sherm363: Hill Country!

Rain is immanent. We're on I-10, need gas. Going to have to take a side trip to Iraan, where the nearest gas is. It's COLD and going to be wet. But, we're having fun :-)

We made it with about a cushion of 15-20 miles. The big treat of the day, this Stripes Station has Sugar Free French Vanilla coffee creamer!

Rolling Hills, and the vegetation is picking up. We're on the West edge of the Hill Country.

On and off wet pavement. Light rain and misty

It's sprinkling pretty heavy now, so we're covering up here in the city of Junction. Cooper's BBQ for lunch.

Mesquite is burned in this large stove, then the coals are shoveled into the metal cookers

Check the long handled fire tending instruments. Those metal cookers are full of different kinds of meat

Two kinds of sausage, Thick pork chops, Brisket, Pork ribs and chicken. There are 3 Coopers, this is the only one still operated by the family, the other two are franchised.

I elected to not have cobbler or a drink. This plate cost $15.05. A little much for lunch, and it wasn't as good as I remembered. Things change. We'll try the one in Llano later in the week.

Lots of hunting trophys. Lanny had been looking forward to Texas BBQ. His plate, same as mine but with a 1/2 cup of cobbler and a diet root beer cost $19.86. He wasn't impressed. Too bad, but the quality has gone down since the last time I was here.

Biglefti says the best part of Coopers was warming his hands at the fire pit.

The shovel has a long handle for 2 reasons. It's very hot getting the coals out, and, it needs to be long to place them under the meat that's cooking in the large metal cookers

This one has port ribs cooking

Tending the heat

Because it rained and was cold all the way from Junction to Fredericksburg, there wasn't any pictures. Was disappointed in the very small amount of Bluebonnets, where they usually grow. Our motel wasn't ready to check in, so we rode out here to Luckenbach

He's brushing the Photo cow. For a few bucks, you can sit on the cow and get your picture taken

Probably will try for a better shot when the sun comes out on Tuesday

Very good band. Free music inside the main Dance Hall.

Lanny's first trip to Luckenbach. He kept looking for Waylon, Willie, and the boys.

A few years ago, I was standing in this exact spot with two very well known VROC members. We were talking about Larry McMurtry, and Lonesome Dove. One of them said, "Yeah, Gus and Call are buried over there under one of those trees". I bought it for about 30 seconds until I realized they were fictional characters. Mr. Shreve got me, and Williedog got a kick out of it :-)

A few changes, but mostly the same as last time

Lots of pretty chickens pecking around the grounds

If the paper roll is empty, you can use the ATM to get some cash for whatever reason.

Interesting Guitar in front of the main restroom

Lanny is back to his normal happy self, after his disappointing experience at Coopers BBQ.

You can get a pulled pork sandwich here that tastes good

Buy a hat or other accessory?

Stage for all sorts of entertainment

There is a bar inside that window. People can sit inside and listen to pickers that are regularly sitting in to pick a little. Or you can get your drinks out the window