In Luckenbach, Everybody Is Somebody

Ever wonder why everybody is still somebody in Luckenbach?

It all started when Hondo Crouch and his buddies bought the town of Luckenbach in 1970 so they would always have a place to have a cold beer.

Soon after taking over, Hondo saw a need for a make believe hierarchy. I can't imagine why such a tiny little town would need a world ambassador or a sheriff but Hondo started handing out titles to the regulars. Before long, everybody was somebody. There you have it. Hang around long enough and you may inherit a title too.

To this day, even though Hondo is long gone, you will still find that everybody is still somebody.

Just ask big Bo Kern. He works the counter in the store and is also the current official Luckenbach world ambassador.

Hondo was a man of great vision and creativity. He set out to create a little wonderland out in the sticks of the Texas Hill Country. He died in 1976, but his spirit is alive and well.

Although some would argue the place has become too commercialized, there's still something magical about Luckenbach.

It’s a place where you really can relax and forget about your troubles. Odds are you'll find yourself tapping your toes to the live music or amazed by the chickens as they go on about their barnyard antics despite the crowd and commotion.

Yes, you really can forget your troubles for a while in Luckenbach. I never met Hondo but i bet that's what he had in mind all along.

While Hondo may have been the original dreamer in the Luckenbach area, he wasn't the last.

Take John Thomas, for example. He had a wild-seed farm in Houston that was by all accounts a little boring. He saw an opportunity to bring his business to the Pedernales River Valley and the rest is history. You can spend an entire afternoon at his wild-seed farm and not see it all. It's been described as a gardener's dream, and indeed if you need something for your garden, they have it.

There's also a butterfly enclosure, a beer garden and a huge gift shop. I didn't see a sporting goods section but guys you'll get a kick out of it too. If nothing else, the beer garden is a great place to sit and wait out the ladies’ shopping spree. Just pace yourself because you will have to start planting stuff as soon as you get home.

The same soil that produces these beautiful wildflowers also seems to be pretty good for grapes too. If you travel to the Luckenbach area, you may also want to stop in at one of the winery. They really are doing a great job. At Becker vineyards, they take their wine very seriously and you won't be disappointed.

If you're in the area long enough, someone will mention the hamburgers at Alamo Springs. I can't really put my finger on why i think they're the world's best but I believe that to be true. Maybe it's the thick, fresh hamburger patty, the homemade bun, or the spices or maybe I was just really hungry that day. But honestly, i can't remember having a better burger. The onion rings are the best too. Just prepare for a nap after a trip to the Alamo Springs Café.

Fredericksburg: Book Early

What makes Fredericksburg special? Maybe it's the food; maybe it's the shopping, or unique atmosphere, the friendly people or the beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery.

Whatever it is, it's working.

The first key to Fredericksburg's success is the layout of the town. Beautiful historic buildings that were made to last, lining the widest main street in Texas. Legend has it that Main Street had to be wide so the farmers coming to town could turn their ox-drawn wagons around without backing up.

Makes sense. have you ever tried to make an ox back up? Me neither, but I bet it's pretty tough.

Years and years ago the city leaders of Fredericksburg decided to capitalize on the city's beauty and German heritage to create a place that would attract visitors from all over. The storeowners got together and decided that to survive and thrive they must look out for the city's welfare as a whole instead of their individual success, so they worked together instead of competing against each other.

That spirit of co-operation is very much alive and well today. There are 150 unique shops along Main Street, and not a chain among them. And if you're looking for authentic German cuisine, Fredericksburg has some of the best restaurants in the state.

With a successful formula in place the town realized that all these visitors would need a place to stay. Keeping with German tradition, many families opened up their homes to the weary shoppers, and the Bed & Breakfast industry was born. With more than 400 rooms available, Fredericksburg has more B&B's per capita than any city in the nation.

But don't think that finding a room on a busy weekend is easy to do. Book your lodging early; this town fills to capacity in a hurry. Whether you’re looking for home furnishings, hand made Texas Souvenirs, knick knacks, fine chocolates, hand crafted instruments or authentic German cuisine, Fredericksburg is a great place to visit.

Mason’s Dark Secret

The city of Mason has a dark secret. Each night between the months of May and October, approximately 1.6 million Mexican Freetail Bats leave the confines of a deep cave in search of prey.

There’s no need to hide your children, these bats aren't out for blood they're looking for insects.
Each of the bats will consume its weight in moths and other insects.

It's hard to put a dollar figure on their worth but while they are here it's estimated they save Texas farmers millions.

In late October, they fly back to their winter home in Mexico.

Bats are greatly misunderstood. For generations all we've "known" about bats we got from old movies and horror stories. The Nature Conservancy is helping to dispel some of these myths and allow the public to study the bats, up close and personal.

Watching nearly two million bats leave a cave is an amazing experience. This carefully orchestrated bat ballet can be witnessed in person from wooden benches just outside the bat cave. For 30 minutes or so a steady stream of bats leave the cave, many flying just inches from your face. The cave steward is there to give an informative presentation about bats and to answer any questions.

For more information, you can contact the Nature Conservancy or the local chamber of commerce.

Hill Country Guide

Fredericksburg Bed & Breakfast Information
(888)-559-8555

City of Fredericksburg
(830)-997-6523

The National Museum of the Pacific War
(830) 997-4379

Luckenbach

Perdernales River Valley

August E’s
(830)-997-1585

Alamo Street
830-990-8004.

Bat Cave
(May to Mid-October)
(325)-347-5970

Mason Chamber Of Commerce
(325)-347-5758

Becker Vineyards
(830)-644-2681

Wild Seed Farm
(800)-848-0078