A Day in Llano (TX)

Having been in the Marble Falls, TX area just over a month, we are experiencing some beautiful and sunshine-filled days mixed in among the cold and dreary days one normally associates with winter.  The forecast for Monday, February 9 looks promising for a 45 minute road trip to Llano, TX.  Llano has a population of just over 3,300 and is located 20 miles west of Lake Buchanan (pronounced Buck-anan).  We have been in Llano previously, but only for a quick lunch stop on our way to Kerrville in March of 2011.  The stop was memorable because of the excellent food at Cooper's BBQ and because of the companionship of Dennis and Rita with whom we were traveling.  
Today our traveling companions are dear friends, Bob and Nona, whose home is in Michigan.  We met Bob and Nona when camping in Kerrville, TX two winters ago and have been close friends ever since that time.  Bob and Chris are golfing buddies and today are off to check out the Llano golf course while Nona and I check out the historic area of Llano.

We drop off the guys for a few hours of golf.  The pic on the right shows the Llano River as well as part of the golf course.  The man pictured is David.  David had a stroke a couple of years ago and uses golf as therapy to regain strength and mobility.  Today he is playing alongside Bob and Chris.

Nona and I are on a mission.  Nona needs a particular color of fabric for a quilt that she is working on and there are two quilt shops in town.  Off we go!  I've never been interested in antiques, but there are several shops on our route where others are browsing.  I've never been a seamstress, but for some reason enjoy looking at fabric.   After checking out several fabric, gift, and "what not" shops, we are ready for something to drink and a place to relax.  Found it!  The Fuel is the name of the coffee house where we decide on a latte and small chicken salad sandwich.  Both were excellent.   Several customers here had their laptops out and were working diligently on something.  Others, like us, were just enjoying their day.  One side of the coffee house had a stage.  Tonight is open mic night!  Everywhere we went the folks were extremely friendly!  

On the left is the Llano County courthouse, built in 1893.  

On the right are several small shops on Main Street across from the courthouse in Llano's historic square.  Most were open and we enjoyed looking around.

More shops on Main Street

The first two stories of this building were built in 1880.  In 1883 the third story was added.  This building was used as a hotel and stagecoach stop.  Standing outside I imagined horses tied up where cars are now parked.  Look carefully and a stagecoach can be seen coming up the dusty road. Men and women walk out of the hotel carrying a bag with everything they need for the trip. Does family await?  A sweetheart?  A new job?   

Llano is the "Deer Capital of Texas" and there are deer everywhere around town!  Not real ones, but ones like this big guy!  Got a pic of this one because of what was stenciled on him.  "Hook 'em Horns!"

You hear that a lot in Texas.

Found this "Patti Wagon" parked on a side street

The guys call to let us know they are on 18.  That is our signal to make our way back to the golf course.  Anyone hungry for an early supper?  All four of us had very small, snack-sized lunches.  Right?  Shhh.  Don't tell the guys about chicken salad at The Fuel.  Those sandwiches were miniature.  Really, they were tiny.  

Barbecue?  Of course we're hungry!  We cannot leave Llano without a stop at Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Que.  They are famous in these parts for their outdoor grills and pit BBQ.  On the left is a pic of their meat selection which is located just outside their front door.  Selections are ordered by the pound.  Then we walk inside and pick out some sides, and drinks if desired.  The pinto beans are on the house!  I ordered two of the juiciest, most tender, flavor-packed pork ribs that I have ever had!   My, oh my!  Can you smell the smokiness?  See how tender they are?  Am I making you hungry?  Put some tasty pinto beans alongside!  How about a little jalapeno in with those beans?  I hope there is a Cooper's in heaven.  There really should be.  

Mission Tour - San Antonio (TX)

It is a beautiful morning in the Texas Hill Country.  We are getting an early start today as we plan to drive into San Antonio and meet friends for a relaxing day of touring and visiting.  Around 7am here on Lake LBJ we often see the sun making its first appearance of the day.  Today is spectacular!

The drive into San Antonio from Marble Falls (where we are camped) will take about an hour and 45 minutes.  On the way we pass through beautiful rolling hills and old Texas towns.  We enjoy every minute of the drive!

Chris and I have both been to San Antonio, in fact we have been there several times.  We have been to the Alamo.  Several times.  However, neither of us had toured any of the other missions in the area.  Today we are out to explore and to learn about 3 other missions in the San Antonio area.

The missions established along the San Antonio River in the 1700s form the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America.  Franciscan missions served both Church and State.  Sent from New Spain (Old Mexico) the purpose of the missions was two fold.  First, the missions spread the Catholic faith.  Second, the missions pushed the empire northward.  The mission system served to bring Indians into Spanish society as well as protect from not-so-friendly Indians.  At first the missions did not have a wall which encompassed the compound, but soon found the walls were needed for protection.  Within the walls the Indians lived, worked, learned trades, and worshiped.

Mission Concepcion was transferred from East Texas in 1731 and looks essentially as it did in the mid 1700s.  The stones we see today are over 250 years old!  Standing outside or inside the structure I try to imagine life so very long ago.  The Indians essentially gave up the hunting/gathering life for one of farming and ranching in a permanent settlement.  They lived within stone structures for the first time.

One of 3 doorways, each of different heights

On the Mission Concepcion  grounds Chris discovered the bike trail (and bicycles) which connect the missions.  A credit card is required, but the use of the bicycle is "free" if you can make it to the next mission in less than 30 minutes.  He did!

Chris bicycles about 3 miles to Mission San Jose

In 1720 Mission San Jose was founded.  It is know as the "Queen of the Missions"  and was my favorite.

The architecture of this mission was just incredible.

Entrance to the church

Living quarters

Inside the church

Inside the small living quarters (below) you can see the built-in shelving (pic on the left).  We found the molding seen just above the shelves here to be in several places around the mission, very often appearing above doors.   The pic on the right shows a "stove/oven".  The overhanging wood piece above the stove is similar to our vent hood.  In the far upper, inside corner was a hole that allowed the smoke to escape.

 

The 3rd and final mission we toured is the Mission San Juan.  In 1731 it was moved to its current and permanent home on the San Antonio River's east bank.

Exterior of the church

The mission is still used for church services.

A view of the grounds and Church at Mission San Juan

The missions around San Antonio were self sufficient and in times of surplus the goods were traded to others.  This particular mission had many orchards and gardens.  Herds of sheep were said to be around 3,500 with almost as many cattle.  Quite a thriving community!

Dear friends we knew when we lived in Mustang, OK now live in San Antonio and were our tour guides.  Walking the grounds of the missions was extremely interesting.  But, spending time with Opie and Jim was what made the day so special.  

Opie and Jim