Sunday, March 31, 2013

A little bit of country


Being tourist guide is always fun, particularly when you too, are seeing things for the first time.  So with my Mum visiting, I have been busy playing guide, historian, shopping consultant, chauffeur and porter.  
Eva's Haus, Fredericksburg
The first of our trips took us west into the heartland of Texas to cowboy country, wine country and the hill country.  Fredericksburg is considered the cultural heart of this area.  Its an old and very quaint town that was founded in 1846 and apparently named after Prince Frederick of Prussia.  Its a German town and is notable as the home of Texas German, a dialect spoken by the first generations of German settlers who supposedly refused to learn English.  Its also, interestingly, the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. 
Becker Vineyard
More importantly, it is the centre of Texas' wine country with numerous great little vineyards dotting the country side.  So between pottering around some wonderful antique and arts/crafts shops, we also availed ourselves of the wine tasting opportunities.  However, its fair to say my Mum wasn't up to the challenge, being a 'cheap drunk'.  Only a couple of tastings in and she was giggling and looking for a tree to lie down under!
Mum at the pub
Following our tastings, we wandered into Luckenbach which is today essentially a ghost town except for its pub. The pub however is famous for its live music and dances, and is great weekend pit stop for touring bikers and car rallies.


Luckenbach Pub/Post Office



Mum trying to find where she parked her Harley