tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24249401306543909102024-03-05T09:44:33.155-08:00Texas Western Attractionscowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-7246349199046596952011-10-04T08:24:00.000-07:002011-10-04T08:26:02.899-07:00Autumn Harvest - The Pumpkin Capital of the World<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2424940130654390910" name="4487555315818286899"></a> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lisa Witherspoon Schultz</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The canopy of shade shared through summer, her hues once green now orange and red. Each day her leaves fall slowly upon the ground. Harvest season is surely abound. While many poets seem to use the Autumn season in melancholy writings, Autumn is also a time to celebrate.<br />
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Ranchers buckle down to ensure they have enough feed for livestock to survive the long hard winters. Farmers take to the fields cultivating the array of crops. Once harvested by every man, woman and child, the rural communities came together to help their fellow neighbor. The harvest season was always followed by celebrations of food, music and community gatherings that have been influenced by ancestral past. <br />
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The Autumn harvest is celebrated in many different ways across the nation. <b>Floydada, Texas</b> known as <b>"The Pumpkin Capital of the World"</b> celebrates their harvest season with "PUMKIN DAY" held on the Second Saturday of October. This attraction brings thousands of visitors from everywhere to the downtown event. Over 70 arts and craft booths along with many food vendors line the streets near the court house with hourly entertainment provided under the town square Pavilion. The day is filled with games for all ages. As the night sets in, folks take to the street for the annual free street dance that closes out the festivities. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lisa Witherspoon Schultz shown in the photo, is a proud Texas mother of two children; her son Jared who just graduated from Petersberg High School last May and her daughter Kim, who graduated from College at UTPB and currently Head Coach, Girls Varsity basketball at the Petersberg High School. Lisa, loves to attend the annual Pumpkin event stating, "There is so much to do and see with the many arts and crafts displayed while you walk along the town square. Joined with great food and some fun competition it is exciting to watch as others compete in the many fun activities including, Pumpkin Carving, Pie baking, Seed </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Spitting Contest, Pumpkin Bowling and Rolling the giant Pumpkin gourd competition." <br />
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Floydada, just northeast of Lubbock, Texas is in the southern Panhandle region of Texas. This area produces mostly cotton, milo and corn, but on approximately 1600 acres in the county, they grow an estimate of 50,000 pounds of pumpkins per acre. That’s nearly twenty million pumpkins. <br />
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Pumpkins are native to the Americas finding it's way to Europe when Columbus returned to Spain carrying with him, Pumpkin seeds. The pumpkins in Europe were grown to feed pigs and not used for human consumption. <br />
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The early Native American farmers were practicing an early form of sustainable agriculture. Planting squash, corn and beans together, the crops thrived. Corn served as the natural trellis for the beans to grow on strengthening corn stalks on windy days. The bean roots set nitrogen into the soil that nourish the corn while squash plants shelter the shallow roots of the corn and shaded the ground that discouraged weeds while preserving soil moisture. The practice called "Three Sisters" is widely studied in modern agriculture. <br />
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Native Americans roasted pumpkin strips over campfires and used them as a food source, long before the arrival of European explorers. Roasted, baked, parched, boiled or dried, the Indians found numerous ways to prepare and eat Pumpkins. Seeds also roasted were often used as medicine. They also used the flowering blossoms in stews. Early breads were made by drying the pumpkins and grinding into a flour like substance that could be stored for months. <br />
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Interesting facts about Pumpkins: While Orange color pumpkins are widely known, did you know they also grow in colors of Green, Yellow, Red, White, Blue and Tan.<br />
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The Term "Pumpkinheads" comes from early colonist of New England who used the pumpkin shell as a template for haircuts giving a uniform round finish. The cut was called "Pumpkinhead."<br />
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Pumpkins were used for Native American medicine: Modern medicines looks at pumpkins to help eliminate freckles, once used as a remedy for snakebites, are used in a number of facial and anti-wrinkle cremes, contain zero cholesterol, are low in salt, contain beta carotene which helps to reduce certain types of cancer and lowers the risk of heart disease, and pumpkin seeds help to reduce the risk of prostrate cancer.<br />
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Worlds largest Pumpkin was grown by Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wisconsin. His pumpkin weighed 1810.5 pounds recorded at the Stillwater Harvest fest in Stillwater, Minnesota, on October 9, 2010<br />
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At the second Thanksgiving Celebration, it is documented that pumpkins were served. Although while we picture a perfect crust pumpkin pie, in fact, the Pilgrims removed the top of the pumpkin, then scooped out the seeds and filled the cavity with cream, honey, eggs and spices. Placing the top back on, the pumpkin then was place in the ashes of the firepit to cook. Once baked, the blacken shell removed and the content scooped out that resembled much like a custard.<br />
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Other areas claim to be the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Morton, Illinois self-proclaimed, due to the Libby Industry Plant for canning pumpkins is located there in Morton. Additionally, Half Moon Bay, California claims to this title, but everyone knows the real capital lays in north Texas in the small town of Floydada. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://chuckwagonrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/09/pumpkin-custard-cake.html">Pumpkin Custard Cake Recipe: </a></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Pumpkin Day celebration is October 8th, 2011 in Floydada, Texas. For more information, contact Chamber of Commerce at 806 983-3434 or on the web at <a href="http://www.floydadachamber.com/">www.floydadachamber.com</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Floydada, Texas Pumpkin Capital of the World</b></span></td></tr>
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</span>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-3856453784410531542011-06-29T08:54:00.000-07:002011-06-29T09:04:07.419-07:00Fishing Magic - The TEXAS Coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0w35zv-QF-pKchMJRewCY4MpP78wZxTQANt0Ac9uplgrKYMobLqj_xiG1vlr8M-LHPKgZ6mDRkR9jycnJ6Ra0pAd4Cd5Li10HqKNlK0c05a5g5gVIgOrbGb94fq8n3_sIEbVqomZpsg/s1600/fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0w35zv-QF-pKchMJRewCY4MpP78wZxTQANt0Ac9uplgrKYMobLqj_xiG1vlr8M-LHPKgZ6mDRkR9jycnJ6Ra0pAd4Cd5Li10HqKNlK0c05a5g5gVIgOrbGb94fq8n3_sIEbVqomZpsg/s1600/fishing.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A few days ago, I received the book "Fishing Magic: The Texas Coast" written by author Roland Carroll. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I sincerely enjoyed this book, from cover to cover. As I read, the author guides you through the Texas coast mostly salt water fishing in a very unique and different way from any other fishing book, I have ever read. Texas offers some of the best fishing any state could offer. The coast line runs from the edge of the Louisiana border southwest 366 miles to Mexico. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Carroll takes you through the many places which supports catching your limit. Baffin Bay to Seabrook flats, The Coastal Surf, the Laguna Madre and fishing from Padre Island to the Coupus Christi Bay. After reading, you will surely want to grab your rod and reel experiencing the Magic of fishing the Texas Coast. <i></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As the book closes, Carroll takes us through some thoughts and without ever speaking of positive motivation, he somehow covers the life experience, "you get what you ask for" warning to always make the best of everyday with a positive attitude. This simple to read book is enjoyable whether you fish or not. I recommend it more for the enjoyable pleasure of good reading, but if you sincerely want to understand the tips, the tricks and where to go, the book is an absolute must. Available through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Magic-Texas-Roland-Carroll/dp/1453765328/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/175-0405019-9053214">Amazon</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Fishing Magic - The Texas Coast" </b></span></div>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-50337631861702756892010-12-09T18:14:00.001-08:002012-01-24T09:53:47.774-08:00Up the Chisholm Trail<div class="articlePluckHidden"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxaciH-BK-o1ZNB7ZXY_v2ajUT-Ii4p1SI5SomdHxtGbitm6VI-eHKD-qgQmoefxViaz9Tqd7Kv48FzChWNx_hyphenhyphenAQqjNm2SYmUs8m2HS2uSmJIiwh9qdRs2hv_1Yli_A0IrLsqSqYFys/s1600/georgetown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxaciH-BK-o1ZNB7ZXY_v2ajUT-Ii4p1SI5SomdHxtGbitm6VI-eHKD-qgQmoefxViaz9Tqd7Kv48FzChWNx_hyphenhyphenAQqjNm2SYmUs8m2HS2uSmJIiwh9qdRs2hv_1Yli_A0IrLsqSqYFys/s400/georgetown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Story by <span style="font-size: small;">Roger Edison</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Up the Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive, Georgetown, Texas</b></span></div>The Georgetown, Texas local history museum sponsors the Old West festival with cowboys in period correct attire as they ride herding longhorn cattle along the San Gabriel riverbanks. Part of the Festival includes a full Rodeo of Barrel Racing, Bronc Riding, Roping Events and Bull Riders. Other activities range from live music entertainment, trick roping, the western art show and a day of cooking from the Chuck Wagons that come from around the nation to participate in the Up the Chisholm Trail Chuck Wagon Cook-Off.<a name='more'></a><br />
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Named for Jesse Chisholm, the trail developed as a trading route where Jesse built several trading posts in what is now western Oklahoma. The trail naturally became a route spanning from the Fleetwood Store along the banks of the Red River running north to Abilene, Kansas. Feeder trails south of the Red River began being use to drive cattle herds from the many major cities of Texas running to border towns of Laredo and Brownsville flowing into central Texas. The trail centered between two other famous routes running north and south. The Great Western Trail of west Texas and the Shawnee Trail that met the finger trail of the Chisholm a few miles north of Waco, Texas that branched through eastern Oklahoma and Kansas. Other branch lines linked through other territories and states.<br />
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The Longhorn cattle at $4 a head were worth ten times that amount to northern states and back east. Cattle drives had long moved herds from Texas to New Orleans, Louisianan and Mobile, Alabama though these cities could not handle any large quantities of the cattle. By 1853, Texans moved herds to Missouri that would later be blocked from worries over diseases that Longhorns may pass on to local breeds. The troubles sprung into violence, vigilante groups, and cattle rustling. By 1859, the driving of cattle was outlawed in many Missouri jurisdictions.<br />
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At the end of the civil war, the Longhorn cattle thrived in south Texas. At the birth of the trail drives in 1866, many men became powerful cattle barons. Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, Jesse Driskill, Richard King are among those building fortunes selling beef. The trails where dangerous often crossing through Indian territory, dealing with bandits, rustlers and inclement harsh weather yet the cattlemen pressed forth.<br />
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In 1867, Joseph G. McCoy built stockyards in Abilene, Kansas. He encouraged Texas cattlemen to drive their herds to his stockyards. That year, O. W. Wheeler answered McCoy's call, and he along with partners used the Chisholm Trail to bring a herd of 2,400 steers from Texas to Abilene. This herd was the first of over an estimated 5,000,000 head of Texas cattle to reach Kansas over the Chisholm Trail. Jesse Chisholm died in 1868 never traveling the trail which would hold his name in the age of the great cattle drive.<br />
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The Georgetown, Texas event, "Up the Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive and Chuckwagon Cook-Off" is to educate the public about the rich heritage of the nineteenth-century cattle drives and the lives of the cowboys who worked the trails rounding up herds along the San Gabriel River. Resting 30 miles north of Austin, Texas, Georgetown attracted many early American settlers. While many European immigrants settled the area, a large number where German and Swedish pioneers.<br />
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The terrain was abundant with timber, inexpensive fertile land and clear water where artifacts today still show traces of Paleo-Indian culture dating to around 9200 B.C. Additional artifacts have been found from other Indian cultures, the Tonkawas, small groups of Kiowa, Yojuane, Tawakoni, and Mayeye tribes with the first Anglo settlements in the area. Georgetown, Texas is the county seat of Williamson County.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sb2wgHDqPvqjuzeVLyFvp7ZQyaUrNTeCjloLeF68YyqJd7Co2tFJTJlJgA-bk9nleC6eYuIwQtNQc0M_50EGOaaA3RN090InOhw9D-M26-g3-aPUKQwfyaD55CUMDNHsfXevYzfInqU/s1600/txlonghorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sb2wgHDqPvqjuzeVLyFvp7ZQyaUrNTeCjloLeF68YyqJd7Co2tFJTJlJgA-bk9nleC6eYuIwQtNQc0M_50EGOaaA3RN090InOhw9D-M26-g3-aPUKQwfyaD55CUMDNHsfXevYzfInqU/s200/txlonghorns.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One of the many vendors during the festival was <a href="http://txlonghornforhire.com/"> Texas Longhorns for Hire</a> owned by Diana Tatum. Her Longhorns for hire allow individuals who have never had the opportunity to be next to a real Longhorn an experience to get up close and personal. Her two steers, Gateway and Hotshot mounted with saddles allowed the visiting public to ride high in the seat and have the pictures taken. <span class="profileName ginormousProfileName fwb">Erin Jones <span class="alternate_name"> with Double E Photography, Houston, Texas assist Diana taking pictures for a fee while you proudly sit in the saddle mounted upon the Texas Longhorns. Diana also helps provide profession event planning with the Western theme. </span></span><br />
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<span class="profileName ginormousProfileName fwb"><span class="alternate_name">The weekend was filled with many children events including the </span></span><span class="style8"><b>Kids' Chuckwagon cook-off competition. </b></span>There were 10 young cooks competing for the grand prize as they teamed with sponsored chuckwagons to make the best peach cobbler dessert to feed a minimum of 40 people. Ages allowed to compete in the event were from 10 years old and not to exceed 15 years of age. Victoria Kainer cooking with Bertie Bell was awarded first place receiving $50; 2nd place winner Lauren Red and Aubrey Gibson with Team Wishbone received $30 and 3rd place was Lance Rakowski cooking with R Bar D Chuck wagon team.<br />
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Saturday morning found the Cowboys adding wood to the camp fires as they prepared for the annual Chuck Wagon Competition event. To ensure competition is fair, using certain ingredients in cooking styles was not permitted including, mushrooms, biscuit mix, cheese, powder sugar, Mayonnaise, Chili mixes, Froze foods, Almonds, extract, Picante sauce or any sugar substitutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6J-OVR78ORVzUtaICJabgWE1S8OS3LuOnKlUrpWjs75HULXQuvRVLo4ZBTWSmmuM2wggfPI6fU-EOwV1KX6GShzX4fq6jnhhDKtVq-xsX0eiCYXITtqHVvd4JI5Z6Q0TT9GjFtctx9j0/s1600/20071115-160121-pic-127622574_t160_160.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6J-OVR78ORVzUtaICJabgWE1S8OS3LuOnKlUrpWjs75HULXQuvRVLo4ZBTWSmmuM2wggfPI6fU-EOwV1KX6GShzX4fq6jnhhDKtVq-xsX0eiCYXITtqHVvd4JI5Z6Q0TT9GjFtctx9j0/s200/20071115-160121-pic-127622574_t160_160.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellis Cattle Company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cast iron skillets begin to be pre-heated, dutch ovens waiting on the work table to prepare the meat, potatoes, beans, biscuits and dessert dishes. The cooks and crew work sourdough blending trade secrets past on from generation to generation as each Chuck Wagon team works toward the Gold as Grand Champions. Charlie and Janice Ellis from Papalote, Texas have been crating from nearly a decade. They love participating at "Up the Chisholm Trail Cook-Off" since they reside in south Texas. They try to attend at least three events each year along with the Ranch Hand Breakfast each November held at the renown King Ranch. By late afternoon, guest have been fed. The judges Aubrey Lenamon and Gerry Self review their notes about the savoring taste from earlier samples of each wagon crew.<br />
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MEAT: 1st Break-Away, own by <span style="font-size: small;">Wilbur Wilson - Stamford, TX</span><br />
2nd <span style="font-size: small;">R Bar D Chuck Wagon - Robert Corey - Canton, TX</span> <br />
3rd <span style="font-family: book antiqua,times new roman,times;">Rocking T, </span><span style="font-family: book antiqua,times new roman,times;"> Lonnie Tegeler, Chappell Hill, TX <br />
</span> 4th Wishbone Team<br />
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BEANS: 1st Wishbone, 2nd Rocking T, 3rd Break-Away,<br />
4th Ellis Cattle Co. owned by Charlie Ellis, Papalote, TX <br />
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BISCUIT: 1st Wishbone, 2nd Rocking T, 3rd Break-Away, 4th R - D<br />
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POTATOES: 1st Wishbone, 2nd Ellis Cattle Co. 3rd Bertie Bell, 4th Break-Away<br />
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DESSERT: 1st Wishbone, 2nd R - D, 3rd Bertie Bell, 4th Break-Away<br />
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WAGON: 1st Break-Away, 2nd Wishbone<br />
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OVERALL: 1st Wishbone, 2nd Break-Away, 3rd R - D <br />
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Other attractions to the events included living history groups from Buffalo Soldiers, gun fighters who reenacted during the day, blacksmith's share their knowledge and skills forging pieces from the past using authentic equipment dating over 100 years old and the History of the Wild Mustang from its Spanish origins. Kids had opportunities for Stick horse racing, branding, tossing the snake in the boot, horse show throw in addition to the parade and big night at the Rodeo. <br />
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The "Up the Chisholm Trail" event is put on by the City of Georetown Chamber of Commerce and <b> </b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The Williamson Museum</span><span style="color: black;">. </span></span><i><a href="http://www.upthechisholmtrail.org/" target="_new">www.upthechisholmtrail.org </a></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F_RU-ZOZ16qbVpwwWaMGckujqnZKXMLEvLk7tD7U-JNLfrdyZHt-kzXyjz7PwSh0r_RGddk3G-bpSjt7MdzV2ssKKErR9G9jvLNAH8Vd_jhMi9R7xVtCfKpDzXVSbZHrtZsHLw8byhY/s1600/cattledrive3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F_RU-ZOZ16qbVpwwWaMGckujqnZKXMLEvLk7tD7U-JNLfrdyZHt-kzXyjz7PwSh0r_RGddk3G-bpSjt7MdzV2ssKKErR9G9jvLNAH8Vd_jhMi9R7xVtCfKpDzXVSbZHrtZsHLw8byhY/s400/cattledrive3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>photo courtesy by </i><span class="style5">Ellen Davis and </span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">the Williamson Museum</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://chuckwagonrecipes.blogspot.com/">return to recipes:</a> <br />
<a href="http://americanchuckwagoncooking.blogspot.com/">return to Chuck Wagons</a></div></div></div></div>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-42662969070652475182010-09-12T17:29:00.000-07:002010-09-12T17:29:09.747-07:00Texas State Railroad<div align="center" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Texas State Railroad is not only a "Texas Treasure," it is the official Railroad of Texas.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AWhdeeO-HN9tNjcO_0a0yFBJBTbdqfwV2jWMcJFSsEUrJ06bS5qTnxQqFTAESDMAnY6nIUJoqcXNAs1V_zuqOUnLFmo0u8Uw1LqECgiJBJ-y3W6HtDSjEI0CRiXGQ0b6s2C1w8sgQI0/s1600/253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AWhdeeO-HN9tNjcO_0a0yFBJBTbdqfwV2jWMcJFSsEUrJ06bS5qTnxQqFTAESDMAnY6nIUJoqcXNAs1V_zuqOUnLFmo0u8Uw1LqECgiJBJ-y3W6HtDSjEI0CRiXGQ0b6s2C1w8sgQI0/s320/253.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Texas state prison system established the railroad in 1881. Inmates built the line, which was used to transport hardwood which was used as fuel for the furnaces at the prison-operated iron smelter at the Rusk Penitentiary. The furnace supplied the State of Texas with iron products, including the columns and dome structure for the capitol building in Austin. The original construction was a narrow gauge line but was later built in standard gauge in order to join into the main line.<br />
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In 1906 prison crews extended the rail line to Maydelle and in 1909 reached their final destination of Palestine. Once the train line was completed into Palestine the line was easily accessible to the main lines and commerce in and around the area flourished.<br />
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</tbody></table>In 1913 the prison ceased operations of the iron furnace and the Penitentiary was converted into the state mental hospital. In 1921 the regular rail service was discontinued and the line was leased to the Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific Railroad Co.) The Texas Southeastern Railroad leased the line in the early 1960s and continued operation of the line until 1969.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Cwb501kKzyVnqHTBbveXHWjWTwo2CLRKB7cEGKUKRFlc9U7ekCRsM-JUyHthBvVhClris33rDqP949q3tC3EuUjp-4hmtHwhek8s3IhJe3tyUpZ8dx5icG1tCw0dU9TbLXWuDc7WFQ/s1600/254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Cwb501kKzyVnqHTBbveXHWjWTwo2CLRKB7cEGKUKRFlc9U7ekCRsM-JUyHthBvVhClris33rDqP949q3tC3EuUjp-4hmtHwhek8s3IhJe3tyUpZ8dx5icG1tCw0dU9TbLXWuDc7WFQ/s200/254.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The railroad was conveyed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1972 and state inmates were again brought in to help with the creation of the state historical park. The park and railroad were opened to the public on July 4th, 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial Celebration.<br />
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In 2003 Texas State Representative Chuck Hopson lead the way in proclaiming a resolution from the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, designating the Texas State Railroad as the Official Railroad of Texas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlOyIgT6Ti4Nawl-qrh-QFWZuLvmHE4CfmeqHnm6xfpx3gxkY18atBGMAZ7k3Ck7ixsM5Dd3vm5K8zhbrELYNRPu1ZWvtl2Zhu639uTDTSVngq43BsBVfXf7YsG3csNazreYdMBDTAIw/s1600/285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlOyIgT6Ti4Nawl-qrh-QFWZuLvmHE4CfmeqHnm6xfpx3gxkY18atBGMAZ7k3Ck7ixsM5Dd3vm5K8zhbrELYNRPu1ZWvtl2Zhu639uTDTSVngq43BsBVfXf7YsG3csNazreYdMBDTAIw/s320/285.jpg" /></a></div>The state's parks and wildlife department successfully ran the railroad until the management was privatized with a contract with American Heritage Railways in September of 2007.<br />
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For more information and schedule of the <a href="http://www.texasstaterr.com/">Texas State Railroad </a><br />
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<tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="50%"><div align="center"><span class="point"><strong>Phone</strong> </span><br />
<span class="style1"><strong>903-683-2561</strong> or<br />
<strong>1-888-987-2461</strong> (toll-free</span>)</div></td> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="50%"><div align="center"><strong class="point">Mailing Address</strong><br />
<span class="style3">Texas State Railroad<br />
PO Box 166 <br />
Rusk, TX 75785 </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-81490341545939481782010-09-04T20:39:00.000-07:002010-09-04T20:39:59.172-07:00"SIX SHOOTER JUNCTION" Hempstead, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki8rnFN68vG_3E0KgixTBGZxjbMtCLWDiqnn2maA2VNHokBzQd56455s86b9YyqEvuUv2KVIwOK6ecwEsUEeC1rDNSlta7vld-dWiReyjnba2nHcWjr3nqTDWkFf35agI9l_Ix_Kt0sk/s1600/liendo_plantation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki8rnFN68vG_3E0KgixTBGZxjbMtCLWDiqnn2maA2VNHokBzQd56455s86b9YyqEvuUv2KVIwOK6ecwEsUEeC1rDNSlta7vld-dWiReyjnba2nHcWjr3nqTDWkFf35agI9l_Ix_Kt0sk/s200/liendo_plantation1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
May of 1865, General George Armstrong Custer had completed his US Civil War duties and was ordered to Texas to command a division of US Cavalry. Texas was of vital importance during reconstruction preventing the possible invasion of Emperor Maximilian’s Army from moving across the Mexican border. Custer had requested a leave of absence from the US Army to accept the position of Chef of the Mexican Calvary offered by President Juarez in the war against Emperor Maximilian. The requested was denied and Custer accepted promotion to Lt. Colonel. He first stayed in the town of Hempstead, Texas before being offered locating to the Capital City of Austin, Texas.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Hempstead was developing into a strong shipping town able to provide cotton and cotton seed oil through the Houston and Texas Central railroad. It had been an important Confederate logistics location since it was 50 miles northwest of Houston and the port of Galveston. Commerce grew for Hempstead after the Civil War and Custer found the likes of the Liendo Plantation he used temporarily - Built in 1853 by Leonard Waller Groce, son of Jared Groce, who was one of the largest land owners in Texas. Originally a Spanish land grant of 67,000 acres assigned to Justo Liendo, the plantation's namesake. One of Texas' earliest cotton plantations which today still stands and is often used for Weddings with its attractive white colonial finish. The plantation <a href="http://www.liendo.org/" title="www.liendo.org">www.liendo.org</a> today also prides itself with Detering RED Brahmans earning several national championships. The Liendo also conducts historic reenactments of the civil war during each November.<br />
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As Hempstead community grew, political groups representing the many ideas of free blacks, Hispanic, Angelo northerners and southerners grew as a melting pot of Jews, Catholics and Protestant faiths. Radical extremist, Green backers, Populists, Black and Tan, Lilly Whites along with prohibitionists each express their different views towards the future of Hempstead which was also the county seat to Waller County.<br />
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Hempstead already had been a town of the six gun growing out of the Texas Revolution into the annexation of the nation and broken between Confederate and Union leadership. Although, heated debates never had been so hostile until a violent fight shocked the nation in 1905. U.S. Congressman John Pinckney, his brother, and two others were gunned down in the courthouse while meeting with prohibitionists, who had recently won a major battle in their attempts to ban alcohol. Heckling began, and in less than two minutes, four people were dead. The Waller County Courthouse was riddled with more than 75 shots in the heated and unexpected gun-fight. The town blemished in reputation as “Six Shooter Junction.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP23TQJmH9Z0NlIUqE83llNINKwp8oEeH5tOj3KYR9c8kpulhTuRrttkJlpyvAkZDzztHCNZTXNgIOujD2dQyR3NntqFF0oRBzOGzWf2NqupgbYLq7jCMP11VIWGBVgHuzTLEwn6_UcrI/s1600/483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP23TQJmH9Z0NlIUqE83llNINKwp8oEeH5tOj3KYR9c8kpulhTuRrttkJlpyvAkZDzztHCNZTXNgIOujD2dQyR3NntqFF0oRBzOGzWf2NqupgbYLq7jCMP11VIWGBVgHuzTLEwn6_UcrI/s200/483.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>The town has been graced with characters that often seem more like the folk lore of a dime store novel or perhaps legends as large as the state of Texas. Lillie E. Drennan was the first woman to obtain a commercial truck driver's license in Texas. She operated her Hempstead freight truck line wearing slacks with her six shooter holster strapped to her waist along with the large brim silver belly hat with the unblocked crown. Lillie didn’t take any lip off any man or allowed her trucks to ever be high jacked.<br />
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Through the decades, Hempstead like most small towns changed. It survived rough times, good times and found more oil and gas or cattle ranching developments over the once ambiance of cotton fields. Hempstead even became the nation’s largest watermelon producer through the 1940’s earning the title as the Watermelon Capital celebrated every July with the Watermelon Festival.<br />
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As you drive into Hempstead today, much has changed since the day of the known “Six Shooter Junction.” First off the road one might shop at Frazier's. <a href="http://www.fraziersconcrete.com/" title="www.fraziersconcrete.com">www.fraziersconcrete.com</a> Texas’ best known resource for home and garden décor and commercial site furnishings. For over half a century, Frazier’s is the place to connect with the traditional, the unique, and the hard to find elements that home owners and trade professionals seek to obtain. Eight Acres of Fun viewing water fountains, cut rock and unique landscape items.<br />
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Just down the road one finds the DiIorio Farm and Roadside Market. The large 20,000 square foot open air market is open year around with farm fresh produce. The DiIorio Family <a href="http://www.diioriofarms.com/" title="www.diioriofarms.com">www.diioriofarms.com</a> has been growing fruits and vegetables for the public for four generations. Along with their grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables, they also produce Jar goods, gift baskets, flowers and sale outdoor grills along with outdoor furniture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB5ri8rusz9lQktBKbfgPaJ4yzE52yzGgNh_NHSxI6yW16F12z2zUHbdtecTk9EreyBJEeryQKFkUJlpN0srWnyIRWBECCSTCxbzsCZP5Lf5DZaA-t4H7sPLD1bpo1lH0vQxDBZL0Ua4/s1600/22154_1207567031176_1288692323_30552494_3088071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB5ri8rusz9lQktBKbfgPaJ4yzE52yzGgNh_NHSxI6yW16F12z2zUHbdtecTk9EreyBJEeryQKFkUJlpN0srWnyIRWBECCSTCxbzsCZP5Lf5DZaA-t4H7sPLD1bpo1lH0vQxDBZL0Ua4/s200/22154_1207567031176_1288692323_30552494_3088071_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six hooter Junction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then as you come down the quiet road of (Business 290) rest at 510 10th street the business “SIX SHOOTER JUNCTION.” Dana Frazier, the owner of a unique boutique holds the once given boisterous name of Hempstead by travelers due to the shot’em up reputation. However, the Boutique is far from hostile and ever bit the hospitality of Texas friendliness. One might feel as family among friends in this small boutique which offers customer service in a polite southern style. The sales clerk might offer shoppers a glass of Texas sweet Tea or perhaps a Popsicle for the kids as mom’s browser through the store searching for a special gift. The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff is personable.<br />
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In the circle of close friends, Dana saw a need for her community of Hempstead. Her friends often complained about having to drive out of town to shop. “Wouldn’t it be nice having a store here where we can shop” stated one friend of Dana’s.<br />
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Dana who commutes daily manages a large Jeweler business in Houston. Taking her skills and listening to the needs of her community, she put the ideas into motion. Recruiting friends and researching the needs, she noted items of importance for the boutique. Unique items like Homemade Candles, T-Shirts, Tank-tops, Cute dresses, Purses and Funky Fashions. Custom Cowboy Hats, cowhide bling flip flops, custom jewelry and religious items. In 2008, Dana launched the store. Today, her friends help operate to store being closed only on Monday and Tuesdays.<br />
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What is more unique to the store is the superior group of ladies who operate the business. Each employee has a story of their own with charming personality and Texas character that makes “Six Shooter Junction” inviting. They provide for the pleasant customer service in addition to working other careers to provide this boutique for their community.<br />
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Mary Hill Hebbel is one of Dana’s best friends and sales clerks. Mary is truly the friendly good ole country girl working at “Six Shooter Junction” part time. She adores horses being a member of the Bellevue Equestrian Drill Team that earned the 2010 USEDC Division Championship. When Mary is not at the boutique, she just might be educating a group of school children about farm life through her personal business “Party Animal” with a Pony that can pull the rabbit out of the hat. She also does corporate shows with her Texas Long Horn used for riding, photography and business marketing. Mary also shares many of the historic tales of Hempstead and some about her dad, once a renowned Bear hunter. Her family even raised two bears as pets.<br />
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Donna Caldwell manages the store. Donna is Dana’s mother who moved to Hempstead to be close to family. Dana’s daughter Rachel Frazier assist with managing an a huge inspiration to create the boutique states, Dana. While one lady is shopping, Donna offers a “frosty pop” to the lady’s child while she continues shopping. Be it a Popsicle, tea or a soda…it’s on the house. The atmosphere is pleasant with so many items displayed through out the store that will catch your eye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHQdVXCwakagA9QLHBdH6uROUj1PM10b3XJqiDhnHXhjFIkjjv9xTA64piYEnD9zkyoeSMkLG7OxREOWVqFQ9BbXvSHxBlpjJQUsIRPJUvmurJmnT8ykNj7q1NHTH7Ynw0RhO0rpVXI8/s1600/cowhide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHQdVXCwakagA9QLHBdH6uROUj1PM10b3XJqiDhnHXhjFIkjjv9xTA64piYEnD9zkyoeSMkLG7OxREOWVqFQ9BbXvSHxBlpjJQUsIRPJUvmurJmnT8ykNj7q1NHTH7Ynw0RhO0rpVXI8/s200/cowhide.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Star Riggings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One display features “Red Star Rigging” cowboy hats. Likely you have never seen anything quiet like them. The awesome hats both straw and felt are finished unlike no others by hand. Michelle Crite is the owner - designer of the western hat line who also works one day a week at the store. Noel Orsak, who volunteers for the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo Committee said, “There’s not a more unique Western Hat. Red Star Riggings is the Best.” They each are custom design with wrapped leather laced brims. Some brims made of cow hide, tooled leather, exotic skins such as Ostrich with features like Turks head wrap latigo hat bands, horse hair bands and even custom beaded designs. “No other Hat maker finishes a hat as well as Red Star Riggings” continued Noel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCXnS7GjNymSlHK8iYM3qcM2EAVtDKqFs_unFMJPh52j7uaJc0w-aNqVmkdoG6Huvcn5GM1OQ3Ag3cSagtn_soIj1OW3haCgxSR4V1dTOBLaE3St76Spe3g-udttK7BGFQsfvqLu0r1U/s1600/5533_101766046502916_100000085635526_51370_620251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCXnS7GjNymSlHK8iYM3qcM2EAVtDKqFs_unFMJPh52j7uaJc0w-aNqVmkdoG6Huvcn5GM1OQ3Ag3cSagtn_soIj1OW3haCgxSR4V1dTOBLaE3St76Spe3g-udttK7BGFQsfvqLu0r1U/s200/5533_101766046502916_100000085635526_51370_620251_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In another corner of “Six Shooter Junction” is CHARLI'S CORNER.....this is the space where you will find young girl accessories and cute T's. Lots of Zebra items like purses, wallets, jewelry and Zebra Rubber Boots. Also, in CHARLI'S CORNER is a brand new SPIRIT SECTION.....here you can stop in and buy cute items for teacher's gifts, great T's to wear to the school games and they even will custom make them adding any name or numbers on them...oh, and don't forget the BLING. Lots of BLING! Charli traveled with Mary to her Equestrian Drill Team Practice setting up a table to sell some items to drill team members. After Charlie was crown 2009 Hempstead Watermelon Princess, she took her $500 award and invested into her area of the “Six Shooter Junction” boutique.<br />
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“The boutique is very special for the community” states Dana. A town that has only a few restaurants and the only gathering spot is sipping coffee is at a table inside the Brookshire Brothers Food and Pharmacy grocery store. “Six Shooter Junction” provides a gift shop for the area along with hosting several ladies parties which these entrepreneurs of Town Princess to Jeweler Manager are giving something back to their community.<br />
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Hempstead area also host several wineries. Retreat Hill Winery and Vineyard <a href="http://www.retreathill.com/" title="www.retreathill.com">www.retreathill.com</a> received 2009 Vintner's Blend and Gewurztraminer was awarded the bronze medal. 2010 International Wine Competition, when the judging was complete, the Bordeaux-style Rustic Red Reserve and their Blazin' Blush White Zinfandel each took home a bronze medals and their Claret-style Cabriolo took home a silver medal.<br />
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Each year the Waller County Fair <a href="http://www.wallercountyfair.org/index.php" title="www.wallercountyfair.org/index.php">www.wallercountyfair.org/index.php</a> hosted in Hempstead late September running through the first part of October features a livestock show and projects from area youth organizations of 4H club and local FFA classes, Old fashion rodeo with both professional and amateur competitors, Carnival, dances and great music.<br />
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Hempstead, Texas may once been the blemish history of heated discussion. Today, the only discussion is figuring out where to stop at shop first or which pair of cowhide flip flops to purchase down at the junction. The “Six Shooter Junction” of Hempstead, Texas is what small town shops once were built upon the needs of a town, the friendships and the joy to preserve a piece of history.<br />
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clear-block fivestar-widget-5">Story by Roger Edison</div>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-48904771109349943192010-08-09T21:16:00.000-07:002010-08-09T21:16:40.600-07:00"Cowboy Capital of the World"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK_ALZRJR4UboqI-oVSJZvCjp7QqRCLvZy6OVygJg8-iAdzP2e4xdXMjAqp7lH8WB03-oC_Xu2v4Gt7RcExNLVZDw-ib2ENhyRY-QJnA4_oMxnvDpyXPT-2CaKxXY7oIPemWM075vgrw/s1600/11th+street+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK_ALZRJR4UboqI-oVSJZvCjp7QqRCLvZy6OVygJg8-iAdzP2e4xdXMjAqp7lH8WB03-oC_Xu2v4Gt7RcExNLVZDw-ib2ENhyRY-QJnA4_oMxnvDpyXPT-2CaKxXY7oIPemWM075vgrw/s200/11th+street+x.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Off the hidden path of hill county roads rest a town known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Those who have visited this town quickly understand why it is given this prestige title. Many visitors take the town in to get away from the big city life. Some come for the slower pace living. Even more come to visit one of the dozens of ranches near by. The town is known for great country music, the cowboy life and has a history of western culture.<br />
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Several cities have desired to lay claim to the title “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Granted, each seems to proclaim the title for good reasons and the list of cities is large. The true Cowboy Capitol of the World might surprise the average green horn. One might believe it would likely be Oklahoma City or perhaps Cheyenne since both host great Rodeo’s and Cowboy culture.<br />
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Stephenville, Texas wants to take claim to this powerful title as their town once was the staging point for many pioneers heading west of the Mississippi and home to famous professional Cowboys such as Ty Murray, Seven times World Champion All-around Cowboy. Although Ty was born in Arizona and lived in Odessa, Texas during his first Championship. However, Stephenville is also home to World Famous Golf legend Ben Hogan and they don’t claim to be the Golf Capital of the World. Stephenville, Texas is a nice town but I’m sorry, it is not the “Cowboy Capital of the World.”<br />
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Oakdale, California has argued this point as they believe they should be the Capital. Stephenville, Texas and Oakdale, Ca. decided to do a fund raiser and who ever raised the most money could take claim to the title for the year. Although, neither city is the Cowboy Capital though they both are great towns of western culture.<br />
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Fort Worth, Texas also is home to famous Cowboys and maintains “The Cowboy Way,” with the famous Stockyards where they run Longhorn cattle twice daily down the streets just as Fort Worth did over one hundred years ago for today's visiting tourist. Fort Worth host features like Billy Bobs, the grand dance hall of modern ages, Hell’s Half Acre and the renowned White Elephant Saloon, once owned by F.A. Borodino in the 300 block of Main Street. Western card shark — Luke Short ran the gambling tables for Borodino of the White Elephant to the likes of famous men on the western frontier like Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Charlie Coe and Ft. Worth’s local bad boy Timothy Isaiah Courtright. A bitter feud grew between Courtright, a former City Marshall of Fort Worth known by his nickname “Long Hair Jim” and “Little Luke” Short. On the night of February 8th, 1887 Courtright called Short out which turned into a gun fight on Main Street as bullets flew and shots echo the street. Even then, Fort Worth merely claims to be the City of Cowboys and Culture.<br />
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Abilene, Kansas was known as Cow Town where once Texas Longhorn cattle would be driven too. Although, Texas longhorns carried a tick which was feared that it would spread Splenic Fever to other cattle. The Kansas State Legislature responded to pressure from farmers settling in central Kansas shifted the quarantine line westward, to cities as Newton, Ellsworth and Wichita Kansas. The final move was to Dodge City, also renowned for gambling houses and the likes of Wyatt Earp. Dodge City would earn the name Queen of the Cow Towns as the other Kansas cities were eliminated to receive the Texas herds. Even Prescott, Arizona holding title to America’s oldest Rodeo does not proclaim to be the Cowboy Capital of the World. Prescott’s motto is “Everybody’s Hometown.” The list of those who would try and claim such a title can go on, but only one town truly has the title and earned it. So where is this Cowboy Capital of the World?<br />
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The “Cowboy Capitol of the World” is a small town 35 miles northwest of San Antonio, Texas known as “BANDERA.” The town remains one of the few places left where a Cowboy can ride his horse up Main Street, tie off at the hitching post and enjoy a cold beer at one of the few Saloons which operate in Bandera. “You can not toss a horseshoe in Bandera without hitting a dude ranch, rodeo ground, western wear store, or dance hall,” states Paris Permenter, author and editor of TexasTripper.com online Travel Guide and she is surely correct in her logic.<br />
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Bandera has a history of what once was the Wild West. It first starts in 1733. General Bandera, a Spanish Military Commander, defeated a large body of Apache Indians that used the small mountains located outside of the current town of Bandera for their rendezvous before attacking Spanish missions around San Antonio. The gap in these small mountains became known as Bandera Pass. A red flag was posted noting no Indians east of the flag became an unwritten border. The Apaches honored the border flag. Although a century later, the Comanche Indians had driven the Apaches out of Texas.<br />
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The Comanche’s became problematic to the new nation Texas, raiding Victoria and Linnville, Texas known as the Great Raid of 1840. President Sam Houston felt he had to strengthen the frontier defenses to prevent future “Great Raids.” He then appointed Captain John Coffee Hays known as Captain Jack to recruit a company of rangers to specifically contain the Indians where that company confronted the Comanche’s in the 1841 Battle of Bandera Pass. The Rangers numbered only fifty men defeating the several hundred Comanche’s. The Rangers armed with the recent invention of Colt’s repeating revolver “six shooter” pistols marked a change in the way the frontier wars would be fought and the turning point in the war between Texas and the Comanche tribe. The Ranger team lead by Captain Jack would become renowned as “The Texas Rangers.”<br />
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By 1852 the area was being surveyed for township. “Bandera” meaning flag in Spanish received the name for the township. Although it is unclear today if the name came from the flag once placed at the pass or for the Spanish General who first fought off the Apache Indians. A sawmill was built along the near by Medina River which attracted settlers providing employment. In 1855 a hand full of Polishes settlers moved to the township working the mill. Texas had been annex into state hood and the United States provided the near by Camp Verde that hosted the US Army Calvary to protect against Indians. Camp Verde would also receive Camels used by the Army in the 1856 by petition of Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, later President of the Confederacy. The camels proved to be idea for packing and handling the terrain better than mules or horses.<br />
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The Saw mill cut mostly cypress wood shingles that were sold in San Antonio. By the end of the civil war, the great cattle drives were developing with several staging points throughout Texas. One of these points was Bandera, Texas for the Western Trail. The town would grow to add a post office, saloon and local farm boys became cowboys, ranchers built holding pens and signed on as trail bosses, storekeepers contracted as outfitters, and the town of Bandera briefly boomed becoming much the town of Cowboys.<br />
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As the great cattle drives wandered down, the cattlemen turn to sheep herds by 1889. Sheep were easier to feed on the sparse vegetation in the county, gradually replaced cattle. The local economy declined after 1900; a series of floods destroyed sawmills, gins, and businesses, and the cattle drives ceased. Population would decline for years to come. In 1920, Ranchers Cora and Ed Buck began taking summer boarders at their ranch on Julian Creek. Other ranches followed advertising for guest. By 1930, Bandera was developing the Dude ranch get away offering riverside camping, restaurants, dance halls, rodeos and the Cowboy way of life.<br />
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Today, the town continues to promote the many Dude ranches in the area which offer everything from rustic camping, chuck wagon cooking, trail rides or to the elegant spa retreats and golf courses. It also again attracts immigrants near and far to its western culture and living.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5goaoM9q9wopL71NvaX5C4OsN_B7GTYNkK1o6JrtFnjHYwuXPteYyC3KjI8mDlgYQ2jUXmPIMf4539HfyB7ZDILp-AP_MGTmLPQ7SQXUNwRV99kSg5dwqVdrSq3FDg0b-jUn0Yzqys4/s1600/bandera2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5goaoM9q9wopL71NvaX5C4OsN_B7GTYNkK1o6JrtFnjHYwuXPteYyC3KjI8mDlgYQ2jUXmPIMf4539HfyB7ZDILp-AP_MGTmLPQ7SQXUNwRV99kSg5dwqVdrSq3FDg0b-jUn0Yzqys4/s200/bandera2.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>Andrea McGilvray found Bandera by accident. Born in Bad Hall, Oberoestereich, Austria before moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada she became a gourmet chef graduating from the culinary school of Southern Institute of Technology. Although, in 1988 she moved to Ottawa, Ontario starting a high tech business that specialized in Custom Screen Printing of CD/DVD's. A long time client purchased a press which Andrea had engineered and built for him. He had moved to Utopia, Texas in the fall 2002 needing assistance programming and set up. Andrea agreed to assist in the set up unknowing she would meet the man of her dreams. She met David who worked full time with the Bandera County Sheriff’s Department and at the business. “We fell in love,” states Andrea getting married to the Cowboy of her dreams. However, during the move, her Canadian company left under a General Manager suffered selling off the business and entering Texas Real estate. Andrea owns Cowboy Capitol Realty 251 Lost Oak, PO Box 1923 Bandera TX 78003 Office Phone: 830-796-4711 <a href="http://www.cowboycapitalrealty.com/" title="www.cowboycapitalrealty.com">www.cowboycapitalrealty.com</a> as a successful Broker Realtor. While assisting one client sell a Bandera property, she decided to purchase it herself. The home had a large oak tree growing from the floor of the living room through the roof. The house also was formerly rented to Willie Nelson and his band. Andrea since removed the tree and remodel the home. She is always ready to assist anyone moving into the area or is looking to sale a Texas Hill Country property.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pF8eBbNu3IKPSit0zDBOtm1xvxRzSlQ-LQm9CBfS-1eps6SUboa-QcGg_umc_4Tpu-VpsiBX-S7oC0cJ5WUiR7wQbej5BJXW8TEshW1ebVeKI2INWTuUm3k36iymiogB85RQVrf8CL0/s1600/bandera3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pF8eBbNu3IKPSit0zDBOtm1xvxRzSlQ-LQm9CBfS-1eps6SUboa-QcGg_umc_4Tpu-VpsiBX-S7oC0cJ5WUiR7wQbej5BJXW8TEshW1ebVeKI2INWTuUm3k36iymiogB85RQVrf8CL0/s320/bandera3.jpg" /></a></div>Bandera also host great western shopping at the store front of GUNSLINGER DRY GOODS owned by Melissa Benge who has been featured in several magazines for her creative designs in jewelry and western fashion wear. Home deco, boots, hats, or something special, Gunslinger likely will have your needs in Western Fashion. Recently, Melissa worked with Kathie Lee Gifford of “The Today Show” featuring Texas Vacation Spotlight. Melissa holds degrees in Commercial Art and Fashion Marketing launching her multi-faceted career including interior design, painting, photography along with her clothing and jewelry. She even books and promotes talented Texas musicians. Her artistic works of opulent velvets, shimmering sterling silver jewelry; silk, lace, and leather...changes even the dull into an elegant work of art. She shares her charismatic charm encompassed with a passion for style that turns the heads of those peering on her fashions as she outfits the Great American West. Melissa provides wardrobe consulting, both personal and professional; for fashion shoots, movie sets, music videos, artistic vignettes, or "wow" interiors, simply say... "Melissa... Style Me" states Celeste Sotola, designer of Montana Dreamweaver.<br />
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Today the western Cowboy atmosphere lives on in Bandera. The town host “Cowboys on Main Street” featuring gun fights and shoot out’s in front of the County Court house as entertainers take to the streets. The Frontier Times Museum sponsors the event every Saturday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM which also features horseback riding cowboys, storytellers, trick ropers, musicians, chuck wagon and a lot more. The museum dates back to 1927 and is a good place to learn more about Bandera's early days through cowboy paraphernalia, Native American arrowheads, and prehistoric artifacts. I remember viewing the two headed goat and an Amazon shrunken head along with many interesting things to see.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MkcfNeYbuHJX_px9Cxt3RoAQf9AEzMcmk75x5qSLFYlXg_W6K9Ko_8vb3tWhEYqu5PnTkFDXlFdqjHAMTgLQc0gaAD0k6ujIKfYY5EmBv11cD_Q_3XiKD0Jls_38o31aIaEcez7rCyA/s1600/bandera4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MkcfNeYbuHJX_px9Cxt3RoAQf9AEzMcmk75x5qSLFYlXg_W6K9Ko_8vb3tWhEYqu5PnTkFDXlFdqjHAMTgLQc0gaAD0k6ujIKfYY5EmBv11cD_Q_3XiKD0Jls_38o31aIaEcez7rCyA/s200/bandera4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Dude ranches also host Rodeo’s every Friday night offered by both the Twin Elm Guest Ranch and the BR Lightning Ranch located in near by Pipe Creek, Texas just outside of Bandera. The largest Bandera rodeo being the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) held in May. Bandera is well known for its many dude ranches, the perfect way for you and your family to experience life as a cowboy for a few days. Properties like the Flying L Guest Ranch, the Mayan Ranch, Dixie Dude Ranch, and Twin Elm Guest Ranch or the dozen more will keep you busy with horseback rides, hayrides, fishing, cookouts, and more. You don't have to have any previous riding experience to enjoy the ranches. Typically the guest rates include three meals a day as well as Western entertainment and even supervised kids' programs. During the peak summer months, expect a minimum stay at many ranches. Many celebrities have taken to the Dude Ranches as did Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie during a taping of their reality TV show called The Simple Life where they worked the Bandera County Jail.<br />
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Country music also plays a big part of Bandera. Several Honky-Tonks (night – clubs) offer local musicians along with many big name country artist. Jerry Jeff Walker lyrics “Banks of the ole Bandera” said it all, states one bar owner. Once home to the likes of Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen and hometown to singer-songwriter brothers Bruce and Charlie Robison, the Saloons of Bandera offer live music every weekend with jam sessions on Sundays. Don’t be surprised by the horses tied out front of any saloon nor a line of Harley Davidson motorcycles in front of any given establishment. Bandera is often the rally point for “Poker Runs” by many biker clubs that help support charities like the American Breast Cancer Foundation through the “Biker for Boobs” poker run fund raiser or the often Sunday morning “Breakfast run.”<br />
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One of the best known saloons is Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar. Don't miss the sawdust-covered floor (to encourage plenty of boot-scoot in'). Also others like 11th Street Cowboy Bar which states they are the biggest little bar in Texas. Blue Gene's reopen and the LONGHORN Saloon have continued to thrive.<br />
So if you want to escape the world of big cities and bright lights, to Cowboy Up, Bandera likely will be holding the cards of that which you are looking for. Be it to take on the near by river for some summer inner-tubing down stream, eating great barbecue or listening to some good country tunes, or find yourself a new pair of boots to waltz across Texas, you just might need to find yourself in BANDERA, TEXAS the real “Cowboy Capital of the World.”<br />
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Story by: Roger Edison<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medina River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-71719947269648670912010-06-24T14:41:00.000-07:002010-06-24T14:43:43.206-07:00The Swiming Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sTM4Xq3A9ofaEaaqHRo8jd3kynUazEJo59vYGTpnsgiY_-u7TXQzGMB0alQnTJn10auQjjW-gwMDa6F3QPvOKEAv6qpkzTP6pZSqMhJI4oj_NMMejORkUyk_vkdGlmOD9wY_rw3_nH8/s1600/edgefalls1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sTM4Xq3A9ofaEaaqHRo8jd3kynUazEJo59vYGTpnsgiY_-u7TXQzGMB0alQnTJn10auQjjW-gwMDa6F3QPvOKEAv6qpkzTP6pZSqMhJI4oj_NMMejORkUyk_vkdGlmOD9wY_rw3_nH8/s320/edgefalls1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Through the many years, I have had opportunities to swim and enjoy an abundant array of swimming holes. Some merely creeks while others vast spots in the ocean. Although of all places I have swam, one place always comes back to being my favorite spot. A place one could swing from the rope tied to a large Cypress tree, jumped from the sides of cliffs into the chilling waters or relaxed in an inter tube on a hot summer day. This would be Edge Falls which someday, I hope to return an once more relive those great adventures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I first went to Edge Falls as a young boy around 10 or 11 years old. My parents wanting to get out of the house on a Saturday afternoon decided to take me and my little brother Jimmy to the Falls. My two older brothers both who drove camped there the night before. At the time, it seem so far away from our home as my Dad drove along the narrow country roads off the course of civilization. <br />
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After about an hour drive north from San Antonio, my dad located the entry being nothing more than a rusted cattle guard gate and barbed wire fence in the immense thicket of Cedar and Oak trees. The entry road nothing more than two dirt ruts and some guy sitting on the tail gate of his pick-up truck collecting a few bucks per car load to allow us to enter.<br />
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The parking lot was a simple field of cut grass about half a mile from the gate where one could see a hundred cars already parked, I spotted my older brother's car already parked in the field. The typical push and shove between my little brother and myself on who spotted the cars first, became the quick scolding from our mom to behave or we would be going home.<br />
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Jimmy and I were told to help carry the metal Ice Chest while my parents grabbed other items including the fold out chairs for a family picnic. The trail from the field led us into the mast of trees which we hiked down until coming to a large edge of rocks and a huge steel stairwell the went down to the natural pool of water below. Here standing at the top of the stairwell you could observe a beautiful water fall surrounded by the carved out structure of limestone that likely took thousands of years to cut away forming the pulchritudinous view. At the time, the history of the falls had merely no meaning to me. My desire was just to get wet and get to swimming. The surrounding of canyon walls provided a nice field of shade which we set up the chairs for my parents. Placing the remaining items on the ground before we quickly removed our t-shirts running out to jump into the water.<br />
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The water fall fell from about 30 feet over the natural pool of water with a cliff to one side being about 45 feet from it's ledge while the other side nearly 80 feet as you could hike further over above some shallow rocks below. Older boys were jumping from the cliffs. Some doing spectacular dives while many others would ride the pushing water through the fall. Many of the teens would create the human chain sitting up stream with groups of people behind each other placing their feet forward for the person in front to hold onto while rushing down the natural slide form of the water fall. This was a natural water park long before any entrepreneur would invest in the liking of such things.<br />
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My little brother racing to climb the rocks to get to the falls first made it necessary for me to beat him and be first to ride the fall. Looking up at the fall, it didn't seem very high from below although once at the top, the view seem much more different. Jimmy managed to slide into the water first and through an array of carved limestone cuts, the water took him for a ride of howling shriek as he disappeared over the edge. <br />
I loosing out on being first, maneuvered over the rocks to the lower of two cliffs. Pride getting the best of me, I would be first to jump the cliff since Jimmy was already first to go off the water fall. I carefully climbed out on the ledge that over looked below. The height seem much different as I saw my little brother now swimming far below. After a few deep breaths and two older guys running past me diving off yelling on their way down, it was time to take the leap. What seem to last for so long was just a flash of a second before entering into the huge pool.<br />
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Wow.....that was awesome. A rush I had never felt before. It wasn't but another minute it seemed that I would be racing back to the top to do it again. An again. An again. Soon, I was doing the back flip and half gainer. Jimmy would have to take his place as he didn't jump from the cliff but continue to ride the water fall. Each time, going past our parents asking, "Did you see me." Each time being warn to be careful and stay off the larger cliff. Surely my mom was a wreak of worry watching her two younger sons who barely swam coming over the edge of the rocks falling to the water below.<br />
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We would return to Edge falls a few more times. Each time growing a tad older and taking note to the surroundings. By the time I was a older teenager, I was diving the higher cliffs but becoming disappointed with the way the area was becoming a litter infestation of beer bottles and trash. All signs that showed a lack of human respect to the natural shine once cherished by native Indians of this central Texas hideaway. The owners of the property would locked their gate and close it to the public forever more.<br />
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Edge Falls, named after settler George Edge, who established a homestead near the falls, is located on Curry Creek near Kendalia in Kendall County, Texas. This is just north of San Antonio about 30 miles. The property had been privately own swimming hole that the owners allowed the public access since the 1930's. Though by the late 60's began being trashed by visitors and campers that the Edge family closed the property. It would eventually be sold where two Houston doctor's own it today.<br />
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Although they had closed the property to the public, I would once more get to explored the old water fall. Again, with my little brother Jimmy, and friends; Sherry, Gary Smith and Jesse Alvarez. <br />
It had been just after a good rain which always increased the velocity of the water which always made riding the cut stone a greater thrill.<br />
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We could not locate the original gate entry so we parked further down the road where I knew the creek fed the falls. We hiked our way back towards the property. I was able to locate the cabin that had been resident for caretakers for the many years prior to closing and spoke with a former family member Richard Edge. He seem to like us as we seemed perhaps harmless. Maybe it was because I alos was wearing a cowboy hat as Mr. Edge was too. Either way, he agree to allow us to swim providing we didn't leave any trash and carried everything we bring in, out.<br />
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At the time, I didn't know much about the owners or history of the Edge family who owned the large estate. This would be in the late 1970's and that day would be a joy of reliving the good old times swinging from the heavy rope tied in the Cypress tree. Diving from the cliffs up above and rocketing through the water fall to the deep pool below.<br />
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The place was cleaned up with little signs of trash. Although still some graffiti remain under the many ledges from past visitors. I was able to locate what appeared as an authentic Indian drawing likely 200 years old still tucked away behind the falls from someone who once like myself enjoyed this serenity.<br />
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Over the years, I would hear stories and rumors about the place. Stories about how bikers and hippies trashed the place so bad that the owners had no choice but close up. Others rumors were about some kid from California visiting Texas jumped off the cliff landing on the rocks below. Even stories about many trespassers being arrested. I even recall hearing quotes "If I ever win the lotto, I'm gonna buy Edge Falls." Many local folks desire the state of Texas to take the property to make it a state park. Regardless that it is privately own. Although, while I miss the great swimming hole, I would hate to see it abuse again.<br />
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Perhaps one day I'll return to my favorite watering hole. Maybe ask the new owners or care taker to allow me to view the place as I once did years ago. Although, as likely with the changing times and age, the many unnecessary law suits and encroaching residences that now have sprung up near the marvelous place, I too would likely be told "NO" and sent away. I suppose that might just be a good thing too, if that is what would be needed to protect the great swimming hole of EDGE FALLS.<br />
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<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-30316041595805689882010-05-20T20:15:00.000-07:002010-07-26T21:16:51.254-07:00The Fort Worth Stockyards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1Gk9AEPUghDHOLQt74Mtr7DyeY0nHjyBzTOGewwdLazf7Tiknh2UPgbmvbEakVXDNWkPuu29gfXdgFZeSEZg3m-Zgr3rRGSyWCjfbCBxJDAX3aEkAPpYlp2t10akrihGfI1S_VF0d30/s1600/blackberry+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1Gk9AEPUghDHOLQt74Mtr7DyeY0nHjyBzTOGewwdLazf7Tiknh2UPgbmvbEakVXDNWkPuu29gfXdgFZeSEZg3m-Zgr3rRGSyWCjfbCBxJDAX3aEkAPpYlp2t10akrihGfI1S_VF0d30/s200/blackberry+040.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/">Stockyards of Ft. Worth </a><br />
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Fort Worth, Texas is home to some famous Cowboys and maintains “The Cowboy Way,” with the famous Stockyards where they run Longhorn cattle twice daily down the streets just as Fort Worth did over one hundred years ago for today's visiting tourist. Fort Worth host features like Billy Bobs, the grand dance hall of modern ages, Hell’s Half Acre and the renowned White Elephant Saloon, once owned by F.A. Borodino in the 300 block of Main Street. Western card shark — Luke Short ran the gambling tables for Borodino of the White Elephant to the likes of famous men on the western frontier like Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Charlie Coe and Ft. Worth’s local bad boy Timothy Isaiah Courtright. A bitter feud grew between Courtright, a former City Marshall of Fort Worth known by his nickname “Long Hair Jim” and “Little Luke” Short. On the night of February 8th, 1887 Courtright called Short out which turned into a gun fight on Main Street as bullets flew and shots echo the street. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2E6-wpaSpXRxC7SZx3pqvoqqYjjValD1LAmshqvS4OIhvkwJkhZ7byZYTQQGjgw4NwKknz9nqM85OchMHBzx9xQ1ocQBGSVF1-pT9kyMeJHi0_RYGTRzJJgxALLIuOzbxHRYNeSsmS8/s1600/blackberry+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2E6-wpaSpXRxC7SZx3pqvoqqYjjValD1LAmshqvS4OIhvkwJkhZ7byZYTQQGjgw4NwKknz9nqM85OchMHBzx9xQ1ocQBGSVF1-pT9kyMeJHi0_RYGTRzJJgxALLIuOzbxHRYNeSsmS8/s320/blackberry+043.jpg" /></a></div><b>Austin rides the Texas Longhorn in the Stockyards, Fort Worth, Texas. If your looking for purchasing a Longhorn, check with our friends at <a href="http://www.premierlonghorns.com/">Premier Longhorns</a></b> <b>located just across the Texas border. They are in Oklahoma and have several quality steers ready for riding. However, maybe you would rather just rent one for the day. Check with out friends at <a href="http://txlonghornforhire.com/">Longhorns for hire </a></b><br />
<div class="indent"><b>They can bring their Texas Longhorns and other Texas animals to your Corporate, Church, or School event. The longhorns are also available for festivals, fairs and birthday parties. They serve</b></div><div class="indent"><b>Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio & Surrounding Areas.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1bltKvG66KLej4ilZHV_oW1Sr0hhoDMMcEsVreUDtvIJhX9uBBBvDbZajpN21vaTRhBvKMT7VxsyrHBHO4do1ln4aA_RmFhcyrK17z4UBAaGwzVHNYjxFBHYztzMNhgctlRyFAXMDA/s1600/blackberry+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1bltKvG66KLej4ilZHV_oW1Sr0hhoDMMcEsVreUDtvIJhX9uBBBvDbZajpN21vaTRhBvKMT7VxsyrHBHO4do1ln4aA_RmFhcyrK17z4UBAaGwzVHNYjxFBHYztzMNhgctlRyFAXMDA/s400/blackberry+039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="indent"><b> While at the Stockyards, take time to ride in one of the many coaches. Stage Coach above</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr4wX1XYN1769pSFpJpEwwSeuQEIdjk1DwvEBMZLqyaeAD1EunPImJywReDzyQR5qBMahdgozGBSGTOzhEW4I8QfxG2VhWHSqusCfQSVUtwiSQywVIVQ4e41fD4FkX0vtkWoVySmUY4E/s1600/blackberry+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr4wX1XYN1769pSFpJpEwwSeuQEIdjk1DwvEBMZLqyaeAD1EunPImJywReDzyQR5qBMahdgozGBSGTOzhEW4I8QfxG2VhWHSqusCfQSVUtwiSQywVIVQ4e41fD4FkX0vtkWoVySmUY4E/s400/blackberry+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="indent" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fort Worth, Texas Stockyards </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMXWgkpejv_ZJqijGNl9I0KYiSFL1F62ykLZt_IFGgqL4Rcm13P4TGHZ3uxPHp4LTHgoO9057JyA8jseBs9ePVDfIh8CyzN4CoNYcgPhdPtfaWwkcCDiNayb9fVU4WYWn6Tr9VBBFoNU/s1600/blackberry+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMXWgkpejv_ZJqijGNl9I0KYiSFL1F62ykLZt_IFGgqL4Rcm13P4TGHZ3uxPHp4LTHgoO9057JyA8jseBs9ePVDfIh8CyzN4CoNYcgPhdPtfaWwkcCDiNayb9fVU4WYWn6Tr9VBBFoNU/s400/blackberry+053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="indent" style="text-align: center;"></div><div id="refHTML"></div>cowboysandchuckwagoncookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10874118941778139191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424940130654390910.post-42159134764009230802010-05-14T17:00:00.000-07:002010-05-14T17:00:20.136-07:00The BUCKHORN Saloon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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For over 129 years, The Buckhorn Saloon has always been known as a gathering place for good conversation, great food and spectacular wildlife exhibits. Today, the saloon houses a Café, Gift Shop, Arcade Shooting Gallery and our two museums, the Buckhorn Museum and the new Texas Ranger Museum.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The food is superb. Tammy and I enjoyed visiting this wonderful attraction in the heart of Downtown San Antonio only a couple of blocks from the ALAMO and the San Antonio River Walk. <br />
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<span class="regulartext">The Buckhorn Museum features wildlife from all over the world; including fish, birds, animal oddities and a wax museum of Texas History. Our exhibit halls are comprised of over 520 species of wildlife, many of which are listed in the ‘Boone and Crockett’ record books. <br />
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The Buckhorn is home to a world record whitetail deer, the famous ‘78 Point Buck’. This impressive rack was sold to the saloon owner himself, Albert Friedrich, for a mere $100 dollars back in 1890. Other amazing specimens include a record 1,056 pound black marlin and a 10,000 year old pre-historic Irish elk skull and antlers. </span> <span class="regulartext"></span><br />
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<span class="regulartext">Make sure before you take a trip to the Buckhorn that you download coupons from their sight. <a href="http://www.buckhornmuseum.com/coupons.php">coupons from the Buckhorn </a><br />
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