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The Palmer Course- San Antonio, TX
Texas Hill Country may just be one of the most beautiful regions in the United States. Mild winters, rolling hills, and abundant sunshine not only make it a great vacation spot, but also the perfect location for world class golf. La Cantera Resort, located outside of San Antonio, offers two stunners that are sure to impress and challenge any golfer. While the Resort course may have been home to the Valero Open, the newer Palmer course was the standout in my opinion. While it isn’t easy, it is spectacular. Showing off all the best features of Hill Country golf, this course should be on your short list.
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Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo- Houston,TX
When you think of Texas, you think of cowboys. Usually the Dallas football team, but also the old school variety that rope and ride. People crazy enough to mount an angry bull, much to the delight of a cheering crowd. And while urban Houston may seem an unlikely location for such an activity, for two weeks every March it hosts a rodeo you won’t want to miss. Long before today’s unfortunate strip mall sprawl, Harris county, with its mostly moderate climate, abundant water, and easy access to markets, was one of the top cattle raising regions in Texas. Despite local production, most cattle was shipped off to Chicago or Kansas…
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Flatonia, Texas
I love an old railroad town. If it is located in the West, all the better. Some have survived, some have not. As commerce and travel moved away from the train, people moved away from the tracks. Fortunately, beautiful examples of late 19th century commercial buildings were often left behind. Flatonia’s historic downtown has largely been left intact, and offers a window into the past. It doesn’t offer much else, but for those who love architecture, it is more than enough.
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Holland Hotel- Alpine, TX
If you find yourself in the far reaches of West Texas, perhaps on your way to Big Bend National Park, or maybe heading over to Marfa, be sure to stop at the Holland Hotel in Alpine. Like the Paisano in Marfa, the Holland Hotel is a beautifully restored Troust & Troust designed building, which will immediately make you feel like you have returned to the Old West. The original Holland House was constructed in 1912 to serve the booming mercury mining industry. Built by John Holland, a successful cattleman, the hotel soon became the business and social hub of the small West Texas town. Following John’s death, the hotel passed…
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Shiner, Texas
The Shrine of Shiner. For fans of the beer, a pilgrimage to this small town is in order. Admittedly, there is not much else around these days, but the ghosts of the town’s past and the free samples at the brewery are enough.
