Texas Hill Country River Region Guide 2024

———— Map of the Hill Country River Region

Songs on the Frio November 8-10, 2024

local Leakey venues. For details, visit songsonthefrio.com or find them on Facebook.

From the Publisher

Oh the sweet Texas Hill Country River Region...welcome! So near and dear to my heart and soul, as it is for so many. From childhood memories to adult memories now being made with friends and family. The entire area is magical with its crystal clear rivers, enormous Cypress trees and colorful Maple trees, beautiful hills (which I call mountains), breath-taking drives of vast canyons, unique and fun shops, delicious restaurants and amazingly kind people. Truly salt of the earth goodness in our Texas Hill Country. What a special place to be, and God has blessed you with being here! Breathe, enjoy, take it all in ... any time of the year!

— Julie

LEAKEY H Enjoy a weekend full of listening room-style performances by award-winning country music singersongwriters to benefit the Frio Canyon November 8-10, 2024. You can be a part of three days of magical moments in the fall on the banks of the beautiful Frio River and

Photo by Natasha Farley.

Photo by Natasha Farley.

On two wheels or four...

Riding the THREE SISTERS

By Tom Wiley

Although the list of Hill Country roads is long, many motorcyclists claim The Three Sisters as their favorite ride. This trio of Ranch Roads—337, 336, and 335—is located in the southern portion of the Edwards Plateau. Whether you travel on two wheels or four, you should make it a point to get out and experience this amazing drive.

As Ranch Road 337 departs Medina, it becomes a roller coaster ride. Shallow creeks tell long-forgotten tales of times when they carved through now-exposed limestone bluffs. Stately ranch houses cling to mountain tops, commanding some of the best views in Texas. The hills become dotted with maple trees as the road approaches Vanderpool.

These and other deciduous trees make nearby Lost Maples State Natural Area a “must see” destination in the fall.The highway makes a long, steep climb out of Vanderpool. For the next few miles, the road narrows and weaves through sheer canyon cuts, offering slow curves with dramatic dropoffs to the valleys below. This is the “real” Texas Hill Country. The approach to Leakey crosses the Frio River. Motorcyclists congregate at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop and Bent Rim Grill, but the hangout is open to all visitors. Some travelers may turn south in Leakey on US Highway 83, toward Garner State Park and Concan.

North of the courthouse in Leakey, Ranch Road 336 splits off and parallels the upper Frio River. This beautiful road makes sharp curves and steep mountain climbs before breaking onto a dry plateau near its terminus with Texas Highway 41.

A favorite stop in the area is the Garven Store, just north

of Highway 41 on US 83. There, you can load up on several varieties of jerky; sample one of their home-recipe sausage wraps; or sit out on the deck with a cold beverage. You can continue on Ranch Road 337 west from Leakey towards the small communities of Camp Wood and Barksdale.

From Barksdale, Ranch Road 335 travels 30 miles north, tracing an upper arm of the Nueces River. This route sees little traffic and, yet, offers some incredible views before also “T-ing” into Highway 41.

Hill Country travelers who have never visited this part of the state are always amazed at the scenery they have been missing.

The remoteness of this area makes the winding roads and distant vistas even more special.

Other highways tap into The Three Sisters and provide access to Bandera, Utopia, Concan, Rocksprings, and other popular tourist destinations. B&Bs, country cabins, and quaint inns provide opportunities to escape the work week and dangle toes in chilled streams or hike hills teeming with wildlife.

And if the question comes up about where to eat, just follow the motorcycles!

and Drinkery encio’s

The eatery and drinkery place to be. Offering inside and outside garden dining for small groups. Serving up gourmet all the way, made in house fresh and flavorful. In the drinkery we offer a wide selection of gourmet sorbets, smoothies, shakes, teas and coffees; made to order iced, blended or hot. The eatery is serving up gourmet protein breakfast bowls, soups, salads, sandwiches, sushi and charcuterie trays, We have specials daily and a seaside surf Saturday with oysters, shrimp and ceviche once a month. 459

things to see & do in every season

RIVER REGION

Help cleanup local rivers

Picking up trash has never been so fun! Uvalde County has partnered with the HEB/Central Market Keep Texas Waterways Clean Program and Invites Volunteers to Earn Money for Charity by Cleaning the Rivers! Gather your friends and family and help keep the local rivers clean. You’ll need a group of six or more (ages 14 and up) to sign up to clean a section of the Frio, Sabinal or Nueces Rivers. Volunteers are awarded $15/person, per hour of approved and scheduled cleanup, which will be donated to a charity of your choice. It’s a win-win! Applications must be completed in advance and a waiver signed.

Visit visituvaldecounty.com to find more information about the River Cleanup Program. Photo courtesy River Cleanup Program.

UVALDE

Healing Uvalde Murals Project

In the wake of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, 21 portrait artists came together to transform Uvalde’s downtown, covering buildings with bright colors and smiling faces to create 21 murals. The murals “honor the lives of the 19 children and two teachers who were killed on May 24, 2022: Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo, Jackie Jaylen Cazares, Makenna Lee Elrod, Jose Manuel Flores Jr., Eliahna “Ellie” Amaya Garcia, Irma and Joe Garcia, Uziyah Sergio Garcia, Amerie Jo Garza, Xavier James Lopez, Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, Tess Marie Mata, Maranda Gail Mathis, Eva Mireles, Alithia Haven Ramirez, Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubia, Layla Marie Salazar, Jailah Nicole Silguero, Eliahna Torres, and Rojelio Fernandez Torres. The idea for the project came from Uvalde resident, Abel Ortiz, artist and art professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, joined by Dr. George Meza and Monica Maldonado to complete the project, which centers on healing and remembrance. Photo courtesy Abel Ortiz.

FYI • A walking map of the Healing Murals project is available on the City of Uvalde’s website. Go to www.uvaldetx.gov and search “murals” to be directed to a downloadable file.

LEAKEY

Get a glimpse of Texas history

On Ranch Road 336 (one of the famous Three Sisters roads) you’ll find a historical marker which tells of the site of the McLaurin Massacre. This tale is about one of the last Indian raids in the Frio Canyon, and quite possibly the state.

If you find yourself in the Frio Canyon, a visit to this marker is a must. When you pull over to read it, turn off your vehicle, be quiet, and look up to the bluff across the road southwest of the marker. Imagine a group of Lipan Apaches lying in wait up on top, look in the pasture to the west of the marker and imagine the McLaurin family working in their garden. April 19th, 2024 marks the 143rd anniversary of this tragic day, but the McLaurin name still lives on in the hearts of the locals of the Frio Canyon and in the history of the Great State of Texas! From Leakey, take US Highway 83 north one mile; then northwest on RR 336 approximately 5.5 miles.

By AnaLisa Glass, Rio Bella Resort.

RIVER REGION

Take a hike

Beautiful hiking opportunities abound in the River Region, so lace up those boots and get going!You can take a hike along the Summit Trail to Mount Baldy in Garner State Park year ’round, where you’ll experience views like none other. This hike is dog-friendly, and about a half-mile in length. You can see details about all of Garner’s trails here: tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/garner/trails-info.

At Lost Maples State Natural Area, you can explore more than 10 miles of trails, including a loop that takes you along the top of a 2,200-foot cliff. Don’t miss the Sabinal River Valley View Loop via East Trail, a 6.2 mile loop, featuring a waterfall. Dogs are also welcome on the trail. Admission is $6, kids 12 and under get in free. More at tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples.

You can also head to Indian Blanket Ranch (Located on Ranch Road 1050, 10 miles west of Utopia or 5 miles East of Highway 83 and Garner State Park) to hike, bike and birdwatch. Find more information at www.hillcountryadventures.com.

Brown

Photo courtesy Keedra

Surround

Tables

Vintage

Wine

Rolling

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things to see & do in every season

VANDERPOOL

Lone Star Motorcycle Museum

The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, just four miles north of Vanderpool, is open Friday to Sunday (March to November) from 10 am to 4 p, featuring an impressive display of machines from around the world, dating from the 1910s to modern day. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 ages 65 and up. Visitors 15 and under and 90 years and up get in free. Groups of 10 or more are $6 each; active military and spouse $5 each. Photo courtesy Lone Star Motorcycle Museum.The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum is located at 36517 Highway 187, less than one mile south of Lost Maples State Natural Area (also on Highway 187). For more information, visit the web site at lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com, 830-966-6103.

UVALDE

Visit Briscoe-Garner Museum

The Briscoe-Garner Museum is dedicated to the remarkable lives of John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner and Dolph Briscoe, both Uvalde natives and historically important political figures of Texas. The first floor documents the life and career of “Cactus Jack” Garner, the first Texan to serve as speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives and as vice president of the United States.

The second floor is dedicated to Dolph Briscoe, who served as Texas governor from 1973 to 1979 and led a distinguished career in public service, business, and ranching.

The Museum is one of four divisions of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, an organized research unit of The University of Texas at Austin. It is located in the house that served as John Nance Garner’s home for more than 30 years. Photo courtesy BriscoeGarner Museum. 333 North Park Street, Uvalde, Texas 78801.

UVALDE

Visit Cooks Slough Sanctuary & Nature Park

This natural birding habitat is home to some of the best birding in the region. The park includes 25 acres of wetland, two wildlife-viewing stations and five shaded rest stations along the trails. Admission is free, and the park is open during daylight hours. Highway 117, Uvalde, Texas 78801, 830-278-4115.

RIVER REGION

Try fly fishing!

Come on, give it a try! Aaron Riggins of Pescado con Moscas Flyfishing Adventures offers guided canoe and wade fishing experiences on the Nueces, Frio and Sabinal rivers. For information, call 830-486-5629 or visit the web site at pescadoconmoscas.com.

CAMP WOOD

Mission San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz

The site of the former San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz Mission is located at 675 North Texas Highway 55 in Camp Wood.

The designated national historic and state landmark archaeological site of a short-lived Spanish mission (1762-71) is now being developed as a tourist and historical site by the Nueces Canyon Mission Restoration Organization (NCMRO). Details at missionsanlorenzo.com. Photo: The church at the interpreted by artist Hal Story, based on archaeological findings.

Real County Historical Museum

Find a replicated log-cabin parlor, kitchen and bedroom, furnished with pieces donated by locals. See an ornate 1880s horse-drawn hearse and local stone dartpoints from prehistoric Native Americans.A former blacksmith shop (adjacent to the museum) houses ranch relics and there are outdoor exhibits of farm implements, a log corn crib and jail cells from the 1910s.

Then museum is located 1/2 block north of the Real County Courthouse on Evergreen Street in Downtown Leakey, open Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm (March through the first two weekends in December). Closed in January and February. Visit realcountyhistoricalmuseum.com or call 830-232-5330.

See SEE & DO, Page 58

Real County Ranch H Leakey, Texas

This may be the last less-than-10-acre tract development approved in Real county as a new (proposed) county ordinance may restrict future developments to not less than 10 acres. The 238 acres was platted into 27 lots and is being offered for a limited time in its entirety. Power is accessible on the property and a golf cart path has been built leading down to 200 ft of the beautiful Frio river that the property holds a 50% undivided interest. The options for the property are endless, as there are many beautiful private homesites, large hardwoods, long range views and excellent proximity to town (Leakey).

Sensible restrictions are in place and the property has strong future residential and commercial appeal. Call today as this offering will not be around long.

us where the giant trees grow. Photo courtesy Julie Harrington.

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Leakey’s July Jubilee

For decades, the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the famous July Jubilee in Leakey. This Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, vendors will fill the courthouse grounds with crafts, food, and more. Friday and Saturday nights, the Real County Junior Horse Club will bring exciting nights with their rodeo. Saturday, July 6, the vendors will be open again. And the highlight of the day will be the famous July Jubilee Parade at 10 am. Saturday night as the RCJHC Rodeo winds down there will be a street dance on the south side street by the courthouse. Make your plans now to be there for two days of celebration. If you’d like to participate in the parade start thinking about your entry! For more information, call the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce at 830-410-2016 or visit the JulyJubileeTX.com.

Photo courtesy JulyJubileeTX.com.

Dwarfed by the beauty of fall. Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

Songs on the Frio with a perfect backdrop. Photo by Julie Harrington.

Riding strong in the River Region. Photo by Natasha Farley.

Springtime colors. Photo by Happy Hollow Outfitters.

golfing

in the River Region

Utopia Golf

Billed as “the most beautiful nine-hole golf course in Texas,” Utopia Golf is nestled in the Sabinal Valley one mile south of Utopia on Highway 187. The course is the setng for the 2011 movie “Seven Days in Utopia,” based on the novel “Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia” by David L. Cook. A clubhouse, including a self-serve hospitality room, overlooks the ninth hole at Utopia Golf. Weekday rates are $17 for 18 holes ($15 for juniors and seniors); weekend rates $20 for 18 holes, $15 for nine holes. Cart rentals are $10. Open seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm.

Utopia Golf is at 20567 Ranch Road 187 in Utopia. For information, call 830-966-5577 or visit utopiagolf.com.

Uvalde Memorial

Uvalde offers an 18 hole public golf course located along the Leona River at 221 East Doughty. Weekday rates are $18 for 18 holes and $13 for nine holes; weekends $22 for 18 holes and $15 for nine holes. Open Tuessay through Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm (closed Mondays).

Photo courtesy City of Uvalde, Texas. For more information, call 830-278-6155 or email aybarra@uvaldetx.gov.

Frio Valley Ranch

Players enjoy picturesque scenery at Frio Valley Ranch, with gorgeous hills and valleys and stunning rolling terrain. Nestled in the Frio River Texas Hill Country region, Frio Valley Ranch is a par 72, 18 holes, 7,333 yards championship course.

Panoramic views of the Hill Country are found on every fairway and premium Zoysia grass underfoot makes this a must-play course. Located just minutes from Garner State Park, the distinctive destination course is just over a scenic hour drive west from San Antonio.

Daily rates are $90 ($85 if you pre-pay online). The rate for 9-holes is $55, and club rental is availbale for $50. Gof course hours of operation are 8 am to 8 pm daily. The Cantina serves up burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads, wraps and more Frio Valley Ranch is located at 520 Mountain Valley Drive. For more information, call or text the Clubhouse at 830-8349340 and the Cantina at 830-834-9315. More information (including reservations and gift certificates) is available on the website at friovalleyranch.com.

Photo courtesy Utopia Golf.

Holiday Festivity of Lights

LEAKEY H Don’t miss the 7th Annual Festivity of Lights in Leakey this holiday season. The fun begins with the courthouse lighting Thanksgiving evening at sunset and runs through the third week of January. See more than 30,000 lights on the Real County courthouse and grounds brightening the City of Leakey.

Local musicians entertain and photo ops abound among the beautiful lights. The annual project includes the installation of commercial lights around the top of the courthouse, lighted wreaths, and lights around oak trees on the courthouse lawn. Donations fund the project, and volunteers and professional lighting stagers work multiple days on the installation. Local businesses also take part in the lighting of buildings and property, adding to the beauty and festivity of the holiday season.

Leakey Festivity of Lights has a non-profit partnership with Downtown Leakey, Inc., a local 501(c)3 organization. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 402, Leakey, Texas 78873. For information, find them on Facebook.

9th Annual Wylden Hubbard Memorial Labor Day weekend

H The 9th Annual Wylden Hubbard Memorial Youth Rodeo and Goat Roping is Labor Day weekend at the Real County Junior Horse Club Arena in Leakey. Created in honor of Wylden Blain Hubbard of Leakey, the youth rodeo offers activities from youth saddlebronc riding and mutton-busting to bull riding and goat roping. Wylden was taken to be with his Lord and Heavenly Father sooner than expected, but in his 13 years on Earth he left behind a gift to others that will never be forgotten. Proceeds from the event go to the Wylden Hubbard Memorial Scholarship Fund given to a local graduating senior who understands and exemplifies the legacy Wylden left behind. For information, find Wylden Hubbard Memorial on Facebook. Photo courtesy Hubbard family.

LEAKEY

Live Music

Joe Jimmy’s (Concan)

Family friendly with dancing, concession stand and more. Live music and Karaoke. 20970 TX-127, Concan, TX 78838. nealslodges.com/joe-jimmys, 830-232-6118.

House Pasture (Concan)

Live music Friday and Saturday nights spring break and summer through Labor Day. Check website. 3064 CR 348, Concan, TX 78838. housepasture.com, 830-232-6580.

Hippies & Hops (Concan)

721 River Road, Concan, Texas 78838. 830-232-5459, Facebook.com/hippiechicsconcan

Bent Rim Grill at Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop (Leakey)

Great food, cold beer and scenic views. Live music Saturday nights.

657 W. Ranch Rd. 337, 830-232-6649

The Back Porch Bar at the Leakey Inn (Leakey)

At the Historic Leakey Inn. Full bar and menu. 527 S. Highway 83,Leakey, Texas 78873. leakeyinn.com, 830-232-5246.

Grand Opera House (Uvalde)

Enjoy a wide variety of productions at the historic Grand Opera House.

104 W. North Street, Uvalde, Texas 78801. uvaldeoperahouse.org, 830-278-4184

Postal Brews (Utopia)

Live music on Fridays. See Facebook or Instagram for details. 283 Main Street, Utopia, Texas 78884. 830-966-3876

Music at the Blue Flame (Utopia)

Live music Sundays at Propane Depot

Please check the business website and/or call ahead to confirm performers, dates & times. Many businesses operate seasonally.

See Facebook for details.

1334 Main Street, Utopia, Texas 78884. 810-452-2452

Blind Boar at Seco Ridge Campground (Utopia)

600 Post Oak Street, Utopia, TX 78884. 830-328-1059.

Services Include:

General Dentistry

Fillings

Cleanings

Extractions

Oral Surgery

Root Canals

Comprehensive & Limited Exams

Prescriptions Filled In-House

Services Include:

Primary & Preventative Care

Mental/Behavioral Health

Telehealth Services

Lab & X-Ray

Reproductive Health

Specialty Care Referrals

Disease Screening & Management Immunizations

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing

Class D Pharmacy

700 S. Frio Street • Camp Wood, TX

700 S. Frio Street • Camp Wood, TX

Services Include:

Primary & Preventative Care

Mental/Behavioral Health

Telehealth Services

Lab & X-Ray

Reproductive Health

Specialty Care Referrals

Disease Screening & Management Immunizations

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing

Class D Pharmacy

www.chdi4health.org

The most popular State Park in Texas

GARNER STATE PARK

Garner State Park encompasses 1,774 acres and 2.9 miles of beautiful Frio River frontage, including 11 miles of scenic trails. So, whether you’re camping overnight or visiting for the day, with swimming, fishing, biking, geocaching, dancing, hiking, picnicking and so much more, there’s always plenty to do and see.

Since the ’40s, folks have been gathering for the familyfriendly jukebox dances at the Garner State Park Pavilion. Dances are Monday through Saturday during Spring Break, and Saturday nights ’til summer. Then in summer, you can enjoy a dance every night of the week, with post-summer dances Saturday evenings.

A fun diversion is putt-putt golf at Stinkin’ Sweet Candy Shop and Mini Golf (located at the Park Pavilion), with rentals $5 each ($2 for kids 3 and under) including a putter, ball and 18 holes. Want to go for round two? Play again for only $2 per person — any age.

You can golf seven days a week from 10 am to 10:15 pm through the second week in August, Saturday and Sunday only during the off season (closed December through March).

The updated camp store has just about everything you need—from firewood to gourmet muffins and coffee, s’mores fixin’s to candy, drinks, ice cream and more. Find snacks and supplies, and rent tubes, barbecue pits, tables, even fans and heaters at the Garner camp store. Paddle boats and boards, kayaks and canoes are also for rent.

Hungry? Head over to the Garner Grill, serving up burgers, See GARNER SP, Page 32

GARNER STATE PARK SONG

In the Western part of Texas ninety miles from San Antone, there’s a place I go each summer when I get the urge to roam. I’d stand out on the highway, if I couldn’t get a ride I’d walk to Garner State Park.

There’s the cutest girls from Texas and from everywhere.

They trade their city slickin’ clothes for some boots and western wear. We swam all through the day and we danced when it got dark at Garner State Park.

She was the cutest girl around. We walked down to the water found a big rock, began to talk at Garner State Park.

Next thing I knew it was 4 a.m.

She said my mother’s surely worried about where I am and with the Texas sky above, we couldn’t help but fall in love at Garner State Park.

Well, the summer it was over and we had to say goodbye. We said we’d see each other next year, as a tear fell from her eye. When I came I knew no sorrow; now I’m leaving with a broken heart at Garner State Park.

Oh, but I’ll be back again next year...

GARNER

fries, corn dogs and more, made fresh to order, Saturdays and Sundays April through May, daily all summer and Fridays and Saturdays in the fall. Another fun tradition, summer hayrides (hosted by the Friends of Garner State Park Tuesday through Friday from June to August) de-part from the Visitors Center promptly at 7 pm, so plan to arrive no later than 6:45 pm. Visit the Friends of Garner Visitors’ Center or call 830-232-5999 to make reservations and for more information.

Garner is the most popular state park for overnight camping in Texas. Camping is available in screened shelters, cabins and campsites. Make your reservations early! The busy season is Memorial Day weekend ’til Labor Day weekend, and the park often reaches maximum capacity.

All photos by Brett Rimkus.

For information about rentals, the Park Store, Garner Grill and much more, visit the web site atgarnerstatepark.com. To make reservations at Garner, call 830-232-6132 or visit the website at tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/garner. You can follow Garner State Park on Facebook, where you’ll find Brett Rimkus’ dam reports and other up-to-date news of the park.

L.V. Hubbard

By DUB SUTTLE

The alarm clock went off at 5:30 of 1965. I rolled out of bed, quickly washed my face, brushed my teeth, put on my clothes and went out the door to fire up my old 56 Chevy. It was time to go to work. Mike Twilligear and I worked together at Garner State Park and it was just a short drive to his house to pick him up. Our job was to open the store which was right beneath “Old Baldy.”

It took me less than two minutes to get to his house. I was not surprised to find that he was still asleep. A few taps on his window roused him. He quickly joined me for our 10-mile ride to the park. Our day at the store was very busy but uneventful until we got off at 2

We both had girlfriends who were camping in Garner at the time, and we had dates that night to go to Crider’s Rodeo in Hunt, Texas. We were cowboys, don’t ya know. As such we felt it was necessary from time to time to prove it. We planned to demonstrate that there was substance beneath the hats that we always had on our heads along with the boots on our feet. Tonight, we were making our debut as bull riders.

We spent the afternoon swimming in the Frio with our girlfriends and then went home around 4 ready for the evening’s adventure. My old Chevy got a workout that day because we picked up our dates in Garner around 6 then headed to Crider’s, which was 55 miles away over a very crooked road. Mike’s date was from Houston while mine was from Portland. They were beautiful, of course. The pressure was on because we did not plan to disappoint them.

The parking lot at Crider’s was filling up fast when we arrived about 7 pm. Mike and I hurried to the registration desk. They only had 10 bulls and there were usually 15 to 20 boys that wanted to participate. To ride, your name had to be drawn out of a hat. Wearing our skintight blue denims, our best boots, with our hats screwed down on our heads, we swaggered up to the booth, put our name in the hat with an abundance of bravado, all the time thinking to ourselves, “good Lord, please don’t let my name be drawn!” Neither one of us had ever been on a bull before! Well, our luck ran out right there at that registration booth. Mike and I both drew a bull. The rodeo was on.

L.V. Hubbard, who sometimes went by the moniker of Hardrock Hogenhagen from Hog Waller Holler, was our friend and mentor in the ways of the cowboy life. He was standing nearby to assist both Mike ng seated on our bulls while they were in the ng seated just right was all-important. Mike drew a bull by name of Black Bart. He went first. That bull literally flew out of the gate, but Mike was really doing well. It looked like he would make it to the buzzer, until the critter went into a crazy spin at the last second. The rider was on his back in the arena wiping dirt out of his mouth when the buzzer went off. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. Mike flashed his best gap-toothed grin and waved to the crowd like it was no big deal. Mike was cool!

HUBBARD, From

Now it was my turn. I gave the girls a thumbs up with my most confident macho look, like this was all in a day’s work, then walked quickly up to the chute. I had drawn a bull called Little Red. L.V. told me that this bull had only been ridden twice in his life and that he had a reputation for being mean.

I’m thinking, “What in the hell have I gotten myself into?”

Right about then is when L.V. stepped up to help me mount the animal. He pulled that rope around the bull as tight as he could and put an extra amount of rosin in my glove to help me keep a tight grip.

He gave me these instructions. “Keep your center of gravity right on top of this rope, like you are si your spurs into the side of this bull and use them to hang on and keep yourself sitng straight, keep your chin tucked in and your toes pointed out, you understand?” I nodded in the affirmative.

He gave me a wide grin, patted me on the back, then said, “You go show these folks what a bull rider is!” Now right about here is where things started to go seriously wrong.

I boldly told the gate man “Outside!”There was an immediate jolt as the animal flew out of the gate. I found myself trying to ride a whirlwind that was moving in six directions at once. It was about three seconds into what was supposed to be an eight-second ride when Little Red went to the right, but me, well I went to the left. This story should have ended well right there, that is if my hand had not been hung up in the rope that was still on the bull.

crowd I was okay, and they gave me a round of applause, too.

The bad news is that I didn’t win any prize money. The really bad news is that my brand-new straw hat was ruined, being stomped to shreds in the arena. I had just paid $15 for that hat and that was a lot of money in those days. The good news is that I didn’t get killed, thanks to Hardrock Hogenhagen from Hog Waller Holler. He had my back that night, and as far as I know he has always had it to this day. I know that I will always have his. That’s what friends do!

Anyway, I decided then and there that a career as a bull rider was not in my future. I set a goal of getng into the real estate business right about then, so I could be a bull shitter, instead of a bull rider. The look in my girlfriend’s eyes told me that I didn’t have to prove a thing to her from that point on.

There was a dance going on in Crider’s after the rodeo. Normally that is where we would go, but we decided not to stay because some guy named Willie Nelson was playing. He was kind of geeky and you couldn’t dance to his music. Any way I had bull manure all over my pants. I thought that was macho,

Now for the exciting part of the story. L.V. caught a ride back to Leakey with the four of us. There might have been some alcohol involved, I don’t remember for sure. Anyway, there were deer all over the road and L.V., well he wanted to practice his roping skills.

Little Red drug me all over the arena while he was kicking, bucking, slinging his head, blowing snot all over me, while the clowns were working frantically trying to get me loose, all to no avail. Meanwhile, the power of the bull is throwing me all around, over, under, in the back and to the front like I’m a ragdoll. There was no time to panic.

I was busy trying to free myself along with the clown’s assistance when I heard a familiar voice running at my side telling me not to panic. He pushed one of the clowns out of the way. It was L.V.! He managed to get one of his hands in the rope and the other on my hand. He then jerked my hand out of the rope.

I was grateful to be alive when I realized I was free and unhurt. But, for some reason known only to the bull, he was not a happy camper! He was in a fighting mood as he turned around to race toward us. L.V. and I both sprinted to the fence and jumped as high as we could up on it to get out of the animal’s way as he passed beneath us.

The audience gave L.V. a standing ovation. I signaled to the

So, while Hardrock rode on the right front fender of my ’56 Chevy with his 50-foot rope in one hand, a cold beer in the other, it was my job to get him close enough to a deer to rope it. I found out that night that not only was I not much of a bull rider, but I also couldn’t drive in the bar ditches at night worth a darn either. I did manage to get close enough on three occasions for him to throw a loop, but not close enough for success.

We dropped our dates off at their camps in Garner around midnight. By the time we took L.V. to his house, it was about 1 o’clock in the morning, but that was okay because we didn’t have to be at work until 6 am, seven days a week.

The alarm went off at 5:30 am, I went to pick up Mike and found him asleep. Another day, another dollar. Such was a day in the life of country boys growing up in the Frio Canyon.

It occurs to me that we were lucky to have made it through those formative years. It’s a good thing we did though, because it sure would have been a big disappointment for the girls of Garner had we not!

We were cowboys don’t ya know!

Sweets & Treats

CONCAN

Baked Goods

Concan Pies

TX Hwys 83 & 127 713-562-8043

Ice Cream, Candy & More Frio Float 21563 TX Highway 127 830-232-5591

Ice Cream & Shaved Ice Frio’s Dry Fifty Snack Shack

Tx. Hwy. 127 830-232-6300

Gelato, Ice Cream & Fudge (Seasonal)

Ice Cream Shop at Garner State Park 210-722-5652

Nostalgic Candy & More Stinkin’ Sweet Candy Shop at Garner State Park 210-722-5652

Ice Cream & Candy Concan General Store 23269 US Highway 83 830-232-6414

Baked Goods

Neal’s Dining Room Highway 127 North 830-232-5813

Ice Cream & Candy

Frio Country Store 1801 County Rd 348 830-232-6574

UTOPIA

Baked Goods

Lost Maples Cafe

384 FM 187/Main Street 830-966-2221

Coffee, Teas, Baked Goods

Postal Brews

283 Main Street 830-966-3876

CAMP WOOD

Candy, Fudge & More Bear Creek Fudge Highway 55 Downtown 830-597-6160

LEAKEY

Gummy Bear Bar, Coffee Shop Bear’s Market

608 US Highway 83 S 830-232-5559

Baked Goods, Ice Cream Leakey Mercantile Highways 83 & 337 830-232-6299

Coffees, Ice Cream Baked Goods & more!

Leakey Drug Coffee and Wine Bar

183 South Highway 83 830-232-4262

Soft Serve Ice Cream & Waffles with Special Toppings Sweet Eilene’s inside Josh’s

615 US Highway 83 830-719-0003

Juice Bar, Smoothies, Baked Goods Gaudencio’s Grub Hub and Drinkery

459 US Highway 83 830-446-4196

UVALDE

Baked Goods Open Range Bakery & Cafe

2211 East Main Street 830-261-1866

Nugget Ice Cream, Specialty Teas Tree City Tea & Water

2205 East Main Street 830-407-5021

Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Pie, etc. Rexall Soda Fountain

201 N. Getty Street 830-990-7300

local info

Frio Canyon

friocanyonchamber.com

Uvalde County

visituvaldecounty.com

Utopia and Sabinal Canyon utopiatexas.info

Nueces Canyon

Facebook.com/ Nueces-CanyonChamber-of-Commerce

Sabinal sabinalchamber.org

Uvalde uvalde.org, visituvalde.com mainstreetuvalde.com

Lost Maples

State Natural Area 830-966-3413; tpwd.state.tx.us

Garner State Park 830-232-6132; tpwd.state.tx.us

laundry?

Wash Barn in Leakey 1256 S. US Hwy 83 830-232-5690

Neal’s in Concan 20970 Hwy 127 830-232-6118

Sonshine Laundry & Cleaners in Uvalde 104 N. 4th Street 830-278-6767

NaNa’s RV PaRk & RV ReNtals

River frontage park located on Frio River, each site features a picnic table, a fire ring, 20-30-50 amp electrical, sewer & water hook-ups

Across the Frio River from Garner State Park on County Road 350 RIO FRIO, TX • 830-232-4653 nanasrvparkonthefrio.com

How Concan got its name

Theodophilus Watkins first settled at Con Can and built the first log cabin with a chimney in 1862. When a Post Office was to be established in 1880, a name had to be chosen. One story of how the community of Concan got its name goes like this: “The men of the community gathered on Saturday afternoons and played dominoes and ‘coon can,’ a Texas card game. ‘Coon can’ was a variation of ‘Conquian,’ the earliest known rummy game, played since at least the 1880s. When word came that a Post Office was to be located there and a name for the town had to be decided on, the men decided that they would send in ‘Coon Can.’In Washington, no one had heard of such a game or such a word, so they thought the Texans must have misspelled the word and meant Con Can (now spelled Concan).”

Story excepted from Lora B. Garrison’s book, “Texas Pioneer Families.”

Five Comfy Cabins H Each sleeps up to 10 | 2 bedroom/2 bath

1047 County Rd 350, Concan, TX 78838 BOOK ONLINE! FrioAcres.com • 830-834-5420

Rolling Rock

Double Shotz

Stars on the Water

Whiskey Rio

Hart of the Frio

She’s Like Texas

Beautiful Corporate & Family Ranch in Sabinal, Texas

Two Lodges sleep 12 each World Class Year ’Round Hunting

Native: Whitetail, Turkey, Hogs

Exotics: Axis, Blackbuck, Nilgal, Eland, Semitar Oryx, Aoudad, Red Sheep

Where Quality and Authenticity Meet.

We are a family ranch dedicated to authentic Texas Hunting for hogs, turkey, world-record aoudad, and both low-fence and high-fence whitetail hunts. Nilgai hunts, blackbuck hunts, semitar-oryx hunts, eland hunts, red stag hunts, and year-round axis hunts are also available.

We focus on quality, not quantity. We are well suited for family reunions, corporate hunts, corporate retreats, or groups of 3 to 10 hunters.

Comfortable accommodations. The ranch lodge offers 6 bedrooms, 12 beds, and 3 full baths with a full kitchen, large dining area, and game room. The game room features a pool table, shuffleboard, ping pong, lazorshot shooting range, and old-style video arcade games. We also offer chef service. The lodge has a large covered porch, covered dance floor, outdoor fire pit, pool/spa, and amazing sunsets! 210-602-0824

NEED A VACATION ?

You’ve heard about it in songs, you’ve seen it in every Texas travel magazine, now it’s time for you to visit THE Frio River in storied Concan, Texas.

O ering homes for groups of all sizes, many directly on the river and most with private swimming pools, Frio River Resorts features the nest in Concan vacation homes.

Plan your family friendly, memory lled visit to one of Texas’ most popular vacation destinations today!

EARLY HUMANS in the Balcones Escarpment Region

By GREG WALTON

The Balcones Escarpment of South Texas runs in an irregular line from the West Fork of the Nueces River east to the canyons of the Medina River. This terrain of canyons, cliffs, springs, caves and canyon floor has been the home to humans for many thousands of years.

Thirty thousand years ago, North America was in the middle of an Ice Age, with the ice shield stretching as far south as Kansas and Missouri. With all that water tied up in ice, the ocean levels fell around the world, exposing previously-submerged sections of the ocean floor.

One such newly-exposed section lay between Siberia and Alaska, where the Bering Sea is now. It was called the Bering Land Bridge, and it allowed humans to cross over, for the first time, from the Eastern Hemisphere, where humans first evolved, to the Western Hemisphere. These groups of humans, small and nomadic, rapidly spread out throughout the new continents. Over several thousand years, they left innumerable arrowheads, spear points, axe heads, tools, pottery shards, stone cooking ovens and refuse midden across the Texas landscape.

When humans first arrived here, there were many species of very large animals, including mammoth, giant sloth, horse, camel and a very large species of buffalo. It is generally believed that these megafauna gradually died out from overhunting by humans, leaving wolves, bear, buffalo, and the other modern animals we are familiar with.

As nomadic people, these humans migrated with the seasons, timing their movements with various food sources and other factors. For example, one group might spend the winters down on the Texas coast, where it is relatively warm, living off ocean fish, clams, and shrimp. They might move up to the canyons of the Escarpment in the summer to harvest deer, freshwater fish, berries and fruit.

Another group might hunt buffalo up on the Llano Estacado during the summer, and come to the sheltering canyons of the Escarpment during the winter, subsisting on deer, fish, pecans, roots and other sources of food available in the winter. For thousands of years, generation after generation, these groups might visit the same canyons, each generation leaving the occasional arrowhead or spearpoint, a random pile of flint chips, a broken animal bone or antler tool.

Gradually these nomadic groups began to coalesce into larger groups, and to develop distinctive cultures. The Tonkawa, for example, lived in semi-permanent villages along the rivers, growing beans and melons and buffalo squash. The Lipan Apache, whose cousins the Mescalero, Chiricahua and Jicarillo Apache roamed further west, controlled the southern Hill Country, the Balcones Escarpment area and the Edwards Plateau above for untold generations.

The Apache were a nomadic horse culture centered mostly on raiding and bison hunting, and had been here on and off for hundreds of years. They were the dominant tribe here until the arrival of the Comanche. Coming out of the Rocky Mountains, the Comanche moved down the Southern Plains in search of bison and swept into Texas. They were superb horsemen, perhaps one of the best horse cultures in the history of the world, and they were tough and aggressive, particularly after they had acquired the horse from the Spanish.

The first Anglo settlers in the Escarpment region arrived in the 1850s. They quickly discovered these native people. Some, like the Tonkawa, made room for the new arrivals, sharing their knowledge of local agriculture.

The more war-like tribes, like the Apache and their enemies the Comanche, were determined to protect their traditional homeland from the new arrivals. Many skirmishes, and even a few major battles, were fought between the newly-arrived European settlers and their well-established tribal opponents.

things to see & do in every season

RIVER REGION

Enjoy the beautiful night sky

At night, you can gaze up at the tranquil Hill Country sky and view globular star clusters and other astronomical sites. Uvalde County is home to one of the only night skies in America where you can still see the Milky Way.

RIO FRIO

Landmark Oak Tree

The Rio Frio Landmark Oak, State Champion (Texas Escarpment Live Oak Tree 1988) stands on the east side of the Frio River on Farm Road 1120.

The tree is on private property, visible from the road. According to the marker at the site, the “mighty oak served as a gathering place for early settlers. During the early 1870’s, a school house was built just west of the tree. It was constructed of native Cypress lumber and its walls were filled with caliche. Between 18801891, N.M.C. Patterson laid out the town of Rio Frio using the tree and schoolhouse mountain to the east as bearing points.”

Photo by Bailey Photography, courtesy Women Who Wander.

UVALDE

Uvalde County Fairplex

Uvalde County Fairplex hosts plenty of funfilled activities year-round. Don’t miss Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing March 16-17 and the Texas High School Rodeo Finals March 23-24. April 8, folks will gather for the Total Eclipse. More rodeo fun comes to the Fairplex April 13-14 with the Makenna Elrod Memorial Team Roping and the Cactus Jack PRCA May 2-4. There’ll be lots of fun July 4 at Family Fest, featuring the Little Miss and Mister Firecracker Pageant. More rodeo action follows with Uvalde Youth Rodeo Finals (July 19-20), Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Finals (August 3-4), Palomino Fest & Pro Rodeo (August 29 -September 1) Texas High School Rodeo (September 14-15) and the SWTJC NIRA Collegiate Rodeo (October 4-5). Uvalde’s Annual Hunters’ Roundup comes to the Fairplex November 1-2 and the Briscoe Ranch Cook-off is December 13-14. For details, visit www.UvaldeCountyFairplex.com.

CAMP WOOD

Wes Cooksey Park

Head to Wes Cooksey Park, a truly beautiful and serene space on Lake Nueces and the Nueces River in Uvalde County. In addition to the breathtaking setting, this park offers 30 RV hookups, plus scuba, volleyball, boat ramp, basketball, showers, fishing, swimming, horseshoes, tent camping, more. First come, first serve. Limited availability. $4/person for day use. 33719 TX-55, Camp Wood, Texas 78839. 830-597-3223. Photo courtesy Wes Cooksey Park.

UTOPIA

Swim & fish at Utopia City Park

Looking for a place to swim, fish, canoe, camp, picnic, ride horses or play baseball? Utopia Park is the ideal location.

Located just 11 miles downstream from the headwaters of the Sabinal River and Lost Maples State Natural Area, the park is home to majestic Cypress and Oak trees that give shade to glistening clear waters. Camping, including screened shelters with barbecue sites and tables, shaded tent areas, and multiple RV hookups offer any vacationer the perfect home away from home. Public restrooms with showers are available. The park offers a huge dance floor with stage, concession stand and picnic tables with space for the kids to run and play and a rope swing to make memories on for years to come. Check the website for fees and events. 241 Utopia Park Road, Utopia, Texas 78884. UtopiaPark.org. Photo by Melissa Ball.

• Sheets & towels provided

• All guests get free Frio River Access at 7 Bluff’s Gravel Bar

• Discounted Tubes & Shuttle (even from the houses)

• Discounts at participating local vendors

• Free Wifi

• Ideal location - about a mile to the Frio

• Firepit, Outdoor Lawn games, Great Outdoor Area

• Close to House Pasture Music Venue and Frio Valley Ranch Golf Course

• All properties now managed by Concan VIP

6

5

Everyone gets a seat on the Frio! Photo by Julie Harrington.

Fall on the Frio - nothing better! Photo by Rene Martinez.

Let the meeting convene, river style. Photo courtesy Camp Riverview.

Fishing for love. Photo by Chelsea McCloud

things to see & do in every season

UTOPIA

Visit Sabinal Canyon Museum

Browse history exhibits at the Sabinal Canyon Museum, dedicated to the history of the land and families that made it the great region it is today! Exhibits on display include pioneer farm implements, Indian artifacts and more, plus geological exhibits, including fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon. Museum hours are Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Located at 726 Ranch Road 187, Utopia, Texas 78884. 210-414-4341.

UVALDE

CONCAN

Trail Rides at Elm Creek Stables

Visit Historic Fort Inge

Fort Inge is listed as a Historic Site In Texas and was established in 1849 by the U.S. military where it remained active for 20 years. Today, the park offers historic trails perfect for afternoon hiking and biking, fishing, and scenic views of the Leona River. The Fort is open on weekends only. Country Road 375 Uvalde, Texas 78801

UVALDE

El Progreso Memorial Library

El Progreso Memorial Library was founded in 1903 by a group of Uvalde women who wished to start a new civic organization, El Progreso Club. They set three goals for themselves: self-improvement, civic improvement, and founding of a public library. Today, the library provides for the informational, reference, research and recreational reading needs of the local Uvalde City and County Area and the isolated Southwest Region of Texas in an innovative, 36,000 square foot, $5.7 million state-of-art facility that offers leading edge technology. More than 18,000 residents have library cards for El Progreso’s full range of materials — books, manuals, periodicals, audiovisual and electronic resources, E-Books — in a comprehensive facility which includes the Virginia W. Davis Archives (serving 11 counties), the Weisman Museum of Southwest Texas, a book store, and meeting rooms. El Progreso Memorial Library is accredited by the Texas State Library. It offers a full range of TexShare electronic databases, reciprocal cards, and Interlibrary Loan through statewide programs. Internet and WiFi connection with computers for adult access are available. The Children’s Wing offers games, puzzles, and a Story Time center,

Elm Creek Stables offers trail rides from 9 am to 5 pm. You can take a ride about two miles long with gorgeous trails and great scenery for only $40 per person. Adults can also enjoy a High Trail ride (about 2.5 miles) for $45. Call for a reservation or just stop by the stables. Proceeds from the trail rides at Elm Creek Stables go to the Frio Canyon Horse Rescue. Photo courtesy Elm Creek Stables.

Elm Creek is open every day during spring break, and weekends after spring break through Memorial Day. The stables are open daily Memorial Day through the end of summer. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm; last ride out at 5 pm. Call for reservations. Please bring cash or checks, no credit cards accepted at Elm Creek Stables. For more information, call 830-232-5365 or 830-279-4051 or find Elm Creek Stables on Facebook.

plus special computers for children equipped with software providing 70 educational programs. El Progreso Memorial Library is located at 301 W. Main Street in Uvalde. Texas residents can get a library card through the TexShare program. Library patrons have access to an electronic database E-books. The library serves all ages and demographic groups. For information, call 830-278-2017, find them on Facebook or visit www.elprogresso.org.

Photo by Melissa Ball.

Photo by Melissa Ball.

Stunning decor, luxe amenities, & award-winning design

Each home features a resort-like private pool and hot tub

Spacious vacation houses that comfortably sleep 20+ guests

Our newest rental the Moonshine opens summer 2024

Don’t miss it!

Frio Bat Flight

From March through September on a ranch near Concan, you can watch in delight as 10- to 12-million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from Frio Cave at Frio Bat Flight. The beautiful and private 10,000-acre property on which the cave is located has been continuously owned by the same family since 1874

Bain and Kirstin Walker run Frio Bat Flight tours, each season hosting a whopping 3,000 to 4,000 visitors, all who come to see the second largest bat population in the world (that’s open to the public). Bain takes questions from audience members as the crowd waits in anticipation for the bats to begin emerging from the cave about 30 minutes before sunset.

These bats will travel up to 35 miles from the cave every night, covering several hundred miles in one evening. They

are insectivores, preferring to dine on agricultural pests.

“Scientists have discovered the bats eat, on average, their body weight nightly. That amounts to about 100 tons of insects a year!” says Bain.The Concan area is lucky enough to be directly in the path of the total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024. Eclipse Viewing Tours will be available at the cave for this once-in-a-lifetime event. The cave area sits at the top of a hill and affords viewers an unobstructed view of Solar events. Each ticket includes free solar eclipse viewing glasses for eye safety.

Photo by Melissa Ball

FYI • Bats emerge from Frio Cave March through September. Frio Bat Flight entry is $15; $12 for kids 6-12; and $12 for seniors. Kids 5 and under get in free. Tour times vary by season. For more information, call 888-502-9387, email info@friobatflight.com or visit the web site at www.friobatflight.com.

Right On The Frio River,

Porter's Tree Haus

Riverview Cottage

5 bed/4 bath

7 bed/5 bath

LOST MAPLES State Natural Area

By GREG WALTON

Underlying most of Texas is a thick slab of limestone, laid down by a series of shallow seas. As the Rocky Mountains rose, a fault developed in the limestone, often called the Balcones Fault. It ran in an arc from Del Rio to San Antonio, and then north towards Waco.

Over time, the north and west section of this broken slab, today known as the Edwards Plateau, rose in elevation, while the south and east section, known as the Coastal Plain, receded underground. The area of elevational change between the two became an escarpment, known to us as the Balcones Escarpment. This escarpment is most pronounced along its southern edge, from Del Rio to San Antonio.

The eventual melting of the ice sheets after the last ice age set free tremendous amounts of water, which flowed south across the face of Texas toward the Gulf. As it moved, the water deeply eroded the landscape. This moisture carved down through the limestone, creating erosional gullies, creeks and canyons. The largest of these canyons were named by the Spanish, with names like the Nueces, Guadalupe, Frio, Sabinal, Seco, Hondo and Medina.

Moisture falling on the Edwards Plateau flowed south as well. When Gulf air encountered the escarpment, thermal updrafts created extreme thunderstorms, which further accelerated the erosional process. The long ridges between the canyons that we see today, generally running north to south, are not “hills,” they are uneroded fragments of the original Edwards Plateau.

The Bigtooth Maple is one of the most attractive and interesting of Texas trees, and it thrives in this area. It is a small tree, growing up to 50 feet tall. It does well in limestone soils and is relatively drought-tolerant. Mature trees have beautiful red and yellow fall color. The Bigtooth Maple is also known as the Sabinal Maple, Western Sugar Maple, Uvalde Bigtooth Maple, Canyon Maple, and the Southwestern Bigtooth Maple.

Roy Walton, who was born a few miles from Lost Maples in 1903, recalls that his family owned much of the park back in the ’20s. “One of the most beautiful places I know hereabouts is a canyon up on the old Wildcat Ranch, up where the maples are. Mystic Canyon, it was called. The shape of the cliffs there, the colors of the maple trees, the sweet taste and clarity of the water, it is easy to see that God did some of his best handiwork there,” he says.

Lost Maples Fall. Photo by Richard Mcmillin.

In the 1970s, the state decided to establish a state park in the canyons surrounding the maple groves at the upper end of the Sabinal Canyon. The goal was to balance the values of recreational use with environmental protection. This represented a gigantic step forward in the state’s view of land as a resource to be protected, and not just exploited.

The concept of a “State Natural Area” and Lost Maples State Natural Area was the first in the system. Lost Maples was where Texas first began to figure out the balance between human use and environmental resource protection.

Lost Maples State Natural Area is a unique place, both geographically and geologically. The park is situated where three distinct Texas bioregions come together: the Texas Hill Country/ Edwards Plateau, the South Texas Plains and the West Texas desert. It includes both open grasslands and steep canyons.

Consequently, the park hosts a wide variety of plants, ranging from upland desert plants, such as sotol, cactus and several varieties of yucca, to riparian and canyon species such as escarpment cherry, rough-leaf dogwood and maple. Many of the plants in the park are endemic, meaning that they exist only here. It is a place of uncommon beauty, at once typical of the Balcones Escarpment canyons and yet unique. It is a magical place, and if you haven’t visited it, you should.

LOST MAPLES, From Page 66

Photo by Scott Sexton.

Photo by Melissa Ball.

Photos courtesy TPWD.

info@foxfirecabins.com

www.FoxFireCabins.com

THE ORAL HISTORY OF THE SABINAL CANYON

Bear Meat ‘N’ Honey Volume II Coyote Songs

The history, folklore, legends and natural history of the Southern Hill Country is a rough blend of frontier hardship, country wisdom and tough personal experience. These volumes are based on numerous interviews of the area’s elders and presented in their own words, along with photos, maps and sketches. The story of this region is worth knowing, for it illustrates much of what makes Texas a special place.

“These books of interviews with old-timers of the Sabinal Canyon are models of what such works should be.”

— John Graves, The Rivers of Texas (2002)

By ROB MCCORKLE Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

No matter the time of year, a visit to Lost Maples SNA will not disappoint. Guests hoping to enjoy the park under less crowded conditions of late October and early November when the maples’ color peaks should consider an early fall visit. Nights tend to cool off and during warm, sunny days, the waters of the Sabinal and spring-fed swimming holes prove tempting spots to take a soothing splash.

Almost 11 miles of well-marked trails lead to scenic overlooks, spring-fed ponds populated by Texas’ state fish, the Guadalupe bass, prime birding habitat and 30 primitive backpack camping sites. Composting toilets near several backcountry campsites make the wilderness experience a bit more pleasant. Water-and-electric campsites are at a premium at Lost Maples SNA. The 30 campsites, which also feature in-ground barbecue pits and shaded picnic tables, book up to five months in advance for the peak fall foliage period. Other times of the year, booking reservations early is recommended.

In keeping with Lost Maples’ state natural area designation, the park has limited development and facilities. However, young and old alike can enjoy nature photography, hiking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, fishing and swimming. Photo courtesy TPWD.

FYI • Day use-only park entry fees (guests age 13 and up) are $6. You can pre-pay entrance a month ahead of your date of arrival to insure entrance during busy seasons. Hikein campsites are $10 a night and water-electric sites are $20. Lost Maples State Natural Area is located five miles north of Vanderpool on Ranch Road 187. Parking at Lost Maples State Natural Area is limited to 250 cars, so be sure to schedule fall trips during the weekdays, if possible.

Hill Country NATURE CENTER

You’ll find fossils, arrowheads, plus Texas snake, bird, bat, butterfly and insect displays highlighting the natural attractions of the River Region at Hill Country Nature Center. You can even see the happenings inside a bluebird nestbox, with the help of some cool technology. Nature Center founder LeAnn Garrison-Sharp for years has made it her mission to share the natural wonders of the area, providing visitors a great chance to learn all about birding, bats, native plants, champion trees and the natural history of the area.

Hill Country Adventures offers a variety of educational tours. With several national champion trees in the area, including the largest tree in Texas, there’s plenty to see on the Natural History/ Big Tree tour, offered year round.Guided birding and nature tours offer guests a chance to drive to and hike on private Hill Country Ranches and State Parks along the beautiful Frio and Sabinal River Valleys. The nature trails at Indian Blanket Ranch (adjacent to the Center) provide a picturesque path for hiking, jogging and mountain biking.

Another attraction at Indian Blanket Ranch is the Bluebird Trail — 40 nestboxes and six viewing stations with benches where you can see small cavity nesters including Eastern Bluebirds, Black-crested Titmouse, Bewick’s Wren, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Carolina Chickadee with nests, eggs or baby birds. Nestbox Trail Birding Tours are available March through June — advance reservations only.

There’s plenty more spectacular birdwatching on the ranch with 126 species of birds sighted — you might see a Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo, Vermillion Flycatcher, Zone-tailed Hawk, Hummers and more. Bring your camera— photo opportunities abound.

To hike, bike or birdwatch anytime, look for details on the explanation sign at the Nature Center gate. Admission is $10 per person for the day, ages five and under free, leashed dogs $5. Sign the release form and pay by dropping admission in the dropbox. The trail is open daylight to dark.

Dark Sky/Night Viewing is now available on Indian Blanket Ranch by advance reservation only. Bring your telescope and camera for spectacular meteor shower, Milkyway, planet, star and satellite viewing! Admission $25 per person, no dogs allowed at night. Reservations are availableby emailing info@hillcountryadventures.com.

Photos courtesy Hill Country Nature Center.

FYI • There are no trail fees if you are staying in lodging on Indian Blanket Ranch. For more information on lodging and trails on Indian Blanket Ranch, visit the website at www.indianblanketranch.com. For information about Hiking and Biking, Big Tree Tours and Nature By Kayak Tours offered through Hill Country Adventures, visit www. hillcountryadventures.com or call 830-966-2134.

On top of Old Baldy. Photo by Chelsea McCloud

Hummingbirds abound! Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

Double dippin’. Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

Beauty is in the air. Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

The Borens

BY Dub Suttle

It was a cold murky Friday in January of 1958. I was excited because I was going home with Bobby and Kenny Boren to spend the night with them on their ranch north of town. I had not been able to concentrate in class all day because we were going coon hunting that night. The school bell rang right on time at 4:20 p.m. I hurried to catch the little yellow bus, taking a seat among Bobby and Kenny, their younger brother Glen and their little sister, Rhonda.

We laughed, told jokes, and pulled pranks on one another for the short 15-minute drive to where the bus dropped us off on the side of the road. I’m pretty sure that the driver was glad to see us get off. It was still about a mile down a dirt road to the house and we had to rely on properly placed stepping-stones to cross the West Prong of the Frio River without getting wet.

Arriving at the house we were met by an older brother Darrell who gave us strict instructions to attend to chores of the ranch before supper. So off we went to get the horses in the pen and feed them.

We checked the tack room to make sure the saddles and bridles were all in their proper places. They were. We then proceeded to feed the chickens and carry firewood from the wood pile into the firebox by the wood stove in the kitchen and the fireplace in the living room. It was too dark to see without a light when we were instructed to go clean up for supper.

We all washed our hands and faces then gathered around the roaring fireplace to warm up. The fireplace and the wood stove in the kitchen were the only sources of heat in the house. It wasn’t a few minutes when we heard Opal Boren, the matriarch of the clan, call us to the supper table.

She had prepared quite a spread that consisted of chicken fried backstrap with cream gravy, mashed potatoes, pinto beans and corn bread. I swear if I live to be a hundred, I don’t think I’ll have another meal as delicious as that was, especially the beans and cornbread. The men and boys all had second helpings, the two ladies in the house, Opal and Rhonda, only one. I guessed that they wanted to watch their figures.

I didn’t notice but another older brother, Homer, was not at the table. He had gone about a half mile from the house and built a campfire along the bank of the river while we were eating. He came in the house and started barking orders to get off our lazy rears and go saddle the horses if we expected to go hunting with him. Homer had already saddled

his horse and his brother, Darrel’s, so as soon as he wolfed down a bowl of beans and a handful of corn bread, they mounted up, telling us to join them at the river as quickly as we could. They took off in a trot with several barking hounds and a Border Collie taking the lead.

My first problem arose when we started saddling the horses by flashlight. The saddle that my Uncle Bob Suttle had sent for me to use had very long stirrups. Now that’s a problem that’s normally easily fixed, but after wasting about 10 minutes with all three of us trying to adjust the stirrups to no avail, I made the decision to just ride bareback. The only problem that caused was that I now had to have a boost to get mounted because my horse was so tall, and me, well, I was so short. We soon took off in a cloud of dust with little brother Glenn riding double behind his big brother Kenny.

We found the older boys sitting around the campfire on the bank of the river, drinking a cold brew. They wouldn’t share their drink with the younger boys at all. We could hear the dogs already trailing something in the distance and instinct told us that it would be just a matter of time before we heard the familiar bark, “treed.” It was right about then that the drizzle started, so we all gathered a little closer around the campfire. After what seemed like an eternity, we heard the familiar call of the dogs barking, “Treed!”It was then that we all mounted up and raced across the brushy countryside to the sound of the baying dogs. Looking back, I don’t know how we all grew up with eyes intact because tree limbs were constantly brushing our faces as we ran through the woods in the dark.

We found the dogs about a half mile away circling a huge pecan tree. A couple of the dogs were so excited they were trying to climb the tree trunk. Homer and Darrell shined their battery-operated head lights up in the tree and we all saw three sets of eyes shining in the light.

Darrell made short work of shooting the varmints out of the tree with his single shot .22 rifle.After Homer placed the coons in a tow sack, we all mounted up and went back to the fire. We then repeated the process of turning the dogs loose and waiting. The drizzle was getting heavier by this time but that didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the hunt.

We ended up harvesting a half dozen additional fur bearing animals that night before Darrell looked at his watch and said, “Boys, its midnight, and I have to work tomorrow. Let’s pee on the fire and call in the dogs.” We did, all of us. It was the manly thing to do. While we unsaddled and fed the horses back at the house, Darrell and Homer made short work of skinning the fur bearing critters. Then it was time for bed.

After washing our faces and hands, Bobby, Kenny, Glen, and me all piled into one bed with four or five quilts on it, planning on going to sleep. It was cold in that house, but the real problem was that it was just about then that all those beans that we had for supper decided to start talking to us.

It got musical that night because boys 10 to 12 years of age are not known to hold much back. Before the night was over,

we each knew other by the tone of our, uh, instrument. One of us was clearly a baritone while the youngest, Glen, was clearly a tenor. Someone in an adjoining room returned fire and we all figured that it came from Mag, the man of the house, because the tone was clearly a deep bass. We laughed, giggled, and slapped each other until it was starting to get light in the east before we drifted off to sleep.

Hunting Guide

The smell of biscuits in the oven with frying bacon in the skillet roused us all from a deep sleep. I needed to get up and go to the bathroom, but it was too cold to get out from under all those heavy quilts, which had kept us toasty all night. I looked out the window, but I couldn’t see anything because the inside of the window was all frosted up.

I could see Opal in the kitchen working over the stove and when she put about a dozen eggs in the skillet she yelled, “You boys better get up and come get this before Mag (the patriarch) eats it all.” That was all the prompting any of us needed.

We all broke and ran for the one bathroom in the house, then the losers of the race had to dance on one foot or the other while we waited our turn. We crowded around the table, a table that was filled with love for one another and respect for our elders. I remember thinking that I would probably never eat another breakfast that good. Breakfast was over and we were just finishing gathering eggs from the chicken coop when I saw Dad come driving up to take me home. I remember begging him to let me stay but he said that we had family matters to attend to. I had to leave.

I’m an old man now. Amazingly, I still have all my eyes and limbs that managed to survive a childhood in the country. I also have a world of wonderful memories, of colorful people, true friends and relatives, people that I loved and love dearly. I feel blessed because I know that some of these folks cared as much about me as I do them.

Today I often find myself far from home, but all I have to do is close my eyes and I’m right back around a campfire on the banks of the Frio River. I’m told I actually smile in my sleep.

Uvalde’s Grand Opera House

UVALDE H The Grand Opera House at 104 North West Street, built in 1891, is the oldest theater in Texas. The Grand Opera House is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The beautiful two-story Romanesque style theater, renovated in 1982, quickly became a social center in Uvalde and a leading venue in the area for plays and musicals and cultural events. Upcoming 2023 shows include “The Hit Parade” March 25, Carvin Jones in Concert April 1, and “Dracula, The Radio Play” April 27-30. Check the website for additional performances.

FYI • Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. Visit www.uvaldeoperahouse.com or call 830-278-4184 for information. Photo courtesy Grand Opera House.

Historic Rexall Soda Fountain

UVALDE H Talk about fun! The only soda fountain between San Antonio and El Paso, and one of the oldest retail establishments in Uvalde, the Rexall began operation in 1883. You don’t wand to miss this friendly and nostalgic establishment serving up classic milkshakes, malts, ice cream sodas and floats, banana splits, and ice cream, gelatos, pastries and more! Lunch and dinner options include salads, sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs, plus TexMex choices like tacos, chalupas and chili. Photos courtesy Uvalde Rexall.

FYI • Uvalde Rexall is located at 201 North Getty Street in Uvalde. Hours are 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday. For information and for orders, visit www.uvalderexall.com, find them on Facebook or call 830-900-7300.

EVENTS

Jan 12-13: San Antonio Rodeo PRCA Qualifier

Jan 25-27: Uvalde County Jr Livestock Show & Sale

Feb 17-18: American Junior Rodeo Assoc Rodeo

March 16-17: Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Season Kick-Off

March 23-24: Texas High School Rodeo Finals – Region 8

April 8: Total Solar Eclipse – RV Spots & Day Parking

April 13-14: Annual Makenna Elrod Memorial Team Roping

May 2-4: Cactus Jack PRCA Xtreme Bulls

July 4: Family Fest/Little Miss & Mr Firecracker Pageant

July 19-20: Uvalde Youth Rodeo Finals

August 3-4: Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Finals/Awards

August 29- Sept 1: Palomino Fest & Pro Rodeo

Sept 14-15: Texas High School Rodeo Reg 8 Season Kickoff

Oct 4-5: SWTJC NIRA Collegiate Rodeo

Nov 1-2: Uvalde Chamber Annual Hunters Roundup & Cook-off

Nov 18-23: San Antonio Rodeo PRCA Qualifier

December 13-14: Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off

Every Tuesday & Thursday CONCAN

Friends of Garner Hayrides

(May 30-August 3) Arrive at Visitor Center by 6:45 pm. Hayrides leave at 7 pm, return about 8 pm. Space is limited, registration required. 830-232-5999, srasco@friendsofgarner.org.

Every Wednesday LEAKEY

Karaoke at the Back Porch. 527 South Highway 83. 830-232-3746.

Every Thursday in June & July LEAKEY

Real County Junior Horse Club Play Nights realcountyjuniorhorseclub.com.

Every Friday LEAKEY

Live Music at the Back Porch 527 South Highway 83. 830-232-3746.

Second Fridays UVALDE

Four Square Friday

Late night shopping, food, live music and art. Historic Downtown Uvalde, 6 pm to 9 pm. 830-278-4115, visituvalde.com.

Every Saturday (April-August) CONCAN

Guided Hikes at Crystal Cave Garner State Park. 830-232-5999.

March 14-16 CONCAN

Frio River Music Fest. Pat Green, Ryan Bingham and the Josh Abbott Band perform. HousePasture.com.

March 16-17 UVALDE

Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Season Kick-Off

Uvalde County Fairplex. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

March 30 CONCAN

4th Annual Fenders & Food Trucks on the Frio. Large car show, food trucks, vendors, live music and an Easter egg hunt at Andy’s on River Road.

March 30 SABINAL

Sabinal Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off. Benefits Sabinal VFD. Call 210-827-4013 for information.

82 Welcome to the Hill Country River Region 2024

March 30-31 SABINAL

33rd Annual Wild Hog Festival & Craft Fair. SabinalWildHogFestival.com.

April 7-8 UTOPIA

Eclipse Utopia

Music and camping at Four Sisters Ranch. EclipseUtopia.com.

April 8 UVALDE

Total Solar Eclipse. RV spots and day parking. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

April 8 LEAKEY

Solar Eclipse at the Back Porch Bar. Put on your groovy shoes and enjoy this fantastic event from 12:13 pm to 2:54 pm with live music and karaoke . 527 South Highway 83. 830-232-3746.

See EVENTS, Page 84

Catch Pat Green ABOVE plus Ryan Bingham and the Josh Abbott Band in concert at House Pasture Cattle Company’s Frio Fest in Concan March 14-16. HousePasture.com. Photo courtesy Pat Green.

EVENTS, From page 82

April 19-21 CONCAN

3rd Annual River Road Bike Rally

Twisted Sisters guided ride, poker run, live music, show and shine, food trucks, corn hole tournament and vendors at Andy’s on River Road.

April 26-27 CONCAN

Women on the Frio Outdoor Retreat. Vendors, speakers, classes, archery, axe throwing, food trucks, live music, and so much more. VisitUvaldeCounty.com.

April 27 LEAKEY

Earth Day at the Springs. Music, market, picnic at 692 Evergreen Street. TheSprings.com.

May 2-4 UVALDE

Cactus Jack PRCA Xtreme Bulls Uvalde County Fairplex. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

May 4 CONCAN

2nd Annual Holy Guacamole Cook-Off and 5K Guacamole, fajita, salsa and margarita cook-off. Plus 5K run, vendors, beer truck and food at Andy’s on River Road.

May 27 UTOPIA

Annual Ranch Rodeo and Dance Utopia City Park at 7 pm. utopiapark.org/events.

July 4 UTOPIA

Fourth of July in Utopia Fabulous fireworks show in Utopia City Park starting at dark.

July 4 UVALDE

Family Fest

Uvalde County Fairplex. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

JULY 5-6 LEAKEY

July Jubilee

Enjoy a rodeo Friday and Saturday nights, plus a Saturday morning parade downtown. FrioCanyonChamber.com.

July 19-20 UVALDE

Uvalde Youth Rodeo FInals. Uvalde County Fairplex. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

Don’t miss July 4th in Utopia. Photo courtesy Wanda Waters..

August 5 CAMP WOOD

63rd Annual Old Settlers Reunion

Free, family-friendly event features parade, music and a dance. 830-597-6241, nuecescanyonchamber.org for Information.

AUGUST 14-31 UVALDE

Uvalde Glide 18 Meter Class Nationals

Warm-up for the 38th World Gliding Championships in 2024. wgc2024uvalde.com.

AUGUST 31 LEAKEY

9th Annual Wylden Hubbard Memorial Real County Junior Horse Club Arena. Find details on Facebook.

AUGUST 31 UVALDE

First State Bank of Uvalde Labor Day Parade North Getty Street. uvalde.org.

October 4-5 CONCAN

Fall on the Frio

Vendors, Kids Games, Live Music, BBQ CookOff, silent auction and much more. Two Days of Fun & Music to Benefit Concan Volunteer Fire Dept. friofest.com.

October 19 CONCAN

River Road Beer & Queso Fest.

Craft beer vendors, queso competition, wine walk, live music, food trucks, kiddie games, shopping and plenty of fun at Andy’s on River Road.

November 2 UTOPIA

Annual Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

More than 60 booths displaying handmade items from jewelry to soap to photographs and more. Live music, face painting. 9 am to 4 pm. Utopia Town Square on FM 187.

EVENTS, From page 84

November 8-10 LEAKEY Songs on the Frio Weekend full of listening room-style performances by award-winning country music singer-songwriters to benefit the Frio Canyon. Performances on the banks of the beautiful Frio River and in local Leakey venues. Visit songsonthefrio.com or find them on Facebook.

November 28 - mid January LEAKEY Festivity of Lights

More than 30,000 lights on the Real County courthouse for the holiday season. Kickoff celebration at dusk Thanksgiving evening. Find them on Facebook!

December 13-14 CONCAN River Road Parade of Lights Celebration and 5K Christmas lights parade and night celebration, shopping, photos with Santa, cookie deco-rating, letters to Santa and food at Andy’s on River Road.

December 13-14 UVALDE Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-Off Uvalde County Fairplex. uvaldecountyfairplex.com.

Frio days and Frio nights. Photo courtesy Rio Bella Resort.

Hang on, Scout! Photo by Adam Jennings Delagarza

Word! Photo by Nancy Feely. Headed into the beauty. Photo by LeAnn Garrison Sharp.

Welcome to the Hill Country River Region 2024

Monty

BY Dub Suttle

Iwas awake when the alarm went off at 5 am on a Saturday morning in October 1960. I had been tossing and turning on the cold concrete floor all night, anticipating the morning turkey hunt, when I saw the light come on by Monty’s bed. He was sleeping in the hallway of the log cabin that his father built in a pecan bottom near Leakey Springs. I was on a pallet in the living room. Knowing that Monty would come to wake me, I beat him to the punch and went outside to pee off the porch. It was the manly thing to do for a 12-year-old boy about to go hunting with his 16-year-old role model, Monty Pannell.

We quickly got dressed, went out the door with a cold biscuit in hand and headed east into what is now the Leakey Springs Subdivision. Monty was armed with a single shot 22 rifle. Me? Well I had a sharp pocketknife.

We came to the edge of the pecan trees and sprinted across an open area to a huge live oak tree where we stopped to catch our breath and make sure that no one had seen us. No one had. We then moved quietly through the brush down a steep embankment to the creek bottom that formed the headwaters of Leakey Springs, which was known as Youngblood Springs in those days. I was awed by some sort of fungus along the trail

that glowed in the dark, and it was very helpful in lighting our way through the woods.

The turkey roost was easy to find because we had scouted out the area the afternoon before. An abundance of turkey poop in the trees and on the ground gave the location away. By the time the sky started to turn pink in the east, we were well hidden in a brush pile less than 50 yards from the roost.

When the first big gobbler flew down from the roost Monty made short work of him with his single shot 22. I believe that he could have threaded a needle with that gun. I never saw him miss a target, but that’s another story. We gathered up our prize and snuck back to the cabin in the woods.

By the time the sun was fully above the eastern horizon, Monty’s mother, Skeet, had prepared the best breakfast of fried turkey breast with biscuits and gravy that I had ever eaten. We were now prepared to seize the day.

We wanted to go fishing, but we needed bait. It was a short walk to the Leakey Drug Store where we spent ten cents buying a dozen minnow hooks. Back at the cabin, we dug up some earth worms out of a flower bed that Skeet had been nurturing.

See MONTY, Page 90

Local Churches making memories IN THE RIVER REGION

LEAKEY

Church in the Valley 724 US-83, Leakey, TX 78873 churchinthevalley-leakey.com

Leakey Methodist Church 419 Market Street leakeyunitedmethodist.org

Leakey Church of Christ 229 3rd Street leakeychurchofchrist.org

Frio Canyon Baptist Church 919 US-83 friocanyonbaptistchurch.com

St. Raymond Catholic Church 326 Mountain Street 830-232-5852

New Fellowship Church 84 Camino Alto 830-232-4287

CONCAN

Concan Baptist Mission 23711 US-83 concanbaptist.org

Concan Church of Christ 23169 N. Hwy 83 concanchurchofchrist.org

SABINAL

Central Christian Church 516 N. Center Street sabinalcentralchristianchurch.com

First Baptist Church 607 N. San Antonio Street firstbaptistchurchsabinal.org

Sabinal Methodist Church 200 Fisher Ave W 830-988-2535

Parish of Saint Patrick 511 N Orange Street 830-988-2255

UTOPIA

Utopia Baptist Church 241 Johnson Street utopiabaptist.com

Utopia Church of Christ 132 Main Street thelordsway.com

Living Waters Outreach 13976 FM 1050 awaterholefortheworld.com

Utopia United Methodist Church 571 Cypress St utopiaumc.com

St. Mary’s Catholic Church 32141 RM 187 stpatricksabinal.org

CAMP WOOD

First Baptist Church 813 Nueces Street fbccw.org

Hill Country Church of Christ 1 Highway 55 North 830-597-6175

St. Mary Magdalen 311 E. 3rd Street 830-638-2165

Nueces Canyon Church of Christ 1656 TX-55 830-597-4131

REAGAN WELLS

Reagen Wells Baptist Church 8415 FM 1051 N, Uvalde, TX reaganwellsbaptistchurch.org

And a Happy 4th of July to you!

Photo courtesy The Back Porch at the Historic Leakey Inn..

Fall. Family. Fun. Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

That did not make her happy. We knew right away that being anywhere else was the best place for us to be, so we again sprinted across the open ground to the big oak tree in Leakey Springs, and then on to the Weston Crossing of the Frio River.

It didn’t take us long to cut some small sycamore poles with our pocketknives, attach some thread to them for line, and tie the minnow hooks to the line. The hooks were baited with the worms. Within a half hour we had filled a minnow bucket with a mixture of Red Horse, Silverside, and Sucker minnows. We were ready to fish.

It was about that time when Monty and I both heard a car coming, and again we quickly hid ourselves in a brush pile. Being invisible was a good thing when you were trespassing. As the car got nearer, I recognized it as belonging to my Uncle Speck Large, so I knew that even if we were discovered we wouldn’t be in too much trouble.

The car rolled to a stop near the bank of the river less than 50 feet from where Monty and I were well concealed. I was more than a little surprised when Uncle Speck, Monty’s Dad Bernard, and my father, Bill Suttle, all got out of the car to relieve themselves, if you know what I mean. Monty waited until they were all engaged in taking care of their business when he yelled in his most masculine 16-year-old voice, “Hey!”

Uncle Speck and Dad actually peed in their hands they were so surprised. They didn’t think that anyone was within a mile of them. After all the excitement settled down, the older men asked Monty and I if we wanted to go fishing with them over on the Nueces River. Monty responded with something that sounded like, “Is a pigs hiney pork?”

barking orders to Monty and myself. They were teaching us how to fish you see!

Bernard opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a tramble net which was highly illegal at the time, but also very effective in catching fish. He told Monty and I in no uncertain terms what we needed to do. So, while my father and Great Uncle Speck along with Monty’s Mother and Dad sat under a sycamore tree drinking wine and eating cheese, Monty and I stretched the net across the river making sure that it was tied securely on both sides.

Then, as instructed, we went about 100 yards upstream where we jumped into the river and started making all kinds of noise and commotion as we headed down stream in the direction of the net. The job was done within a span of 5 minutes. We had managed to catch a huge net full of all kinds of fish, mainly bass, catfish, and carp. That’s when the work began, and again, we did not lack for adult supervision. “Now you boys pull that net out of that river, and then get those fish out of the net and put them on a stringer.”

That net probably weighed a couple of hundred pounds at this point, but we threw as many fish back as we kept. The end result was that Bernard was cleaning the fish almost as fast as Monty and I could remove them from the net.

We jumped in the car which we found to be loaded with Mogen David wine, and the previously mentioned three old men. The car circled by the log cabin where we picked up Monty’s mother Skeet because after all, someone had to keep us all straight.

The car made record time in driving over Camp Wood mountain, and then down to the 19-mile crossing of the Nueces River near Montell. We stopped at the Montell store where about a pound of cheddar cheese and several rings of sausage were bought. That rounded out what was to be our nourishment during this great expedition. A dirt road led down to the river where the car was parked under a large sycamore tree. Skeet got out of the car and quickly spread a quilt on the ground. This is where the adults in this group set up headquarters while

We arrived back at the log cabin about dusk. Skeet got busy in the kitchen while Bernard fired up a propane cooker in the yard. The result was the best meal of fish and fried potatoes I have ever eaten. Nobody could cook fish like Paw Paw Pannell. Monty and I had the biggest appetites while the adults remained interested in the wine.

This concluded just one day in the life of a boy growing up here in the Frio Canyon before it was discovered by tourists and before Monty discovered girls.

Bernard, Skeet, Uncle Speck, and Dad have all gone to glory, but I’ll tell you this, each of them made my life better because of who they were and how they were.

They taught me that it’s the simple things in life that mean the most, and that’s one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned. I miss the good old days when times were bad, and I miss these people. Good Lord willing, I’ll see them again someday!

MONTY, From page 88

Storm rolling in. Photo by Chelsea McCloud.

Stars Over Texas RV Park (formerly BECS) welcomes you back with the changes you’ve been waiting for!

Playscape,

Community

Putting green

Much more!

River Rim Resort is a hidden treasure in the Texas Hill Country. It is located between Concan and Garner State park and sits on five beautiful acres over-looking the pristine Frio River. The Rim offers visitors exceptional private river access as well as a picturesque swimming pool complex that can be rented for weddings, parties, and corporate events. The resort is open year-round. River Rim Resort also offers guest accommodations at its sister resort, Lost Canyon Retreat.