Del
Rio Fast Becoming Texas Favorite Border Town
Larry Stewart,
SAL Travel Editor
U S
Highway 90 West from San Antonio to the Mexican
Border at Del Rio is a daisy chain of pleasant
experiences, each of them easily chipping away at
your stress burden.
Unfortunately,
those of us in the San Antonio region and those
planning visits here are not very well informed of
the fun places to go west of the Alamo City.
There is
life after the Alamo, so check it out.
I had such
a great weekend on Highway 90 that I wanted to tell
my stressed out city slicker readers about it. By car
or private flying each community is a place to enjoy.
My
brother, Joe Stewart, Ph.D. came down from the nearly
permanent winter condition of Thunder Bay, Ontario,
Canada to thaw out. Joe suffers from never-ending
enthusiasm for research in his field of archaeology.
The area
has rich sites to thaw out frozen archeologists as
well as the interested visitor. We decided to spend a
few days at Villa Del Rio, a fine bed and breakfast
operated by a one man unofficial chamber of commence,
Jay Johnson, who adds to the ongoing promotion of the
city by the official chamber of commerce.
More on
that later, but let's discover the communities you
will pass through on your way to stress relief Mecca.
Castroville
is the first stop along the way.
Like all
of the communities west of us you don' t hear much
about them. I will be doing more on Castroville and
the stops in route to Del Rio another time after I
have been more successful in establishing
communication with chambers of commerce and
individual business owners with something to show and
tell.
For now
each of the communities offers reasons to stop and
shop, walk, and talk to locals. If anyone or any site
to see is left out I am so sorry. There will be a
follow up so let me know.
Called the
little Alsace Lorene of Texas Castroville is a stones
throw away. Lots of shops and places to eat. A
historic and pleasant outing. A word search on the
Internet for Castroville will produce tips. Drive
only minutes from San Antonio' s western edge.
"This
is God' s Country. Please don' t drive through it
like hell!"
This sign
welcomes you to Hondo, and has greeted visitors for
many years. It's just about fifty miles from your San
Antonio starting point.
After
breakfast and investigating shops and history in
Castroville lunch at Mc Bees Bar-B-Q of Hondo is a
must. Don' t like BBQ? You will after this taste bud
pleaser! Years ago I discovered this place while
showing the sites to my father-in-law visiting from
Belgium. BBQ is not a specialty in Thunder Bay so Mc
Bees of Hondo was on our must stop at list. We were
not disappointed.
Stop, eat,
and walk around this pleasant town. The family will
enjoy a visit to Bruce' s Rock
Shop;
we did.
Uvalde is
the big dog on the block of communities between San
Antonio and Del Rio. Many nice things to see
including the home and burial place of former Vice-President
of the United States, John Nance Garner.
You are
about 85 miles out now.
You are
starting to smell the stables at this point but don'
t trot away from Uvalde too soon. Shades of John
Wayne are in the air at your next stop of Brackett
Ville where you can visit the Alamo Village movie set.
When Happy
Shayhan heard that Wayne was going to film The Alamo
in Mexico he offered his ranch. He told me several
years ago that his message to Wayne was that no Texan
would buy a ticket to his movie if it were not filmed
in Texas. A good stop.
Historic
Fort Clark Springs is rich in sights and history.
This frontier US Calvary post dates to the 1850' s
and was active until the close of World War Two.
The Black
Seminole Indian Scouts played a huge role in this
region. Unfortunately Uncle Sam treated them in an
underhanded manner in the end. Their descendents are
still in the area and in Mexico. Ask Jay how to get
to their cemetery that has more Congressional Medal
of Honor recipients than any veteran burial place.
On
arriving at Villa Del Rio Jay Johnson will give you a
verbal history lesson on this honorable group of
blacks and their joining the Seminoles in Florida and
their migration to Mexico and Texas.
Books to
read on the subject are available to guests and for
purchase at Fort Clark.
Students
need to do a history report? This is a good one.
Fort Clark
also has good investment opportunities for those
seeking a weekend or retirement home.
Del Rio,
Texas.
The first
thing I noticed is the non-typical border town
appearance. This community is clean and attractive
with a pleasant city center that is undergoing a Main
Street USA face-lift.
Your host,
Jay, at Villa Del Rio is the prime motivator for this
project. The Chamber of Commerce and civic-minded
business community of Del Rio are to be commended as
well. They have turned the place into a destination
for families.
Del Rio is
more than the best bass fishing you can experience.
It is rich in history and culture. The good
relationship with Acuna across the border offers
visitors a clean and safe entry into Mexico. A most
pleasant shopping and dining experience awaits you
there and the crossing is the easiest I have
experienced.
Caution:
As with any international crossings don' t be stupid
going or coming. Respect the laws of both countries
and you will have a great time.
The 1887
Villa Del Rio is your centerpoint for a most relaxing
experience. Stay in the main house or as we did, in
the Adobe Cottage. One hundred year old Pecan. Palm,
and Magnolia trees shade the grounds.
You are
next to the oldest vineyard in Texas. It is small by
design so if you want the products of Val Verde
Winery you need to go get them.
Jay plans
to reactivate a hundred year old mineral water source
on his property.
On our
first night Jay escorted us into Mexico and to
Crosby' s restaurant. My huge steak and trimmings
were only about ten dollars.
Back at
Villa Del Rio we slept well. Great breakfast and met
nice people. It all ended too soon.
Executives
should consider it for small power retreats for staff
and managers. Larger events can be staged at the
newly renovated Pecan Street Station.
Families
should consider it as a great, stress free vacation.
Jay will
set you up for river trips and educational events
with local naturalist Pecos Jack on request.
Sound
good? Give Jay a call at 1-800-995-1887, or Visit his web
page VillaDelRio.Com
which features some great
info about Del Rio.
Tell him
Larry said hi.
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