12-Hours in Gruene

An “Accidental Tourist” Road Trip

It was like yesterday, well Tuesday actually when I decided to hit the road and head west. The sun was out again and the Guadeloupe River was calling my name. I last toured this area the Saturday after Thanksgiving while visiting friends in Dripping Springs. That day was cloudy and cool. I wanted to see the river again and spend more time in historic Gruene (pronounced Green).

The interstate was quiet for a spring break week. Traffic was moving at a comfortable 75 mph rate. The goal was to get to the river with about 2 hours to spare before the Golden Hour. The shadows would cast great shades of color on the river, hopefully giving me a decent photo or two. Also, I got a microphone for Christmas and wanted to shoot my first video to help promote my website. The drive would take me to Seguin and then northwest along route 46 into New Braunfels. The Guadeloupe River is nearby. Then it’s only a matter of following the signs. Well, if was only that easy. Apparently, the Texas Department of Transportation had other ideas. The were working on a bridge repair project (who does that on spring break?) and shortly before Columbus, the fast moving highway became the Galleria Mall parking lot at Christmas! While the phone said it was only an 11-minute delay, barely moving is not my idea of a good time, seriously. My patience was rewarded as soon as the car passed the construction sight. Over the past year, I’ve driven this road many times while exploring Texas. And with exploration comes the unexpected. After getting back up to 75 mph, passing Lockhart (home of great BBQ), Luling (home of very good BBQ) and of course Buc-ee’s, I began thinking about what I would shoot first upon arrival and what I was going to say in my video.

Once I got on 46 (about 2 hours from home), I began running into rush hour traffic from San Antonio and New Braunfels. Traffic was crawling, but now I knew I was close. After making a wrong turn, I quickly got back on track and found the river.

At this location on the river, the water turns into fast moving rapids for a brief period of time before smoothing out. Once smooth, the river is known for tubing, adult beverages and fun. I probably snapped a hundred photos before deciding to shoot my own video. As a former news photographer I knew where I needed to set up the camera and how I wanted the background to look. Plus, as a person of color, lighting is key.  So I recorded a test shot, went back to look at it and I didn’t look too bad. Now it was time for the real thing, an actual video blog.  My reporter friends would have been proud. I adlibbed a 3 minute segment, talking about my travels and why you readers may want to follow my blogs. Satisfied, I moved on to Gruene, which was about a quarter mile away.

Gruene is known for its dance hall. They claim this is the oldest continuous dance hall in the state. This evening “Two Tons of Steel” was having a CD release party at 8:30 and the line was already forming at 6! I wandered around, taking pictures and mostly people watching. I figured at some point I’d grab a bite before capturing a bit of Texas honky tonk live.

Around 7:45, I put my name on the waiting list for the Grist Mill restaurant. It was packed but the host said the wait would be 15 minutes or less. Grabbing a mixed beverage, I sat down to listen to a local artist play the guitar. 10-20-30 minutes passed, no name was called. I noticed people coming after me and being seated for diner.  Somehow, my name was “missed,” so I left. There are other places to dine around here and by now, the live concert was underway and the place was jumping! I paid the $5 cover and wandered in.  Cowboy boots, big hair, and Shiner Bocks were dominating the scene. The group sung a mixture of classics and songs from their new release. It was a fun event to witness. I probably stayed for an hour or so before my stomach reminded me I hadn’t eaten, in a LONG time. Across the street from Gruene Hall is a place called “Mozie’s.” It was very long and narrow. I’m not exaggerating when I say the bar was 50 yards long! I’m not sure who was in charge of staffing, there was only one bartender working the entire bar!  I felt sorry for her. While sitting there waiting to order, it dawned on me, I forgot to turn on my microphone!!! Yup, the video blog will have to wait for another opportunity it seems. Back to dinner, the restaurant was packed so sitting at the bar was the only option. Let’s just say that service was a bit slow. From the drink order to food, it probably took 40 minutes to get a burger. But the best part, directly across from me a huge cockroach walked up the wall and it took two employees to kill it!  Likely to think about that for the rest of my evening, I decided to get back to the car for the journey home. It was nearly 11 and I had a 2 ? hours of driving ahead of me.

The drive home was quiet and uneventful. The road was full of big rigs delivering goods and services that keep this country moving. You have to tip your hat to these people. They are nomads actually, wandered the country for days at a time without being able to spend time with family. The next time you complain about them in traffic, think about your stocked grocery or home improvement store and how all of those items got there.

Getting back home, I peeled off my clothes and climbed into bed. Krovatka was calling and I was listening.

The next journey for the “accidental tourist” is just around the corner, I think.

See ya!