We made several stops on the way: the jeweler's to pick up my pinky ring that had to be made smaller, the gas station to fill up on gas, and the bank in Liberty Hill. It was a drizzly day, but not cold. Bob and I took long drives when we first started dating. We took one drive several years ago that took nearly eight hours, round trip. I believe we drove through every county in central Texas that day. We enjoyed just being together, talking, and taking in the sights. But, this day, we had a destination in mind.
Of course, he had to take the longer way... He enjoys this! Me, I just wanted to get there. LOL
We were talking and laughing and listening to music the whole two hour trip. We have come to a time in our lives where laughing is a real pleasure! And, to spend two hours doing this is a big treat.
We got to Luckenbach, home of Willie and the Boys, around 12:30. I had been told not expect much because there isn't much there, but the ambiance of that place is like a vast metroplex. The little store that at one time was the post office is now the only place open during the week, but walking into it and seeing the old wooden floor that has been repaired, at times, with slabs taken from walls of another old building and license plates from all over adds to the "flavor" of the town. At times the license plates have actually been cut to make "signs." Little trinkets for sale are mementoes of a more precious time.
I grew up on country music! My mother raised me right... So, those who spent week ends there were names I knew vividly. A gentleman in the room behind the store was picking and singing. He sounded great! We learned that he opened for Willie and others years ago. I believe his name is Billy.
I looked for a book or pamphlet to give me some history on the town. I was given a piece of paper with history written on it. Why has no one thought to write a book on this amazing little burg? The post office/general store/beer joint was opened in 1886. The town itself was named after Albert Luckenbach, the fiancé of Minna Engel. Her father August Engel was a prolific fellow who also founded another little town, not too far away, named Albert. At one time the town boasted a blacksmith shop, steam powered cotton gin, and a consolidated school.
The town went up for sale when Benno Engel retired as post master. It was bought by Hondo Crouch, who was a story unto himself, and Luckenbach became "A Texas state of mind." He along with many of his friends began the legendary historic place that housed Texas country/American country music for many, many years. The music and the legends live on, and one can still meet with others on the famous dance floor found in the midst of Central Texas.
I definitely want to go back, possibly in the summer. I want to learn more about the Engels, Luckenbach, Hondo, and others that have made Luckenbach "A Texas State of Mind." The history, alone, causes me to anxiously await our next road trip!
