Chase A. Fountain, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas Parks and Wildlife is forecasting a good year for wildflowers! After several below average seasons, the odds are good for a great showing this year.

This from their 3/23/10 News Release titled: Wildflowers Starting to Pop Up Across Texas

AUSTIN — Someone forgot to give Texas wildflowers a wake up call, but they are slowly rising from their winter slumber and promise a dazzling display in coming weeks.

In most parts of the state, a colder-than-average winter has gotten the wildflower season off to a slow start, but Texas Parks and Wildlife Department botanists predict a great year after the last several lackluster, drought-impacted years.

Chase A. Fountain, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

“It should be a really good year from what I’ve seen in the field due to all the rain, but some recent cold, cloudy weather might delay spring flowering a week or two,” says TPWD botanist Jackie Poole. “Look for good displays at places like Enchanted Rock, Inks Lake and Palmetto state parks where sandy soils contribute to a good mix of species. LBJ should have several fields filled with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush soon.”

Recent reports from other TPWD botanists traveling highways such as U.S. 183 and Texas Highway 84 in warmer South Texas climes around Gonzales and Victoria indicated strong showings of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, tickseed, Drummond phlox, toad flax and baby blue eyes.

In parts of central and northeast Texas, Texans are already being treated to the colorful blooms of such flowering trees as redbuds, peach, pear and Mexican plum. Judging from the profusion of pink blooms on peach trees recently spied around Fredericksburg and Stonewall, barring late spring freeze like the one that occurred last year, peach lovers are in for a stellar season.

Some Wildflower Related Links

Brenham Texas Wildflower Watch

TxDOT Wildflower Reports

And, Don’t Forget

Chandor Gardens Spring Fling Weekend 2010 - Saturday, April 3rd 9:00am-6:00pm and Sunday, April 4th 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Chandor Gardens welcomes the 2010 season on April 3 & 4 with the annual Spring Fling Weekend. Admission for April 3rd is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for ages 6-18 and 5 and under get in free, these prices include all of Saturday’s scheduled activities. On April 4th we roll back admission prices to just $1.00 per person, the original amount it would of cost to tour the gardens more than 3o years ago.  Read all about this event on their web site.

Gallery

The gardens are planted to offer colorful displays during different times of the year. Their web site lists bloom dates so you can have an idea what to expect when you visit.

The rugged environment here dictates, to some extent, what and how they can grow what they grow. For example, on my first visit I couldn’t imagine why they had so many attractive water features. As I read the handout given to me at the gate, a reprint of the Southern Living article about Clark Gardens titled Creating a Prairie Garden, I realized the entire garden is self-sufficient for water. In a dry part of the state of Texas, they use water wisely and also for good aesthetic effect.

Personal Observations

Clark Gardens is big. Thirty five acres and 50 plus gardens is a lot of garden space. It’s kind of like the Dallas Arboretum in that if you want to see the whole place it will involve a considerable amount of walking. They offer tours by motorized cart, something to consider if you aren’t up to a long walk. I also noticed that all the paths and walkways were wide and even. Stairs are not used often. Overall I think Clark Gardens is very wheelchair friendly, maybe the most friendly botanic park in this area of the state. I also noticed they have special needs parking inside the garden area. Please realize I am just sharing an informal observation. Families with wheelchair accessibility questions should call Clark Gardens for details.

More information

http://www.clarkgardens.com/

County: Palo Pinto

map

Copyright © 2009 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved

Before Lampasas County was created, John Burleson, an early settler, deeded land to his daughters, Elizabeth Scott and Martha Moore. After it became popular belief that the spring water in Lampasas possessed healing powers, Elizabeth laid out lots for a town and offered them for sale. Lots were priced between $5.00 and $12.50. The notoriety of the Lampasas Springs led to rapid growth, and Lampasas earned the title “Saratoga of the South.”

Lampasas County, named for the Lampasas River, was created from parts of Travis and Bell counties on February 1, 1856, and organized March 10 with Lampasas, as the county seat.

The Town of Lampasas

Disasters plagued Lampasas in the early days. In December of 1871 a fire destroyed the county courthouse. A new courthouse was built only to be swept away by a flood in 1873.

Major change came to Lampasas in 1882. In that year a passenger train linked Lampasas to the coastal city of Galveston. The arrival of the railroad in Lampasas caused major growth. The mineral springs were commercialized and people came to the “Saratoga of the South” for leisure and healing.

Hanna Springs

Hanna Springs

The first private bathhouse was built by Elizabeth and George Scott. Elizabeth Scott and her husband George erected a hotel near the springs, which became known as Scott’s White Sulphur Springs. The springs became a popular recreation site, touted for the healing properties of the mineral water. In 1863 the Scotts sold their property to William H. Storm and Thomas J. Moore. Storm sold the springs property to John L. Hanna and his sister Isabella Hanna in 1867. Popularity of the springs grew under John Hanna’s management, and the hotel and springs became known as Hanna Springs.

Nothing remains of the hotel at Hanna Springs today. A large tank denotes the site of  the Hanna mineral water spring. It’s located a few blocks north of the county courthouse on South Live Oak St. at the junction with East North Avenue near the Hanna Springs Swimming Pool.

Hancock Springs

Hancock Springs

Sometime after 1882 the Hancock Springs Bathhouse and the Grand Park Hotel were constructed. Remnants of the old bathhouse can still be seen today near the pool at Hancock Park. A two-mile trolley, drawn along its tracks by a mule, carried passengers from the Santa Fe Train Depot on the other side of town to the Park Hotel. Today the city operates a pool at Hancock Springs offering the public an opportunity to swim in the mineral water.

The Santa Fe Depot located at 501 E. Second Street, just a few blocks from the town square and county Courthouse (at the intersection of S. Live Oak and E. Second St.) was built in 1904. Early-day center for news and social life. Replaced the mule car from old depot to city square.

Across the street is the Keystone Hotel. Built in 1870, famous early-day stagecoach inn of J. L. N. Gracy. Windows have keystone arches. Native rock was hauled to site by oxen.

The county courthouse, the town square, and the old commercial district around it are all interesting and worthy of a walk to see what’s interesting to you. German food is one thing to keep an eye open for.

Spring Ho Festival

Annual festival held on the second full weekend in July since 1972. Don’t ask about the name, no one seems to know where it came from. A great small town festival that’s easy to recommend. They even have a Spring Ho web site.

Images

What’s Close By

Colorado Bend State Park is a vast scenic park with 6 miles of river frontage along the Colorado River. Within the state park: Gorman Falls is beautiful. The falls are available by tour only on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. The location is remote and getting there involves a moderately physical 1.5 mile round trip hike.

The town of San Saba is a few miles further west of Colorado Bend State Park. Nothing here really. No big box retailers, now where to buy $5 coffee drinks, a true retail dead spot. On the plus side there’s Mill Pond Park with a spring-fed lake and water fall. The original water works for the town, it has an interesting history, and also picnic grounds, walking trails, etc.  The Wedding Oak, a 400-year-old oak listed in Famous Trees of Texas is an extremely popular spot for weddings in the area. The Regency Suspension Bridge near the town of Regency and the Beverage Suspension Bridge are two of only a hand full of historic suspension bridges remaining in the state of Texas. Depending on what your interested in, you might want to look at the San Saba County Courthouse or investigate the San Saba Bike Trails. This link to the San Saba County page at the Lower Colorado River Authority web site provides a great index of outdoor tourism attractions in the area.

Related

A Day in Lampasas Texas More information about Hancock Spring Pool.

More information

The Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce – http://www.lampasaschamber.org/

Bibliographic note
Much can be learned about early Lampasas history by simply reading the Texas Historical Commission signs sprinkled all around town. More information was extracted from the Texas Historical Commission’s Sites Atlas. (http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/)

County: Lampasas

map

Copyright © 2009 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved

If your looking for a sure thing, Texas has its share of spring garden events. Several of the East Texas events feature big displays of Azaleas, and as a bonus, the dogwoods are also beautiful here in the Spring. Places like Austin and San Antonio are drier and that will be reflected in the gardens.  Both of these cities are in the Texas Hill Country. State Highway 16 from San Antonio to Kerrville and on to Fredericksburg is a grand ride in the Spring. The opportunities for side trips from the Austin area are endless. San Angelo and the International Waterlily Collection is  the statistical outlier. Never been there, but this might be the year I finally make it.

Call this my Spring drive 2010 wish list. Ordered by approximate distance from the DFW Metroplex. I hope this list inspires some of you to get out and travel.

Dallas Blooms A dazzling spring display of floral color. With over 450,000 bulbs and 3000 azaleas making this the Southwest’s largest outdoor floral festival. (From the Dallas Blooms web site.) Really is a wonderful display of azaleas and bulbs, and they work hard for the results you see. The place is huge, 66 acres I believe. Be prepared to do some walking. Can be busy on weekends.

March 6 – April 11 – Dallas Blooms

Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Many gardens in a single setting near the Fort Worth Cultural District.  The Rose Garden, free admission, is quite nice in late March and most of April.  I almost always walk through the Perennial and the Four Seasons Gardens when I go there. The Japanese Garden is a very nice walk too. The Conservatory and the grounds around it are nice in Spring. Busy on weekends.

Late March and April – Fort Worth Botanic Gardens

Weatherford Texas Chandor Gardens Chandor Gardens began as the private gardens of well known 20th century portrait artist Douglas Chandor. He converted a rock and cactus covered hillside in Weatherford Texas into a truly outstanding one-man garden. Today Chandor Gardens is operated by the City of Weatherford.  The gardens, broken up into distinct garden rooms, combine elements of both Chinese and English gardens.

April – mid-November, Saturday 9am to 3pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm or call 817-613-1700 to make special arrangements – Chandor Gardens

Mineral Wells Texas Clark Gardens Botanical Park began as a small private garden in 1972 but evolved into a 35 acre scenic and educational facility that opened to the public in 2000. Paths wind among 50 plus gardens embracing native and Texas adaptable plants displayed among lakes, ponds, and waterfalls.

Gardens designed for year-round displays. See the bloom dates page on Clark Gardens’ web site for details. Clark Gardens Botanical Park

Tyler Texas Azalea Trails Each Spring in Tyler Texas, beautiful landscaped yards and gardens abound with colorful blooming Azaleas. Azaleas were first introduced to Tyler in 1929, but it wasn’t until 1960 that the Tyler Chamber of Commerce organized this event and started marking trails. Today there are eight miles of marked Azalea Trails passing by beautiful residential gardens and historic home sites.

March 19 – April 4 – Tyler Azalea Trails

Palestine Texas Dogwood Trails Festival 71st Annual Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration. Parade, Arts and Crafts, Live Music, Festival Food, Car Show, Kidz Zone. Featured area during the Texas Dogwood Trails event, the 200 acre Davey Dogwood Park near Palestine Texas is another attraction.

Last 2 weekends in March, First weekend in April – information at Palestine Chamber of Commerce, 903-729-6066.

Nacogdoches Texas Azalea Trail and the Ruby M Mize Azalea Garden Nacogdoches Texas has an Azalea Trails event each year. Their claim is that they have Texas’ largest azalea garden. The garden is the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden at Stephen F. Austin State University.

March 13 – April 3 – Nacogdoches Texas

Austin Texas Zilker Botanic Gardens Located on 30 acres in Austin it has theme gardens, such as rose, herb and Japanese gardens interconnected with streams, walkways, waterfalls and Koi-filled ponds.

Zilker Garden Festival – March 27 & 28,  or call 512-477-8672.

City of San Angelo International Waterlily Collection The city of San Angelo lists 7 Public gardens on their web site. The San Angelo International Waterlily Collection is located at Civic League Park, which is described as the city’s unofficial botanic gardens.  I’ve heard good things about the waterlily collection and understand April is a good time to visit.  The International Waterlily Collection has been designated by the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society as a premiere collection of lilies in existence. I have never visited here but it’s on my short list. Do your own research, don’t trust me. I suspect this is one fine garden.

San Angelo International Waterlily Collection – http://www.sanangelotexas.org/

San Antonio Botanic Gardens and  the McNay Art Museum San Antonio has plenty of attractions. The botanic gardens are first rate, as I recall.  The grounds at the McNay Museum are beautiful and an ideal place for a garden walk or picnic.

Got a better idea? Tell us about your favorite Spring garden spot. Leave a comment below, and I’ll share it!

[Note: this article was originally published in 2009, but dates and links have been updated for the 2010 season. ]

Beth Marie’s is a charming ice cream and soda shop on the Square in Denton Texas. This shop has so many of the features of an old time soda shop: authentic old building with presses tin ceilings, checkered floor, quaint soda shop tables, and an impressive counter complete with stools.

They’re doing all the things that made the old soda shops grand, yet Beth Marie’s opened for business in 1998. They mix carbonated drinks from syrup and soda water. They make real ice cream sodas, and believe it or not they actually make their own ice cream!

They make more flavors of ice cream than will fit on the menu. Be prepared to do some major decision making because the flavor options are extensive. A long time ago when soda fountains were a relatively new thing, say 80 years ago, ice cream wasn’t a commodity item like it is now. Shops made their own ice cream, much like Beth Marie’s does today.

Besides the great frozen treats, Beth Marie’s serves lunch: sandwiches and soups. They also do catering and parties.

Beth Marie’s is located on the Square in Denton Texas. Denton has an active downtown with plenty to do and see. Unlike so many other old town squares in Texas, Denton’s downtown is a lively place. Because there are residential neighborhoods close by, and also because the University of North Texas campus is just down the road, locals frequent the square. The courthouse lawn is a gathering place where people come to meet and hang out. Musicians frequently gather and play. On top of all this, the courthouse is open to the public, not only during the week—but on Saturday as well.

Location

Beth Maire’s
117 West Hickory St.
Denton, Texas 76201

County: Denton

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Copyright © 2008 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved

Fayetteville Arkansas Town Square

The square in Fayetteville features some very nice old buildings housing quaint shops and restaurants, and a very nice new convention center available for business and social events. The convention center, called the Fayetteville Town Center, is located on the Southeast corner of the square near the intersection of East Mountain Street and South East Avenue.

The square is so beautifully landscaped, it’s almost like a garden setting. The convention center is nice even if your just visiting. There’s plenty of open spaces and glass with great views of the surrounding hills. There are views because Fayetteville is nestled in the Ozark Mountains. There are plenty of shops and restaurants. West Mountain Brewing Co., a microbrewery, is on the square, and there’s a pizza place next door. If your the beer and pizza sort of person, check it out.

If your looking for more excitement, there are plenty of bars and restaurants and coffee houses a few blocks off the square on West Dickson St.

Really the Town Square in Fayetteville is just a nice place to get out and roam for a while.

Bentonville Arkansas Town Square

The square in Bentonville is fairly modest. The Bentonville town square features a Civil War statue and fountain. Benches and a garden like setting with trees and shade make for a good place to park yourself for a spell on a warm day. The center square is surrounded by quaint shops, and probably most interesting of all, the Wal-Mart Visitors Center. This is Sam Walton’s original variety store. The visitor center tells the story of Wal-Mart from it’s beginning as “Walton’s 5-10″ up to the present.

Rogers Arkansas Historic Downtown

Rogers Arkansas has a fine historic district along West Walnut Street between about First and Forth Streets.

From the Main Street Rogers Web site:

In 1988, a large portion of downtown was dedicated as the Walnut Street National Historic District. This area was expanded in 1993. In addition, 23 structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This commitment to our history ties us permanently to our past and plots a course for the future…

Many facade renovations have been completed as well as three fine examples of interior restoration: the J.E. Applegate Building, a 1905 apothecary which is now Poor Richard’s Gifts & Confectionery; the W.B. Felker Building, originally opened as Bank of Rogers in 1905, and now home to the Daisy Airgun Museum; and The Victory Theater, 1927, which after many years of neglect was purchased and renovated by the Rogers Little Theater and reopened as that organization’s home stage.

Like so many other small towns, the railroad played an instrumental role in the early development of Rogers. The tracks, still active, pass right by the historic district at West Walnut and First Street. There’s a little park along the tracks with walking paths, shelters, the Frisco Caboose, and a historic sign.

The sign is about Betty Blake, wife of Will Rogers, who was from Rogers Arkansas. The Will Rogers quote on the sign reads: “My wife came from Rogers, Arkansas, where they raise the prettiest girls and the best apples in the world.”

The day I was there musicians had gathered in the park. The instruments were mostly banjos and guitars, and the entertainment was free.

I hung out for a while listening to the music and the stories, then visited a coffee shop across the street from the park. Maybe it’s still there—or not. I bet you can find something you like in these few blocks along the tracks and in the Rogers Historic District.

Another great thing about being here in the Rogers Historic District is that your blocks away from Scenic Highway 12, A.K.A. East Locust Street. Highway 12 East heading out of Rogers is a really pretty ride, and the further you go, the better it gets. If your heading to Eureka Springs, Lost Valley, or the Buffalo National River, this is the road you want.

So do you see that this story is going places? This is just the beginning of a drive across the Northwest region of the state of Arkansas. Stay tuned.

Copyright © 2008 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved

This is a great stretch of highway. There are some historic attractions along the way, and plenty of opportunities to stop and look around. Some of the historic attractions have been polished up, but a lot of what I saw was unvarnished. Buildings and places from a bygone era should look old. Kind of like a rare old coin or piece of antique furniture: worth more in its original state. Clean the tarnish from a rare old coin, and its value is diminished. The knocks and dings are part of the provenance of the piece. In other words old stuff looks more authentic if you don’t fix it up too much.

Stroud Oklahoma

Rock Cafe Stroud Oklahoma

Rock Cafe Stroud Oklahoma

I started out in Stroud Oklahoma. The town’s old commercial district is just west of Highway 99 on Route 66. Here you’ll find the Rock Cafe, a Route 66 Roadside Attraction. The business was established in 1939, and constructed with rock unearthed during the original road construction. This is a real sweet place with an old neon sign out front. It’s still a cafe too. Some locals own the place and had their kids waiting tables, the day I was there. I love it when these places are still active businesses. [The Rock Cafe burns May 20, 2008. They intend to rebuild. More]

Stroud Oklahoma Skyliner Motel

Stroud Oklahoma Coke Sign

A little further west on 66, on the same side of the street, was a nice old Coca Cola sign on the side of an old building. Then after that there’s a little park with a gazebo and an vintage water tower behind it. On the corner of Route 66 and Highway 99 was an old motel with a classy neon sign. The Skyliner Motel, that name just reeks of the 1950′s.

Chandler Oklahoma

Chandler Oklahoma Lincoln Motel

Chandler Oklahoma is a few miles further west on Route 66. This town has several roadside attractions worth stopping to check out. The Lincoln Motel is on the main road and you can’t miss it. This is a classic 1930′s motor court. Small wooden cabins each house two rental units. The whole place is finished with dark brown paint or stain. Very rustic! Neon sing out front, too.

Chandler Oklahoma Interpretive Center

A little further down the road is the Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center, housed in a 1930’s-era armory building on the crossroads of Route 66 and Mickey Clarkson Avenue. They have video presentations that tell the story of Route 66, America’s Mother Road.

Chandler Oklahoma Phillip's 66

In the main commercial district is the historic Phillip’s 66 Station. It’s closed but still interesting to see. On the next block is the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History. The museum was closed and I didn’t get to visit, but you should stop in and ask questions.

Chandler Oklahoma St. Cloud Hotel

Across the street is the office of the local news paper. The St Cloud Hotel is a couple buildings down the street. Researching on the Internet, I found little about this property. it’s a National Register property and I found it on a list of endangered Route 66 hotels. Closed and in need of repairs, it has some nice old painted signs.

Chandler Oklahoma Seaba Station

Just a bit out of town is the Seaba Station. It was built in 1924 as a filling station and garage and operated continually until 1996. Today the building is still a work in progress. It houses an antique store and some sort of repair shop. This is another designated Route 66 Roadside Attraction.

Filling Station on Route 66 West of Luther Oklahoma

West of the town of Luther is a 1920′s filling station. it’s just a shell of a building now. A small sign tells the story of the place. It was built in the late Teens or early 1920′s. This was before electricity so gas was sold out of a 50 gallon drum. The building was heated with a fireplace.

Arcadia Oklahoma

Arcadia Oklahoma Round Barn

Arcadia Oklahoma Round Barn

The next major town is Arcadia. The big attraction in Arcadia, and along this stretch of Route 66, is the Round Barn. This historic barn was built by William Odor in 1898. By 1988 the barn was severely deteriorated and some time after that the roof collapsed. The owners deeded the property to the Arcadia Historical Society. A group known as the over the hill 60′s gang got involved with the restoration and in cooperation with local business and many volunteers the Historic Round Barn in Arcadia was restored.

Even on the day I visited the barn, a local volunteer was busy painting. He showed a real sense of pride in the barn and the work that had been done by the community. According to this fellow, the barn was originally built as a place to have dances and meetings. The ground level of the barn was for livestock and farm business, but the second level of the barn was a place for meetings and dances. The second level of the round barn is still a place to have a party or dance. It can be rented for a reasonable rate. The ground level is a gift shop today.

Cains Ballroom in Tulsa Oklahoma

This was the end of my Route 66 journey. It took 2 or 3 hours to travel the 40 miles from Stroud to Arcadia Oklahoma. I could have easily spent more time exploring, but I needed to be on my way. If you wanted to extend this trip by a few more hours, the ride through Tulsa is interesting. There are several landmark Route 66 attractions in Tulsa. Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa has a rich history. The stretch of the Mother Road from Tulsa to Claremore has plenty of marked attractions and would also make a good extension of the trip I describe here.

Let me know if you make your own Route 66 trip. Leave a comment or drop us an email. Most of all, if you do travel the Mother Road be sure to stop and visit with the people along the way. That’s the best part of road trip travel, meeting the locals and discovering the people and stories behind the places you visit.

Copyright © 2008 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved