Sharing History at Real Places

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     Yep, this first pic is definitely something you’ll only see outside a hotel in the Lone Star State, ha ha! Thanks to @texaslonghornherd for stopping to pose for me!


This past week, I attended the Texas Historical Commission’s Real Places conference along with hundreds of other history enthusiasts: researchers, archivists, museum curators, living history re-enactors, county historical commissioners, preservationists, and more! So much fun being around that many people who love all things old and historical as much as I do.

   There were wonderful speakers, back-to-back programming, site excursions including the Texas State Library and Archives, and General Land Office, vendors, and a chance to spend time with friends. I came away re-energized and with a few new ideas of ways to share history with others.

Real Places, real stories, real good time. See y’all next year!

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   If you’re looking for a bit of springtime, add Luling Lavender Fields to your daytrip list. It’s a charming, friendly place, and with peak bloom coming up in May, the rows are about to look incredible.


   The fragrance alone makes the trip worthwhile – your nose will thank you. And once you arrive, it’s hard to leave empty-handed. You might find yourself picking up a few handmade soaps, a sachet or two, or even a lavender plant to take home. I definitely did… it happens to the best of us. My new little plant will make a nice addition to my butterfly garden.

   And chances are, you’ll be welcomed by Piper, the farm’s resident pup and unofficial greeter. She tends to steal the spotlight (and a few hearts).

One last tip — don’t pass up the lavender ice cream. It’s a little unexpected, wonderfully refreshing, and tastes like spring in a cone.

   Spring doesn’t linger forever, so grab a friend and plan your visit.

Outlaw Woes: Grave Without a Name

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   Anyone who knows me well knows I’ve always loved anything to do with the Old West. That’s how I ended up wandering through a cemetery in Sonora recently, looking for the grave of a famous outlaw.

It doesn’t have a name – just a date: April 2, 1901…125 years ago today.


It took me a while to find it — and when I did, I’ll admit it made me a little sad (even though he was one of the ‘bad guys’). The story goes that a mysterious veiled woman came one day and left a marker with nothing but the day he died.

 And he was pretty famous in a notorious way…in his day. His name was Will “News” Carver. If you’ve ever heard of Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, or the Wild Bunch — Will’s in the most famous outlaw photo ever taken. Right there in the back row on the left, decked out in his Sunday best in Fort Worth, 1900.

His story is a heartbreaking one. He came to Sonora at 12 years old to be a cowboy, and eventually fell in love and got married. But he lost his pregnant wife in 1892 — and somewhere in that grief, chose a different road.

Train robberies and bank heists across several states led to him becoming a part of the famous Wild Bunch. And that famous photo the cocky Bunch took in Fort Worth eventually helped the law to identify him and put an end to his days.

   Later, he came back to Sonora, and a sheriff recognized Will while he and some cohorts were casing the bank. He reached for his gun, but never got a chance to fire it.

If you want to see the gun that killed him, the bed he died on, and hear the whole story — the Ice House Museum and Historic Jail in downtown Sonora has all the details.


He’s one of two Wild Bunch members buried in Texas. I found and posted the other one way back in May 2021.

There’s a reason they call it the Wild West. Like I always say, cemeteries hold endless stories.

Named One of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women

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Accepting the award from Houston Mayor John Whitmire

 

   I need to share something that I am extremely grateful for…..last Thursday evening, I was beyond honored to have the privilege of being named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women.

    A heartfelt thank you to Beverly Denver and Houston Woman Magazine for creating this incredible celebration of women in business and for championing us every single day. Events like this remind us how powerful we are when we lift each other up.

    And what a special moment it was to receive the award from Houston Mayor John Whitmire — thank you, Mayor, for showing up in support of the women of this city every day.

    I was truly humbled to be in the same room as so many extraordinary women, including the brilliant and charming Benchawan Painter, James Beard Award Recipient; Maureen Patton, Executive Director of the legendary 1894 Grand Opera House; Sonja Kostich, Executive Director of the Houston Ballet; and Alison Ayres Bell, Executive Director of the Houston Heritage Society. The energy in that room was electric.

    Houston, you never stop inspiring me. Here’s to all 50 of us — and to every woman making her mark on this incredible city.

Desert Blue

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     Whoever thought the middle of a Texas desert was hiding THIS much blue?! I recently spent a morning exploring Lake Amistad National Recreation Area, where the rocky white coast meeting brilliant blue water reminded me a bit of Greece.

  We parked at Governor’s Landing Day Use Area, which was a great spot to enjoy the views of the shoreline and the double, tall bridges. I only hiked for about two miles because it was such a pretty day to just sit and enjoy the view. (Special bonus of parking here was that there are restrooms available, by the way…always a plus.)

   The 65,000+ acre lake was created by a joint dam project between the U.S. and Mexico near Del Rio, Texas and its sister city Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. The reservoir collects water from three rivers: the Rio Grande, the Devils, and the Pecos Rivers! “Amistad” is Spanish for “friendship.” And the water is so blue because of the clear water and limestone surroundings…no loose soils to muddy the waters!

     My hike was serenaded by the soundtrack of so many birds, and it was fun using the Merlin Bird ID app to see which ones were singing which songs, including the sweet little song of a flock of Carolina Wrens.

    I didn’t spot any of the black bears or bobcats that also call this area home, but I did come across one little surprise— walk out to the tips of the peninsulas and you’ll find them covered in tiny shells, the leftovers from shorebird buffets! Nature’s little mystery prize for those who explore a bit further. Watch your step on those loose rocks though.

     Now I just need to figure out how to time a fall visit, because apparently thousands of Monarch butterflies stop here to rest on their way to Mexico. I need to see that in person!

     Have you ever been somewhere that completely surprised you?

Galveston Mardi Gras

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Weekend one of Galveston Mardi Gras was an absolute blast!

   Did you know that Galveston hosts the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S.? And it’s so family-friendly.

    The music was incredible, the friends were the best, and the beads…oh the beads were EVERYWHERE!📿

     A huge thanks to Tremont House for inviting us to ride in one of their float again this year! There’s nothing quite like tossing beads to all of the smiling faces lining the streets to make it feel like Mardi Gras.

   Can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.💜💛

 

Luling, Texas – City Market BBQ

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Stop #1 on the Texas BBQ Trail: Luling City Market

     October is one of my busiest seasons as a speaker and tour guide, so as a reward to my husband for being so patient during my constant absence… I promised him a little getaway to explore part of the legendary Texas BBQ Trail.

     Now, the trail itself would take more days than we wanted to be away, and… honestly… even the most devoted lovers of barbecue wouldn’t want to eat the same thing for lunch and dinner every day for a week! So we chose three days to try out some of the most recommended stops on the southern end of the trail, winding through Luling and Lockhart.

First Stop: Luling City Market in Luling, Texas

   Luling is known for its delicious watermelons, but don’t pay so much attention to those delicious beauties that you miss the chance to sink your teeth into some of the best barbecue I’ve ever tasted!

     If you’re looking for a fancy or trendy spot to eat… this isn’t it. What it IS is a good old-fashioned barbecue joint, complete with wood-paneled walls covered with years of memorabilia that tell the story of over half a century of smoke and tradition. This place has been perfecting ribs, sausage, and brisket with the indirect smoking method since 1958, when two brothers decided to share their passion with the world.

The Experience

     Here’s how it works: Go directly to the back of the dining area and order in the smoke-filled pit room. There’s no wait staff, but the friendly folks behind the counter more than make up for it with their warm Texas hospitality.

     The meat cutter stands in front of the wood-fired brick pit (fueled by Post Oak, naturally) and a gas-fired rotisserie smoker. As you call out your order, they pull the pieces right off the smoker and cut them in front of you while oak smoke swirls around like delicious fog.

     Your feast gets served up on brown butcher paper that you grab by the corners to tote your prize to the table of your choice. You’ll get a plastic fork with your sides like beans or potato salad, but here’s the secret: you’re supposed to eat the meat with your hands, so dig in! Their in-house sauce can be found in shaker bottles on the tables, and it’s oooooh so good.

The Star of the Show

     The brisket. Oh, the brisket! The outside had a wonderful, almost imperceptible salt crust—just enough to make your mouth start watering before you even take that first bite.

SPOILER ALERT: This was by far the tastiest barbecue we had during this trip! No contest.

Planning Your Visit

Luling City Market
633 East Davis Street, Luling
Closed on Sundays

     It’s about 2½ hours from our house, and we’re already talking about going again for lunch soon. Yes, we’re from Texas… a 2½-hour drive is nothing, especially with such a delicious destination! It’s only about an hour from San Antonio and 45 minutes from New Braunfels, so if either of those is on your driving route soon, I highly recommend this stop (or detour—it’s worth it!).

     I’ll be sharing the next stops of our BBQ Trail trip soon!

 

     Where is your favorite spot for BBQ in Texas? Drop your recommendations in the comments below!

 

 

Grab Your Gloves…Moody Gardens’ Ice Land is Back!

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   If the warm weather lately has been making it hard to get into the mood for the holidays, I have the solution for you: Moody Gardens’ holiday show, Ice Land: Christmas Around the World.

     It officially opens on November 22nd, and today I got a sneak peak at the frosty finished product. This is the show’s 11th year, and I have to say…it’s their best one yet.

     The theme this year incorporates iconic sights fro around the world, including their Christmas traditions. Eiffel Tower? Check. Egyptian pyramids? Check. North Pole igloo, Arc de Triomphe, Japanese cherry blossom, Trevi Fountain? Check, check, check. And so much more!

   The sculptures are lit within to help create an ethereal scene. I don’t think I have to tell you that photos don’t do it justice. It has to be seen to be believed.

     After roaming through tunnels and walkways to take in all the amazing sculptures, you’ll find everyone’s favorite feature: the giant ice slide! And yes, it’s exactly as fun as you imagine, whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart.

     To preserve the carvings, the tent is kept at a brisk (did I say “brisk?”…FRIGID!) 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.  NINE . . . DEGREES . . . FAHRENHEIT!

     Once you’re thoroughly chilled (which you will be!), stop by Shiver’s Ice Bar— made entirely of ice, right down to the tables, bar and seats –  where you can grab a quick alcoholic beer or cocktail. The make-your-own hot cocoa bar just outside the exhibit did the trick for me, though!

The Ice Facts Are Wild (Get a Load of This!)

      The sculptures were using a mind-blowing two million pounds of ice -over 7,000 , 300-pound blocks! A team of 30 world-class carvers from Harbin, China (the place famous for one of the world’s biggest ice festivals) spent 37 intense days turning those blocks into incredible sculptures, some of which stand a whopping 30 feet tall.

     The inital teams stacked the immense blocks of colored ice and rough-carved the shapes, then finishing artists used hand tools to create the finer features and details. Imagine spending all those hours in a freezing tent to create something that will eventually melt away.

     Just one of the reasons to see it while we can!

Why Should You Go?

    Because there is nothing else like this. The 18,000 square foot exhibit is the biggest indoor holiday ice sculpture attraction in the entire country! Whether you make the outing with family, friends or as a solo adventure…it will be a highlight of your holiday season that will give you something to talk about.

     Hot Tip: Moody Gardens provides the parkas (thank goodness!), but wear your own gloves,  knit cap and fuzzy socks beneath your shoes! Otherwise, at 9 degrees, you won’t feel your fingertips enough to hold on to that steaming cup of hot cocoa. You’ll thank me later.

ICE LAND opens November 22 at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

For details and tickets, check here:

 ICE LAND

Galveston’s Destination Dining Experience: Harvey House Dinner

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   This past weekend, my husband and I attended the Galveston Railroad Museum’s Annual Harvey House Dinner. The experience, inspired by the legendary Harvey House Diner that was once located in the 1932 Train Depot, invited guests to journey back in time and enjoy railroad dining in a series of historic rail cars.

   What made the evening even more special was that the railcars actually departed from the station to journey down Harborside and back during the evening. It was truly a not-to-be-missed experience!

   The dress recommendation for guests was “1950s railcar dining,” and it was so much fun to see what everyone wore.

   We checked in at 6:15 p.m. to board the train and were invited to order cocktails from the bar, then explore all the rail cars. I couldn’t resist ordering a classic “Sidecar,” which seemed appropriate for the evening.

   Following the sound of delightful live music, I wandered one car past the bar car into The Arthur R. Carmody, Jr. Memorial Library car, which was created from a repurposed Amtrak luggage car. Musicians played as guests enjoyed their cocktails, surrounded by a collection of rare and collectible books on the history of railroads.

   With refreshments in hand, my husband and I returned to the dining car, where we joined friends to enjoy delicious appetizers and conversation.

   After a few minutes, dinner was announced, and attendees were invited to elegantly set tables in the next dining car to enjoy a five-course meal. The dishes, created by Riondo’s Restaurant, were incredible! A guitarist entertained during dinner with enchanting music – just the ticket to enhance the atmosphere.

   Proceeds from the evening will support the renovation of the current exhibit “The History of Railroading in Texas,” a comprehensive exhibit that documents the growth of the railroad and its impact on economic development throughout the state from circa 1830 to 1980. Future plans for the exhibition include upgrades to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with improvements to the air system and electrical systems, enhanced signage, and touch screens to facilitate a learning experience. Now that’s a worthy cause!

   The three-hour experience seemed to fly by (guess we lost “track” of time), and by the time we reached the end of the line, we were already discussing inviting more friends to join us for next year’s event! Now, I definitely want to encourage you to be there too, but be sure to save a spot for me, as tickets to this special evening are limited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Houston Farmers’ Market – A Food Adventure

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   When I’m traveling, I often seek out local farmer’s markets – not only for affordable,  fresh food, but also to get a taste of local culture.  Especially when visiting other countries, travelers can find adventures-for-the-tastebuds they won’t find at home.

   But when you live in the fourth largest city in the U.S., there are a lot of markets to explore even when you aren’t on vacation! So this morning I set out on a local food adventure.

    I guarantee you that I didn’t come home from my visit to the Houston Farmer’s Market this morning empty-handed! It had its beginnings in 1942 and is the city’s oldest and largest farmers market.

   There’s no shortage of herbs and spices…and more types of mole than you can shake an enchildada at!

   Tropical fruit lovers are going to be in heaven the minute they step foot in the market…and that group includes me! One sample bite of the sweet pineapples and I was “sold!”

   Be a bit adventurous when you visit local markets, and try something new! If you come across a fruit (or anything else) that you can’t identify, ask questions. Vendors are happy to explain what things are, how to prepare them, and sometimes even offer a free taste.

   Every trip should send you home with at least one “never had this before” item.

Removing needles from prickly pear cactus
Removing needles from prickly pear cactus.

   A handful of permanent shops are in the complex as well, including Shop Local, The Egg House, RC Ranch Craft Meats and Crawfish and Noodles restaurant. Shop Local is a group of vendors that sell a variety of items from vintage clothes to stickers. The Egg House sells everything breakfast-related, including country sausage, bacon jams, local honey, and …of course…fresh eggs. RC Ranch Craft Meats butcher shop deals in Texas-raised Wagya beef and Heritage pork as well as other meats from partner ranchers.

   There are definitely more vendors on the weekends than during the week, but there’s always something fresh and delicious to find.

   You can even purchase cookware, pottery, plants, candy, piñatas and toys from south of the border.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   And if you just don’t think you can wait to get home to enjoy something yummy, there are cute tables and chairs in shaded spots where you can enjoy freshly prepared offerings. It’s a fun place to go with friends, your spouse, or a great outing for the kids.

LOCATION: 2520 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas

HOURS:  Open every day year-round except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

GOOD TO KNOW: Bring cash, as it is the only form of payment many vendors accept.

PARKING: Free parking. Enter the lot enter off of Airline Drive or two entrances off Service Street. Lots are interconnected for ease of access.

WHAT TO BRING: Lightweight shopping totes or small cart, and a cooler in your car for items that will need to stay cool on the way home.

WHAT TO WEAR: The shopping area is covered and has, which are big advantages in the Texas summer, but the market is still technically outdoors. Dress comfortably for whatever the outside temperature is during summer or winter. Walking shoes.

RESTROOMS: Clean and family-friendly.

Information is correct as of date of publishing.