West Texas Wanderers

explorations, innovations & legends
1500 Interstate 20 West
Midland, Texas 79701
with
West Texas Wanderers
March 30, 31 & April 1, 2016
Wednesday, March 30th
Meet at the Petroleum Museum and board the bus
– 6:15 AM
….leave the Museum – 6:30 AM
This West Texas Wanderers’ "take-your-breath-away" tour winds through some of the
oldest and most unique geology in central Texas. The Hill Country is marked by gentle
rolling hills, intermixed with rugged geologic formations. We will start the trip by traveling
across landscapes exposing Precambrian, Cretaceous, and Proterozoic – ridges of flatbedded limestone terrain on the edge of the Edwards Plateau interjected with dark red,
bouldery granite hills looking distinctly out of place.
The settlement of Mason grew up around Fort Mason which was established by the United
States War Department as a front-line defense against Kiowa, Lipan Apache and Comanche
in 1851. The protection and commercial possibilities of the fort drew settlers. The fort was
named in honor of George Thomson Mason, a United States Army second lieutenant killed
in the Thornton Affair during the Mexican–American War, April 25, 1846. Fort Mason was
evacuated by federal troops on March 29, 1861. The United States Army reoccupied the
fort on December 24, 1866, under the command of General John Porter Hatch. Fort Mason
was abandoned by the military in the 1869 and restored by a group of local citizens in 1975.
Highway 29 – Mason to Llano
10:00 AM
This east-west drive traverses the very heart of the
Llano uplift, rolling along almost entirely on the
billion year old granite, gneiss, and schist complex
of rocks that characterize the Llano country. The
topography is by no means spectacular, but here
and there along the way, low rounded knolls of
pink granite, and banded slabs of gneiss form the platform for a clump of trees, almost
emulating a small scene from a Japanese garden.
Llano
10:45 AM
Llano County was established in compliance with a February 1, 1856, state legislative act.
Into the 1870s, the town was little more than a frontier trading center, with a handful of log
buildings housing business establishments, a post office, and a few homes.
Farming, ranching, and the granite industry remained the foundations of the town's
economy in the 20th century. In the 1920s, Llano was a major shipping point for cattle; the
cotton industry flourished in the county through the 1930s, but declined thereafter. Granite
quarrying and finishing retained their importance.
Cooper’s Bar-B-Q
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
The Wootan Family has provided its World Famous Pit Barbecue to
hundreds of thousands of hungry diners over the years at its
family-owned and operated restaurant. Now you can get a taste of
Texas Hill Country BBQ that restaurant reviewers have raved
about.
The Llano Uplift is a roughly circular geologic dome of Precambrian rock, primarily granite,
in Central Texas in the United States. It is
located in the eastern region of the Edwards
Plateau and northern region of the Texas Hill
Country. The region is characterized by a
central exposure of Precambrian granite
(Town Mountain granite), surrounded by a
ring of gneiss and schist (Valley Spring gneiss
and Packsaddle schist, respectively, also
Precambrian), which is in turn surrounded by
uplifted lower Paleozoic strata. This area is
rimmed by limestone ridges.
The Llano Uplift is best known for its large, protruding rock formations, such as Enchanted
Rock. The area includes several major quarries like Granite Mountain that mine the
distinctive pink granite. Further, the area contains the only known deposits of llanite.
Willow City Loop
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM
A favorite location for
a slow, lingering
country drive is the
"famous" Willow City
Loop! The Texas
Bluebonnet is the
"Official Flower of the Lone Star State"! When
the Hill Country in and around Fredericksburg,
Texas, is blessed with abundant, soaking rains
in the autumn and
winter months, the
wildflowers come out in force for a #1Texas roadside attraction!
Just outside of Fredericksburg coming from Llano, the terrain
changes from a dramatic, rugged landscape of deep canyons,
sky reaching jagged cliffs, meandering streams and phenomenal
panoramic views to gently rolling hills. All year round you'll be
amazed by this spectacular countryside, but during a good Wildflower Season (March Life is not measured by
the number of breaths
we take, but by the
moments that take our
breath away!
--ANONOYMOUS
May), you'll discover "take-your-breath-away" inspirational natural beauty. This is the iconic
Texas Hill Country scenic drive! The narrow two-lane Ranch Road winds for 13 miles
through some of the most beautiful Texas Hill Country you will ever experience!
Enchanted Rock
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Enchanted Rock State Park is a
marvelous piece of Texas
landscape, where geologic
features are clearly laid out in rawrock profusion, devoid of soil or
vegetation-or concrete cover.
Most obvious at first view of the
park is the dome shape of the
rock. However large as it may
seem, Enchanted Rock's granitic
dome is but a small side piece of a
huge, round globe of granite which
rose through the Packsaddle schist like a giant, hot-air balloon about a billion years ago.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, Texas. Fredericksburg was settled in 1846 by
John O. Meuseback and fellow German immigrants and named after Prince Frederick of
Prussia. The town is notable as the home of Texas German, a dialect spoken by the first
generations of German settlers who initially refused to learn English. Although the
settlement was on the Comanche frontier, the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty established
lasting peace. Fredericksburg is the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commanderin-Chief of the Pacific Fleet in World War II.
It is the sister city of Montabaur, Germany. On October 14, 1970, the Fredericksburg
Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas.
Peach Tree Inn
This family-friendly
Fredericksburg motel is within a
10-minute walk of the National
Museum of the Pacific War. Along
with an outdoor pool, this motel
has a fitness center and a spa tub.
Free continental breakfast and
free WiFi in public areas are also provided.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Wildseed Farm
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Lady Bird Johnson's passion for Texas
wildflowers not only lives on in the LBJ Ranch
and along Texas highways, but she also
sparked off a high public demand for seed.
The 200-acre Wildseed Farms was founded in
1983 as a result of that high demand, and
produces 88 varieties of wildflower seeds. It is
the largest family-owned wildflower seed
farm in the United States. It’s a colorful
sanctuary for a variety of fun-filled adventures exploring the farms’ Butterfly Gardens,
wildflower fields and Meadows Walking Trail through the Farms’ trial crop area.
Luckenbach, Texas
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
"Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach"
In 1848, the Texas Legislature formed Gillespie County from Bexar
and Travis counties. The site was settled in the late 1840s and early
1850s by German farmers, among them the brothers Jacob
Luckenbach and August Luckenbach. Jacob was a veteran of the
Texas Revolution. Its oldest building is a combination general store
and saloon reputedly opened in 1849 by Minna Engel, whose father
was an itinerant minister from Germany. Luckenbach was first
established as a community trading post, one of a few that never
broke a peace treaty with the Comanche Indians, with whom they
traded. A dance hall, a cotton gin, and a blacksmith shop were in existence by the late
1800s. Citizens of the town claim a resident, Jacob Brodbeck, launched the first airplane
some forty years before the Wright Brothers.
Today, Luckenbach maintains a ghost-town feel. One of its two main buildings houses the
remnants of a post office, a working saloon, and a general store. The other is the dance hall.
The post office was closed on April 30, 1971. The general store remains active as a souvenir
shop.
Old Tunnel State Park
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
The story of the San Antonio, Fredericksburg and Northern
Railroad is one of optimism and dogged determination.
Citizens in Fredericksburg struggled for twenty-five years
to establish a railroad connection to their city, which was
located in a geographical area far from ideal for railroad
operations. Opened in 1913, it was one of the last lines
built in the region. Its construction involved numerous
challengers. Twenty-four bridges were built, ranging in size
from twenty five to seven hundred forty three feet. The nine hundred twenty feet long
tunnel is one of only six railroad tunnels built in Texas. After almost three decades of only
marginal profitability, service ended in 1942. The abandoned railroad tunnel at Old Tunnel
State Park is the seasonal home to 3 million Brazilian free-tailed bats and 3,000 cave bats.
Between May and October, visitors can view the amazing sight as the bats emerge nightly
from the tunnel in a huge fluttering upward spiral just as the sun begins to set.
Alamo Springs Cafe
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Alamo Springs General Store and Cafe is located next to the Old Tunnel
Wildlife Management Area.
Enjoy fantastic food, including fabulous, homemade hamburgers, BLT's,
portabella mushroom burgers, New Mexico style green chili burgers, goat
cheese w/roasted garlic, handmade fries, onion rings, dinner specials that are out of this
world, pot roast, lasagna, strawberry key lime pie... Icy cold beers, and fresh made ice tea
and coffee! You can dine inside or out on the deck.
Peach Tree Inn
8:30 PM –
Thursday, March 31st
Peach Tree Inn (continental breakfast)
War of the Pacific Museum
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Fredericksburg is the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester
W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet during
World War II. Dedicated to all those who served in the
Pacific Theater battles of World War II. The Admiral Nimitz
Museum, George Bush Gallery of the Pacific War, the
Plaza of the Presidents, Japanese Garden of Peace,
Veteran’s Walk of Honor, and the Pacific Combat Zone are
all part of the six-acre campus. The George H.W. Bush
Gallery contains artifacts made famous during the Pacific
war campaigns, as well as media-rich and interactive
elements.
Hye Market & Spirits
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
This place has much to offer, from friendly local staff
members who will stop and give you a tour of the historic
building, to the great fresh food made to order onsite, and
lastly the free tastings of local beer, wines, and food
products. The building itself houses the market, café, and
local post office which has been in operation since 1886
(the boxes have been in use over 80 years). They have
done a great job maintaining the historical aspects of the building. The majority in the main
market space is original.
LBJ Ranch National Historic Park
12:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park protects
the birthplace, home, ranch, and final resting place of
Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United
States.
During Johnson's administration, the LBJ Ranch was
known as the "Texas White House" because the
President spent approximately twenty percent of his
time in office there along the banks of the Pedernales River. Among the sites preserved at
the Ranch are the President's first school, birthplace, Texas White House and the Johnson
Family Cemetery, where both President and Lady Bird Johnson are buried. The land south
of the Pedernales River is operated as Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site.
Hill Country Science Mill
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
The museum is unique as it is primarily geared
toward middle & high school aged kids. There is
plenty for all ages to do here, however the signature
exhibits are complex and made for older kids. When
you arrive, each person receives their own Avatar
Passport to take around the museum with
them. Scan your passport at each exhibit to learn
more about it and mark it as a favorite. Once you get
home, the learning can continue with your passport
via the online learning portal – explorer zone.
You get to run your hands through sand to build up mountains, craters, and more. Put your
hand over the formations to create “clouds” and watch the rain create rivers & lakes. An
incredible lesson in geology & erosion.
The Benini Sculpture Ranch and Galleries
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
A bigger-than-life stainless and iron longhorn teases visitors at the turn-off
to the Benini Sculpture Ranch. If sculpture that good sits on the side of the
highway, what waits ahead? Six or so miles later, more sculptures appear
alongside the caliche road--sculptures ten feet tall or taller and strong
enough to withstand Texas winds. Sheltering in clumps of trees and
climbing arid hills, sculptures beckon visitors down a 1 1/2 mile long trail
through hills that were once part of Lyndon Johnson's
ranch. It's magic. The sculptures are contemporary,
but created in a range of materials. Styles vary from
severe to flowing and abstract to representational,
something for every viewer. Visitors are free to walk
or drive the trail and get out to enjoy 360 views of an
art-lovers and photographer's paradise.
Ausländer Restaurant & Biergarten
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Ausländer is the German word for outsider, foreigner, or tourist.
The Ausländer Restaurant and Biergarten has been one of
Fredericksburg's most popular eating establishments located in the
heart of historic Fredericksburg. The restaurant offers authentic
German cuisine, as well as hand-cut steaks, seafood, sandwiches,
and homemade desserts. Patrons relax to the music in the festive, outdoor biergarten with
one of the largest beer selections in the Hill Country.
Peach Tree Inn
8:45 PM –
Friday, April 1st
Friday Morning: the choice is yours!
Peach Tree Inn (continental breakfast)
Pioneer Museum Complex
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
“Willkommen” to the
Pioneer Museum.
Vereins Kirche
The historical society celebrates a unique Texas Hill Country community created by early
settlers for future generations. The Pioneer Museum Complex is dedicated to preserving
and sharing the German history and settlement of the Fredericksburg area. Here you can
immerse yourself in the life of Fredericksburg through exploration of historic structures,
objects, photographs, and much more. Walk through "real life" early Texas structures and
view exhibits demonstrating early Texas family life, education, professions, and culture.
Located on three acres, the complex is landscaped with plants native to the Texas Hill
Country.
OR –
Drive to Enchanted Rock
Climb the Rock
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The massive pink granite dome has
drawn people for thousands of years.
But there’s more at Enchanted Rock
State Natural Area than just the dome.
The scenery, rock formations and legends
are magical, too! If you’re in the climbing
mood, Friday morning has been
scheduled for you to hike, birding, and
study nature. The park offers 7 miles of hiking trails, including the popular 6/10 mile
Summit Trail which involves a 425-foot elevation gain hike to the top of Enchanted Rock.
The view from the summit of Enchanted Rock, elevation 1,825 feet and 445 feet above
Sandy Creek, is a gorgeous 360 degree panorama. The 4-mile Loop Trail, a favorite among
hikers and backpackers, winds around the base of Enchanted Rock.
Sit & Sip Wine & Spirits Tour
Our last afternoon in
the Hill Country will
be spent visiting
wineries and a
distillery. Our custom
group tour will
provide an intimate,
yet social and lighthearted way to see and taste the best that the Texas Hill Country has to
offer. The final stop will be the Garrison Brother’s Distillery where the local bourbon and
many other choices are available for you to sample.
Grape Creek Vineyard Trattoria
12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Unique Italian fare created to compliment all of Grape
Creek Vineyards’ wines. Rejuvenate your soul with the
wine tour experience.
Ambassadors guide you with expert knowledge about
the winery’s history, production facilities, and, of
course, winemaking. Enjoy wine tasting directly from
the barrel and finish in our Tuscan meets modern tasting room.
Garrison Brothers Distillery
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Garrison Brothers is home of the first and oldest legal
whiskey distillery in Texas. The local bourbon and
many other choices are available for you to sample. In
his 2014 Whisky Bible, Jim Murray -- one of the most
respected tasters in the industry – named the Cowboy
Bourbon “American Micro Whisky of the Year” and he
gave it a 96 score!
Bus Leaves for Midland @ 5:00 PM
Stop along the way for snack/dinner
ETA @ the Petroleum Museum
9:30 PM
To make your reservation or for additional information, contact Carey at
cbehrends@petroleummuseum.org or call 432-683-4403.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Three-Day Two-Night Trip Details:
Starting* at $250 for Museum Members
$280/Santa Rita Club Members or $315/non-members
*plus choice of hotel accommodations, three meals, beverages, tips & personal incidentals
Quality restaurants have been selected to offer tasty and satisfying meals during the trip. Continental
Breakfast is available at the Peach Tree Inn & Suites.
Reservations (with a $150 deposit of commitment) must be made by January 25. The balance must be in
the Museum’s office before 5 PM on March 18.
Name: __________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
City: ___________________State: ______ Zip:_________
Phone:__________________________________________
E-Mail: _________________________________________
___I am a Museum Member / $250
$__________
___I am a Santa Rita Club Member / $280 $__________
___I am NOT a Museum Member / $315 $__________
Please check accommodation preference:
Single: King____ Queen____
$200
$__________
Double: King____ Queen____ $100 each $__________
Share room with:________________________________
King Suite w/queen sleeper/sofa (limited number of suites available)
($85 each / 3 or more / up to four people)
$__________
(1)__________________________________________________
(2)__________________________________________________
(3)__________________________________________________
(4)__________________________________________________
My choice for Friday morning:
_____Shop Main Street & History of Fredericksburg
_____Climb Enchanted Rock
Total amount due:
$__________
Deposit ($150 before January 25)
$__________
Balance
$__________
All Aboard America!
Motorcoach
This is a tentative schedule
Wednesday, March 30
Check in at Petroleum Museum
Board Bus / Leave Midland
Mason (Fort Mason)
Llano (lunch @ Cooper’s BBQ - on your own)
Willow City Loop
Enchanted Rock
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Peach Tree Inn & Suites (check in)
401 South Washington, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Board bus in 1 hour to continue afternoon tour
Wildflower Seed Farm
100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Luckenbach, Texas
6:15 AM
6:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:45 AM
11:45 PM
1:45 PM
11:30 PM
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
4:15 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
Zzzzzzzzz
8:00 AM
8:45 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 PM
12:15 PM
12:30 PM
3:15 PM
2:45 PM
4:45 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:30 PM
8:45 PM
Zzzzzzzzz
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:30 PM
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
11:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:45 AM
3:30 PM
5:00 PM
412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Old Tunnel State Park / Alamo Springs Café
(dinner on your own)
10619 Old San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Peach Tree Inn & Suites
401 South Washington, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Thursday, March 31
Peach Tree Inn & Suites (continental breakfast)
401 South Washington, Fredericksburg, Texas
National War of the Pacific Museum
340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hye Market & Spirits (lunch)
10261 W. Hwy 290, Hye, TX 78635
LBJ Ranch National Historic Site, Stonewall
Hill Country Science Mill
101 S. Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, Texas 78636
Benini Sculpture Ranch & Galleries
377 Shiloh Road, Johnson City, Texas USA 78636
Ausländer Restaurant & Biergarten (dinner on your own)
323 E. Main, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Peach Tree Inn & Suites
401 South Washington, Fredericksburg, Texas
Friday, April 1
Peach Tree Inn & Suites (continental breakfast & program)
401 South Washington, Fredericksburg, Texas
Choice of two venues
History of Fredericksburg
Visit downtown shops
Pioneer Museum Complex
325 West Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
OR
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX
Climb the rock
Regroup @ Pioneer Museum Complex
Sit & Sip Wine & Spirits Tour
Stout’s @ Grape Creek Trattoria (lunch & tour) 12:15 PM 3:00 PM
10587 E. US Hwy 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Garrison Brothers Distillery (tour @ 4:00)
1827 Hye Albert Rd, Hye, Texas 78635
Bus Leaves for Midland @ 5:00 PM
Hill Top Cafe
Petroleum Museum
ETA - 9:30 PM