Story and Photos By Mike Yawn

Over the course of six months, SHSU Professor Mike Yawn took students on three separate trips to Caddo Lake, where they learned about the area’s history, environment, wildlife, and photographic virtues.

Caddo Lake is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas, but it is also a study in contradictions. The lake is expansive, spanning 25,000-plus acres and crossing two states; the nearest town, however, is the appropriately named “Uncertain,” home to only 94 citizens. While residents may be scarce, the Lake hosts one of the most diverse ecological systems in the state, a feature that attracts fishermen, birders, and wildlife watchers. And although the Lake lacks the amenities of some of Texas’s resort lakes, its reflective waters, beautiful trees, and vivid fall colors make it a haven for photographers and others who, like us, are attracted to beautiful and intriguing locations.

The History

No one knows with certainty the lake’s origins. According to the Caddo Indians—for whom the lake is named—the body of water was formed by the New Madrid Earthquake in 1811-1812. According to Caddo lore, one of the tribal chiefs failed to obey the “Great Spirit,” and the earthquake followed, filling the area with water. Scientists, on the other hand, believe the lake was formed by log jams circa 1800 that backed up water flow, creating what is now Caddo Lake.

Prior to either of these origin stories, smaller bodies existed in this area, and the area’s bald cypress trees were already a landscape feature. Ring studies show that the trees on Caddo Lake are 400-600 years old, and since their seeds germinate in wet regions, it is clear that water has long been a feature of the Caddo region.

The Caddo Indians, who had inhabited the land for centuries, were moved off the land in 1835, prompted by treaty and payment. In their place, men of dubious character occasionally filtered in, often after evading authorities.

In the documentary “Uncertain,” which focuses on Caddo Lake, Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool described the region aptly: “Being located on the Louisiana-Texas border, [Caddo] tends to be an area where persons with criminal histories will tend to migrate…to get away from other jurisdictions.”

That verdict may reflect 19th-century settlement patterns in the area, but locals today—whom we found to be hospitable and friendly—take objection to Sheriff McCool’s characterization, and the documentary, which won its directors the “Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award”—remains a local controversy.

“I didn’t participate in the film, and I didn’t watch it,” notes local resident (and former tour guide) Wes Holland. “They characterize the locals as questionable characters, and that’s not true. The people here are nice, hard-working, and welcoming, and they work hard to keep this a destination for others.”

Caddo Lake as a Destination

There is much to do in Caddo Lake, as long as you enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, or just enjoying nature’s beauty. A half-dozen tour guides in the area provide lake tours, and in our various sojourns to the Lake, we have taken a dozen or so tours from three different tour guides. Most often, we contacted Wes Holland, who proved to be an entertaining, informative, and accommodating tour guide (he has since sold his business, but remains in the area).

But all our tour guides were knowledgeable, and they worked hard to highlight the virtues of the region. The tours, which typically take 60-90 minutes, are the best introduction to the history, ecology, and the physical space of the lake.

With a deep knowledge of the Lake, guides can take you straight to the oxbow, speed along the water highway lanes, or navigate you to secluded spots, where the water’s stillness promotes reflection. The guides are also versed in the history of the region. Did you know, for example, that Japanese immigrant George Murato discovered pearl-bearing mussels in 1909, a discovery that prompted a “pearl rush” in the area? That “rush” was dampened in 1914, when a dam produced deeper waters and less profitable mussel hunting.

The dam also marked the end of the Lake’s designation as Texas’s only natural lake, although it is still often described as such.

Whether we label it natural or man-made, it is a great place for fishing. Spring is the best time for fishing, and the most common species are Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Chain Pickerel, and Sunfish. The record for Largemouth Bass at the Lake is just over 16 pounds, and the record for the largest Catfish is 60 pounds.

Given the shallowness of Caddo Lake, you will see many fish during a boat tour, and this is particularly true while canoeing or kayaking. Several local businesses rent kayaks and canoes, and we took advantage of this opportunity during one of our Caddo Lake field trips. The average depth of the Lake is 8-10 feet, although many parts of the Lake are as shallow as 2-3 feet. “If you capsize,” our tour guides told us, “don’t swim, stand up.”

That did not work well for three members in our party who managed to capsize within 15 minutes of embarking on a canoe crossing. Having capsized in a deeper part of the Lake, the three fumbled with the capsized canoe until friendly locals lent a helping hand.

The canoe catastrophe occurred not far from “Dick and Charlie’s Tea House” which, according to guides, was a speakeasy during Prohibition. In the 1920s, customers would arrive via water taxis or their own boats and enjoy a drink at Dick and Charlie’s. The surrounding waters provided a police buffer, and an outdoor sign established house rules: (1) There Ain’t None; (2) There Never Was None; (3) There Ain’t Never Gona (sic) Be None.

The unusual house—and the Lake—is used in the opening credits of True Blood. Indeed, the Lake’s sloughs and Spanish-moss laden trees make it a natural for low-budget horror films, and it was used as the setting for the appropriately titled Soggy Bottom, USA; Boggy Creek; Gator Bait, and the “documentary” Southern Fried Bigfoot. But Denzel Washington also set parts of The Great Debaters at Caddo Lake, and locals still speak proudly of his visit to the lake for filming.

The most famous of Caddo Lake’s celebrities, however, is Don Henley, who owns an unassuming house on shorefront property. Henley caught his first fish on Caddo Lake, and he established the “Caddo Lake Institute” in 1992 to help protect the area.

The Institute’s efforts helped prompt the Convention on Wetlands to designate Caddo Lake as a “Wetland of Historical Importance” in 1993. It is one of only 29 such sites in the United States, and the designation protects some 20,000 acres.

In designating Caddo Lake, the Convention described the region as “one of the best examples of a mature flooded bald cypress forest in the U.S.,” while also citing the area’s support for numerous and diverse animal species.

There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States, and the Caddo Lake region is home to more than 200 of them. There are 71 species of fish, including almost 20 game fish; approximately 50 mammals; and some 90 reptiles.

Thankfully, we saw no reptiles, but we did see a deer, Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Kingfishers, and a beaver.

The “Lake-Eating Monster”

The region’s richness in life-forms extends to flora, with some 500-plus species—including several not found elsewhere in Texas. Unfortunately, a recent addition to the list of species is Salvinia (aka, “Watermoss”), which the New York Times called a “lake-eating monster.”

Native to Brazil, this invasive species mysteriously found its way to Caddo Lake in 2006. It has since crowded out many existing plants, threatening wildlife that depend on those sources, while also blocking sunlight from the water, which in turn produces oxygen deficiencies that harm fish. Unfortunately, it is also prolific: it can double in a week. When it is thick, it impedes boat access to some of the more interesting recesses of the lake, and two or three of our tours were modified because of the pestilential plant.

Several efforts are ongoing to control the growth of Salvinia, but the State of Texas is relying most heavily on herbicides and, intriguingly, the introduction of a weevil that, under the right conditions, kills the Salvinia. While neither tactic has fully eradicated the species, the effort has managed to contain the Salvania invasion, and all recreational options were open to us on each of our visits.

Lodging and Dining

Caddo Lake encompasses Caddo Lake State Park, which offers 46 campsites and several historic cabins. Nearby towns such as Marshall (17 miles) or Jefferson (13 miles) are your best bet for hotels. There are 2-3 restaurants in Uncertain, with Shady Glade and River Bend Restaurants leading the way, and numerous options in surrounding towns.

Generally, though, people do not travel to Caddo Lake for the amenities or food. They come for the recreation, the Lake’s austere beauty, or the chance to see flora and fauna that exist nowhere else in the state of Texas.

The post Gotta Get Away? Caddo Lake appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Submitted Photos

If the often muddy waters of Galveston don’t light your fire, consider a trip to Destin, a panhandle city on Florida’s Emerald Coast—aptly named, because Destin is known for white sands and emerald waters. The unique sand comes from the Appalachian Mountains, and is made of finely ground quartz crystal giving the appearance of sugar. Residue flows down the Apalachicola River and is deposited into the Gulf of Mexico. The city is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. The peninsula was originally a barrier island, but hurricanes and sea level changes gradually connected the island to the mainland.

With humble beginnings as a small fishing village, the community has grown to a respectable size. Visitors play a large part in Destin’s economy – the city’s population of around 12,000 balloons to more than 40,000 during the tourist season, with over 3.6 million visitors per year! Having not visited in a number of years, we decided to take a return trip.

Lodging

Options abound for your stay. In addition to hotels, large and small, condominiums and beach homes abound, many of which are available for rental. Whether you are looking for a budget or a luxury stay, there is something to fit your bill, including many waterfront options.

Activities

If you aren’t looking for isolation, this place is for you. Water activities abound, with fishing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, jet ski rentals, dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, fireworks cruises, and even a pirate ship cruise! Waterways in the area can be crowded, so take care if you choose to pilot your own vessel. And, if you get tired just reading this long list of water activities, you can always just catch some rays on the beach. A popular access point is Henderson Beach State Park. With three large pavilions that are handicap accessible, it’s also a great place for families to gather.

For landlubbers, there’s plenty to do ashore, as well. The area is known for great golf courses, and there are numerous attractions appealing to visitors of the younger generation. Check out Big Kahuna’s waterpark, play miniature golf, drive go-carts or dune buggies, or lose yourself in an arcade or an escape room. Spend time on the Boardwalk, take sand castle lessons, take a hike, visit an alligator park or a museum. During our visit, we enjoyed a WWII airshow and fireworks over the harbor!

If water and land activities haven’t tuckered you out too much, take to the air via parasailing or a helicopter tour to get a birds-eye view of the beautiful water and landscapes.

Food

No shortage of options here, either. We certainly don’t intend to exclude any favorites of yours we didn’t get to try, but we just have to share some of ours. We ate more than once at Half Shell Oyster House. Try The Royal Reds, deep water shrimp with lobster-like flavor served with drawn butter. Go with the Shrimp Orleans if you need to spice up your life. Our favorite sides were the Cajun Boiled Parmesan & Garlic Fried New Potatoes (a mouthful in more ways than one) and the Sweet Potato Crème Brulee. Yes, this is a side, but I must confess that, after one bite, I decided to save mine till last and have it as dessert!

Sometimes you go to the food, and sometimes the food goes to you. We ordered delivery from Merlin’s Pizza, whose motto is, “Life is too short to eat corporate pizza.” This eatery has been in Destin since 1999 and is 100% local. Whether you like plain and simple or a custom specialty pie, we judged ours to be excellent quality and were quite impressed with the yummy seasoning. They also do cheese breads and tasty salads.

With locations at Crab Island and Destin Harbor, Dewey Destin’s is a local favorite as well. We sat outside and enjoyed the sea breeze and a view of all the water activity as we dined. Let them eat cake! Fried Jalapeño Cheese Grit Cakes and Crab Cakes to be more specific! A favorite lunch special is the Boat Grade Shrimp Basket. Available fried, blackened, or bronzed (say butter-based), this is very good Gulf caught shrimp of mixed sizes.

A newer addition to the dining options is Mimmo’s Ristorante Italiano, featuring fresh, authentic dishes full of flavor and color. The large menu offers quite a variety of choices, including pastas, pizzas, calzones, and (of course) Italian seafood dishes. They are known for their famous Italian Garlic Rolls served with a garlic butter sauce, but our favorite dish was the chicken parmigiana. Magnifico!

From delicious dining that satisfies your physical being to the ocean waves that satisfy your spiritual one, Destin is a “Destin-ation” the entire family will enjoy!

The post Gotta Get Away? Destin-ation appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Photos by Karen Altom

Just a short distance from the lights, noise, and nightlife that is Las Vegas is a lesser known, but valued national treasure. Take time away from the Strip for a short drive and visit, and you will hit the “jackpot” in appreciating a different kind of life—nature at its best.

Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. In marked contrast to a town geared to entertainment and gaming, Red Rock offers enticements of a different nature, including a 13-mile scenic drive, miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and a visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a book and gift store operated by the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, a non-profit group with the mission of researching and sharing interpretive information about Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and assisting the Bureau of Land Management with endeavors related to interpretation.

The unique geologic features, plants and animals of Red Rock represent some of the best examples of the Mojave Desert. In 1990, special legislation supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, changed the status of the Red Rock Recreation Lands to a National Conservation Area, the seventh to be designated nationally, and Nevada’s first. This legislation provides the funding to protect and improve the area. RRCNCA is enjoyed by the local population as well as visitors from the United States and many foreign countries. Two million visitors each year enjoy the spectacular desert landscape, climbing and hiking opportunities, and interpretive programs sponsored by the BLM. The BLM is the largest administrator of public lands in the West. It adheres to the policy of multiple use, thereby providing recreational opportunities, protection for cultural sites, and the management of natural resources, including wildlife.

The Geography

The conservation area showcases a set of large red rock formations: a set of sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 feet (910 m) high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 feet (2,485 m).

Aztec Sandstone

The great sandstone cliffs at Red Rock, thousands of feet high, are made up of the Aztec Sandstone. This formation, about 180 – 190 million years old, is comprised of lithified sand dunes that formed in a vast desert that covered a large part of the southwestern United States during the Jurassic time. Lithification is the process of changing unconsolidated sediment into sedimentary rock. Massive cross-bedding, typical of aeolian (wind) deposits, is a result of the shifting wind direction across the Jurassic dune field, and is seen in the Aztec Sandstone rock outcrops.

Red Color

Exposure to the elements caused iron minerals to oxidize or “rust,” resulting in red, orange, and brown-colored rocks. Areas where the rock is buff in color may be places where the iron has been leached out by subsurface water, or where the iron oxide was never deposited.

Iron Concretions

Red spots in the Aztec Sandstone are iron concretions, where subsurface water has precipitated iron oxide around a nucleus in the sandstone. These concretions are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding sandstone, and weather into little balls known as Indian or Moqui Marbles.

Limestone

More than 500 million years ago, Red Rock Canyon NCA was at the bottom of an ocean basin. Mostly limestone (and dolomite) accumulated in this ocean basin for over 250 million years during the Paleozoic Era. The limestones contain the fossils of sea life that flourished during that time. Thousands of feet of the gray Paleozoic limestones are exposed at La Madre Mountain to the northwest of the Scenic Loop Drive.

Dinosaurs

The tracks of small bipedal (two-footed) therapod (meat-eating) dinosaurs have been found in the Aztec Sandstone at Red Rock Canyon in three different places. The small animal tracks made by proto-mammals, early mammals, and arachnids (spiders and scorpions) were also found. Paleontologists are still researching these sites.

Keystone Thrust Fault

As you look at the escarpment to the west, you see older gray Paleozoic limestone resting on top of the younger buff and red Jurassic sandstone. This is a result of the Keystone Thrust Fault. Near the end of the Mesozoic Era, about 65 million years ago, the oceanic plate began “subducting” (moving beneath) the western edge of the North American Plate. This resulted in the intrusion of the Sierra Nevada granite batholith, which set up compressional forces in the Earth’s crust that caused the older limestone to be thrust east up and over the younger sandstone. The limestone cap served to protect the weaker sandstone from erosion for millions of years, eventually eroding back to its present location. The compressional thrust faulting at the end of the Mesozoic Era can be traced all the way up into Canada. However, the best exposure of the thrust faulting is here in the Red Rock Canyon NCA.

Plants and Wildlife

Some 600 species of plants are known in the area. Common types in the valley floor include the Joshua tree, Mojave yucca, banana yucca, creosote, and blackbrush. Higher up, the Utah juniper and Sonoran scrub oak (also called scrub live oak) come to dominate. Agave is easy to spot in red rock niches, with its thick low leaves and flowering stem that reaches twice the height of a man. The Calico Tanks trail has a plaque about prehistoric agave roasting pits. Ponderosa pines may be found at the top of the valley, where it connects to the Spring Mountains.

Wild burros are a familiar sight, as are rabbits and ground squirrels. Desert bighorn sheep are occasionally seen at higher elevations. During rare spring and summer rainstorms, tiny red-spotted toads can be seen emerging from pools of water. The Conservation Area is protected habitat for the Desert Tortoise.

The Ambassadors

Who is Mojave Max?

Mojave Max is a desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) that lives at Red Rock Canyon NCA. Max is a desert “spokestortoise” for all the wild tortoises that live in the Mojave Desert. He resides at the Visitor Center, along with eight females and a large male tortoise named Hugo.

The desert tortoise is Nevada’s state reptile, so Max serves as an important reminder to respect, protect and enjoy all the animals and plants of the Mojave Desert.

Jackson, the jovial (and witty)
adopted burro

Jackson is a formerly-wild burro who was adopted from the Red Rock Canyon Herd Management Area near Las Vegas in September of 2012. The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association adopted him to help with their education and outreach programs. He hosts a Facebook page to keep folks updated on burros, adoption, and appreciating the finer things in life. facebook.com/JacksonTheBurro

For more information, visit their website at www.redrockcanyonlv.org

The post Gotta Get Away? Red Rock Canyon, Nevada appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Story and Photos By Mike Yawn

Few destinations are as aptly named as Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Even for the frequent traveler, it is a discovery—and it does, in fact, offer springs aplenty. The springs are still an attraction, but the discovery derives from the area’s many other attractions—fantastic architecture, eclectic shops, myriad outdoor activities, and great restaurants—making it an ideal vacation location for those who need to get away.

The History

While it might be a great get-away destination today, it was once a go-to city. It was incorporated in 1880, shortly after Judge L. B. Saunders claimed the town’s healing waters cured him of a crippling disease. In an age prior to the widespread scientific practice of medicine, a claim of “healing waters” was good enough to draw people. Both the ill and the healthy arrived in Eureka Springs, and a town, nestled in the southern Ozarks, sprang up.

Elegant Victorian homes were built, hotels followed, then a railroad, and even a brothel. Within a decade, it was Arkansas’ second largest city, behind only Little Rock.

But, as the effectiveness of modern medicine called into question the curative powers of spring water, growth slowed, then stalled. The infrastructure and architecture were solidly in place but, by 1920, the heyday was over.

Unlike other former boom towns, however, Eureka Springs was aided by its beautiful geography, guided by sensible preservation policies, and populated by friendly citizens, allowing it to maintain its infrastructure, architecture, and beauty. It became an Ozark Shangri-La, a throwback to another era.

Although its historic structures are preserved by local ordinances, its oral history is preserved by local historians, including Michelle McDonald, who served as our guide on a van tour, a fun and informative way to see the community. On the tour, visitors can learn about Carry A. Nation, the famous hatchet-carrying teetotaler, who lived in Eureka Springs in her later years. Her home, “Hatchet Hall,” still stands. According to town lore, she tormented bar owners relentlessly, breaking bottles and, occasionally, furniture. Local saloons began posting signs reading, “Serving Citizens of All Nations—Except Carry.” She collapsed in Eureka Springs in 1911, whispering “I have done what I could,” a phrase that served as her epitaph six months later, when she passed away.

Bank Robbery Reenactment

Moving from hatchets to bullets, the town still wears the scars from its only bank robbery, an ill-fated venture perpetrated in 1922. Bullet holes can still be seen in the exterior walls of the old bank building, but the bank was otherwise unharmed and no money was lost. The robbers did not fare so well. Three were killed and two were injured when locals took up guns, prompting the Arkansas Gazette to report: “We imagine it will be difficult to tell just who fired the fatal shot. Nevertheless, honor is due to all who participated in the shooting.” The robbery is reenacted each September and features locals who, according to one advertisement, “make this a fun, family adventure!”

Palace Hotel and Bathhouse

Also hearkening back to the early years of the twentieth century is the Palace Hotel and Bathhouse (PalaceHotelBathHouse.com). The hotel has been in operation since 1901, and continues to offer first-class lodging and “full-service spa appointments.” But the impressive structure, which is on the National Historic Registry, is perhaps more intriguing for its history as a bordello. Its red-light dealings ended in the 1920s, but its suggestive neon sign hearkens back to the hotel’s days as a house of ill-repute.

Although such past shenanigans, along with a thriving and independent artistic community, occasionally prompt locals to refer to Eureka Springs as “the hole in the Bible Belt,” there is a strong religious presence in the town.

E. Fay Jones’ Thorncrown Chapel

Religious Landmarks

The downtown area is graced with several notable church buildings, including the First Baptist Church, the St. James Episcopal Church, and the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, the latter of which is the only church in America whose bell tower serves as an entrance.

The crown jewel in the community’s religious architecture, however, is E. Fay Jones’ Thorncrown Chapel (ThornCrown.com). Constructed in 1980, the chapel has become one of the leading pieces of religious architecture in the world. In fact, in a recent poll of leading architects, it was listed as the fourth greatest architectural design—religious or otherwise—of the twentieth century in the United States.

The structure is forty-eight feet tall, approximately the height of the surrounding trees, a match that enhances its integration with nature. This integration is further complemented by its component parts, which are largely organic. The floor is native flagstone, the support beams are pine, and the walls are rock, giving it, as its website suggests, “the feeling that the chapel is part of its Ozark hillside.” It is most notable, however, for its 425 windows, which constitute some 6,000 square feet of glass, giving it the feel of an open-air cathedral. It is an operating chapel, with worship services and weddings, but it is open to visitors March through December who wish to admire its architecture, wander through the sylvan setting, or simply enjoy a moment of prayer.

More conspicuous than the Thorncrown Chapel is the Christ of the Ozarks, a massive sixty-foot structure on the outside of the historic district. Constructed by Emmet Sullivan, the sculpture stands on a twenty-three acre compound, which also includes a Bible Museum featuring more than 6,000 Bibles; a section of the Berlin Wall; and an amphitheater where “The Passion Play” is performed (GreatPassionPlay.org). The play has attracted some eight million visitors since 1968, making it perhaps the most attended outdoor play of the past half-century.

Shopping, Dining, and Lodging

The shops trend toward the tourist and the trendy, with specialty shops filling spaces occupied long ago by service providers. The much-photographed Flatiron Building is home to retail shops; the erstwhile Citizens Bank building is now a stopping point for souvenir-seeking tourists; and the old Roxy Theater has been transformed to one of the community’s many antique shops, albeit the only one with a ticket window. Beyond these attractions, the downtown area offers numerous clothing, jewelry, gift shops and, with more than 200 artists living in the community, some 20 art galleries.

For those more in tune with the culinary arts, Eureka Springs also offers something for every palate. Mud St. Café has wonderful offerings, ranging from breakfast grits and pancakes, to lunches that include salads (try the hummus salad!), hot croissant sandwiches, and great soup and coffee options.  There is an annex down the street that features a view of an underground creek as you dine. For dinner, the Local Flavor Café is more upscale than the name suggests, and offers a rich appetizer menu (please try the baked brie) along with enticing chicken, steak, pork, seafood, and pasta entrees.  Other recommended restaurants include Ermilio’s and the Crystal Dining Room (formerly the 1886 Steakhouse), the latter located in the historic Crescent Hotel.

Crescent Hotel

And while the Crescent Hotel (crescent-hotel.com), with its cat Jas-purr, makes for an inviting place to stay, visitors may also opt for the Basin Street Hotel, or the aforementioned Palace Hotel, all of which offer magnificent views and the full gamut of hotel services. For those interested in smaller-scale settings, Eureka Springs offers a bevy of bed and breakfast options, including many which began their lodging lives as old-school motor courts but, through the miracle of renovation, have become quaint cottages in the heart of the historic downtown.

With so many interesting places to stay amidst such a beautiful setting, it is little surprise that Eureka Springs has become the “Wedding Capital of the South,” as well as a much-sought honeymoon destination. For those seeking efficiency (“no blood work, no witnesses, no waiting”), there are appropriate venues, while the aforementioned Crescent Hotel or Thorncrown Chapel (and many others) are suitable for more elaborate ceremonies.

Beaver Bridge (“Little Golden Gate”)

Outdoors & Recreation

Lovers of the outdoors shouldn’t be fooled by the many shops, wedding chapels, and dining options; Eureka Springs also offers many recreational activities. Ozark Mountain Ziplines (ZiplineEurekaSprings.com) allows visitors to experience their inner adventurer, spelunkers can enjoy the four nearby caverns that are open to the public, and golfers have their choice of three courses within thirty-five miles. With three lakes and three rivers, Eureka Springs also offers much in the way of camping, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, and boating, including a twelve-mile cruise on the Belle of the Ozarks (estc.net/belle). The lakes also offer beautiful views, including the photogenic “Beaver Bridge,” often called the “little Golden Gate” of Arkansas.

ES & NA Railway

For those who prefer a retro exploration of outdoors, the ES & NA Railway (esnaRailway.com) offers a four and a half mile ride through the Ozarks, and passengers can even try the “Eurekan Dining Car” if they prefer their view with a meal.

Eureka Springs Today

Today, the springs still flow, just as they did when the town was founded during the Victorian period. There are more than sixty live springs in the area, and the city has preserved many of the downtown springs as park space, enhanced their beauty with artful landscaping, and accentuated their individual features. The sprawling Basin Spring is set amidst an Amphitheater; Grotto Spring is accessed through a city-built cavern; and Sweet Spring is most beautiful from above, viewed from an elevated city hiking trail.

Almost all the downtown springs are surrounded by the community’s beautiful Victorian architecture, the dominant style in the downtown’s two-square mile historic district. Painted ladies liven the landscape, cupolas adorn many a home, and local codes still require even new home builders to construct detached garages in the spirit of turn-of-the century carriage homes.

The carriage-home style is just as well, because it’s not a town made for the automobile. Some homes lack any sort of garage, carriage-style or otherwise; the owners sometimes park across the street or in a nearby niche. The roads, too, lack modern-day accompaniments such as traffic lights, multiple lanes, or, for the most part, traffic signs. But these idiosyncrasies simply enhance the Victorian era ambience, and traffic flow proceeds just fine.

“Eureka Springs, as a town,” noted Madeline Bridges in 1903, “is so deliciously irregular, its odd little passages and winding roads, its crooked streets, its steep ascents, or descents—tempt you on and on…” It is much the same today, with the roads tempting you on and on, leading you to discover great shopping and dining, beautiful architecture, and wonderful outdoor adventures.

The post Gotta Get Away? Eureka! Springs, That Is! appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Photos by Marshall Altom

When Pieter and Petra Koeman inquired about buying land in Texas and making the move from Holland to start a tulip farm, their realtor thought it was a hoax at the beginning. But it was no joke, and the realtor’s skepticism faded with time as he talked to Pieter and Petra for months, answering their questions and helping them find the ideal location to start their own American dream. This dream was to continue the work that was passed onto Pieter by his parents many years prior, and the roots of this idea run deep, going back 40 years to when Pieter’s parents, Piet and Afra Koeman, started their own horticultural farm in The Netherlands with only a handful of onion seeds. The couple’s farm gradually grew in acreage and variety when they later added some new crops after gaining experience and mastering the cultivation of onions, including chrysanthemums, irises, leeks, and tulip bulbs. The family began to specialize in tulip production and grew to growing in multiple greenhouses. That metaphorical seed planted all those years ago grew into what is now Texas Tulips, the “First Tulip Field in Texas.” His parent’s legacy inspired Pieter and his wife Petra to move their family to Texas, where physical and environmental conditions are ideal for growing perfect tulips.

Texas Tulips is located in Pilot Point, Texas (in Denton County, north of Dallas), where Pieter and Petra reside with their children Pieter, Jr. and Hillary. Pieter joined in his parent’s endeavors in 1989, soon after they became popularly known for growing “early tulips,” which flower earlier than normal (by putting plastic foil over the tulip bulbs while in the field, causing them to flower more quickly than normal and letting people enjoy the beauty as early as December). While still in The Netherlands, the family’s farm increased to 80 acres and they produced tens of millions of tulips in their greenhouses, which later went to flower auctions in Holland. The death of Peit Koeman brought a change to the family business, when Pieter and Petra decided they wanted to continue the family business and move to Texas, a place they had visited multiple times before and fallen in love with. They were drawn to Pilot Point for the fertile soil and ideal conditions in the hills of northern Dallas. The nice and gentle weather during the spring season is prime time for colorful rows of tulips to flower early and bathe in the sun.

Open 7 days a week from 9 am-8 pm, there is an entrance fee of $5 a person on weekends and $3 a person Monday through Friday. The colorful tulip fields are a perfect location for photography shoots to mark an occasion or celebration, with an entrance fee of $25 and $3 for each additional person to take unlimited photos in front of their beautiful tulips. Rows of pink, white, coral, and yellow flowers spread across the earth like colors on a canvas, a true work of art against the blue North Texas sky. And a form of art it is, growing a field of healthy and flawless tulips; rows of vivid pink, yellow, and lavender growing toward the sun, petals open and soaking up the suns rays. Perhaps the most interesting tulips are the ones that start with a yellow at the base of the petal, fading into a soft pink toward the top edge.

In addition to the opportunities to pick your own tulips or take professional photos in the fields, Texas Tulips also offers educational field trips for school groups, home school groups, girl scouts, and more from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays. They offer concessions and free parking, with a U-Pick rate of $2.50 a stem, with baskets available in the fields. Tulip-picking can begin as early as mid February and goes through the end of March or early April, weather permitting. There are about 90 different varieties of tulips to choose from, with the availability of varieties varying throughout the picking season, including varieties such as: Texas Gold, Texas Flame, American Dream, Dallas, fringed, parrot, and striped tulips. To pick your own, simply pick up a basket from the field, pick to your heart’s desire, bring your tulips to be wrapped in pretty paper and the stems placed in flower gel to preserve the stems all day long. Texas Tulips also offers a tulip planting service, so save your back and let them do the work for you! Their special bulb planting machine can quickly plant bulbs outside your home or business in a variety of custom colors, adding vibrancy in the months to come and setting a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

Texas Tulips is located at 10656 FM 2931 Pilot Point, Texas 76258 and can be contacted at (940) 230-6512. To keep up with Texas Tulips via social media, follow their Instagram page to see gorgeous flower photos, or sign up for their newsletter on their website at texas-tulips.com. Visit Texas Tulips online to order gift certificates and tulip bulbs in their webshop, or see the stunning flowers for yourself by making a trip with the family to Pilot Point to pick some tulips, take some photos, and enjoy the beauty of Holland tulips in Texas.

The post Gotta Get Away? Texas Tulips appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Photos by Andrea Lee

If you’ve ever been to the Texas Hill Country, you can visualize what makes this beautiful part of Texas so unique. When I think of my visits, all my senses recall this area in some way. I remember the smell of cedar, the hills rolling with cacti and patchy grass, and the rocky terrain from scarce rain. These things are what I feel, smell, and see when I think about my favorite part of Texas and the sweet memories I associate with it.

My family is from the coast and lives just a few miles from Galveston, so when we would travel to the hill country to visit our deer lease, it was always a getaway that promised different weather, topography, and adventures. The deer lease was in Kendalia, and every time we’d take a trip there when we were young, we’d make a trip to the Riverwalk in San Antonio, where the streets are full of culture and color. When we were hungry for a hot meal, we’d drive into Boerne for BBQ or breakfast tacos. A stop at the Kendalia Country Store is essential at least once a trip to stock up on snacks and to get a styrofoam cup of freshly made iced tea. Just an hour away from the deer lease is my aunt in San Marcos and my grandmother’s lake house in Canyon Lake. On our drives to visit them while we were in the area, my sisters and I wouldn’t let my dad hear the end of it until we pulled over on the side of the road in Fredericksburg to buy some peaches from a truck bed or wooden stand. If you’ve never had a Fredericksburg peach, you are truly missing out. The fleshy fruit dissolves in your mouth and you think to yourself, “If there ever was a peach to represent all peaches, this is it.” I believe wholeheartedly they are the best in the world (and there’s no talking me out of it).

Just a short drive away from the deer lease, the possibilities were endless. We could explore Gruene, Boerne, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, and Canyon Lake, just to name a few locations in the area settled by Germans long ago. The scenery between towns is rolling hills, winding roads, and big Texas skies stretching above them. When I got my driver’s license at 16, this was the ultimate game changer—the freedom and ability to explore and travel—driving to the deer lease and lake house to explore this beautiful part of Texas whenever I could. I started burning up the roads and never stopped.

During a weekend this past summer, my friends and I stayed four days on Canyon Lake. To say we were exhausted afterward is an understatement—we burned the candle at both ends and covered a lot of ground, but I warned them—I was so excited to share with them this place that was so dear to me.

Our first day there, we pulled into the neighborhood that borders Canyon Lake, and my friends were amazed at the big groups of deer wandering casually across roads and grazing in people’s front yards. Here, it is perfectly normal to look outside your window and see 20 deer only a few feet away. Here, deer are like squirrels. My friends couldn’t believe how many were walking around, not minding us a bit; as you can imagine, all the phones came out and started taking pictures. Judging by their reactions, you’d have thought we were on an African safari or something. Their excitement was hilarious!

Our second day at Canyon Lake, we stopped at a farmer’s market with signs for half a mile before the entrance, reading “peaches”…”squash…”tomatoes”…“bread”, every 50 feet or so. We parked and got out with anticipation; we were greeted with baskets of fresh, locally grown fruit. Inside are shelves of fresh produce, home-canned jams, breads, cookies, pickled items, cornbread mixes—a plethora of handmade, specialty items you can’t get anywhere else! I sigh and take it all in. I imagine this is what heaven looks like. I accept the fact that my wallet is about to take a hit, and it did 15 minutes later, as I filled my brown paper bag at checkout with sourdough bread, tea, apple butter, homemade cookies, cornbread mix, and of course, a basket of peaches. My favorite form of nearly everything is either homegrown or homemade, and, boy, does the Texas Hill Country hit the spot in that area!

Aside from farmer’s markets and shops, we need something else. Ultimately, we crave entertainment, young or old. But since summer is over and it’s getting cold outside, what is there to do in the area besides float the Guadalupe River? WHAT on earth can your family do for entertainment in the hill country when it’s far too cold to do anything in the lakes or rivers?! Well, there is quite a lot to do, and it is my pleasure to share my personal favorite places to eat, shop, and explore in the beautiful Texas Hill Country!

To tell you the best places to go across the entire hill country would take more space than we have, so I’ll narrow it down to my two favorite towns—Canyon Lake and Gruene. The laid-back town of Canyon Lake is home to my grandmother’s lake house and some of the neatest places I know. If you’re in the area and your belly is growling for some good food, stop by Startz Café or Las Barcas Mexican restaurant for a homemade meal. For your shopping needs, there are multiple river supply shops to pick from, as well as fly fishing shops, cafes, and antique shops. Pink Elephant Resale Shop is a great stop for used fashion and vintage accessories. For my fellow coffee lovers, there are many mom and pop coffee shops dotting the roads. My new favorite is Kafekali and Bakery. I recommend an iced macchiato and a raspberry or blueberry danish, made in house (heavenly).

On my most recent trip to stay in Canyon Lake, it was the weekend of December 9th, just a few days after Huntsville and much of Texas got snow. Perhaps this miraculous blanket of white put us Texans into holiday spirit mode, because the town of Gruene was alive and bustling with holiday cheer. Christmas decorations lined the streets, and lights shimmered from the roofs of restaurants and inns. People walked the streets in festive clothes, wearing jackets to break the chilly wind. A long line of parents and their children were wrapped around a building. Wondering what the fuss was about, I saw above the line a sign reading, “This Weekend: Photos with Cowboy Kringle.” Sure enough, at the front of the line sat Santa in his suit, wearing cowboy boots, a child atop his lap.

The Gruene Historic District is packed with history, energy, amazing food, shops, wineries, and more.

Finally, there is something for everyone in Gruene, Texas. In particular, the Gruene Historic District is packed with history, energy, amazing food, wineries, and most anything else your little Texan heart could hope for! A few of my favorite shops are Rusty Bugs & Roosters, Hunters Junction, and Traveling Gypsy Antiques. If you’re a true Texan, you’ve probably visited Gruene Hall; at night, the band can be heard outside by passersby, and during the day, visitors are welcome to go inside and check out the iconic dance hall where so many musicians have performed.

Next door sits the Gristmill, one of the most unique restaurants in Texas. The multi-layered balconies open toward the river, overlooking the beautiful woods, with seating both inside and out. Down the road, on the corner of the street, sits Cantina Del Rio, an authentic Mexican restaurant offering some of the best enchiladas and quesadillas I’ve ever had. Across the street from these incredible restaurants sits the Gruene General Store, a haven stocked with Texas memorabilia, canned salsas, gifts, and treats. Just down the road from Gruene Historic District sits Gruene Lake Village, home to High Cotton Inn, Two Rivers Yoga, Lil Connie’s Cottage Children’s Boutique, The Republic Cigars, and Allen Benjamin’s Salon and Spa, to name a few.

Being home to such a wide array of climates and terrains, Texas is an amazing state to drive across. I have always loved seeing the changes in landscape on long road trips across the state. The Texas Hill Country, in particular, has a unique terrain that somewhat makes you feel like you’re not in Texas anymore. The rocky hills and dips in the earth kind of take you somewhere else, and the beauty elevates the soul. There is no place like home, and there is no place like Texas!  Hopefully, my itinerary can help during your next visit to the Texas Hill Country. Explore on!

The post Gotta Get Away? Texas Hill Country appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Photos by Abby Boyd

When one hears the name “Nashville,” the thought that usually comes to mind is country music…lots and lots of country music…and rightly so. Nashville is the home to the Grand Old Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium (known as the Mother Church of country music), along with a myriad of recording studios and agents and businesses that cater to the music industry. Individual museums focusing on the careers of country stars like Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and George Jones are must-sees for those who declare themselves rabid fans. Among my favorite childhood memories are the trips our family took to Opryland USA (a musical Astroworld to a kid). When my husband and I took our first vacation as a married couple, we headed to Nashville and Opryland. The amusement park closed in 1997, and the Opry Mills Mall now stands in a portion of the old park. Of course, country music fans still find plenty to love; however, if country music isn’t your thing, don’t despair. There’s a great deal that makes Nashville a topnotch place to spend some time.

The Athens of the South in Centennial Park

In addition to being the state capital of Tennessee, Nashville boasts a young and vibrant city scene. There are so many colleges located within the city that Nashville inherited the nickname “The Athens of the South.” If you don’t believe it, just visit Centennial Park and see The Parthenon. The Parthenon is a full-size replica of the original in Greece. It stands as the centerpiece of Nashville’s Centennial Park and is quite a sight to behold. Tours cost $6, and your ticket allows you inside to see the re-creation of the 42-foot statue of Athena, just as it was in ancient Greece. The Parthenon also serves as Nashville’s art museum. During our visit, a bridal party was using the building as a dramatic photo backdrop. Centennial Park also has rental bicycles that allow you a chance to zip around and take in the sights.

Tennessee State Capitol Building

If you’re interested in history, Nashville fills the bill. Serving as the capitol of Tennessee, the State Capitol building which first opened in 1859 is a beautiful recognition to the people of Tennessee. Of notable interest is the fact that the tombs of President and Mrs. James K. Polk are located on the Capitol grounds.

Several plantation homes can be found in and around Nashville, but our trip was short, and we chose to visit two, Belmont Mansion and The Hermitage. Belmont Mansion is one of the largest house museums in the city and is a must-see for anyone interested in Tennessee history, the Civil War, architecture, art, and decorative arts. The 10,000-square foot Italian Villa house and grounds, located on the campus of Belmont University, were occupied by the Union Army prior to the Battle of Nashville.

Entrance to The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson

The Hermitage is the magnificently preserved home of Andrew Jackson, our nation’s 7th President (known as the People’s President). The Hermitage showcases one of our nation’s most fascinating stories of the early 19th century President from the western frontier to the White House. Since Jackson was the friend and political mentor of Sam Houston, the Hermitage was a must stop for us.

Entrance to Fort Negley

Another Civil War historical stop is Fort Negley. This fort was the largest and most important fortification built by the Union Troops who occupied Nashville during the Civil War. Interactive exhibits and videos cover the 1862 surrender of Nashville, along with the building of Fort Negley. Admission is always free, and the Fort is located just two miles from downtown.

When you find a city filled with young people, you also find uncommon and different places to eat and drink. Unique to Nashville is a dish called “hot chicken.” The city boasts several places to sample this fare, but since my niece was serving as tour guide, we selected her personal favorite, Party Fowl. Ask any Nashville resident their favorite place for hot chicken, and you’ll get a variety of answers, but they often come down to about 3 places…Hattie B’s, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack (the original), and Party Fowl. Party Fowl’s version of Nashville Hot Chicken is chicken marinated in buttermilk brine, tossed in seasoned flour, fried golden brown, and served with dill pickles and a side. We were given a seasoning choice of southern fried, mild, medium, hot, and Poultrygeist.

Fried Cheese Grit Cakes

Since we are Texans and accustomed to spicy eats, I was ready to order the “hot” (knowing that anything sounding like a creature from the underworld that would make me scream was not for me). Our waitress was super helpful and took it upon herself to educate and help us select some menu items worth writing about. After she informed me the “hot” was close to a habañero spice, and the “mild” was more like jalapeño, I swallowed my Texas pride and ordered the mild (hoping I’d be able to swallow that, too!) She recommended the Piggy Chips, which I later learned were potato chips fried in bacon grease and served with white BBQ sauce. While we waited on our meal, she introduced us to their famous Fried Cheese Grit Cakes served with strawberry-jalapeño jam. It certainly wasn’t the healthiest of meals, but it surely was the most flavorful! (Hopefully, Dr. Prier doesn’t read this part.)

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Something we found surprising is that Nashville has been ranked #3 by Travel+Leisure for America’s Best Cities for Ice Cream. After sampling a meal of Hot Chicken, it makes sense! Once again, my niece Summer delivered the flavor by taking us to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Located in the trendy 12 South neighborhood, Jeni’s wins the prize for the most amazing and unusual flavors we’ve ever tasted. Juniper & Lemon Curd, Wildberry Lavender, and Queen City Cayenne are just a few. My favorite was Darkest Chocolate paired with Salty Caramel. Jeni’s is generous with sample spoons and smiles, so be prepared to be dazzled by the flavor and have a difficult time selecting.

Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music

Another big deal in Nashville is brunch! As we tried to make our choice, we realized there are more than 60 places that offer this dining option. Our first choice, Biscuit Love, was recommended to us by my cousin, but unfortunately, the line was so long that our schedule wouldn’t work, but we hear it’s worth the wait. Even Party Fowl has a brunch menu, but we didn’t think our stomachs could take it! Instead, we went to The Garden Brunch Café. Open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 am – 2 pm, these folks make brunch their whole business. The freshness of the food and the decadence of the Butter Pecan Pancakes will ensure their place on my “must visit” list for next time.

Belmont Mansion

When planning for next time, the Tennessee State Museum will be at the top of our list. Telling the entire story of Tennessee’s rich history, the museum offers more than 60,000 square feet of permanent exhibits and a 10,000 square foot changing exhibition hall. Also making the list is Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum. The plantation was built in 1799 when Tennessee was the western frontier. Guests to this home are invited to witness historic reenactors go about daily life of the 19th century right before your eyes while telling you some of Nashville’s famous stories.

Whether stopping for the day as you pass through or staying for a week, you’ll find a tremendous amount of history, along with friendly people, delicious eats and toe-tapping live music in this lovely city – The Athens of the South – Nashville, Tennessee.

The post Gotta Get Away? Nashville Now! appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Photos by Libby Rogers

Are you a sports enthusiast with deep Texas pride? If so, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame is the place for you. Located in Waco, Texas, this 35,000 square feet building is home to tributes to over 300 athletes that define the history of sports in this great state. No matter what sport you enjoy at the various skill levels, you are bound to have a great time at the first Hall of Fame ever for the athletics of an individual state. Sportswriter at The Beaumont Enterprise Thad Johnson originally came up with the idea and pitched it to the Texas Sportswriters Association in 1949. The writers all agreed with Johnson, and the Hall of Fame came into existence in 1951. It was awhile before a physical building for the Hall was made, but in 1981, under entrepreneur Lamar Hunt, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame was constructed in Grand Prairie, Texas. This Hall, however, did not last very long due to Grand Prairie being a hard to get to location. In 1986, the museum was closed and stayed that way for several years.

However, the Hall of Fame was given new life in 1993 when the museum was rebuilt in Waco, Texas. Writer and sports editor Dave Campbell met with Lamar Hunt and explained to him how there was already a Texas Tennis Museum and the High School Football Hall of Fame in Waco and that the city would support and help fund the moving of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame swapped some land with Baylor University and is now located right across the street from the north side of campus. The two museums formally mentioned are now a part of the storied and great Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is full of many exhibits and places to explore in the large building. Jerseys and memorabilia from hundreds of teams at each level of sports line the walls in glass cases. Many of the sections dedicated to specific sports have explanations on how the game impacted the state of Texas. For Dallas Cowboys fans, there is a whole theater room devoted to the team, with historic items all around and a video playing. At the back of the right side of the building, there is a section showing off some of the best Hall of Fame inductees, including a sizable part devoted solely to Nolan Ryan. A few of the other greats in this part of the Hall include great Baylor coach Grant Teaff, University of Texas legend Darrell Royal, and boxing champion George Foreman. In the back of the museum is the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame that originally existed in Waco. This section shows off the players, teams, and coaches that made high school football in Texas what it is today. The largest part of the museum, featured in the left side of the building, is a tribute to the teams in the old Southwest Conference before it broke up. The Cotton Bowl-themed room has nine parts on the outer ring of the “stadium” for the nine main teams, Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Rice, Houston, SMU, Texas Tech, TCU, and Arkansas in the Conference. There is a video playing on the scoreboard, and in the back part of the room you can put on a headset and pretend to be a commentator for a game. Right outside of the room there is a list that shows the notable professional athletes from each of the Southwest Conference teams. One of the last rooms of the building is the Health, Fitness, and Education center with several fun games to play, such as baseball, where you throw a ball at the wall to try to strike out a video game computer player. Finally, the last place in the Hall of Fame is a gift shop with many great items to buy and collect. Overall, the exhibits are the main pull and, if you like sports, you will love all the items they have collected.

With such a large building and location in Central Texas, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame hosts many different events throughout the year. The main event, of course, is the annual induction of its new members. Besides this event, regular significant occasions include a celebrity golf tournament, a night at the races for horseracing, a Southwest Conference Hall of Fame annual banquet, and many more. These events help fund the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and support its 501(c)(3) non-profit status. The banquet hall where these events are held was built in 2010, along with other renovations such as the Southwest Conference Cotton Bowl room. Vice President of Museum Operations Jay Black, who has been employed with the Hall of Fame since 1993, said, “We do a lot of special events; that’s kind of what we’re good at…that’s the majority of the way we pay for our building.” These events play a big role in the building and are essential to keeping the Hall of Fame going.

Each year, new people are inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. The process for choosing inductees is an interesting one. There are at least 21 members on the selection committee who get the honor of voting for athletes they believe belong in the Hall of Fame. While the voting process is restricted to sportswriters and electronic sports media members from Texas only, the nominations are open to the public. After the selections have been made, the top five vote getters who do not make the cut are automatically put on the ballot for the next year.

Eight new members were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame this year on February 21, 2017. The first new member this year is Rita Buck-Crockett. Buck-Crockett, one of the best volleyball players in the history of the sport, is a San Antonio native who played for the University of Houston. After her collegiate career, she played for the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic teams, including helping the ’84 team win the silver medal. After her playing days were over, she has continued to coach in the U.S. to this day. Another new member, Dave Elmendorf, is a Houston native who played both football and baseball at an exceptional level. After successful years at Texas A&M University, he played nine seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and is currently a broadcaster on radio and TV. [Editors Note: In the February 2015 issue of Postcards Magazine, we interviewed DaveElmendorf. You can read  his story online here.]

The next inductee, Pat Henry, is a New Mexico native, but still greatly impacted Texas sports. He coached track and field for Texas A&M and helped them dominate the Big 12 with 14 conference titles. He has accumulated 35 team national titles across all the schools he has coached, which is the third-most out of any NCAA sport. He is still coaching at A&M and has continued to find success even in their move to the SEC. Flo Hyman was a California native volleyball player who was the first female scholarship athlete at the University of Houston. Hyman qualified for the Olympics in 1984 where she helped the U.S., including other inductee Rita Buck-Crockett, win a silver medal. She passed away in 1986 during a match in Japan where she was playing professionally. The fifth inductee is possibly the most famous on this year’s list. Nastia Liukin is a Parker native who would become the Olympic all-around gymnastic champion in 2008. Nastia is a nine-time World Champion medalist and four-time U.S. national all-around champion. The next inductee is Eric Metcalf. He is a Washington native who found his success at the University of Texas in both football and in track and field. The All-American became a good player in the NFL who is most known for leading the league in punt return touchdowns on four different occasions. Wade Phillips, an Orange native and son of legendary coach Bum Phillips, played football in college, but is most known for his coaching. He was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for a period of time, but was recently awarded 2015 Assistant Coach of the Year for his work with the Denver Broncos. Lastly, Darren Woodson is an Arizona native who became a Dallas Cowboys legend in his career from 1992-2004. He was an All-Pro selection in three of his eight seasons as an NFL player and spent his entire career as a Cowboy, helping them win three Super Bowls during his tenure. These legends join over 300 others in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

A trip out to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame is definitely worth the drive to Waco for those interested in the history of the great Texan athletes. This museum is one that will interest you throughout your entire visit and make you want to come back and see it all again. New items and memorabilia are added to the Hall of Fame throughout the year, so each time you visit, you will be getting a new experience.

Other Information:

tshof.org
(800) 567-9561
1108 S. University Parks Dr.
Waco, Texas 76706

Admission:

Adults $7,
Seniors (60+) $6,
Students 1st-12th grade $3,
Kids under 6 FREE,
Active Military FREE

The post Gotta Get Away? Texas Sports Hall of Fame appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Ever want to get away and sample a real part of Americana? Try this year’s third annual St. Mary’s Quilt Show, where the motto is “Beautiful Church. Beautiful Quilts.” I would recommend a slight modification. After meeting them to write this story, I think it should read, “Beautiful Church, Beautiful Quilts—and Beautiful People.” St Mary’s 3rd Annual Quilt Show is Friday April 28, 2017 from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday April 29, 2017 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, 8227 County Road 205 (FM 1774 and St. Mary’s Drive), Plantersville, Texas.

The Quilt Show is the brainchild of Lorraine Nilson, a retired former project manager. “My daughter is a quilter who now lives in Tennessee, and she began to encourage me to learn to quilt. So, I started and really enjoyed it. That led to a small local quilt group. Then I looked on Pinterest and saw a beautiful photo of a beautiful church in Canada that had a quilt show by displaying quilts in their church. So I thought with our church being a very beautiful and historic church that it would be a natural place to do a similar quilt show.”

Inspired by the photograph, and with help from good friends like Paula Allison and Margee Manning, Nilson presented a plan to her local pastor, Father Ed Kucera, pastor of St. Mary. While dining, the pastor was shown the photo of the church in Canada, and then the question came. “Do you think we could do something like that here? At St Mary’s?” asked Nilson. An emphatic yes was the answer from Father Kucera.

“Paula, Margee, and I talked about our goals for the show. We wanted to have a first-class quilt show that was unique. We wanted people to come to our beautiful church and experience a day to remember. One of our key decisions was to not charge an entry fee for the quilt show. We didn’t want anyone to have to pay to enter our church. We would request donations, and if we had any profit, we would donate it to the St. Mary/St. Joseph Society of St. Vincent De Paul. This wonderful organization assists people in need in our community, so it’s reach outside of our church seemed like the perfect match.”

St. Mary not only boasts the inner beauty of its sanctuary, but takes pride in its lovely gardens peaking just as a new spring is burgeoning. Guests may also dine at the very popular Dresden Plate Café.

“We needed to raise some money to get started. Besides the Friends of St. Mary’s Quilt Show, who donated their personal funds, and our generous local business sponsors, we were able to raise enough money to cover our expenses before the show took place! Bravo,” Nilson said.

“Next, we needed to spread the news of our upcoming show and find vendors who wanted to take a chance on us. Paula, Margee and I visited many quilt shows and quilt shops to talk with vendors and many quilt guilds to present our show to quilters. We traveled all over Houston and beyond. We needed attendees, and we needed quilts. We were thrilled to be received so warmly and, in a few months, our vendors and quilt entry forms started coming in,” she said.

Always the one to shift attention away from herself, Nilson spoke highly of everyone who has helped make the quilt show one of the finest in the state of Texas.

“You might wonder how could so few people possibly put on a quilt show? Let me tell you, the volunteers at St. Mary’s and a few surrounding churches are amazing. In fact, we had over 120 volunteers! Many are not quilters, but loved the idea of welcoming people to our church. Patty Jones was the coordinator of the volunteers and their schedules. Organization at its finest! Our volunteers are the key to our success; the friendliest people you could ever meet,” continued Nilson.

“We decided to reward our first year sponsors, donors, and vendors with a Gala Preview Dinner the night before the show. Shanon Salsbury and his St. Mary’s Men’s Club volunteers prepared a delicious dinner, and guests were treated to cocktails and a seated dinner complete with waiters. The pièce de résistance—an evening preview of the church, festooned with 125 glorious quilts. Our church choir sang as our guests were overcome with emotion at the first glimpse of our first show. Personally, I will never forget that evening!”

Despite threats of inclement weather, more than 1,300 people turned out for the first ever St. Mary’s Quilt Show. The new Dresden Plate Café served more than 600 lunches.

“For our second show, St. Mary’s Quilt Show 2016, we had a few additions. We decided to have entertainment during the lunch hours. Friday was the men’s Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir. Saturday was the ladies Chordbusters.”

Quilt guilds are invited to enter quilts as a group and receive recognition for their guild’s support. Guilds, along with the quilting community, have worked together and shared their talent. Hundreds of quilts are expected to be displayed, with all the color and vigor of a thriving pastime.

What new things may we expect this year?

“We added an additional display of quilts under the pavilion, Red White and Beautiful. It’s energizing to see beautiful red and white quilts hanging from the rafters and dancing to the breeze. We added a Photo Op location on Father Ed’s front porch, covered with quilts. This is a great opportunity for guests to commemorate their day with their cell phone cameras.
This year, we added more shuttles to assist people from the parking lot. We have set up a welcome table to assign entry times to the church in order to avoid standing in long lines waiting your turn. People can shop, stroll the gardens, have lunch, or listen to the music.”

More than 1,600 people enjoyed the show in 2016. Last year, more than 900 meals were served at the Dresden Plate Cafe. With more expected this year, they are expecting to overcome their only drawback.

“Our only problem last year was that too many people came at one time on Friday morning, and some could not stay for their assigned time. I know most people say, ‘Too many people is a good thing,’ but it literally broke my heart to turn anyone away. We have plans to fix that for 2017,” Nilson said.

“Now, on to St. Mary’s Quilt Show 2017, April 28 and 29. I can tell you that producing this show is my passion. More people have come forward as volunteers, and we have a great time. What a congenial group! We love having you visit our church. So please accept my personal invitation to support us as a sponsor or with advertising if you are able, join us for our Gala, enter your quilts, and attend our show. You will not be disappointed. In addition to experiencing a unique, exquisite quilt show, St. Vincent De Paul benefits from the proceeds. Now that is a win-win.”

For more information, visit stmarysquiltshow.com.

The post Gotta Get Away? Plantersville – St. Mary’s Quilt Show appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

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Take a trip into the past…where a train, whistling and smoking, roars through the village, passing a Model T Ford that is stopped at the railroad tracks. The train’s passengers look at the Model T in wonder, but then are distracted by the historic homes along their path—homes owned by George Washington Carver, Noah Webster, Robert Frost—not to mention a large replica of Independence Hall. All of these and more are found in Dearborn, Michigan, home to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

Henry Ford Museum

Upon crossing the entrance, a replica of Independence Hall, cars, and other artifacts from the automotive industry are highlighted—not surprisingly, given Ford’s pioneering efforts with the automobile. Hundreds of cars, from the most primitive to the most modern, are on display in the 160,000+ square-foot museum. Although there are a dozen standouts to catch your eye, make sure you see Quadricycle, the first of Henry Ford’s automobiles.

Still hungry for more impressive cars? Check out the variety of racing and luxury vehicles, such as the colossal Bugatti Type 41 and the Ford 999. The record-setting 999 reached a top speed of 91 mph in 1904, setting the land-speed record of the time. The prized relic now stands as a testament to the need for speed of these early car manufacturers. This same need still persists in modern times and is embodied by the Goldenrod, the 1965 rocket car which held the land-speed record of 409 mph for 26 years.

But not all of the cars are speed machines. You can see the automobile that Henry Ford gave to naturalist John Burroughs, one of many versions of the famous Model Ts on display. There’s even a 1950s-era “safety car,” with rear-facing seats, wrap-around bumpers, and other safety features that were ahead of their time.

Rosa Parks stood her ground by keeping her seat on this bus

A Civil Rights Jewel

The Museum’s most famous vehicle, however, is a bus. The bus was a 1948 model, but it didn’t make history until 1955, when Rosa Parks stood her ground by keeping her seat. That bus is located in the civil rights section of the Museum, and visitors can board the bus and even sit in the same seat as this civil rights pioneer.

Pioneers of the Sky

Henry Ford had a particular admiration for the Wright Brothers, and the Museum’s contents reflect his admiration. Near the center of the Museum is a replica of The Wright Flyer, the first plane to make a powered flight. The Museum also houses items from the Wright Brothers’ bicycle shop; a lab for children to create paper airplanes; an exhibit on barnstormers; and a “Ford Flivver,” which the Ford Company hoped would be as successful in the air as the Model T was on the road.

Edgar Allan Poe’s writing desk

Explorations

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Museum, however, is the ability to roam the massive Museum to find the unexpected. While Ford is most known for his technological innovation, the Museum is a monument to the American Experience as much as it is to the spirit of innovation. For example, there is a section on furniture, which not only highlights the work of Charles and Ray Eames, but also houses Edgar Allan Poe’s writing desk, a table of Mark Twain’s, and a rocking chair—made of roots—once owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt.

In the further realm of the unexpected, there are the Presidential Limousines used by Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and John F. Kennedy. The latter vehicle is the actual limousine in which he was assassinated. It was used for 11 years after his death by Johnson, Nixon, and Ford, before being retired.

Abraham Lincoln’s Chair from Ford Theater. He was assassinated in this chair in 1865.

But the most disturbing artifact is the chair in which Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It sits alone in a display case with blood stains still visible. Nearby are life casts of Lincoln’s face and hand.

Of course, not all the exhibits are associated with the rich, powerful, and famous. Exhibits on timepieces, dollhouses, railroads, firearms, telephones, coverlets, and even violins ensure that there are artifacts for everyone to enjoy a visit to the Museum.

Greenfield Village

The Henry Ford Museum is one of the largest museums in the country. Similarly, the neighboring Greenfield Village, at 93 acres, is one of the largest historical parks in the country. Fortunately, much of the Village can be seen by steam-powered train, which is a good way to get an overview of the entire park.

With almost 100 acres, there is a lot to cover, and the curators have divided the Village into thematic sections: (1) Working Farms; (2) Liberty Craftworks, (3) Railroad Junction; (4) Henry Ford’s Model T; (5) Main Street; (6) Edison at Work; and (7) Porches and Parlors. Visitors can hop on and off at the various stations, according to their interests.

A Replica of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory

The “Edison-at-Work” area, for example, contains a replica of Edison’s Menlo Park lab. Because the original lab burned in 1914, Ford couldn’t bring the authentic artifact to Dearborn, but he did bring in two dump trucks full of dirt from the original site to add to the site’s authenticity.

The “Porches-and-Parlors” section is another area devoted to historic structures. There’s the home of poet Robert Frost; the George Washington Carver cabin; and the slave quarters from President Jackson’s “Hermitage.” Curiously, a house from the hometown of Stephen Foster was imported, and reenactors gather on the porch daily to sing early American favorites such as Oh! Susannah and Camptown Races. All of these structures were taken brick by brick and shingle-by-shingle from their original sites and restored at Greenfield Village.

Paul Oliver rides in a Model T in Greenfield Village

Another way to tour the grounds is in an original Model T Ford—some of which have been driven more than 1 million miles—which can take visitors through 300 years of American history. During the drive, you might pass old-time bicycles, the aforementioned musical reenactors, or farmers, while also getting an auditory lesson on how to drive the classic car.

When the Model T ride is over, you can visit Greenfield Village’s Main Street, a chance to experience turn-of-the-century shopping. Visit the Village’s tintype, where Thomas Edison, Joe Louis and Walt Disney had their portraits made; or the Logan County Courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln tried court cases in the 1840s; or the Scotch School Settlement, where Henry Ford attended school; or the Wright Brothers Cycle Shop, where the Wright Brothers developed their skills as machinists.

For those who want genuine hands-on experiences, the Liberty Craftworks District offers a sawmill, weaving shop, gristmill, silk mill, machine shop, glass-making studio, candle factory, and pottery studio. Demonstrations are available throughout the day and, for a fee, visitors can try their hand at their own artisan creation. Want a glass flower? Make your own at the glass studio. Need a candle-holder? Operate a 1917 lathe to create your own. Feeling lazy? Visit some of the many gift shops that sell the products created by the Museum’s staff artisans.

Wrapping Up

Wright Brothers replica

Greenfield Village offers seasonal activities, and The Henry Ford Museum offers special exhibits. Last summer, the Museum offered a Beatles exhibit, and they are currently offering an exhibit on the history of glass making. Of course the regular collections—totaling more than 26 million artifacts—are enough to keep you busy. So if you have a free weekend—or, more like a free week—this is the only place in the world where you can relive American history on a steam-powered train, in a Model T, or on your own two feet.

The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village are located in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is the largest indoor-outdoor museum complex in the United States and is visited by 1.6 million people each year. The museum began as Henry Ford’s personal collection of historic objects, which he began collecting as far back as 1906. Ford said of the museum, “I am collecting the history of our people as written into things their hands made and used…. When we are through, we shall have reproduced American life as lived, and that, I think, is the best way of preserving at least a part of our history and tradition…”

For more information, visit www.thehenryford.org.

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