Publisher’s Perspective

Seeing the Great State of Texas

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Memorial Day weekend in Texas.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. At least that’s how it rolled for me.

I got to see a lot of the Lone Star State this past weekend. On Friday afternoon, I headed up to Dallas. I am a big fan of Major League Baseball and have a personal goal to visit all of the ballparks in the Big Leagues. Friday night I had great seats with some friends in the second row of the left field stands in Arlington. The Texas Rangers were hosting the Kansas City Royals, and it was a great night of baseball, fireworks and exploration. And the Rangers won! Now I’ve seen both ballparks in Texas.

On Saturday morning, I began the drive back to Gonzales. I stopped in Waco and toured the campus of Baylor University. It is a fine campus, and I sat on the edge of the fountain for half an hour and talked to people from all over the state about colleges, universities and life in Texas. It was really a neat morning. Then for some reason, I got a wild hare up me and decided to go out and see the Branch Davidian Compound. I stood on the site of the new church and where the old compound had been burned to the ground. Let’s just say there were some “different” people on the property whom I talked to who informed me they were waiting for the resurrection of David Koresh.

Sunday was another adventurous day. This started out on a downer as I accidently took the car keys of the Chamber of Commerce executive director while working at the Texas Junior High Rodeo at J.B. Wells Park Arena on Sunday morning. When I found out I had someone else’s keys I immediately headed back out to the arena and gave them back to Daisy. Needless to say, it was one of the best hugs I’ve ever had and she definitely had a huge grin of relief on her face.

Then we headed up to 6th Street in Austin prior to going out to the Austin 360 Amphitheater at the Circuit of the Americas. We hung out in Darwin’s Pub, The Chuggin’ Monkey and Bikinis and met some cool people from San Antonio who are going to be visiting Gonzales soon and next year’s Craft Beer Festival. We left 6th Street and had a great night singing and dancing to the tunes of Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. Even though they are older, they still sounded good. A great 80 degree night to be playing in central Texas.

Monday dawned warm and beautiful. Had breakfast/lunch at the VFW, then headed out to the Guadalupe River in Belmont with my friends Tyler Carter, Kyle Day, Jarrett Falks and their ladies to name but a few. A fun day on the boats, good food, laughter and good music.

Then the good luck turned, as I ended my day with an accident. A cracked collar bone and facial and body bruises is how Memorial Day ended for me.

Nevertheless, it was a great weekend filled with Texas charm, history and hospitality. Can’t for the 4th of July!

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