Luckenbach, Texas…

“Everybody is somebody in Luckenbach” 

That is the saying in this small Texas town but it is here that one can sit and become part of the Texas music scene while sipping on a cold Shiner Bock (Texas original) beer. Just a few miles outside of Fredricksburg, Texas (also worth a visit) you will discover this little Texas gem!

It all started many years ago when Jacob Luckenbach (1817-1911) first colonized this area. Luckenbach was first established as a community trading post in the 1840’s or so they say. In 1970 the whole town was put up for sale and bought by a Texas icon named Hondo Crouch. Shortly thereafter musicians such as Jerry Jeff Walker, singer/songwriter Steve Fromholz, and the massive hit from Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson (“Luckenbach Texas (Back to the Basics)” had turned this sleepy little town into a worldwide destination.

So when you are traveling in the area of Fredricksburg, Texas look for the little town of Luckenbach. Walk into the trading post and saunter over to the bar and order you a cold Lone Star or Shiner Beer. Step outside into the courtyard and take a seat… Then soak in all that there is in this spot as you listen to whomever may be picking on their guitar and singing a few songs…. This is a chance to experience a bit of pure Texas culture…

Greune Texas and Bubba’s Big Deck…

 Gruene, Texas (pronounced Green) is a small town near New Braunfels and practically part of it now.  The town of Gruene was established in the mid-1840’s, is now mostly a tourist spot with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants, boutiques, and even a winery. One of its main attractions is Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Gruene Hall is the oldest continually running dance hall in the entire state of Texas!!! Built in 1878 it has had the likes of many great singers and songwriters such as Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker and Robert Earl Keen.. Have a cold one a the bar while perusing the nostalgia and the photos of prior musicians on the wall.

Another place to have a frosty beverage is nearby at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. It was converted from a cotton gin and it is located just beneath the water tower bearing the Gruene name. Sit out on the deck on the banks of the river and just enjoy the day.

But the best place to have a cold beverage is just down the road from Gruene Hall. Just across the Guadalupe River bridge and on your right is a small biker bar called Bubba’s Big Deck. This is truly a road treat and it is a great place to stop and have a few cold ones ($2.50 per can). Out back of the open aired bar is a large multileveled deck that takes you right down to the Guadalupe River’s edge. It is great to sit on one of the towering bald cypress roots and take in the sounds of the rapids just upstream of the bar. Watch the “toobers” and kayakers roll by or just have a cold one and dip your toes in the chilly waters of the Guadalupe River…

Hard to beat a nice day on the banks of the Guadalupe while having a cold one in Gruene,Texas…

Rattlesnake Saloon, Tuscumbia, AL…

If you are ever stuck in Red Bay, Alabama or you find yourself nearby Tuscumbia Alabama you have got to go find the Rattlesnake Saloon…

There are not a lot of interesting places of interest in this area but the 23 mile trek over to the Rattlesnake Saloon is more than worth the effort as this is a real unique Road Treat!!!  Upon arrival you really aren’t sure you are at the right spot as it appears you are at a working ranch with a dirt parking lot but the signage all suggests you are in the right place.

The saloon is situated next to a western resort of sorts and there is a gift shop, RV hookups ($20 a night) and horse corrals. When you park your car a truck drives over sporting a Rattlesnake Saloon logo and a kind western looking gentleman informs you that he is your taxi to the saloon. He gave us a card with the resort number and showed us the huge map of horse trails on the resort and then off we went...

The truck drives past the gift shop and the pool for overnight guests and then we disappear over the edge down a steep, winding hill that suddenly gives way to an amazing view below. To your right is a large cave with small waterfalls pouring over the edge, and inside the cave is an outdoor stage, lots of tables and chairs as well as an indoor saloon. To the left is a deck overlooking a tree-lined river. The views are breathtaking, I can’t imagine how wonderful this place would be in late spring and early summer.

The saloon itself has a great vibe, decent beer selection and friendly staff making for a great dinner or happy hour setting. Now let me warn you they only serve beer, no wine or spirits, and no alcohol is served before 5 PM!!! Also you better bring you ID since they believe no ID no beer… Our choice of some nice draft Yuengling seemed to be a perfect choice to enjoy the grandeur before us. What can I say… DON’T MISS THIS PLACE!!!!

Blues Fest at Buckingham Bar, Fort Myers, FL…

 

The Buckingham Bar is a funky little tavern down the road a piece from North Fort Myers. Occasionally the bar has a Blues Festival and there was one on a Saturday while we were there so off we went…

The Buckingham Blues Bar claims that the they are world famous and after reading the stories about how the owner spent $80K to buy a run down bar,some surrounding property and converted it into what it is today.  It is now a funky bar with a beautiful outdoor patio/garden area where a good sized stage can host bands for a wonderful outdoor concert experience…

If you go to the Blues Fest grab a couple of  folding collapsible chairs so you can sit anywhere you want. Make the short drive to the bar, park (free), and make your way to the gate to pay your $7 per person to enter. Now the bar is nothing special as it would always be classified as a dive bar but I say that in a good way since we both love dive bars more than the chains since the people you meet in them are always way more interesting!!!

The day we were there we got to hear there the music had just started and we heard a fun and energetic band named Diddley Squat getting down… The saxophonist was fabulous and made several forays into the audience to serenade several of the ladies in the crowd. Of the three bands that played this day, we felt they put on the best show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You never know what cast of characters will show up on stage but you bet whoever shows up will be able to play some pretty mean jazz…

If you are ever in this area you really need to check out the World Famous Buckingham Blues Bar. Why, they even have a beer drinking mule named Bucky but if you want to see Bucky partake in an adult beverage you will need to buy an Amber Bock since that is apparently the only beer Bucky drinks…

High Tides @ Snack Jacks, Restaurant/Bar Flagler Beach, FL…

Wednesday we discovered a new road treat as there is a small restaurant/bar on the beach here at Flagler called High Tides @ Snack Jacks. We like to walk along the beach and noticed that this place was within walking distance. The actual address is 2805S. Oceanshore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL. The Story of Two Women and a Dream on how this place came to be is an interesting read… So we were there on a Wednesday and we looked it up on the internet to see if they had a Happy Hour and guess what? It was Wacky Wednesday at High Tides @ Snack Jacks… whoopie…

Off we went about a quarter mile down the beach and after a short stroll up the stairs, we were at a table overlooking the ocean ordering some frosty beverages. Now what is Wacky Wednesday? Domestic bottles and pints are only a buck fifty!!! Well what can I say we stayed and watched the sun set over the water before making our way back home. Oh by the way they serve food here too but with beer at a buck fifty and an ocean view who is eating…