompanied by fiddle, guitar and piano music. It’s a real, honest-to-goodness working ranch, set
in the Hill Country, and favored with a good year-round climate.
The Frontier Times museum in the town of Bandera has a large collection of Old West relics, Western art and Indian
artifacts.
SAN ANTONIO
The third largest city in Texas, and the tenth largest in the U.S., San Antonio has a flavor and a sense of history
that make it unique.
Since San Antonio can trace its beginnings to the establishment of a Spanish mission called San Antonio de Valero –
the Alamo – in 1718, you might start a visit with a tour of the five historic missions still standing here.
The Alamo is, of course, the most famous, and a monument to Texas liberty because of the battle waged here in
1836 against the Mexican Army. Mission San Jose, a national and state historic site, is known as the “queen
of the missions,” and has been completely restored. On the other hand, Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima
Concep-cion is the oldest unrestored church in the country and stands today exactly as it was built in 1755.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada and Mission San Juan Capistrano complete the tour.
Before leaving the past, take a look at the Spanish Governor’s Palace, an outstanding example of Spanish colonial
architecture with carved wood doors, low-beamed ceilings and a mosaic-tiled patio.
The Tower of the Americas, at Hemis-Fair Plaza, ha’s a restaurant atop its 750-foot structure that provides diners
with a spectacular panorama of the city at night. Here, too, on the grounds of the 1968 Texas World’s Fair, is the
Institute of Texan Cultures, which depicts by way of exhibits and multi-media presentations, how various cultural
groups came to settle in Texas.
The Paseo del Rio, or river walk, meanders through downtown San Antonio for some 15 miles and is dotted with shops,
restaurants and sidewalk cafes.
Also see: La Villita, a replica of an authentic Mexican village of the past century. The zoo, 70 acres large and one
of the finest in the country. The McNay Art Institute houses works of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, El Greco
and Diego Rivera. Brackenridge Park has sunken oriental gardens, horseback riding, and a ride on a miniature
train.
Stay at the St. Anthony Hotel, where each room is decorated differently and one can lounge on a Spanish tile
veranda. It’s not far from the river and an overnight stay in a double room facing Travis Park will only set you
back $43.
Take Interstate 35 south for 282 miles.
EAST
RUSK
Located some 40 miles southeast of Tyler, Rusk is the home of the Texas State Railroad. Here, every weekend from May
28th to September 5th, you can take a 50-mile round trip to Palestine and back on an antique train. The cars are
vintage 1920, the locomotive dates to 1896 and the route takes you through deep forests, over wooden trestles that
cross creeks & rivers. The train leaves at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and returns about three
hours later. You need reservations and you must appear a full hour before departure time to be sure you get a seat.
It’s $5.75 for adults and $3.25 for children, and they say they’re almost booked up for the season already.
A few miles to the south is the Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary frontiersman who is believed
to have camped here en route to the Alamo. This is the “piney woods” area of East Texas, so it is a scenic place to
camp overnight or have a picnic or go swimming in one of the lakes.
If the outdoors is not your style, stay overnight in Tyler.
ATHENS
There is a local argument whether this town was named after the capital of Greece or the city in Georgia, but one
thing is for sure: it’s the site of the annual Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree the first weekend in August. This event
features everything imaginable to eat and drink made from black-eyed peas, even a cocktail called the “peatini” (a
martini with hot pickled peas on the toothpick instead of olives). Festivities include a carnival for children.
On the last Friday in May, Athens hosts the Old Fiddler’s Reunion, a series of fiddlin’ contests and a square dance
on the courthouse square.
Stay at the Spanish Trace Inn ($20 a night for a double), which was designed and built with materials from Mexico
and Spain.
You might combine a visit to the Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree with nearby Canton’s “First Monday Trades Day,” one of the
country’s largest flea markets, held the first Monday of each month and the three preceding days. It’s reachable by
going east on Interstate 20 to the Canton exit.
EAST TEXAS INDIAN RESERVATION
The larger of the two Indian reservations in Texas, this is the home of 500 members of the Alabama and Coushatta
tribes. Located near Livingston, some 225 miles southeast of Dallas, the reservation is in a densely wooded area of
the state known as the Big Thicket.
A main attraction is the Indian Village where native arts and crafts, such as basketry and pottery, are
demonstrated. You can eat in restaurants featuring Indian food, see tribal dances, ride a swamp buggy or a miniature
railroad through the Big Thicket. From mid-June through August, witness an outdoor drama called, “Beyond the
Sundown,” in which the history of the two tribes is depicted nightly except Sunday.
Modem campgrounds, a lake for fishing, and swimming facilities are all available on the reservation.
Before heading home, take State Highway 190 east towards Woodville until you come to the Pickett House, a
70-year-old one-room schoolhouse that is now a restaurant. A family-style spot, it serves East Texas dishes, like
watermelon rind preserves and speckled butter beans, as well as more standard fare. Open weekdays, 11:30 a.m. until
3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday until 6 p.m.
JEFFERSON
Going east from Dallas on Interstate 20, you can be in the small town of Jefferson in less than three hours. There,
you can be transported back in time to the 1870s, when Jefferson was Texas’ largest city and inland port. Situated
on Big Cypress Bayou, which was once navigable by steamboats from New Orleans, Jefferson was also an industrial
center in its heyday. Prosperous and confident, Jefferson refused to allow railroad magnate Jay Gould to run his
steel tracks through town.
That fateful decision contributed to Jefferson’s decline as a commercial hub; but what it lost in trade, it seemed
to make up in historical importance. The townspeople have worked over the years to preserve and restore some 40
antebellum homes and public buildings, and now describe Jefferson as “a living page from Texas history.” The first
weekend in May, during the annual Jefferson Historical Pilgrimage, one can really enjoy the flavor of the Old South,
with local girls decked out in hoop-skirted dresses, showing guests through the historic old homes.
The place to stay is the Excelsior House, a hotel that has been in continuous operation since the 1850s. Two
presidents, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, slept in the Presidential Suite, and for a mere $31.50 a
night, so can you. Conventional double rooms, if they can be called that, for they are furnished with antiques, run
from $14 to $18 a night.
Ironically, Jay Gould’s private railroad car has been brought to Jefferson and is open daily to the public.
In nearby Karnack, one can see the house where Lady Bird Johnson was born and visit beautiful moss-draped Caddo
Lake. Caddo Lake State Park has camping areas, cabins, fishing, boating, and nature trails.
West of Jefferson, the Lake o’ the Pines offers fishing, sailing, swimming and even a twilight trip on a
paddlewheeler.
TYLER
Located in the Piney Woods of East Texas, some 100 miles from Dallas, Tyler is known as “The Rose Capital of
America.” The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the nation’s largest and has more than 38,000 rose bushes in 385
varieties.
The 40th Annual Texas Rose Festival will be held October 13-16th and will feature the coronation of the rose queen,
parades with flower floats and tours of the rose gardens. In the spring, the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail allows
the visitor access to some 75 homes to see the profusion of azaleas, daffodils, dogwood, redbuds, etc.
Nearby Tyler State Park offers camping, fishing, swimming and boating on a picturesque lake amid the pine trees.
CRATER OF DIAMONDS STATE PARK
This unique park is located in southeast Arkansas, about three miles from Mur-freesboro on State Highway 301. These
78 acres contain the only known occurrence of diamonds in their natural state in North America. When you arrive at
the park, you pay a small fee of $2 and then you can hunt all you want for diamonds. The park operates on a “finders
keepers” basis, and hundreds of those glittery rocks have been found since the park opened in 1972. Two of the best
finds have been the 40.42-carat Uncle Sam and the 34.25-carat Star of Murfreesboro. A 16-carat bauble was unearthed
recently by a retired contractor from Amarillo. There is a short orientation course in a museum of rocks and
minerals to tell you how to recognize diamonds.
There are no overnight facilities in the park, but many people use nearby Daisy State Park for camping, picnicking,
fishing and hiking on nature trails.
ALTUS WINERIES
This quaint spot lies at the base of St. Mary’s Mountain and is the center of Arkansas winemaking. The oldest winery
in the Southwest, Wiederkehr’s, has two wine festivals a year, one on May 6th and 7th, the other on October 7th and
8th. For $15 a person, you can eat a buffet dinner, drink all the special white wine you want, listen to a German
band and dance the night away. For reservations, mail a check and the date requested to Wiederkehr’s Wine Cellar,
Route 1, Box 9, Altus, Arkansas 72821. And be sure to take the winery tour and visit the tasting room as well.
Stay overnight at Fort Smith, some 40 miles to the west, where there are many fine motels. Recommended: Trade Winds
Inn. Fort Smith is famous for Judge Parker’s courtroom. Judge Parker had jurisdiction over Arkansas and the Indian
territory of Oklahoma, and he is credited with bringing a semblance of law and order to these areas. But he is also
known as the “Hanging Judge” because 79 felons were hanged during his years on the bench. Visit the courtroom and
the gallows, as well as the remains of the two forts that were, at one time, the last outposts of civilization on
the Western frontier.
HOT SPRINGS
Perhaps the best known spa in the U.S., Hot Springs can be reached by taking Interstate 30 to Texarkana and on
towards Little Rock until the highway crosses Rt. 7. Take Rt. 7 north to the city of Hot Springs in the Ouachita
Mountains.
Discovered by Hernando de Soto in 1541, the “Valley of Vapors” became a national park in 1921 and is probably the
only such park that is practically surrounded by a sizeable city. The water from 45 thermal springs is distributed
to bathhouses on Bath House Row.
Another main attraction of the city is Oaklawn Race Track, where thoroughbreds compete during a 50-day racing season
starting in early February and ending the first Saturday in April with the $100,000 Arkansas Derby.
There are many resorts and restaurants in the area, as well as golf courses and other recreational facilities. Try
Buena Vista Resort on nearby man-made Lake Hamilton or the standard motels in town, such as Howard Johnson’s Motor
Lodge or the Ramada Inn.
LOUISIANA DOWNS
This new $20 million thoroughbred race track is in Bossier City, about five minutes from downtown Shreveport (just
over the Louisiana border on Interstate 20). The racing season runs from January 14th through June 5th. Post time is
1:15 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
If you don’t want to venture too far from the track, stay at the Sheraton Bossier ($22 and $24 a night for a double)
or the Hilton Inn-Bossier ($27). In Shreveport itself, the Chateau Motor Hotel ($23-$30 for a double) is
particularly popular.
Expect to eat well in Shreveport since there are many fine restaurants. Ernest’s Supper Club and Sansone’s have long
been favorites with out-of-towners, but people who visit Shreveport with any regularity choose Firenze’s, an elegant
place with northern Italian cuisine, Dietmar’s in Shreve Square on the river, and Smith’s Cross Lake Inn for
delicious oysters or fried catfish.
In April, Shreveport holds its Holiday in Dixie festival.
COASTAL
CORPUS CHRISTI
Try to arrive at this popular seacoast playground by way of Highway 181, which becomes a causeway across Nueces Bay.
This approach affords a good view of the Harbor Bridge, a symbol of the city and the highest bridge in Texas.
The downtown businèss district fronts on the marina where hundreds of pleasure boats and fishing vessels ar
edocked. Party boats are for hire and the Gulf waters abound with tarpon, sailfish, mackerel and bonito. Free
fishing from city piers as well.
Spring begins in Corpus with Buccaneer Days, an 11-day carnival featuring fireworks, an illuminated night parade and
girls dressed in pirate attire. On July 2nd and 3rd, Corpus Christi will host the Texas Jazz Festival, the only free
musical gathering of its kind in the U.S.
Corpus is strong on the visual arts as well, with a spectacular new building for the Art Museum of South Texas. It
was designed by New York architect Philip Johnson and is situated right on the Gulf. Open 10-5, Tuesday through
Saturday.
The Port of Corpus Christi, ninth largest in the country, is frequently described as “America’s cleanest industrial
port.” Although it handles millions of tons of petroleum annually, government and industry have combined to keep
damage from oil spills to a minimum.
Stay at the Sheraton-Marina Inn (doubles start at $29) or La Quinta Royale (doubles start at $27). Delicious seafood
is served at the Black Diamond Oyster Bar. Also try J.B.’s Crab Pot.
North Padre Island’s beautiful beaches and smooth sand can be reached by the John F. Kennedy Causeway from the city.
Eighty miles of the island has been designated National Seashore, the focal point of which is the recreation
pavilion at Malaquite Beach. Stay at the Padre Island Beach Hotel ($32-$38 for doubles), or camp at sites in the
national seashore area.
An hour’s drive south from Corpus on U.S. 77 will bring you to the famous King Ranch, the largest (823,000 acres)
ranch in the continental U.S. A 12-mile loop drive past the headquarters, stables and ranchlands is open to the
public. Entrance is west of Kingsville, off Texas 141.
FISHING PARADISE
For a weekend of fishing and only fishing, take the causeway or ferry from Corpus Christi to Mustang Island, at the
northern tip of which you will find the town of Port Aransas. This is where “they bite every day.”
From Fisherman’s Wharf, you can board the Scat Cat, the largest charter boat out of Port Aransas and a
favorite with red snapper fishermen. The Wharf Cat, completely air-conditioned, makes three 4-hour trips a
day. The price is generally $7 a head, including bait.
The Scat Cat also goes to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge on Wednesdays from November through March.
There is good surfcasting from the beach, and good fishing from rock jetties, where catches may include redfish,
speckled trout and flounder. Swimmers and sun-bathers will enjoy the miles of beach on Mustang Island.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
Set aside three days, hop a plane to Brownsville, drive 25 miles to the tiny fishing village of Port Isabel and
across the Queen Isabella Causeway to a strip of land that hugs the Texas coast, and you’ll have a most relaxing
weekend.
Padre Island, named after a Spanish priest who bought the land from the King of Spain for $460 in the early 1800s,
is an ideal spot for beach lovers and fishermen.
Game fish cram the waters of Padre. Some 272 varieties have been counted, including tarpon, sailfish, marlin, king
mackerel, red snapper and barracuda. The Tarpon Rodeo, beginning on Oct. 1st, is a two-day competition to see who
catches the largest tarpon. The Texas International Fishing Tournament is held August 3rd to 6th.
Judy and Don Veach can take you on a 7-hour Jeep tour of South Padre, if the dunes and local fauna fascinate you.
The ride costs $20 per passenger and you can write to them at Box 663, Port Isabel, Texas 78578.
Padre is also a haven for treasure-hunters. Doubloons, swords and chests of jewelry have been found in the sand, and
many vessels have been shipwrecked in these waters, so keep your eyes open.
Several luxury hotels have sprung up in recent years, such as the Bahia Mar ($35). The Sea Island Hilton charges
from $33 to $45 a night for a double; $3 more will get you a kitchenette.
Recommended restaurants: the Jetties, a casual place with good food. Also the Beachcomber Corral and Pirate Ship.
If you get the urge to stay longer, contact Island Rental Services (512-943-1508) about renting a cottage or a
condominium.
GALVESTON
On the Gulf of Mexico, some 60 miles southeast of Houston, Galveston Island offers miles of beaches, a semi-tropical
climate, delicious seafood, and a city filled with history. Once pirate Jean Lafitte’s headquarters, Galveston has
long been an important port and resort.
Architectural jewels not to be missed: The Bishop’s Palace, built as a private home, is the only edifice in the
state on the American Institute of Architects’ list of the nation’s 100 most outstanding buildings; Ashton Villa, an
opulent Gothic Revival house built in 1859; The Strand, the old mercantile street, dubbed the “Wall Street of the
Southwest” in its day, is made up of a row of iron-front commercial buildings that today house shops, restaurants
and art galleries.
Although the weather is somewhat iffy, Galveston can be a good winter place. The Islander East condominium will rent
apartments for a minimum of two nights (overlooking the Gulf, a one-bedroom costs $40 a night, a two-bedroom $55)
during the winter season. During the summer, they rent only weekly or monthly. The Galvez Hotel, a stately hotel
with all modern conveniences, has double rooms facing the Gulf for $30 a night.
Recommended restaurants: Gaido’s and John’s Oyster Resort.
Also excellent fishing and surfing, golf, free ferry rides to Port Bolivar, Sea-Arama Marineworld (regular shows
featuring porpoises, penguins, etc.).
HOUSTON
An easy four-and-a-half hour drive on Interstate 45 will bring you to Houston, the largest city in the state and the
sixth largest in the nation. This sprawling giant, which many predict will be the largest city in the world by the
year 2000, has so many facets that one can only hope to get a glimpse in a weekend. We are allotting two weekends to
Houston, although we realize that not even five weekends would enable us to see it all.
Plan on staying at the Warwick Hotel (doubles from $49 to $70), an outstanding combination of Old World charm and
modern convenience. Its location is ideal for museum visiting, with the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Museum of
Fine Arts within walking distance. Many galleries are also right at hand.
You will also have spacious Hermann Park at your doorstep, and within it, the Houston Zoo (free), the Museum of
Natural Science (featuring a very sophisticated planetarium), and the Hermann Garden Center. On the other side of
Hermann Park is the Texas Medical Center, a complex of hospitals, medical schools and research institutes that has
been in the forefront of U.S. medicine for the last decade. Tours can be arranged.
The River Oaks section has some of the most splendid homes anywhere. Be sure to visit Bayou Bend, the estate of the
late Ima Hogg, daughter of former Texas Governor James Hogg. Located on 14 acres, the 24-room mansion in “Latin
Colonial” style houses an elegant collection of American antiques and decorative arts that span the period from 1600
to 1890. Two-hour tours by appointment only.
The Galleria, a three-level enclosed mall complete with ice skating rink, has dozens of fine shops. Neiman’s and
Lord & Taylor are, of course, familiar to Dal-lasites, but nearby are Saks Fifth Avenue, Joske’s and Sakowitz.
Westbury Square, a shopping center designed as an English village, is also a most attractive place for strolling and
browsing.
Since we are not counting pennies on this weekend, we suggest dinner at Tony’s, an elegant restaurant with a
continental menu.
The evening calls for tickets to Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where you can attend a performance of either
the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera, or the Houston Ballet, depending upon your tastes and the season. If
theater is your thing, the Alley Theater provides both a stunning setting and an excellent repertory company.
Finish the evening with a nightcap at the Spindletop, a slowly rotating bar atop the modern Hyatt Regency Hotel.
NO FRILLS-HOUSTON
A more economical weekend might have you staying at the Plaza Hotel ($26 a night for a double) or one of the
no-frills motels along the freeways.
You might visit Sam Houston Historical Park, where the Harris County Heritage Society has restored five houses, a
small country church, and row of 19th-century shops … or the San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park, where
Texas won its independence from Mexico in a decisive battle in 1836, and where the battleship Texas, from
another war, is open to the public … or the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (NASA headquarters), some 22 miles
south of downtown … or Busch Bird Park, where you can walk through a landscaped aviary and ogle tropical birds,
then take the Anheuser-Busch brewery tour … or take in a game at the Astrodome, the world’s largest
air-conditioned domed stadium … or take the kids to Astroworld, a huge amusement park.
Recommended for dinner: Nikita’s, a moderately-priced Russian restaurant with good food and lots of atmosphere;
Ruggles, an unpretentious restaurant in the off-beat Westheimer area that serves French food; Zorba’s, in the
Montrose section, for Greek food at moderate prices.
Carnaby’s, an informal jazz spot, might be the place for after-dinner entertainment. Or Gilley’s (you’ve seen the
bumper stickers, haven’t you?), the huge country music club that features names like Willie Nelson and Waylon
Jennings.
ARANSAS WILDLIFE REFUGE
About 85 miles north of Corpus Christi, you will find the winter haven of millions of birds, the most famous of
which is the nearly extinct whooping crane. This sanctuary is on a peninsula about 12 miles across the bay from the
fishing village of Rockport. Make Rockport your base for the weekend and stay at the nearby Sea Gun Resort Hotel (a
room for two runs $29 a night; a one-bedroom cottage goes for $42 a night, double occupancy). The Key Allegro Inn is
also recommended.
From the Sea Gun hotel, you can take an excursion boat called The Whooping Crane and get a bird’s eye view of
the wildlife. Boat leaves at 1:30 p.m. on Wed., Fri., Sat., and Sun. and returns at 5 p.m. (adults $7, children
under 10, $5). There is also a drive through the federally-run preserve which contains some 300 species of birds and
32 varieties of animals. November through March is the best time to do your bird-watching.
Fishing in the area is excellent, especially from piers on the Copano Bay Causeway, now a state park.
Rockport itself is an artist’s colony, with more than a dozen galleries and many private art schools. It also
features the Fulton Mansion, a lavish home built by the brother of the steamboat inventor.
And be sure to visit Goose Island State Park, the home of the largest live oak in Texas, an immense tree that is
estimated to be 2,000 years old.
WEST
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
Save this one for a four-day weekend. Located some 550 miles from Dallas, along the Rio Grande river, Big Bend
encompasses 1,100 square miles of flowering desert, spectacular canyons and gorges, and expansive plains. Its varied
terrain and huge panoramas can’t be appreciated in a short visit. Take Interstate 20 west to Odessa, then Rt. 385
south through Marathon, entering the park at Persimmon Gap. There is no admission fee.
The central area of the park is Chisos Basin, where civilized accommodations can be had at the Chisos Mountains
Lodge for $18.50 a night for two people. (Developed campgrounds in the park cost $2 a night per site – no
reservations taken.)
From the Basin, take a 14-mile guided horseback ride ($20 per person) to the South Rim plateau and enjoy an 80-mile
long view of desert, plains and distant mountain ranges in Mexico. Or if you prefer to go on foot, hike the Lost
Mine Trail for four miles of breathtaking vistas.
Santa Elena Canyon, with sheer limestone cliffs that tower 1,500 feet above the river, provides an awesome setting
for a two-day raft trip. For the less hardy, Mariscal Canyon can be traveled in a day and there are few rough spots
in the river. Permits are required for rafting and back-packing – write to the park headquarters.
Big Bend is also geologically fascinating, since erosion has exposed evidence that the area was an ocean 100 million
years ago. More recently, say, 65 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here, as did the pterodactyl, largest flying
creature known. And today there’s a dazzling variety of plant and animal life.
The weather is good year-round, but quite hot in June and July.
Leaving the park by its western exit, take a side trip on Rt. 170 to Terlingua, an authentic ghost town. Once the
site of a quicksilver mining operation, Terlingua lost its entire population after the mines closed down in 1947.
Only shells of buildings remain. On October 8th, Arriba (Upper) Terlingua will be the site of the World Championship
Chili Cook-off.
EL PASO
This westernmost city in Texas (647 miles from Dallas) is also the largest U.S. city on the Mexican border. It is
located in an ancient mountain pass (from which it gets its name) and is surrounded by peaks a mile high. To fully
appreciate its physical setting, take a ride on the aerial tramway that takes you to the top of Ranger Peak (5,632
ft.) and gaze at vast stretches of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. Admission: $1.50 adults, 75￠ for children.
The Spanish heritage of El Paso can be savored during a tour of the old missions. Nuestra Senora del Carmen (also
known as Ysleta Mission) is the oldest mission in Texas (1681) and was maintained by the Franciscans in order to
bring Christianity to the Tigua Indians; Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion del Socorro, was established by refugees
from New Mexico who were forced to flee after the Pueblo Revolt in 1681; and San Elizario Presidio Chapel was
founded to serve the Spanish military garrison.
Sierra de Cristo Rey (Mountain of Christ the King) is the site of a huge statue of Christ built of cream limestone
that overlooks the city of El Paso. On the last Sunday of October, pilgrims make their way along the 4-mile foot
trail to the summit of the mountain (4,576 ft.) on the feast of Christ the King.
The El Paso Museum of Art is a multi-million dollar collection that includes the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of
George Washington. Open Tues.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 1-5 p.m. There are several good art galleries
to browse through as well, usually showing the work of local artists. There’s also the El Paso Symphony and several
legitimate theaters.
In the Ysleta section of town, the Tigua Community Building traces the history and culture of the Pueblo Indians
from pre-Columbian to modern times. Dances are performed around noon on weekends. Indian crafts are sold here, as is
Pueblo bread baked’ in a traditional, outdoor oven. Admission: $1.50, children under 12, 50￠. Open daily.
For those who crave spectator sports, El Paso offers Sunland Race Track, drag racing, and Golden Gloves boxing.
Across the border in Juarez, there is horse racing in an ultra-modern track, greyhound racing and bullfighting.
Also, terrific shopping. Eat at Julio’s Cafe Corona for a good, inexpensive meal.
Recommended restaurants in El Paso: The Happy Bavarian and Griggs (the Doniphan location has a Billy the Kid museum
on the premises).
The Indian Cliffs Ranch, 30 miles east of El Paso on Interstate 10, is 3,000 acres of desert land over which you can
ride horseback. Also hayrides and trail-rides. Good steak house, too.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend are the only two national parks in Texas, and Guadalupe is the newer and more
rugged of the two. In fact, this park is really for people who like to rough it since it has very limited facilities
for visitors. There are no restaurants or overnight accommodations in the park (nearest motel rooms are in White’s
City, New Mexico, about 40 miles northeast, or Van Horn, about 58 miles south) and there are only about 20 camper
sites.
Still, the dramatic scenery is worth a trip, if only to drive through the park. Four of the state’s highest peaks
are here (Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 ft. is the highest, El Capitan at 8,078 ft. is the second highest), along with
deep canyons and a rare mixture of plant and animal life.
For serious and experienced hikers, Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers several challenging trails, including
McKittrick Canyon (four miles), the Devil’s Hallway (five miles) and the eight-mile round trip hike to Guadalupe
Peak. Permits are necessary for hiking and backpacking in the interior areas. Check in at the Frijole Information
Station.
The park is located about 110 miles east of El Paso and 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
FORT DAVIS
Way, way out in West Texas, about 38 miles south of Balmorhea, is the Fort Davis National Historic Site. According
to the National Park Service, Fort Davis is the “most extensive and impressive remaining example of southwestern
frontier forts.”
It was built in 1854 as a watering stop and protective outpost for gold hunters, settlers, traders and troops making
their way west on the Overland Trail. Later, Fort Davis became a center from which the U.S. cavalry waged war
against hostile Indians. Some 25 buildings have been restored so far, and there are other houses left in ruins. An
excellent museum displays artifacts, photographs and dioramas that depict the fort’s colorful history. Several times
a day, there is a re-enactment of a military retreat, done with sound-effects and music of the time, that echoes
over the now-empty parade ground and is a most effective reminder of past events. Admission to the site is $ 1 per
carload and the fort is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Four miles from the fort, in Davis Mountains State Park, is Indian Lodge, a multi-level hotel designed in the style
of an Indian pueblo. A couple and two children over 12 can stay here for $21.63 a night, including tax. There is a
restaurant and a pool on the premises as well. Since the lodge only has 39 rooms and the fort is very popular, it
would be a good idea to write ahead for reservations (Box 786, Fort Davis, Texas 79734). Davis Mountains State Park
is one of the most scenic places in the state, and also has provisions for camping, picnicking and hiking.
There is a 75-mile scenic drive that begins at Fort Davis and winds through the mountains before eventually
returning to the fort again. In these mountains, some 13 miles from Indian Lodge, is the McDonald Observatory,
operated by the University of Texas. The observatory has a 107-inch reflecting telescope, which is the third largest
in the U.S. There are about five tours a day (call ahead for exact times) of the observatory, but if you yearn to
look through the big telescope yourself, you can do it on the last Wednesday of each month. Arrangements must be
made in advance by writing directly to the observatory.
MARFA/ ALPINE
Deep in southwest Texas, some 20 miles from Fort Davis, is the town of Marfa (altitude: 4,688 ft.), which has become
a popular spot for gliding enthusiasts. The combination of superb climate and topography has attracted many glider
pilots to this spot. Massive updrafts and mountain waves make it an ideal place for this sport. Tow pilots are
available at the Marfa Municipal Airport. Marfa is also known for its mile-high 9-hole golf course and for its good
muledeer and antelope hunting. There are two motels in town, the Thunderbird and the Holiday Capri, and they both
charge $16 a night for a double.
Only 26 miles east on U.S. 90 is the town of Alpine, which is a center for rock collectors. Some 16 miles south of
town is the Woodward Ranch, which allows visitors to hunt and collect red agate. They grade the agate for you and
charge you 35￠ a lb. for the good stuff only. They have trailer hookups on the ranch and there are motels in the
town of Alpine.
ODESSA/MIDLAND
This town in the West Texas plains is probably the least likely place in the world to build a replica of
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. But an English teacher at Odessa High School worked 15 years to promote the idea and
raise the necessary money, and in 1964, her dream became a reality.
This year’s Shakespeare Summer Festival runs from June 17th to August 21st and will include, on alternate nights,
two Shakespearean plays (Measure/or Measure and Two Gentlemen of Verona) and Oliver Goldsmith’s She
Stoops to Conquer. There are no performances on Monday or Tuesday. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for
students.
The Inn of the Golden West in Odessa offers a weekend play package that includes a room for 2 for 2 nights, tickets
for three Globe performances (Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinee), a tour of the Globe theatre and use of
the hotel pool for $58.68.
In nearby Midland, there is a stunning new petroleum museum. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum traces the history
of oil discovery and production in the area through mixed-media presentations. Open Tues.-Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
Plan this for a long weekend, say three or four days, because it’s in the southeastern corner of New Mexico, and
therefore a long drive from Dallas. The park itself is 73 square miles. Admission is $3 a car load; the park is open
all year.
Carlsbad Caverns is made up of three miles of underground corridors and huge chambers that are thought to form one
of the world’s largest caves. It takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to walk through the caverns. Highlights are the King’s
Palace, a circular chamber, the Queen’s Chamber and the Big Room, formed in the shape of a cross. One of the most
amazing sights occurs at dusk, May through September, when bats emerge from the uppermost chamber of the caverns and
set out in search of food.
Good motel accommodations are available in the town of Carlsbad or in White’s City. Overnight camping in the park
for backpackers only.
SANANGELO CAVERNS OF SONORA
Take Interstate 20 west to Abilene, then highway 277 southwest to San Angelo. Be sure to visit Fort Concho, one of
the best preserved frontier military forts in Texas. Established in 1867, 18 of the original buildings are still
standing and in use. Also visit General Telephone’s free museum containing Alexander Graham Bell’s phone, as well as
models of other telephones right up to the present day. There are many good motels in town to pick from for your
overnight ’stay.
Head south from San Angelo on Highway 277 to Sonora, then take Highway 290 west for 8 miles to the caverns. Opened
to the public in 1960, they are well worth the trip. In this subterranean wonderland, you can see stalagmites and
stalactities of all different hues, translucent and phosphorescent shapes in twisting passageways, and large
chambers of fantastic formations. The caverns are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours every half hour.
Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for children.
MONAHANS SANDHILLS STATE PARK
Way out in West Texas, on Interstate 20 past Odessa, is a state park that consists of 4,000 acres of wind-sculptured
sand. It is a veritable Sahara, an eerie landscape of dunes and shifting sands. Admission to the park is $1 per
vehicle (up to 11 persons). Two popular activities in the park, dune buggy rides and sand surfing, are not available
right now, but should be in operation once again by June. There are camping facilities in the park ($2 fee, $3 with
electricity) and an interpretive center where you can learn about the interesting geology and history of the park.
Bring a pail and shovel.
In the town of Monahans itself, you can see six pump jacks side by side right downtown, drawing oil from beneath the
city hall, the courthouse and the banks.
Here also is what is left of the world’s largest oil storage tank. Built in 1928 by the Shell Oil Co., the project
developed leaks and other technical problems that doomed it. To appreciate its size, one need only know that its
floors can easily hold five football fields. An unusual sight, at the east end of Monahans.
NORT
LAKE TEXOMA
Lake Texoma Resort, a state lodge, has double rooms for $23 a night, deluxe cabins (with two bedrooms, living room,
kitchenette, and fireplace) for $35 a night, and one-room cabins with kitchenette for $29 a night. Activities at the
resort include golf, tennis, horseback riding, bicycling, movies, etc. There are also numerous motels, resorts and
restaurants all around the lake.
Head due north on Highway 75 for a little more than an hour and you will be in Denison, the birthplace of Dwight
David Eisenhower. The house he was born in was restored in the 1950s when it was learned that the President had not
been born in Tyler, as he had believed, but in Denison (the confusion arose because the family left Tyler for
Denison shortly before he was born in 1890, and moved again to Abilene, Kansas shortly after his birth). The
two-story frame house is open to the public for a very small admission fee.
Denison is only seven miles from Lake Texoma, one of the southwest’s major vacation areas (11 million visitors in
1975). Its 680 miles of shoreline in both Texas and Oklahoma offer every kind of facility for camping, picnicking,
boating, swimming, hunting and fishing. The Eisenhower State Park, on the Texas side of the lake, has a modern
marina and excellent fishing. The Cross Timbers hiking trail begins in Juniper Point Recreation Area and winds west
along the lake’s southern shoreline for about 14 miles. The trail runs high above the lake (which is formed by a dam
on the Red River) and affords some beautiful views.
TALIMENA SCENIC DRIVE
Make your way to Paris, Texas (northeast of Dallas), then take Route 271 north to Talihina, Oklahoma. Here, you
begin the 55-mile Talimena Scenic Drive that follows the high ridges of the Ouachita Mountains to Mena, Arkansas. It
is touted as the only highway in the Southwest built expressly for the view; many pull-outs along the way let
motorists savor the panoramic scenes.
Stay overnight at the Queen Wilhelmina Inn, built of native stone and featuring several rooms with fireplaces (a
room with two double beds is $20 a night). This hotel is on the Talimena Scenic Highway, in Queen Wilhelmina State
Park, some 3,000 feet above sea level at the summit of Rich Mountain.
KIAMICHI TRAIL
The Sierra Club’s regional group in Dallas offers many backpacking trips in the state, but this weekend hike on the
Kiamichi Trail in Oklahoma is a good local outing for those with modest skills.
The group usually leaves Friday afternoon after work and travels northeast for four hours to Broken Bow, Oklahoma,
just below Beaver’s Bend State Park. Here, they camp overnight, continuing the next morning for 13 miles before
regrouping at 9 a.m. at the Carter Mountain forest ranger lookout tower, which is the trail head.
The Kiamichi Trail is an old 50-mile-long Indian trail (literally, Kiamichi means “the way to whiskey”) which was
subsequently laid out by the Boy Scouts, and which today is on the property of the Weyerhauser Co.
From Carter Mountain, the group proceeds through forest areas for six miles to South Holly Creek, where they pitch
camp. From there, they day hike to North Holly Creek before going back to camp for the night. On Sunday, they hike
out the way they came, having covered only ten miles of the total trail, but have trekked over 400 and 500 ft.
mountain slopes. They return to Dallas on Sunday afternoon.
If you’re interested, contact Sierra Club Outings Co-Chairman Jim Middle-brook at 255-1026. There is no charge for
the hike, but you must provide all food, clothing and camping equipment that you’ll need. They like to limit the
groups to 12 persons but have taken as many as 24.
PANHANDLE
AMARILLO
Amarillo, the heart of the Panhandle, also bills itself as the “sports city of the Southwest.” The first weekend in
October, it is the site of the National Hot Rod Association World Finals. Also available: Golden Gloves boxing,
wrestling, track and field events, basketball tournaments, etc.
Amarillo offers the world’s largest cattle auction (2 or 3 days a week), an ultra-modern planetarium and an art
center comprised of three buildings devoted to fine arts, drama and music.
To the north, about 46 miles away, the Lake Meredith recreation area is a popular spot for all kinds of water
activities. A modern marina complete with an enclosed, air-conditioned fishing barge is one of the favorite
attractions. Within the recreation area is Texas’ only national monument, the Alibates Flint Quarries, where
quarries that date from the Ice Ages are preserved. Guided tours are given late spring through early fall at no
charge.
In case you didn’t know that Amarillo is the helium capital of the world, go by the Helium Time Columns monument
commemorating the natural element that is found here in the greatest quantity in the world.
PALO DURO CANYON
Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” it’s a geologic wonder. Located in the Panhandle, about 20 miles
southeast of Amarillo, Texas’ largest state park is reachable by Highway 287 out of Fort Worth.
The canyon is a huge gorge, 120 miles long, carved out of solid rock by some 90 million years of steady erosion. The
Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River has gradually whittled away the 1,000-foot depths of the canyon, and left
walls with shelves and ledges of dazzling configurations. The slopes are predominantly rose-colored, but the hues
shift continually. Admission to the park is $1. There are an 8-mile scenic drive, horses for hire, hiking trails, a
miniature railroad, camping and picnicking facilities, and a creek to swim in.
Another major attraction of the park is the Pioneer Amphitheatre, a modern, 1,500-seat outdoor theater at the foot
of a 600-foot cliff. Here, from June 18th through August 23rd, every night (except Sunday) at 8:30 p.m., a musical
drama by Pulitzer-Prize-winner Paul Green called “Texas” is presented. A company of 78 actors and singers, backed up
by sound effects and lighting, recreates the struggles of the early settlers of the Panhandle against drought, dust
and storms. Ticket prices range from $2.50 to $5 for adults, from $1.25 to $5 for children, depending upon location
and day of the week. All seats are reserved. Parking is free (although camping fee is $1 a night) and a barbeque
dinner is served before each performance, from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
In the nearby town of Canyon, the Panhandle Plains Museum is an excellent place to learn the history of the area. No
admission fee.
If you don’t care to camp, Amarillo has a full complement of motels.
CENTRAL
LAKEWAY INN
For a real get-away-from-it-all weekend in a beautiful setting, there’s Lakeway Inn. On Lake Travis, thirty minutes
from Austin, this resort has rooms overlooking the lake, many with fireplace, private balcony and wet bar, for $42 a
night. Recreation includes tennis, sailing, fishing, water skiing, horseback riding, golf, and swimming in two
pools, one of which is heated. Moonlight cruises on Lakeway’s yacht, or dancing and nightly entertainment in the
Yacht Club Lounge.
WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS
This weekend trip is designed to teach the traveler a little history, for it was here that the Republic of Texas was
born in 1836. A convention met here to declare Texas independent from Mexico and to adopt a constitution. And, for a
brief time in 1842, this town was the capital of the Republic.
Today, the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park includes the sites of the signing of the Texas Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution of the Republic, as well as the home of Anson Jones, the last president of the
Republic. An unusual star-shaped museum is the center of the park and houses documents and pictures of the signers
of both of those important documents. A second-level exhibit traces the colonial influences in Texas. Open Wednesday
through Sunday. There are extensive picnic areas in the groves along the Brazos River.
To reach Washington-on-the-Brazos, take Interstate 45 southeast to Madison-ville, then continue south on Highway 90
to Navasota, then west on Highway 105. On the way back to Dallas, continue on Highway 105 to Brenham, then head
northwest on Highway 36 to Lake Somer-ville, an excellent spot for bass fishing. Because the lake is small and
shallow, it’s easier to find the fish. Lake Somerville State Park has camping areas, boat ramps and swimming. The
town of Somerville offers some unusual accomodations at the Boxcar Motel, where each room is a genuine used railroad
boxcar. It’s only $10.30 a night for two, but call ahead for reservations (713-596-8341) since there are only 21
rooms.
If railroad cars don’t appeal to you, continue north on Highway 36 to Cald-well, where you will find the Surrey Inn,
one of the finest country inns in the U.S. A double room goes for $22.66 a night, and on summer weekends, you can
ride through the grounds in a real old surrey. The food is good, too.
HUNTSVILLE
Huntsville is the headquarters of the Texas Department of Corrections and site of the main unit of the Texas State
Penitentiary. Not exactly a place you’d pick for a carefree weekend. Yet the annual Texas Prison Rodeo is one of the
biggest attractions in the state. It was started in 1931, and the word soon spread that the convicts staged the
wildest possible rodeo because they had nothing to lose. You can see it every Sunday in October at 2 p.m. Tickets,
$4, $5, and by reservation (write P.O. Box 99, Huntsville 77340, or call 713-295-6371). Proceeds are used for
treatment and rehabilitation programs for inmates. There are all sorts of “midway” activities before the rodeo, so
make it an all-day affair.
Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, spent the last years of his life in Huntsville. Sam
Houston Memorial Museum, a 15-acre complex near the center of town, encompasses his home, his law office, the house
where he died and all sorts of Houston memorabilia. His tomb is also in Huntsville.
There are several scenic drives through Sam Houston National Forest and nearby Lake Livingston, 52 miles long, has
5,000 campsites, 100 boat launching ramps and is full offish.
THE Y. O. RANCH
Located in the hill country, southwest of Austin, the Y.O. Ranch is the largest private hunting area of exotic game
in the country. It is stocked with game animals from all over the world, ranging from Blackbuck Antelope (India) to
Aoudads (North Africa) to Corsican rams. The animals are free and living in a natural environment amidst the rocky
terrain. Hunters are provided with experienced guides and all equipment needed in the field except rifles (and they,
too, can be furnished upon request). Most of the hunting is done from radio-equipped Jeep. There’s only one catch:
if you should happen to bag a Blackbuck Antelope, for example, it will cost you $800. A Rio Grande Turkey, on the
other hand will only cost $150. Each type of animal has his own price tag, but an average hunt will run you $600.
Since the ranch operates on a “no kill, no pay” basis, you can choose to go the economical route and just look at
the dozen or so species that are not hunted. They include such endangered species as the ibex, gemsbok and oryx.
Ostriches and emus are raised for eventual sale to zoos.
Or you can simply observe the routine of a working ranch with 300 head of registered Texas Longhorns, eat
country-style at the Chuckwagon, and sleep in an historic log cabin that has been restored and decorated with
antiques. An overnight visit with three meals runs $40 per person, but the ranch also offers two tours daily and if
you call ahead (512-640-3222), you might even be able to stay for lunch.
The Y.O. ranch has its own private airstrip and facilities for small retreats or business meetings. Photo safaris
can be arranged.
This trip might be combined with Kerrville, about an hour away, the site of the annual Texas Arts and Crafts Fair at
the end of May.
NEWKS TENNIS RANCH
Owned in part by former Wimbledon Champion John Newcombe, this tennis ranch is designed to be “a place to play
tennis and relax and play tennis and eat and play tennis and play and play tennis.” That just about sums it up. The
resort boasts 20 Laykold courts (four of which are covered and lighted), resident professionals to help you find a
partner whose skills really match your own and to give lessons, and court-side instant replay television to assist
you in studying your form.
The ranch offers a weekend package for tennis instruction that is hard to beat. For $100 per person, you get
double-occupancy accommodations in either a motel room or a cottage for Friday and Saturday night, all meals
starting with dinner on Friday through Sunday lunch, use of the facilities, and tennis instructions consisting of
three mini-clinics of 2? hours each (4 students to every pro). For $65 per, you get all of the above minus tennis
instruction.
Newks Tennis Ranch is four miles west of New Braunfels on Highway 46, moments away from an 18-hole municipal golf
course and beautiful Canyon Lake. Also reachable from San Antonio, it’s a-bout a half-hour ride. A $30 deposit is
required on weekend reservations.
Seconds Chance
A mill outlet is a place where companies sell their product overruns or seconds at lower than retail cost. Now
Dallas has one of its own. It’s called the Merchant’s Warehouse and it’s located at 1735 North Stemmons Freeway at
the intersection with Oak Lawn. The warehouse sells everything from sheets, towels, and bedspreads, to place mats,
blankets, rugs, and draperies. All items are factory seconds, irregulars, or “intentional irregulars” (first rate
goods marked by the manufacturer as irregular to get them out of inventory). Naturally, the low prices are what
attract the growing number of customers. Examples: queen size flat and fitted sheets by designer Bill Blass sell for
$5.97 each. That’s about 50 percent lower than the regular retail price.
furniture of the period are still here. A mule-drawn wagon leaves from the home and takes you about half a mile to
the Johnson Settlement, the restored homestead of LBJ’s grandfather. No charge.
CANOEING THE BRAZOS RAFTING THE GUADALUPE
Since you really don’t need a guide to go canoeing on the Brazos, the thing to do is hop in your car and take
highway 180 west out of Fort Worth to a point just below Possum Kingdom Lake. There, where highway 4 intersects the
Brazos river, you make contact with Bud Rochelle (817-659-2581) who supplies the canoes and who will shuttle your
car for a nominal fee. Reservations are required, as well as a $10 deposit per canoe. The rental is $12 for the
first day and $6 for the second. The canoes come with paddles and life vests. You bring your own food and camping
equipment.
Rafting on the Guadalupe is another matter. This is the closest thing to white-water in Texas and you need a guide
to ease you over the rapids. You meet your guide, Steve Harris, at Guadalupe Canoe Rental (take highway 46 west of
New Braunfels, then Rt. 281 to the river) where the trip begins. For $64 a person, you get two days on the river and
four meals. The water is clear, with a sand and gravel bottom, and there is good camping along the way. Some
locations even have showers and shelters. The first night is spent at Specht’s Crossing, and you put in at the end
of the weekend at Rebecca Creek Crossing. Your car will be waiting for you there. Water conditions may lead to a
change in the exact places where one begins and ends, but generally Harris likes to stay on the upper part of the
river where there are more rapids and fewer people than on the lower part.
For more information, call Bob Narra-more at High Trails Canoe Outfitters here in Dallas (661-3943).
GERMAN HERITAGE TOUR
Although the three stops on this weekend are not right next door to one another, as a whole tour they leave the
tourist with a vivid impression of the German influence in Texas.
New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by German settlers and has maintained a German flavor to this day. Each November,
the town salutes the merits of the sausage with a 10-day Wurstfest. At any time of year, eat at the Smokehouse and
enjoy such German dishes as sauerbraten, sauerkraut and sausages, chicken and dumplings. The Hill Country Inn will
accommodate two for $21 a night.
From here, head to San Antonio and limit yourself to the King William Street section. Although one usually
associates San Antonio with Spanish and Mexican cultures, about one-third of the population was German in the 1870s
when many of the homes in this district were built. The buildings reflect the German heritage of their owners and
have been restored in the last decade or so to preserve the neighborhood. The Steves House is one of the most
fashionable German residences of its day.
The next day, move on to Fredericks-burg, some 68 miles northwest of San Antonio. Here, you will receive a hearty
“Will-kommen” from the people of this historic German community.
This town, like New Braunfels, was settled by German colonists in 1846 and was named after Prince Frederick of
Prussia. The old world flavor is evident on Main Street, which is lined with native limestone houses and buildings
that date from the original settlement. One clue to the colonists’ life style is the tiny “Sunday Houses,” which
were used only on weekends when families came to town to shop and attend church.
The Vereins Kirche, an 8-sided church and meeting hall that was the town’s first public building has been restored
and can be visited.
Be sure to eat at Oma’s on Main Street for German specialties.
EAGLE LAKE
Some 38 miles west of Houston, this area has become popular as a duck and goose hunting area. Some 150,000 waterfowl
winter among the ricefields. Snow and blue geese are the most abundant, with many Canadian geese. Dates for hunting
season will not be set until late summer, but it usually begins the first weekend in November, continuing through
January. A bag limit of five geese daily kill or five in one’s possession at any time is enforced by game wardens. A
hunting license, required by the state of Texas, is available for $5.25 from any Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
office (Dallas’ is at 3727 Dilido) or at many sporting goods stores. In addition, a federal duck stamp must be
obtained, either from any post office or a sporting goods store. (Price for the stamp was $5 in 1976, but may go up
to as much as $8 this year.)
Private hunting clubs in the area offer guide services and group hunts at varying rates. Among these are: Blue Goose
Hunting Club, Drawer M, Altair, TX 77412; J.R. Reel Hunting Club, 500 W. Prairie, Eagle Lake, TX 77434; Bar D
Hunting Club, Lissy, TX 77454.
GRANBURY
Take U.S. 377 southwest from Fort Worth and enjoy the rolling countryside that eases you into Granbury. En route,
plan to stop at the Pate Museum of Transportation, a remarkable collection of vehicles that includes planes of all
kinds, missiles, a mine sweeper, a double-decker London bus, a private railroad car (visits by appointment only), an
Apollo training capsule, and at least two dozen vintage cars (one of them is a 1950 Russian limousine). Admission is
free and the museum is open daily except Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many of the exhibits are outdoors, and a
recreation facility where one can picnic or swim in a pool adjoins the museum.
The focal point of the town of Gran-bury is the courthouse square, around which all the picturesque 19th-century
buildings are gathered. The courthouse building is architecturally interesting, the restored 1886 Opera House offers
twelve weeks of summer stock shows, the Nutt House (closed Monday) offers good country cooking, and the specialty
shops display a variety of merchandise. Lake Granbury has fishing, boating and swimming, and motels for overnight
lodging.
The next morning, head on to Glen Rose, and Dinosaur Valley State Park. The best time to visit is in the summer when
the Paluxy River is low and you can see the huge imprints left in the river bed by the dinosaurs of millions of
years ago. The first sauropod (a large plant-eating reptile) tracks in the world were discovered here. You can wade
in the water while you follow the dinosaur trails. Also three giant models of dinosaurs will give you an idea of
what the creatures really looked like.
COLLEGE STATION
College Station, some 350 miles south of Dallas, is known primarily for its proximity to Texas A & M University, the
state’s first public institution of higher education, established in 1876.
Another institution, opened in 1969, is the Texas World Speedway, a multi-million dollar racing facility. From the
grandstands, you can see a two-mile, banked, oval super-speedway, as well as most of a three-mile grand prix road
course. The top names in auto racing have been drawn to this new speedway.
Three major races still coming up this year: the Texas 500 (stock cars) on June 5th, the Texas 200 (Indy cars) on
July 30th and 31st and the Texas 1,000 KM (stock cars), which at 620 miles is said to be the longest stock car race
in the world.
For reserved seats, the tickets run $15, $20 and $25; for unreserved seats, tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for
children; and for infield viewing from your own car, it’s $6 for adults and $2 per child. For Seconds
Chance
A mill outlet is a place where companies sell their product overruns or seconds at lower than retail cost. Now
Dallas has one of its own. It’s called the Merchant’s Warehouse and it’s located at 1735 North Stemmons Freeway at
the intersection with Oak Lawn. The warehouse sells everything from sheets, towels, and bedspreads, to place mats,
blankets, rugs, and draperies. All items are factory seconds, irregulars, or “intentional irregulars” (first rate
goods marked by the manufacturer as irregular to get them out of inventory). Naturally, the low prices are what
attract the growing number of customers. Examples: queen size flat and fitted sheets by designer Bill Blass sell for
$5.97 each. That’s about 50 percent lower than the regular retail price.
Seconds Chance
A mill outlet is a place where companies sell their product overruns or seconds at lower than retail cost. Now
Dallas has one of its own. It’s called the Merchant’s Warehouse and it’s located at 1735 North Stemmons Freeway at
the intersection with Oak Lawn. The warehouse sells everything from sheets, towels, and bedspreads, to place mats,
blankets, rugs, and draperies. All items are factory seconds, irregulars, or “intentional irregulars” (first rate
goods marked by the manufacturer as irregular to get them out of inventory). Naturally, the low prices are what
attract the growing number of customers. Examples: queen size flat and fitted sheets by designer Bill Blass sell for
$5.97 each. That’s about 50 percent lower than the regular retail price.
contain 50 varieties of Texas trees. The state office buildings are elegantly designed and spotlessly maintained.
Nearby, the Governor’s Mansion has some rooms that are open to the public on weekday mornings and Sunday
afternoon.
The University of Texas, largest in the state with 42,000 students, is also the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson
Library, filled with presidential memorabilia.
Zilker Park, 349 acres, has a 1,000-ft. long spring-fed swimming pool edged by graceful trees and grounds. The Hike
and Bike Trail on Town Lake is a haven for walkers, bikers, joggers and fishermen.
Austin has the highest number of restaurants per capita in the state, so make this a weekend to enjoy eating. There
is a wealth of ethnic restaurants (Austin is famous for its Mexican food but Italian, Chinese and German places
abound), as well as steak houses. Especially recommended is Green Pastures, excellent food in a handsome Southern
setting.
The Driskill Hotel is an Austin landmark, a beautiful old hotel that has been renovated to accommodate present-day
patrons, but at $41 a night for a double, it is over-priced. The piano bar and the dining room are full of
atmosphere, so a visit here rather than an overnight stay is the solution. Bed down instead at the Sheraton Crest
Hotel (doubles start at $32.50).
On the way back to Dallas, take time out to linger in Salado, once a major stop on the Chisholm Trail. The
Butter-field stagecoach line attracted such bad hombres as the James Brothers to this town. Today, the Stage Coach
Inn offers good meals to travelers, just as it did in the last century. Main street in Salado has an elegant dress
shop, an antique shop and a few art galleries. Cool off by wading in Salado Creek before getting back on the road.
LANGTRY
In the middle of arid, undeveloped land, just west of where the Pecos River runs into the Rio Grande on the border
with Mexico, one can visit the old stomping grounds of Judge Roy Bean, known as “The Law West of the Pecos.”
The saloon, billiard hall and courtroom are all here in the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center, along with dioramas
depicting his brand of six-shooter justice.
Take U.S. 90 east about 18 miles to the canyon of the Pecos River and enjoy a spectacular view. Cool off in Lake
Amistad, a huge reservoir that has clear water, good fishing and boating. Spend the night in Del Rio, known as the
“wool and mohair capital of the world,” where there are several good motels and restaurants.
Next day, continue east on U.S. 90 for 32 miles to Bracketville, the location of Alamo Village. This recreation
center was originally the movie set for John Wayne’s film. The Alamo, and is still used for western movies on
occasion. There is a replica of the Alamo, as well as a complete frontier village including cantina, trading post,
Wells Fargo station, jail, saddle shop, etc. – one of the largest movie sets ever built in the U.S. Admission:
adults $2.50, children 6 to 12, $1.50.
WACO
Less than a hundred miles south of Dallas on Interstate 35, on the banks of the Brazos River, Waco is a town with
more tourist attractions than her big-city neighbors give her credit for.
Fort Fisher, a replica of the original Texas Ranger fort established in 1837, contains the Texas Ranger Museum, with
historical displays and a firearms collection. Fort Fisher Park has camping and picnic sites throughout its 35 acres
on Lake Brazos.
Lake Brazos also has the paddle-wheeler Brazos Queen, which goes on daily excursions ($2 for adults, $ 1 for
children), including two evening trips, with dinner served on board while strolling minstrels serenade.
On the campus of Baylor University, the Armstrong Browning Library has the world’s largest collection of works and
memorabilia of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
SAN MARCOS
If you’re in the mood for a family weekend, head for San Marcos, 26 miles southwest of Austin. Aquarena Springs is a
playland of water-related shows and activities. The submarine theater has underwater shows, some featuring swimming
swine (yes, pigs!) There is a skyride, glass bottom boats, a pirate’s cove and hanging gardens, to mention a few of
the main attractions. Stay at the Aquarena Springs Inn.
Parents might take a break with a scenic drive through the hill country; in particular, a winding route called the
“Devil’s Backbone” along Rt. 12 to the junction with Rt. 32.
Wonder World, also in San Marcos, features an earthquake-formed cave.
A side trip to Natural Bridge Caverns, just west of New Braunfels on Rt. 46, would complete the weekend. Here you
can tour underground caves for about a mile. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (6 p.m. in summer). Admission is
$3.50 for adults and children over 12, $2 for children from 3 to 11.
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Any weekend in October, in a magical place some 30 miles northwest of Houston, you can be transported effortlessly
back in time to the 15th century. There, amidst knights and damsels garbed in authentic attire, you can watch horse
racing, juggling, jousts, dancing to the music of ancient instruments, gypsies, kilted bagpipers, costumed vendors,
and the like. You can watch a royal procession (led by King George, president of the festival), a demonstration of
medieval martial arts, and craftsmen selling their wares in an arts and crafts village. You can even attend a
morality play (in modern language) and the kids can go to the Enchanted Forest for a Punch and Judy show.
This fairy tale is simply the TexasRenaissance Festival, held annually justnorth of the town of Magnolia on Farm
toMarket Road 1774, from 10a.m. to 7p.m.every Saturday and Sunday in October.Admission is $4.50 for adults, $ 1 for
children from 5 to 12 years of age.
