Author: Omar C. Garcia

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Texas Outdoor Musical

If you live in Texas, you should add Palo Duro Canyon State Park to your list of must-see places in the Lone Star State — not only to enjoy the magnificent beauty of the canyon, but to see the outdoor musical drama “Texas.” This musical romance of Panhandle history will fill you with Texas pride. Now in its 51st season, “Texas” is even better than I remember when I first saw it in its 5th season.
texas-bookletThis musical drama, set in an outdoor amphitheater dwarfed by the thousand-foot walls of Palo Duro Canyon, was born in the heart of Margaret Harper. After reading an article in Reader’s Digest about a playwright named Paul Green who specialized in telling the history of a region in magnificent outdoor settings, Harper wrote to Green about the beauty of the Palo Duro Canyon. The rest is history.

The musical is a high-energy production filled with all of the things that make a story interesting, including conflict and romance. From the start, you are drawn into the story by a lone rider carrying a huge Texas flag, riding at full gallop along the edge of the canyon. And then it begins, the dancing and singing and the unfolding story of how the Panhandle was settled. One interesting side-note is that Benny Tahmahkera, the actor who plays Quanah Parker, the last Chief of the Comanches, is an actual descendent of Quanah Parker.

When my wife Cheryl and I sat through a performance last summer, at one point the wind picked up and we could smell the coming of rain. It’s happened before in this outdoor setting. As the nervous audience looked at the stage and at the dark clouds overhead, the actors on stage were lamenting a West Texas drought that threatened their crops. And then, the first drops of actual rain fell from the sky at the exact moment that Calvin Armstrong, a young homesteader, received word that it was raining and the drought was over. You can’t plan stuff like that!
texas-musicalThere is so much more to tell about this beautiful story. So, plan now to see it this year. The new season starts in June and ends in mid-August with performances every day of the week except Mondays. Visit the Texas Show website to book your tickets. And, take a few extra bucks with you and enjoy a heaping plate of grub at the Chuck Wagon Bar-B-Que. Regardless of whether you are from Texas, you’ll enjoy this family friendly show with a cool ending you’ll have to see for yourself!

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San Jacinto State Historic Site

The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site preserves the history of the most important event in Texas history — our independence from Mexico. On April 21, 1836, an outnumbered Texian Army defeated the forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna on the plains of San Jacinto. With shouts of “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad,” the Texian Army secured their decisive victory in only 18 minutes!
San Jacinto Site SignThe San Jacinto Monument, built for the battle’s centennial in 1936, honors all those who fought for Texas independence. Rising 570 feet above the surrounding plains, the Monument is the world’s tallest war memorial, standing 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument in Washington DC. A massive 220-ton Lone Star adorns the top of the towering column.
San Jacinto MuseumHoused within the base of the Monument is the impressive San Jacinto Museum of History. This must-see museum houses thousands of objects and manuscripts that span 400 years of history. The Jesse H. Jones Theatre, also housed in the base of the Monument, features a short video on Texas history.
San Jacinto Observation ViewI especially enjoyed the 500-foot elevator ride to the observation deck that sits beneath the Lone Star of Texas at the top of the Monument. The observation deck offers great views of the surrounding area as well as of Battleship Texas. Information panels at each window help to orient and inform you about the surrounding vistas.
San Jacinto SignThis historic site is sacred ground in Texas — and rightly so. The Texas Veterans Association and the Sons and Daughters of the Republic of Texas helped to raise the money to purchase the land and to build the Monument. Prominent Houstonian Jesse H. Jones, who served as President Roosevelt’s Secretary of Commerce, also aided in the development of the historic site.
San Jacinto Monument CloseThe San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is located in La Porte, just a short drive from Houston. The Monument and Museum are open daily (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day) from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The museum is free to all visitors but there is a modest charge to see the movie and to ride the elevator to the observation floor. When you visit, plan also to tour Battleship Texas, located just a minute or two by car from the Monument.

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Royers Round Top Café

Round Top, a popular tourist destination, is one of the smallest incorporated communities in the Lone Star State. This tiny town has a rich history influenced by English and German settlers. The family of Stephen Townsend was the first to settle in the area in 1826. This family bears the distinction of having sent more men to the Battle of San Jacinto than any other family.

Joel Robinson, a resident of Round Top, also fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. After the Texan army defeated the Mexican forces on the plains of San Jacinto on March 21, 1836, the Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna was nowhere to be found. Robinson was assigned to the small detachment of men who searched for and captured the defeated general on the day after the decisive battle.

In the 1840s, a German man named Alwin H. Soergel, settled in the Round Top area. This talented author, musician, and historian built a white house with an octagonal tower — giving rise to the name Round Top. Soergel’s home served as the United States Post Office for the tiny community as early as 1847.
Round Top City Limit SignToday, Round Top has a population of fewer than one-hundred residents. Even so, this tiny community draws visitors from around the world. Round Top is an internationally recognized cultural center for the arts with a 1,200-seat concert hall at Festival Hill, the permanent home of the Texas Festival Orchestra.

Round Top’s vintage downtown is also a tourist draw. Henkel Square features a variety of shops and galleries housed in restored structures originally built by English and German pioneers to the area. Of course, the heavy tourist traffic explains why there are so many historic bed-and-breakfasts in Round Top.
Royers CafeOn my continuing search for delicious hamburgers in the Lone Star State, I visited Royers Round Top Café — “a Texas country bistro serving gourmet comfort food.” This café is famous for their delicious handmade pies, which have made their way to the White House. How cool is that! But, I visited Royers to sample their burger and then to chase it all down with a tall glass of iced tea and a slice of pecan pie.
Royers Burger CutI ordered the Café’s Burger — a handmade burger boasting a half-pound of local beef served with all the trimmings between a toasted sourdough bun with a side of hand-cut fries. All it took was the first bite to convince me this was one delicious burger. As for the pecan pie, I think it was made in heaven. No wonder folks come from all over the place to eat at Royer’s. Not only was the food great, the wait staff was very attentive and helpful.
Royers PorchIf you have not yet visited Round Top, add it to your list. You’ll enjoy strolling through the various interesting shops with their eclectic wares. And, be sure to time things so that you can stop by Royers for lunch. It’s a popular place so you might have to wait for a few minutes on the front porch. But, don’t be impatient and drive off. This place is definitely well worth the wait.

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Farmers Mercantile

Farmers Mercantile is a Texas time capsule — an old general store where almost 90 years of memories compete with merchandise for shelf space. You can feel the past the second you walk through the front door and step onto the old wooden slats that cover the original dirt floor. Once inside you realize that you are standing in a place like few others in the Lone Star State.
Farmers Mercantile WindowJo Harris along with her mother Lou and brother Bubba are the latest generation to run the old store located in Orange. This historic old town is situated on the West bank of the Sabine River, the waterway that separates Texas and Louisiana. The mercantile occupies a building that was originally a Buick dealership. Jo’s great grandfather bought the place in 1927 and opened his general store in April of the following year.
Farmers Mercantile FrontFive generations of the Harris family have kept the old store running. The store has weathered the Great Depression and other economic lows through the years. However, Jo explained to me that the only reason they weathered the damage of Hurricane Ike in September 2008 was because of the kindness of the community.
Farmers Mercantile HatsThe two-plus feet of flood waters dumped by Hurricane Ike rushed into the store and destroyed half a million dollars worth of merchandise. After the flood waters receded, Jo walked in to find the floors covered in inches of mud. Without any insurance to cover the cost of the damage, Jo wondered if the end of Farmers Mercantile had finally come.
Farmers Mercantile StoveAnd then, something remarkable happened. The people of the community and surrounding farms rallied to the aid of the Harris family. They told Jo and her family that they would help them clean up the mess and get things back in order because Farmers Mercantile was too important to the community. And that’s exactly what they did. Seven days later, Jo and her family opened their doors once again for business.
Farmers Mercantile ScaleToday, every shelf in the place is chock-full of the most interesting things — the kind of this-and-that kind of stuff that farming folks need. You’ll find garden supplies, seeds of every variety, corn shuckers, sausage stuffers, hand churns, straw hats, cast iron cookware, rope, saddles, wash tubs, bed bug poison, kerosene lamps, coolers, livestock feed, and much more. The store is, in fact, the oldest seller of Lone Star Feeds in Texas.
Farmers Mercantile ClockThe walls are adorned with almost ninety years worth of bric-a-brac — advertising signs, garden and farming implements, leftover automobile fan belts from the days when the Buick dealership occupied the place, assorted framed items, and other stuff. The most treasured is an old clock advertising Calumet Baking Powder. Jo’s grandfather won it in a contest after selling a full barrel of the brand’s baking powder. The clock remains exactly where her grandfather hung it on the wall.
Farmers Mercantile SeedThere is one more thing that makes Farmers Mercantile a special place to the folks of the area — and that is the customer service. I enjoyed listening to Jo answer questions about seed and fertilizer and rat poison. Jo and her family know their stuff. They can advise you about what to plant and when to plant it and even tell you how to deal with bed bugs. In the hour-plus that I spent with Jo I was impressed by her knowledge and even more by her concern for every person who walked through the door.
Farmers Mercantile PhoneThe world outside the Farmers Mercantile will continue to change. There is no doubt about it. However, in this day of constant motion and change, I find it comforting that there are still places like the Farmers Mercantile where what happens inside remains the same. Everyone who walks through the doors can expect to find the same unchanging and time-treasured values that have made this a special place.
IMG_7674Plan to visit Farmers Mercantile and to take your kids along. Jo and her family will be happy to show you around and to answer any questions about what you see on their shelves. It might surprise your kids to see a business that has survived for so long without any modern conveniences — no air conditioning in the summer and only a central stove to heat the place in the winter. It won’t take you long to discover why this place is valued by the folks around Orange and why it continues to endure.

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The Painted Church of Dubina

Dubina bears the distinction of being the first Czech settlement in the Lone Star State. In 1856, a group of Czech settlers arrived in the area on a cold November day. A fierce norther and freezing rain forced these pioneers to seek shelter under a grove of large oak trees. Soaked with rain and at the mercy of the weather, the men built a huge fire under the protective branches of the trees. No one slept that night, but all survived.

The settlers remained in the area, built homes, and planted crops. They named their community Navidad after the nearby Navidad River. They later changed the name to Bohemian Navidad. The name was later changed again to Dubina in recognition of the oaks that had sheltered the first settlers. Dubina is the Czech word for oak grove.

Building a house of worship was a priority for these early Czech settlers who had a deep faith in God. They built their first church in 1877 on land donated by Joseph Peter. The steeple of this church was topped with an iron cross made by Tom Lee, a freed slave who worked for Peter as a blacksmith. Sadly, this church was destroyed by a hurricane in 1909. The iron cross fashioned by Lee was salvaged from the debris.
Dubina Church SideviewAfter their first church was destroyed, the community raised funds to build a new church. They hired the German architect Leo Dielmann to design the new structure. By 1911, Dubina had a new place of worship and Tom Lee’s cross once again stood atop the steeple. The interior was painted with beautiful frescos and motifs of vines, oak leaves, and angels. Unfortunately, in the 1950s, the ornate interior was whitewashed.
Dubina Church InteriorIn 1983, Judge Ed Janeckas and Butch Koenig, led efforts to restore the church. Judge Janeckas had served as an altar boy at the church and recalled seeing faint traces of the original artwork beneath the whitewash. These original designs were uncovered during the renovation and restored using some of the original stencils.
Dubina Church Front ViewToday, Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church of Dubina stands as an enduring reminder of the early settlers strong faith in God and their determination to begin new lives in the Lone Star State. You can see the church standing proud against the Texas sky as you approach Dubina.
Dubina Church CrossThe front doors of the church are open during the week but entrance to the main sanctuary is blocked by an iron gate. Guests can see the interior through the gate but can have access to the interior on Sunday and through the painted churches tour offered by the Schulenberg Chamber of Commerce.

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Sparkle’s Hamburger Spot

A friend recently encouraged me to eat at Sparkle’s Hamburger Spot — a tiny burger joint with a big reputation for serving tasty burgers in Houston. Sparkle’s is located at the corner of Leeland and Dowling, just east of Houston’s historic Eastwood neighborhood. Housed in a small building flanked by picnic tables and a shade tree, Sparkle’s has a very reasonably priced breakfast and lunch menu.
Sparkle's Hamburger SpotI ordered the bacon cheeseburger with a side order of onion rings at the walk-up window. The young lady who took my order was friendly and helpful. Everything at Sparkle’s is made-to-order, so the service is not fast. They wait until you place your order to start cooking. Once I placed my order, I joined the dozen other folks sitting around the picnic tables, patiently waiting to hear their number called. Those who had phoned in their orders did not have as long to wait.
Sparkle's Walk-Up WindowI have to confess that waiting was the hardest part because I was so hungry. When the gal at the window finally called out Number 74, she handed me my burger in a white styrofoam box. I settled into a comfortable seat at the picnic tables and opened the box. Inside I found a healthy burger swaddled in paper along with a generous portion of onion rings.
Sparkle's BurgerThe burger was big — at least a half-pound and inch-thick crumbly patty cooked to perfection and topped with a generous portion of cheese and bacon. The mustard and mayo slathered buns created the perfect embrace for the meat. When it comes to burgers, it generally doesn’t take more than one bite to conclude whether it’s good, bad, or downright nasty. One bite of this burger made every minute of the wait worth it all. Delicious, hearty, and flavor filled!
Sparkle's MenuIf you are looking for fancy, look elsewhere because there is nothing fancy about Sparkle’s. This place is about the food. They do burgers and they do them right! The folks on the other side of the walk-up window know what they are doing and they do it well. Sparkle’s has definitely earned its reputation as one of the best burger joints in their own neighborhood and beyond. And they have earned a spot on my own list of the best places to eat a burger in the Lone Star State.

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Battleship Texas State Historic Site

There is a great line about history in Timeline, Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel about a group of history students who travel back in time to rescue their professor from 14th century France. One of the time-traveling students says, “Professor Johnston often said that if you didn’t know history, you didn’t know anything. You were a leaf that didn’t know it was part of a tree.”

I absolutely agree! Knowing history is important for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is to understand the context in which we live and how our lives fit into a larger narrative. When you think about it, our way of life is linked to the actions, good and bad, of those who came before us. History helps us to make sense of it all.
Battleship TexasTexas is indeed rich in history and blessed with historic sites throughout the state. These sites help preserve the fascinating history of the Lone Star State for our benefit and that of future generations. The Battleship Texas State Historic Site is one of my favorites. Battleship Texas, last of the world’s dreadnoughts, is permanently moored on Buffalo Bayou near the San Jacinto State Battleground Historic Site in La Porte.
Battleship Texas GunsBattleship Texas was commissioned on March 12, 1914. Once the most powerful weapon in the world, it is the only surviving battleship to have served in both world wars. Before the second world war, USS Texas became flagship of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In World War 2, this big-gun battleship played a key role in bombing Nazi defenses in Normandy on D-Day. And, in all of her years of service through two world wars, the ship suffered only one combat fatality.
IMG_7473After her service, Battleship Texas was scheduled to be used as a bombing target. However, thanks to efforts on the part of some history-minded Texans, the ship was saved. The Navy towed the USS Texas from Hawkins Point, Baltimore to its present location along Houston’s ship channel to become the nation’s first permanent memorial battleship. She was officially transferred to the state in ceremonies at San Jacinto Battleground on April 21, 1948. That date is important because in 1836, Texans won the battle for Texas independence on April 21 at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Battleship Texas 3-Inch GunsToday, this historic site is maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The site is open seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Park personnel and volunteers are onboard the ship and available to answer questions or to guide you through the upper and lower decks. Believe me when I tell you that this is one fascinating tour.
Battleship Texas CrewAs you consider interesting things to do in the Lone Star State, make it a point to included a visit to Battleship Texas State Historic Site. You will definitely learn some new and interesting things. And you will walk away with a greater appreciation for those who served aboard this mighty ship that played a key role in helping to preserve our democratic way of life.

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Hermann Sons Steak House

The city of Hondo has one of the most unusual welcome signs in the Lone Star State, or anywhere for that matter. The Hondo Lions Club erected the sign at the city limits in 1930 with the intention of slowing down motorists barreling down Highway 90. The first sign read “This Is God’s Country, Don’t Drive Through It Like Hell.” Because some of the town folk did not like the harsh tone of the sign, the word “please” was added in the 1940s.
Hondo SignLocal law enforcement could probably speak to the effectiveness of Hondo’s sign. I have certainly learned to respect the slower speed limits as I drive through smaller Texas towns like Hondo on my backroads adventures. There is, however, another sign in Hondo that has unquestionably caused many travelers through town to slow down and pull off the road — and that is the Hermann Sons Steak House sign.
Hermann Sons SteakhouseThe roots of this well-known steak house reach all the way back to 1937 when a fellow named Alvin Britsch opened a restaurant called The Bobcat Grill. The menu in those early days featured hamburgers, homemade chili, and Britsch’s famous “pepper steak.” Britsch later added steaks to the menu, inaugurating the start of the Hermann Sons Steak House. Today, a third generation of Alvin Britsch’s family owns and operates the steak house.
Hermann Sons InteriorI learned about this popular Hondo eatery from my wife Cheryl. Her family would eat at Hermann Sons every time they traveled to the Hill Country along Highway 90. Her favorite meal — the trademark pepper steak. This dish is more than a meal to Cheryl. It is a nostalgic reminder of happy days of traveling with her family. On our recent visit, Cheryl ordered the pepper steak without even glancing at the menu.
Hermann Sons Burger WrappedAs for me, I ordered a burger — in particular, the Big Tex Burger. This big burger is served on a deliciously moist sourdough bun. I added cheese and bacon to my order and a side order of onion rings. My burger arrived swaddled in a white wrapper with deliciously inviting onion rings on the side. I unwrapped the behemoth and cut it in half to make it easier to eat.
Hermann Sons Big Tex BurgerThe burger was absolutely delicious. The uneven and crumbly patty was cooked to perfection. The sourdough bun held the contents together well without falling apart. And the onion rings were oh-my-soul amazing. All of this and a cold glass of iced tea made for a perfect meal. I should also mention that the wait staff was friendly and attentive. A good meal and a friendly wait staff certainly make for a memorable dining experience.
Hermann Sons Burger CutIf you find yourself headed west of San Antonio on Highway 90 any time soon, make it a point to time your trip so that you can stop for lunch in Hondo. And remember — don’t drive like hell through Hondo. Instead slow down and pull into Hermann Sons Steak House and enjoy a heavenly good meal!

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Seabourne Creek Nature Park

John Muir, America’s most influential naturalist and conservationist, dedicated his life to the preservation of open spaces. Muir observed, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” Muir was right. We need open and green spaces where we can escape — places where, even if for a brief time, we can breathe slowly, walk in the presence of trees, and bathe our souls in the natural beauty that God created.

As cities areas grow, its important that city councils and developers factor in the preservation of green spaces. Green spaces are good for everybody. I recently listened to a report on NPR that said there is now so much concrete in Houston that in years to come temperatures will steadily rise in the Bayou City. All the more reason for cities big and small to take more intentional steps toward creating green spaces that thrive from heat rather than just reflect it.
Seabourne SignThe Seabourne Creek Nature Park in Rosenberg is a good example of a beautiful and inviting green space in the midst of a rapidly growing community. Located on Highway 36, this 164-acre nature park features well-maintained walking, jogging, and biking trails. The Coastal Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists has contributed to the maintenance of the park and the development of wetlands and prairie restoration areas.
Seabourne Butterfly GardenMembers of the Coastal Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists have also created a beautiful butterfly garden, labeled native plant species throughout the park, developed a native grassland demonstration area, and oversee the four-acre lake stocked with bass, perch, and catfish. The work and long-range plans of the chapter will only make Seabourne better and better in years to come.
Seabourne DucksOne of the best things about the park is that it is family friendly. This is a great place to take your kids to teach them about the beautiful variety of native plants. On my visit, I enjoyed watching a dad and his young daughter feeding the ducks. There are benches at intervals around the lake where you and your kids can sit and enjoy the wildlife or one of our spectacular Texas sunsets.
Seabourne Trail SignThe crushed gravel trails are wide and open to hiking, jogging, and biking. No danger that you will get lost here. Everything is clearly marked. There is an adjacent sports area with a frisbee golf course and baseball and soccer fields. And, as an added bonus, there are actually  clean restrooms on site.
Seabourne Pollinator SignTake a note pad with you if you want ideas about what you will need in order to plant your own butterfly garden or other types of gardens that attract butterflies and birds. Every plant in these gardens is identified by a marker. The various information signs help to make a visit to the park educational.
Seabourne MapKudos to the City of Rosenberg and their partnership with Texas Master Naturalists to ensure that Seabourne Creek Nature Park remains a family friendly place that residents and guests can enjoy for years to come.

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Campfire Conversations

The humble campfire, associated with cowboys and cattle drives, can still play an important role in our lives. I learned the art of building a campfire in my days as a Boy Scout — a skill that has served me well through the years on many of my outdoor adventures. On a recent cold-weather solo camping trip to Palmetto State Park, I set up my tent and then turned my attention to the important business of preparing my campfire.
Campfire AStarting with tinder and twigs, I progressively added the bigger stuff and finally topped everything off with the split logs I had brought with me. Of course, no fuel other than a match and tinder to start my fire. That’s the rule. But, when conditions are dry and you follow a tried and true fire-starting method it’s not hard to get a fire started with a match or two.
Campfire BI started my campfire just before sunset. A couple of matches and the flames started to peek out from my tinder bundle deep inside my teepee of firewood. Within minutes the fire was blazing. There is just something really inviting and comforting about campfires, especially on cold nights.

As I sat and watched the flames dancing around the logs I thought about Chuck Noland, the character that Tom Hanks played in Castaway. When Chuck finally succeeded in building a fire he cried out, “Aha. Look what I’ve created. I have made fire.” Ok, I know it’s a cheesy movie line but everything changed for Chuck when he succeeded in building a campfire.

I watched the soft glow of another campfire in the distance and could hear the muffled tones of conversation. Four friends were camping out and stayed up most of the night talking around their campfire. Reflecting on all of this led me to conclude that campfires are important because they bring people together and inevitably open them up to share their own stories.

I recently read about a lady who spent several weeks with a remote tribe. She chronicled conversations during the day and then at night around the campfire. She concluded that it was the evening campfire conversations that were the most important because that’s when the people sang songs and shared defining stories about their culture in the hearing of their children.
Cowboy CampfireI think that we lost something important when the humble campfire was replaced by technology. Families and neighbors no longer gather around campfires in the evenings. Instead many families go their separate ways in the evenings, each to their respective televisions or computers or smart phones or whatever — substitutes for campfires, stuff that robs us of opportunities to have conversations and share the stories that shape the next generation.
Waddie Mitchell Cowboy PoetWe need more campfires — opportunities to experience the warmth and tranquility they foster. We should gather together more often to share our stories in the hearing of our children, stories that will make them smile and wonder and dream and ask questions. Perhaps it’s time to consider how to revive the humble campfire in our high-tech world. It may just be the very thing we need in order to do a better job of inspiring, shaping, and passing along our values to the next generation.