Seguin, our home base for the weekend, is one of the oldest towns in Texas, with a history dating back to the days of the Republic. Seguin is named for Col. Juan N. Seguín. Seguín was a political and military figure of the Texas Revolution and Republic of Texas. Born in San Antonio on October 27, 1806, he began his career in public service by helping his mother run his father’s post office. His military career began in 1835, when he responded to the Federalist state governor’s call for support against the Centralist opposition by leading a militia company to Monclova. Seguín, the only Mexican Texan in the Senate of the Republic, served in the Second, Third and Fourth Congress. Despite his lack of English, he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. He took shelter in the Alamo in February of 1836, along with Bowie, Crockett, Travis and other Texians, when General Santa Anna was advancing on San Antonio. You can learn more about Juan Seguín here. (I questioned the term, “Texian,” and after a check on wikipedia, I discovered it is not to be confused with “Texan.” Click here to learn what a Texian really is.)
Our wedding weekend is happening at the same time Seguin is hosting their “Go Nuts” Pecan Fest Heritage Days. I don’t know if it’s worth checking out, but I do know you’ll be too busy witnessing the long-awaited event and celebrating afterwards to go participate in the “Hoity Toit Hat Parade” on Saturday evening. I promise you won’t regret choosing our shingdig over that one. However, if you would like to wear a “hoity toit hat” to the wedding, don’t let us stop you! (Don’t be surprised if you discover a pecan or two in the backyard during the weekend).
Insert useless information here: Seguin was the “home of the world’s largest pecan” for twenty years until the town of Brunswick, Missouri, clenched the title. Is the pecan real? Nope. Here’s a bit of history for you: a local dentist was responsible for the pecan’s installation (“putting his plastering skills to civic use,” one website quipped). He dedicated it to Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who was held captive on the Guadalupe (much as you will be all weekend!), known then as the ‘River of Nuts’ for ten years. He thrived on a diet of local pecans.
Click on the website above and read about how local pecan businessman John Pape erected the world’s largest mobile pecan in 2005. Doesn’t every town need a mobile pecan? Sherry Nefford, director of Seguin’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, says: “We will be the town with the greatest number of world’s largest pecans [when the new pecan they're building is complete in 2009]. We will have the world’s largest, the original world’s largest, and the world’s largest mobile pecan(s). If that’s not a reason to visit Seguin, I don’t know what is.”
Read an article on RoadsideAmerica.com titled, “Nut Gauntlet Thrown Down in Texas,” here.
So there you have it. Seguin is home to pecans galore and the wedding you thought would never happen. How exciting is your weekend going to be?
From 9 a.m. — 7 p.m. on Saturday, the Pecan Fest in Seguin will offer the following: State Pecan Growers’ info booth, pecan products and pumpkins for sale, pecan industry display, unveiling of the world’s (next) largest pecan, pecan bake-off contest winners and auction, horse shoeing, basket weaving, spinning, gardening demos, hay rides, maze, drawing for a 50-pound bag of pecans, antiques, animals, live entertainment and village tours
Editor’s note: It pains me to see how many typos the “Go Nuts” website has—I reckon I could get a job in Seguin and set them straight but that ain’t gonna happen. I don’t like pecans!)
I will repeatedly mention that as exciting as I just made that Pecan Fest sound, there doesn’t appear to be much else to do in Seguin. If the lure of pecans isn’t enough to entertain you, head out to New Braunfels or Gruene after breakfast. You’ll find more to do in those towns.
Yes, you could head to San Antonio, but you would have to be really mindful of your time—plan for at least 45 minutes to an hour EACH WAY if you choose to do that on Saturday. You’ll probably want to leave time to get ready for the 4:30 wedding start, too. That’s why I recommend staying closer to home base in New Braunfels and Gruene rather than venturing into San Antonio on Saturday. If you’re staying around with us on Sunday, that would be the ideal day for a trip into the big city.
THIS JUST IN…I met Martha last year via my sister, Debbie. I just got an e-mail from her recommending a great place in Seguin to have a beer—The Oak. Her friend and owner of The Oak, Melvin Voight, was recognized as “Downtowner of the Year” by the Seguin Main Street Program. The Oak has been in Voight’s family for 50 years and “it is the second oldest continuous alcohol license beverage bar in the state of Texas with no closures,” according to Voight. The Oak is located at 110 E Gonzales St Ste B. You can read more here about Voight and “Rockin’ for Charity in Seguin” with The Harleys, a classic rock and roll band. According to Martha, “The Oak is a dive, but it’s a classic Texas hangout!”
Martha also recommends Chiro Java, “a pretty cool coffee shop that has great sandwiches, coffee and couches in downtown Seguin at 114 S. Austin Street (the main drag).” I’m happy to report that Martha will be joining us in Seguin. And with these recent recommendations, she has now become my land-bound equivalent of Julie, the Love Boat’s cruise director. See what happens when you know too much, Martha? Ladies and gentleman, meet Martha (at right), your tour guide to “All Things Seguin.” FYI: photo of Martha © Cindy Dyer
New Braunfels
Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, a relative of British Queen Victoria, led German settlers here in 1845. Daunted by the hardships of the new land, the prince went back home, but the colony remained. The Sophienburg Museum exhibits objects from the early days. The town stresses German atmosphere in its buildings, entertainment, food, and frequent festivals.
New Braunfels is also home to the McKenna Children’s Museum, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, and Natural Bridge Caverns. Named for a 60-foot natural limestone bridge over the entrance, the caverns’ unusual features include the Castle of the White Giants, massive throne-like formations, and the tapering stone ribbons of vibrant color in the Chandelier.
SHOPPING: For a list of shops in New Braunfels, click here.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS & EATS
New Braunfels Railroad Museum—historical 1890s railroad station housing an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia and model train displays, steam locomotive and caboose. Located at 302 W. San Antonio Street; open Thursday-Monday, 12-4
Sophienburg Musem & Archives—archives of New Braunfels—displays, historical archives, photograph collection, Sophie’s Shop Bookstore, German Christmas decorations. Located at 401 W. Coll Street, open Tuesday-Sat, 10-4
McKenna Children’s Museum—located at 801 W. San Antonio Street, open Tuesday-Sat 12-5 (even if you don’t have young kids in tow, their website is quite entertaining—check it out!)
Red Rooster Café and Antique Company—antique mall with 14,000 square feet of shopping, antiques, vintage and collectibles; cafe with gourmet style menu. Located at 386 W. San Antonio Street
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Natural Bridge Caverns
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/
Click on the link below for the mapquest.com directions from “The Big House.”
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/8-mJO2
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Schlitterbahn
Schlitterbahn’s 65-acre waterpark and resort complex features more than 40 rides and family activities in six themed areas.
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/
Driving directions: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/trip/
Learn more about New Braunfels here: http://www.newbraunfels-tx.net/
LUNCH IN NEW BRAUNFELS (click on the restaurant name for details)
Huisache Grill & Wine Bar—an intimate and casual restaurant serving contemporary cuisine with fresh regional ingredients. Beautiful woodwork on the ceiling! (See photo at right).
Montana Mike’s Steakhouse—Sorry I left this one out previously, Dad (exclamation point). When I was in S.A. in August to check out the houses, I ate with my family at this restaurant—recommended by my sister, Debbie. It was really, really good. So much so that my parents have driven the 1/2 hour out there just to have lunch about a week later! I could be happy just consuming a dozen of their yeast rolls with the sweet butter spread. If I had to choose from any of the restaurants on this list I’ve compiled, it would be this one, hands down. I had the flame-grilled chicken breast and it was delicious! Montana Mike’s is located on 1153 Oasis Street in New Braunfels. As my dad wrote, “… it’s easy to find—coming in on Highway 46 from Seguin, just take the first left after passing under I35, and Montana Mike’s is on your immediate right, set back a bit from the street and facing Highway 46.”
Clear Springs Cafe—best onion rings in Texas; voted best catfish in Texas. Located between Seguin and New Braunfels; building dates back to 1869 when it was a grocery store.
Oma’s House Restaurant & Bakery—home of the schnitzel, strudel and German sausage, gifts, souvenirs, collectibles, beer steins, fudge, toys.
Rudy’s Country Store Bar-B-Q (comes highly recommended by my family); located at 936 Loop 337, New Braunfels.
Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que—comes recommended by my friend Carmen, who will also be joining us for the weekend from South Carolina. Go to Cooper’s website and you’ll be serenaded with a “meat song.” Really. I kid you not. Located at 1125 N. Loop 337, near the Guadalupe River Bridge, New Braunfels
Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant—Authentic Mexican food
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HISTORIC GRUENE (pronounced “Green”) http://www.touringtexas.com/gruene/
The Gruene Historic District has great shopping and antiquing, as well as festivals, and the nearby Comal River offers outdoor fun. Gruene is just a few minutes from New Braunfels.
Thank you to Cheryle Fuller, owner of Antoinette’s Cottage, for this updated historical information: Ernst Gruene and his wife Antoinette, German immigrants, were the first to settle in 1845 in what is now known as Gruene. Their original house is now a bed and breakfast called Antoinette’s Cottage. The couple had two sons and one daughter. The first son was named Ernst, after his father. He is the one who bought the farm on the banks of the Guadalupe three miles upriver from town in 1872. His parent’s farm was across the river at the intersection of River Road and Rock Street. Ernst wanted to have a dance hall and saloon. When Ernst wrote his intentions in the Special Provisions of the deed, the seller wrote, “There will be no dance hall or saloon on these premises. I hereby warrant and assign this to my self and my heirs from this day forever.”
Ernst’s brother, Henry, returned from the longest trail ride in history in 1875 with a lot of money. Ernst sold his farm to Henry, and went into partnership with him to build Gruene Hall, thereby avoiding the eternity warrant declared by the previous owner. It was probably Henry’s idea, as he had a lot of gumption and determination. Together the brothers owned over 1,000 tentant-farmed acres. Henry moved into Antoinette’s Cottage until he married and built what became the Gruene Mansion Inn, one of the best B&Bs in Texas. He built a number of houses and planted the surrounding land with the number one cash crop at the time—cotton. Next came the first Mercantile Store in 1878, a cotton gin powered by the Guadalupe River, and a new dance hall—Gruene Hall—which became the town’s social life. The death of Henry in 1920 started the downfall of Gruene’s development and good fortune. 
Henry’s death was followed by the economic disasters of the boll weevil, the depression, and the burning of the original cotton gin. The only establishment that never closed was Gruene Hall.”
Gruene Hall is the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas and the Central Texas birthplace to many great songwriters and musicians such as George Strait, Ace in the Hole, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Hal Ketchum, and many more. Gruene Hall was used as a set for the 1996 film Michael, starring John Travolta, William Hurt, Robert Pastorelli, Bob Hoskins, Jean Stapleton and Andie MacDowell. Gruene Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places. Gruene Hall photo (CC) Larry D. Moore.
SHOP TIL YOU DROP IN GRUENE
Black Swan Antiques—old world antiques and collectibles from England and Europe; furniture, porcelain, copper, stoneware, bottles, books, McCalls Country Candles and more.
Cactus Jacks—European antiques, Hill Country furnishings, custom pieces and accents, garden area
Gruene Antique Company—over 6,500 square feet of antiques, collectibles, gifts and decorator items. The business is housed in H.D. Gruene’s Texas Landmark mercantile building (c. 1903) with its original bank vault.
Hampe House—antique furniture, decorative accessories, gourmet foods and gifts
Buck Pottery—Located in a turn-of-the-century barn, featuring hand-thrown, wood fired pottery. Also representing other fine craft work in glass, wood and metal. The Clay Festival will be held on the grounds of Buck Pottery that weekend.
The Cottage—Housed in an 1874 farm house; charming mixture of gifts and accessories
Cotton Eyed Joe’s—Steeped in Gruene’s rustic atmosphere, you’ll find a great collection of Texas and Gruene-themed gifts, souvenirs, and, of course, T-shirts!
Dancing Bear—From specialty foods to collections by Jim Shore, Willow Tree and Webkinz; large assortment of jewelry, crosses, candles, purses and t-shirts
Gallerie at Gruene—Contemporary fine art created by seven local artists; paintings, stone sculpture, pottery and handcrafted jewelry
The Grapevine—Taste and take home some of the best wines Texas has to offer. Specialty beers, cigars, gourmet gifts and food, and wine accessories for the home
Gruene General Store—Selected as one of the 40 best places to visit in Texas: soda fountain, homemade fudge, Texas foods, unusual gifts, books, cards, antiques, signs, and tins—all in a nostalgic setting
Gruene Haus—Texas Gourmet Food store featuring daily sampling of salsas, jellies, jams, preserves, honey butter, BBQ sauces, dips, rubs, pickled products, dipping oils, mustards and more
Gruene Outfitters—Top-of-the-line line outdoor wear, fresh and saltwater fly tackle, footwear and fine accessories such as hats, sunglasses, and travel gear; fly fishing lessons
Gruene With Envy—Spirited apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories
Hunter Junction—Since 1981, Gruene’s first retail shop. Supplier of quality T-shirts, sportswear, gifts and souvenirs. Located in the 1854 Rudolf du Menil building. Open daily, year round.
Lone Star—Featuring an eclectic blend of Texas-inspired gifts. Candles made in Tyler, Texas, jewelry and accessories for men, women and ‘tweens,’ furniture and home decor.
Pookie Jane’s—A unique boutique filled with clothing and items for your home including signs and handmade soy candles
Stepping Stones Gift Shop—Unique home furnishings and accessories; books, music, jewelry, great atmosphere
Texas Homegrown—Women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories; interesting stuff from all over the world
The Cottage—Housed in a 1874 farm house; charming mixture of gifts and accessories for ladies
The Great Texas Pecan Candy Co.—handmade pecan candies
Tipsy Gypsy—A fun and funky boutique for women featuring imported clothing from around the world, gifts and accessories and decor from Mexico
LUNCH IN GRUENE
Adobe Verde—Gruene’s 1922 electric gin is where you satisfy your taste buds with great Mexican food, seafood, chicken fried steak, margaritas, and mixed drinks in an air conditioned cantina or on an outside deck. Adobe Verde is located just off the Guadalupe River in Gruene and has live music Thursday through Sunday. Click here for details, directions and menu.
Fickle Pickles Antiques & Pickles—home of Carousel Antiques and pickles. Click here for details.
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar—beneath the water tower in Gruene Historic District; situated on the banks of the Guadalupe River, offering thick steaks and large hamburgers, and popular South Texas fare like chicken fried steak, fried catfish, grilled chicken, enormous sandwiches, fresh fish and special dishes like tomatillo chicken and bronzed catfish. Fudge pie, the enormous strawberry shortcake and our signature Jack Daniel’s Pecan Pie are famous desserts. The Gristmill has played host to familiar faces including John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Eric McCormack, Mary Lou Retton and Dan Rather, to name a few. Musicians who have been guests at the Gristmill include George Strait, Rodney Crowell, Aaron Neville, The Smashing Pumpkins and Evanescence. Click here for details.
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17TH ANNUAL TEXAS CLAY FESTIVAL
http://www.texasclayfestival.com/home.html
The Texas Clay Festival is taking placing that same weekend (October 24 & 25).
I love pottery, so I may round up some people and go check it out on Sunday. The festival features the work of over 60 Texas potters and clay artists. The festival is held on the grounds of Buck Pottery in Gruene, four miles north of New Braunfels. Buck Pottery is located at 1296 Gruene Road.
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BREAKFAST AT THE BIG HOUSE
We’ll have breakfast tacos available on Saturday morning (exact time to be determined shortly). Most likely we’ll all meet at “The Big House” for that. Decorating and preparation will commence shortly thereafter. If you don’t want to go explore, you can certainly choose to remain at the house, go for a swim (weather permitting) or watch one of the two big screen TVs. When I wrote that we didn’t need the help of 40+ people, I didn’t mean you couldn’t relax at the house. I just didn’t want to manage too many cooks in the kitchen. I really would like you to at least see the sights in nearby New Braunfels and Gruene.
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Consider a trip to nearby San Antonio on SUNDAY. The city is home to the Alamo, which in 1835 was the site of one of the most important battles in the Texas Revolution. Here Texian and Tejano volunteers stood their ground in the converted missionary church, and while it was designed as a fort, it held out against the Mexican Army, led by Santa Anna. This is the most famous tourist spot in Texas! The Alamo is open daily, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, from 9 am until 5:30 pm Monday through Saturday, and 10 am until 5:30 pm on Sunday. During the summer months, the Alamo remains open until 7 pm on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.
THE ALAMO: http://www.thealamo.org/main.html
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SAN ANTONIO MISSION TRAIL
Some of my favorite subjects to photograph in San Antonio are the missions on the Mission Trail. You won’t have enough time on Saturday to see all of the missions, though. Four of the churches on the trail are active Catholic parishes and hold regular services. My favorite mission is Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo (or Mission San José), the largest of the five missions. My dad and I visited it again this past December and we both got some really great shots. Check out my blog posting here. At right is one of the images I captured that day. This would be the one mission I would visit if I only had time for one.
This mission is 36.16 miles from “The Big House.” Click here for the link to driving directions from the house to the mission.
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RIVERWALK & THE ALAMO
It looks like the Riverwalk/Alamo area is about 37 minutes from “The Big House.” I did a search for “Riverwalk” and came up with this mapquest link here. You can walk from Riverwalk to the Alamo. You’ll need to park in a nearby parking garage since it’s the weekend and there isn’t much on-street parking anyway. There are lots of places to have lunch on the Riverwalk, too.
Official website for the Riverwalk: http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
The Riverwalk is also home to La Villita Historic Arts Village. La Villita was San Antonio’s first neighborhood. Today it is a historic area with shops, art galleries and restaurants. It’s on the south bank of the San Antonio River. Check out their website here.
Of course, you can always just relax on Sunday and mingle with family and friends. I would like to go to the Clay Festival in Gruene, so if anyone else is interested in that, let me know.
Tom and Brenda e-mailed me this photo. Dad was making me laugh through the entire father/daughter dance…telling me to stop trying to lead (now you know where I get my want-to-be-in-control gene from)…asking me how long the song was going to run and how long did he have to keep dancing. I kept telling him to hush and listen to the poignant lyrics—You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban. Thanks for shooting this for me, Tom & Brenda!
It stands to reason that a graphic designer who is getting hitched would simply be required to design a logo for the big event, right? My friend Karen and I designed this logo and have used it on all sorts of items, so be on the lookout for it! I made some yard signs to lead you to “the big house,” too. Our color palette is chocolate brown and seafoam blue/aqua-ish. They’re two of my favorite colors and now that we’ve chosen them, we see them everywhere. I can’t get away from that combination lately!
