Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

Simmons Bank

The Texas Bucket List – Palo Alto Battlefield in Brownsville

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Brownsville – The valley in south Texas is a tropical oasis that stretches down the Rio Grande and forms the border between the United States and Mexico. Shortly after Texas entered the union in 1845, this uniquely part of our state instigated a war that shaped our country.

“They end up kicking off something that’s going to have monumental impacts,” explained Daniel Ibarra.

Ibarra is a Park Ranger at the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and he’s been here much longer than the amount of time the Mexican-American war took place. Danny has been working at the battlefield for 17 years, and with that time he could have fought in eight and a half Mexican American Wars! The war lasted from April 1846 to February 1848 but it all started right here in this south Texas field that only takes up about one square mile.

“This is the first official actual battle of the U.S Mexican war.” Danny states.

When Texas was first approached by the U.S to become part of the Union, Mexico seemed the believe that Texas’ battle for independence in 1836 was not official.

“There was an acknowledgement there that Texas did engage in battles to win its independence, but according to the Mexican government, Texas does not win its independence. According to Mexico now the Texans have a treaty that they force their leader to sign at gunpoint, which in their eyes kind of negates an involuntarily signed peace treaty.” explained Daniel.

That treaty made the Rio Grande the official border of Texas, but Mexico was sort of letting that get lost in translation. For Mexico to consider Texas being an independent country, the country wanted the Nueces river, not the Rio Grande to be the border. With President James Polk wanting to acquire the current states of California and New Mexico, Mexico did not want to sell more land without settling the Texas issue first.

“The only way really for him to get what he wants is to send us a U.S force down to what he believes is the southern border of his new state. You know in essence kind of forced the issue,” explains Daniel.

General Zachary Taylor and his outnumbered troops arrived at the battlefield on May 8th, and if you’ve ever been down to the valley in May, it’s like June or July anywhere else in the state. Daniel tells a quote from a soldier during that time on the battlefield, “Everything either bites, stings, or has a horn on it, or a thorn.” Maybe that inspired them to fight fast. Lasting only one day, the Mexican forces fled to the river and were defeated the following day at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.

“The battle following that’s an outright defeat of the Mexican army. That one day was enough for the Mexican army to have nothing to do anymore with the U.S artillery.” said Daniel

U.S forces marched all the way to Mexico City where they took over the capitol. The U.S forces took down the Mexican flag, put up the American flag and ask again to buy California and New Mexico. Negotiations were made and you could say the rest was history. Texas and the U.S officially called the Rio Grande Texas’ southern border and the country immensely expands.

“For being a fairly short conflict, it definitely had large repercussions that continue to this day. You have the U.S double in size and Mexico loses half of its national territory,” expressed Daniel.

And it all started right here in the south Texas field.

“There’s hidden stories out there anywhere you look if you look hard enough,” said Daniel.

10 Scary Stops on The Texas Bucket List!

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Texas is full of history and tall tales that are passed down from generation to generation. With all of the history here in the Lone Star State, there are sure to be some spooky places with stories that are sure to send chills down your spine. From ghostly patrons at restaurants to creepy finds at pawn shops, here are some of our chilling stops with historical tales that are well-worth the eerie stop.

10. Aurora Alien Gravesite in Aurora

Aurora- The population of this small town above Fort Worth used to be 5,000 but when an epidemic wiped out the population, it has remained at around 1,500, but that is not this town’s most famous story. In the 1800’s something out of this world happened, and it has been the talk of the town since. It is said that an alien spaceship had crashed into one of the windmills, it was so big that it even made the town newspaper! Now people from all over come to the gravesite where the alien is said to be buried, but hold on before you grab your shovel, it is also said that the remains have been moved elsewhere to prevent people from digging it up!

9. Coyote Bluff in Amarillo

Amarillo- Over at the Coyote Bluff Café, there is a frightening creation of a burger that is sure to haunt your dreams, and maybe stomach. The Burger from Hell is a fiery burger with a daunting name, but for those brave enough to take a bite find it’s flavor to be delicious! Don’t let the name fool you and take a stop at the Coyote Bluff Café in Amarillo and try the spicy burger that is sure to heat up those taste buds!

8. Dave’s Pawn Shop in El Paso

El Paso- In the border city, there is a pawn shop that is sure to give you the heebie jeebies, as there are some items that are not very friendly looking. From chupacabras to the trigger finger that was once attached to the hand of Pacho Villa, there is always something to point at when at Dave’s Pawn Shop. This shop was well worth the stop on the Texas Bucket List, just make sure to keep an eye on your hands!

7. Thurber Ghost Town in Thurber

Thurber- What was once a coal-mining and brick manufacturing town is now a place with a story that still stands there to this day. Thurber, Texas was one of the first cities in the United States with electricity, running water, and natural gas in every home, that life was unfortunately abandoned when black gold was discovered nearby and everyone moved away making Thurber a ghost town. Aside from the eerie emptiness, there is also a cemetery that is full of souls that have been long forgotten.

6. Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum in San Angelo

San Angelo- This jewel in the popping part of San Angelo is where men can pick out diamonds for their woman, or find a different type of jewel upstairs in Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum. With the boarding house for girls that had a booming business for the young ladies of San Angelo that eventually led them into a life of riches. The Bordello was definitely something that sparked curiosity and that those in company of the girls were well taken care of.

5. Hotel Galvez in Galveston

Galveston- At the Hotel Galvez and spa, there is a story that is unlike any other. With Mr. Bobby Lee Hilton as the face and ambassador of the hotel, he is the charming and charismatic man that the patrons love to see and hear from. Aside from his tenure at the hotel, he had to tell us about the history that is not for the faint of heart, the hauntings. The hotel has numerous accounts of hauntings that have been seen by patrons and staff that have sent their hair standing straight up. According to the town’s folklore, the so called haunting spirit is named Audra and hung herself in room 501 from the grief of losing her fiancé. For some reason we couldn’t catch a glimpse of the haunted room, which means you’ll have to go see it for yourself! If you dare.

4. The Gas Station (We Slaughter BBQ) in Bastrop

Bastrop- In Bastrop, there is a gas station that might look pretty familiar to those who have seen a certain horror movie in the 1970’s. The green van in the front might look familiar, but remember if you hear a chainsaw, run! This Texas gas station was featured in the famous 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie, and has been restored to look flawless for the past four years. Aside from it’s famous looks and film history, this gas station is also serving up some good barbeque! But if you’re brave enough, you can even spend the night in the cabin and really feel like you’re living in the film. While there are no chainsaws involved in this overnight stay, this gas station gives the full experience of the famous horror film.

3. Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary in Montgomery

Montgomery- We were thrown to the wolves at the St. Francis Montgomery Wolf Sanctuary, which started in 2002 after a lone wolf, Mystery,  was found in the nearby woods and rehabilitated in the sanctuary. Now over 13 wolves and wolf dogs roam the sanctuary and call it home. These playful looking wolves are for sure daunting with dominance and are learning how to socialize and create relationships with each other. But watch out for that full moon, because you will definitely hear them collectively howl and let their presence be known to those in the surrounding area!

2. J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor

Manor- This ghost town is not full of history, it is here for the full and fun western experience! Named after his daughter, Jennifer Lorraine, owner George T. Richards created this small western town with distinct characteristics in each corner that tell their own stories. J. Lorraine’s Ghost Town in Manor, Texas is perfect for the family experience that comes with a small price of free, well worth a stop on the Texas Bucket List.

1. Monteleone’s Ristorante in El Paso 

El Paso- This Italian restaurant in El Paso serves up hot and delicious dishes that are a favorite among everyone, but not for those on the other side. When owner Gary Monteleone expanded his restaurant, he found out he had expanded into what used to be a spiritualist church. With multiple spirits roaming the restaurant for some good food, one spirit in particular was so intimidating and violent that Gary felt that even bringing in a priest wouldn’t help. The spirit was throwing items throughout the kitchen, and when a customer could even feel the presence, she stepped in to help push the spirit out. Now four spirits remain, and they do their part in entertaining the customers with the simple flip of a beer bottle cap. While we were there, we ran into odd technical issues that sent chills down our spine! Despite the ghostly occurrences, Monteleone’s Ristorante is always serving up authentic Italian food along with some interesting stories!

 

 

 

The Texas Bucket List Now On KXAS NBC 5 in Dallas

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Dallas – Great news Big D! The Texas Bucket List can now be seen on  KXAS NBC 5 in the Dallas/Fort Worth TV market.  Tune in to The Texas Bucket List on KXAS NBC 5 on Sundays at 10:00 am to catch host Shane McAuliffe travel to all of the must-see stops in the Lone Star State!

The Texas Bucket List began in 2013 and can be seen on all 21 television markets across the Lone Star State and nationally on RFD-TV. With over 180 episodes, The Texas Bucket List is also extremely popular on social media with over 16 million views on YouTube, over 170k likes on Facebook, and 55K followers on Instagram.  The Texas Bucket List has also been recognized for TV excellence with 18 Telly Awards and three prestigious Lone Star Emmy Awards. Tune in on your local TV station and follow Shane McAuliffe visit the must-sees and eats across Texas!

See what all the buzz is about and check out The Texas Bucket List on KXAS NBC 5 Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. or on one of our other affiliates across the Lone Stare State.

Follow this link to find where to watch! https://thetexasbucketlist.com/where-to-watch

The Texas Bucket List – Mill-King Dairy and Creamery in McGregor

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McGregor- McLennan County may include the metroplex of Waco, but down in McGregor you’ll find some magnificent fields full of cattle with plenty of room to move. “We have about 50 cows and we have about 700 acres,” said Craig Miller, owner and operator of the Mill-King Market and Creamery.

The Mill-King Market and Creamery is a business that has been in Miller’s family long before the cows came home. It all started with his grandfather, Arnold Miller, in 1941 and his father Billy kept the family farm alive until Craig was ready to dive into dairy.

“Me and my brother swore that we would never come back to this, he stuck to his guns, I caved and came back,” joked Craig.

Despite the longevity of their family farm, the way the Miller’s do business drastically changed in 2009 when the milk market spilled over and they didn’t have time to cry about it. “The price was bad enough where we couldn’t sustain the losses that were coming our way,” explained Craig.

The Miller’s stopped selling to processors and started selling directly to the consumers. “We literally started selling one bottle of milk at a time, filling it with the valve, and selling it at the farmers market here in Waco, then the farmer’s market in Austin where we made contacts and it grew from there,” said Craig.

While their milk is available across the state, you’d be surprised how utterly popular their little store is. There’s no doubt that customers are excited about getting their fresh cup of milk.  “Yeah, it’s been a good ride,” said Craig.

What’s propelled the Miller family and the Mill-King Dairy is providing a pure form of milk. Now what is the difference between the Mill-King Dairy milk and the average milk we buy at the grocery store?

“Our milk is low temp pasteurized, non-homogenized,” said Craig. Now if you’re not familiar with homogenization, don’t feel like you’re a laughing stock.

“Homogenization means to mix up and what they’re doing is they’re taking the cream, the cream is actually little balloons which are the fat globules to keep that from floating to the top you need to pop that little bubble. Well to do that they literally pump it into a stainless steel plate so fast it shatters the fat globules. When we do that we take protein chains we’ve evolved to recognize and we turn them into things our bodies have never seen before… We want to take what mother nature made, and not mess it up,” explains Craig.

The great Andy Rooney once said, “Milk without fat is like non-alcoholic scotch.” Well this would be a drink Andy could raise his glass to. Since the milk at Mill-King is minimally messed with, Craig started me off with the 1% milk. Craig explains that their 1% milk at Mill-King is similar to the whole milk we find at the grocery store. The 1% milk I tried definitely lived up to that reputation and tasted fresh and delicious. Now the whole milk takes things to a whole other level.

“Our milk is bouncing around 4% butter fat which conventional whole milk is 3, 3 ½%. It is very rich, it’s very smooth,” said Craig.   After taking a sip, the whole milk was very creamy and definitely what you would want after eating something spicy.

And chocolate milk? Don’t worry, they have that too. “It’s what we call cacao mill. It’s our one percent milk with agave nectar and cacao paste,” said Craig. The chocolate milk smelled like a candy bar and did not disappoint.

Craig’s favorite part about being a dairyman is that he has freedom. “ I get to do what I want when I want, I get to set my own schedule and as long as everything gets done, no one’s upset,” expresses Craig.

It seems as long as there is milk on the table in the morning, everybody is happy.

The Texas Bucket List – Eden Cafe in Magnolia

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Magnolia – If you find yourself traveling between Houston and College Station, we have a gem of a stop for you. The Eden Café has been satisfying hungry souls since 2006 and it is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

Ulises Larramendi and his wife, Maria, own Eden Café and they strive to have a wide variety of selections on the menu.

“It’s an international café,” owner Ulises Larramendi said. “My wife (Maria) and I wanted four people to sit at a table. One has a burger, one has Fettuccine Alfredo, the other is eating a Cuban dish and the other one is eating fish tacos. It’s completely international and everybody is enjoying their experience.”

Larramendi was born and raised in Cuba and when his family left the communist country in 1971 to live in Europe.

“There’s only one way to get out of Cuba and that’s on a plane-otherwise you had to leave illegally,” Larramendi said. “The shock was leaving Cuba and getting to Spain and realizing how the rest of the world lived.”

In 1974, his family moved to Houston.

“The country adopted us and its been the best things that’s happened,” Larramendi said. “I thank my dad every day for getting us out of there.”  

Ulises started working in the restaurant business at young age, first with the famous Pappas family who gave him some firm advice.

“They took me in, they taught me the business,” Larramendi said. “They said, “Until you get a piece of paper, we’re not going to take you seriously,” because I was dragging that out. I went through a little bit longer than a four-year program because I was already working, tending bar, managing, and I thought-this is it-I don’t need to go to college. But, they made sure that I finished which I’m thankful for.”

He continued his career with Carrabba’s, and was the general manager at a steakhouse in Puerto Rico when he finally decided to come home to Houston and open his own restaurant with his wife.

“My wife and I were brainstorming about a name and Eden reflected not only our beliefs, but also a fresh start-a new beginning for us.” Larramendi said.

He quickly immersed himself in the community, acting for a local Christian movie production company and supporting local military and police officers.

“My wife and I put out a thing about feeding the blue and taking care of our officers and bringing them in here to eat. Everybody in the community started calling and donating gift cards to pay for their meal,” Larramendi said.

While his charitable spirit attracts patrons, it’s the food that keeps them coming back for more.

While we were at the restaurant we got to taste the Chicken Marsala, which has been Eden Café’s number one selling dish since it opened. The chicken is so tender, you won’t need a fork and it melts in your mouth. The other dish featured-Ropa Vieja, a very traditional Latin American dish. It’s shredded pot roast mixed with wine, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and garlic. Both were delicious.

Finding a restaurant with so many incredible entrees is hard to do, because it takes so much time and preparation to make them. But that’s what you get at Eden Café.

The Texas Bucket List – The Roadside America Museum in Hillsboro

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Hillsboro— Smack dab between the Metroplex and Waco, you’ll find Hillsboro, which also happens to be the home of some very nice billboards for our favorite rest stop in West. Before we buy a bunch of kolaches at Slovacek’s we got our fill of Americana at one awesome stop. “Welcome to Roadside America… in Hillsboro, Texas. I’ve got some pretty interesting things, I would say,” said Carroll Estes. Carroll is the curator at the Roadside America Museum.

Originally from Dallas, Carroll bought the old Ford Dealership in Downtown Hillsboro and converted it to a showplace for all his possessions.“It’s mainly a hobby turned into what people started calling a museum. So, I started calling it a museum too,” he explained. A lover of all things 50’s, Carroll has been collecting a curious assortment of anything that makes him feel like he’s a kid again. “I wish I had a time machine. I’d go back to 1959 and stay there forever… Reason I picked 1959 I wouldn’t want to miss the fins on ’59 Cadillac,” said Carroll. “Such a simpler time. Before the computer age and all that stuff took over. And the cars, the cars of the 50s, come on, that’s all I need to say.

Vintage records, vintage remedies, and vintage road signs are just a few of the retro things Carroll collects. He searches the state looking for this stuff, but also finds some of it on the internet. “I do find things on there now from time to time… I guess… there’s some advantages [with computers]. The spell check is good,” he commented. Fortunately, U-S-A is easy to spell and this place sure showcases that it’s proud to be American.

“I know some collectors they collect great stuff, but they just build rows of shelves and stick things up on shelves… But you could give some personality,” he said. Carrol’s collection includes massive cartoon characters that are colossal in size. Pepe Le Pew, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Sylvester the Cat! “My goal is to get the entire Looney Tunes cast someday…Foggy, you got to have Foggy [Foghorn Leghorn]. I’m looking for a Foggy,” he said. “The eight foot Big Boy over here, which was my first fiberglass statue…I just found out a couple of years ago that he came from one of the first two Big Boy restaurants,” said Carrol.

Grape soda known as Grapette also means a great deal to this gatherer of all things 50s.“I got what I think may be the largest Grapette soda collection in existence,” he claimed. “I got started on the Grapette because that was my favorite drink as a kid, for one thing. I was 12 before I knew my tongue wasn’t supposed to be purple.” Carroll’s colossal collections of grape soda and Looney Tunes are impressive, but there is even more out back.

“I’ve got an old general store out back…it’s a display. It’s not for selling. It’s for showing… Built it out of 100% old rustic materials. It’s pretty cool. Stocked up with any kind of old store stock like stepping back into the forties…It covers a few decades, but it goes from all the way to turn of the century up probably,” he said.

It’s been said that as you get older, three things happen. First your memory goes and the other two, well I can’t remember the other two, but not Carroll. He is too busy remembering the 50’s because that brings him back to a joyful time in his life, a joy he wants to share with Texas.

“If you grew up in this area, it will take you back to a time that just makes you feel good… It was just a time in history I think everyone should either relive or at least learn about,” he concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Texas Bucket List – Robert E. Howard Museum in Cross Plains

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Cross Plains— Cross Plains is by no means a massive town in Texas. With less than 1,000 residents, it’s sort of like the plains you cross to get to Abilene, Comanche or Coleman. If you take some time to stop at a house in the cross hairs of Cross Plains, you’ll find out that this little place has had a big influence on the whole world thanks to a man named Robert. E Howard.

“He knew he wanted to be a writer real early on. He just had that creative streak,” said Arlene Stephenson.  Arlene is a volunteer at the Robert E. Howard Museum, housed in the original house Robert E. Howard grew up in and wrote his many works. We’re not talking novels of non-fiction, Howard had one heck of imagination. “I guess you might say, he was almost a nerd before nerds had been invented, type thing,” said Arlene. “Complex probably as they come, but I think most creative people probably are. His mind just ran in so many different directions.”

Howard is considered the father of the sword and sorcery style of writing, thanks to character he created called Conan. This style is prevalent today in trending things such as Game of Thrones or Dungeons and Dragons “A lot of that could be traced back to influence of Howard’s writings,” said Arlene.

An avid reader of pulp magazines as a teenager, Robert submitted a story for consideration and by the age of 19, he was being published in Weird Tales Magazine. Fantasy wasn’t his only forte, Robert wrote about boxing, westerns, adventures, pretty much anything he put his mind to.  “He was actually making more money at a penny a word than probably anybody in town, except a banker,” explained Arlene. “He was the breadwinner, if you look at income cash.”

In December of 1932, Conan made his first appearance and created a whole new genre.  “He had a major influence on a whole lot of what we’re seeing today and they are making great inroads in getting him [Howard] more accepted broadly as a literary, not just one of these pulp writers, but more of a literary genius,” she said. Part of the museum is Robert E. Howard’s bedroom, the site in which his famous works were created. “That’s where it happened… That little old tiny room, six foot wide,” said Arlene.

Robert lived in this home with his family until the age of 30, when tragically he took his own life. Though he has passed, his legacy lives on today in his creative works. “Bran Mak Morn, Solomon Kane, El Borak, Steve Costigan, Breckinridge Elkins… And Conan. He didn’t call him Conan the Barbarian… Somebody else stuck that on there, somewhat later. But in Howard’s pure writing, he was just Conan,” explained Arlene. Well the Robert E. Howard Museum wouldn’t be complete without the writings of Robert Howard.

All the Conan stories can be found in three of his books, but be forewarned, they are not categorized as light reading. “That was his writing. I would say he was very verbose,” agreed Arlene.
Robert never got to see Conan in the comics or the incredible flicks from the 80’s, but we should have known that deep down, Conan is a Texan. “Started right here in Texas and ended right here in Texas. But oh man, it’s gone a long way…” she said.

While the films were fun, the real reason to visit this small home is to understand the amazing influence Robert had on the literary world and the world of fantasy, something that Arlene comes to realize at every annual Howard Days celebration in June.  “So everybody who is here during Howard days that speaks another language gets out there in the front porch and they take turns reading Cimmeria,” she said. “One year, I think we had nine languages represented up there. And all right out here in this front porch. Twelve feet from where it was written in Cross Plains, America. We do good to understand Texan here!”

“He was a pure Texan, that created from a Texas environment, influenced by Texas and just kind of went on to conquer the world,” concluded Arlene.

 

The Texas Bucket List – NOLA Brunch and Beignets in San Antonio

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San Antonio— A few hours east of the Sabine, you’ll find some incredible flavors inspired by French cuisine. Considering it’s a three and half hour drive from the Texas border to New Orleans and the fact we’re known as The TEXAS Bucket List, we had to find this fancy food elsewhere. Fortunately, we found NOLA Brunch and Beignets in the Alamo City.

“It’s kind of a little trip to New Orleans, but more around the block than a few hours away. So it’s good,” said customer, Sarah Ostrom.
“Some of the best food I’ve had in ages. Loving the food,” raved customer, Daryl Laster.
“She’s been in New Orleans before, so she says it’s pretty much exactly how it is there,” added another customer, Dillion Sutton. “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” said owner Pieter Sypesteyn.

Pieter is the Cajun kid who grew up loving the cuisine of the culture he was cultivated in. When he moved to Texas, he knew he had to bring it with him—brunch that is.
“New Orleans is real big on brunch and kind of my mission since I left New Orleans as a kid was just learning how to develop those flavors again and how to cook that kind of food ’cause it’s hard to find outside of New Orleans,” said Pieter. 

Grits, praline candied bacon, and beignets are only the beginning to this expansive brunch menu with a big easy feel.
“Brunch is supposed to be fun for us.. And if [someone’s not having fun]… mimosas!” said Pieter.
Before we pop the top on the champagne, we picked out a signature dish to dine on called the Blue Crab Omelet.
“Two of my favorite things in life: seafood, Creole cooking,” said Daryl.

“We’d do a three egg omelet, French style, so it’s cooked real nice and light and fluffy. We make some Creole cream cheese in-house, which is this kind of an old New Orleans style farmer’s cheese. It’s a real simple creamy cheese. It’s not real sweet, but we do a little bit of that Creole cream cheese on the inside and then we do some fresh blue crab out of the Gulf and it goes right on top. A little bit of Creole hollandaise, which is a pretty standard hollandaise, where we do a little Creole mustard inside and some Crystal hot sauce, just to spice it up a little bit,” explained Pieter. “I have [been to New Orleans] a few times,” said Ryan Torres, an employee at NOLA Brunch and Beignets.

Ryan got to cracking on the omelet that’s prepared with care.
“So what I’ve got here is… butter melted, just warmed it up a little bit. I’m going to come over here and get some eggs… mixed with some heavy cream,” he said. Once the eggs were cooking, Ryan prepared a plate to place the creole creation on.
“This is the spicy chipotle gravy that we put on the bottom. We just want to put a small amount because we don’t want it to overpower… I’m going to hit the crab with a little lemon juice. Just to season it up. I’m going to go ahead and grab my Creole cream cheese… And that’s something that we make,” he said. “So here’s that omelet. I’m going to go ahead and plate it right in the center of the plate. Traditional French omelet is nice and wet… Crab’s ready to go. I’m going to hit that with a little Creole hollandaise on top. Not a lot. I mean we just want to kind of impart a little flavor on there, not really overpower it,” he explained. “A little bit of fresh arugula on there, just to give it some color and contrast… you got to have the greens on there…. Go ahead and plate up a crab… we make sure you’re getting your money’s worth here. Get some nice fresh crab,” he said. This might be the finest dish ever featured on The Texas Bucket List.

“Then I’ll just go ahead and finish that up with just a little more lemon juice on the arugula and a little bit on the crab just to give it some flavor,” added Ryan.
“It’s authentic food. You can tell it’s freshly made. They put a lot of love into it,” commented Sarah. The freshness of that crab and fluffiness of those eggs come together with a little crunchiness from the greens, giving it great texture, but it’s more about the phenomenal flavor. “It’s really great to be able to show different kinds of food and different kinds of cuisines and lifestyles for people,” said Pieter. There are not enough crab omelets in this world.  “It’s definitely smelled like crab when it came in, but it’s really good. I liked the hollandaise a lot,” said Dillion.
If you haven’t had a crab omelet from NOLA Brunch and Beignets, you’re missing out.

“They offer a different cuisine, different delicious food and I think everyone in Texas should come and try this place,” added Sarah.  We are all into waffles that are the shape of Texas, but every once in a while, you need a grownup meal.  “It’s a nice, off the path, delicious, charming experience,” claimed Daryl.

Well, if you’re looking for a breakfast that’ll bring you out of your shell, it’s safe to say that the Blue Crab Omelet here at NOLA, San Antonio, is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List. “I really just want to provide the neighborhood with something that people would enjoy and give people… kind of a different dining experience, a different style of brunch and just some real authentic flavors from New Orleans,” concluded Pieter.

 

The Texas Bucket List – The U.S. Air Guitar Regional Championship in Houston

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Houston—Every June an eclectic gang of curious people come together to celebrate their love of music. They come dressed to impressed because putting on a performance is what this collaboration of creative entertainers is all about. Just don’t expect to see any real instruments. Welcome to the U.S. Air Guitar Regional Championship!

“Texas has some great air guitar players…We have it all,” said organizer Randy Garza. Randy is big fan of Rush and the man who rushes to put this peculiar competition together each year. He’s also known as El Airachi. His alter ego has made it all the way to the National Semifinals in Chicago, a riff away from the World Championship held in Finland every year.

“When I was little, I used to always emulate playing a guitar. My mother, God rest her soul, she used to always say, ‘Someday there will be something that will have air guitar and it will pay off. You will be the winner,’” Randy recalled. The competition at the US Air Guitar is stiffer than the brisk winds coming off the gulf with great competitors like Stonehenge, Wild Child Roshi, Uncle Hot Dog, and even Xena. “I don’t know how to play the guitar,” Xena confessed.

Good news is, she doesn’t have to. These masterful melody imitators take this face off very seriously, even without instruments. “This is something that I love, and something I love to perform, and a friend of mine a few weeks ago said ‘Randy, some people get it, some people don’t. But guess what, a lot of people get it,’” said Randy.

The judges are serious too. Grading presentation, strumming, plucking, picking and playing of an abstract guitar. “I think one of the main things that a lot of our judges really look for is what’s called airness. That is your little unique qualities that no one else is possessing. That evening, or ever,” Randy explained. “The judges will see it and they’ll pick up on it.”
I guess we’ll go ahead and rock on.

“You’ll see people do it, and you’re like, ‘oh, okay.’” Said Patrick Friend. Patrick placed fifth his first time out. “I know some people, I see them try to play air guitar and I’m going ‘Wow, you’ve never even seen a guitar played, have you?’” he laughed. Patrick loves the competition because it lets him let loose and literary throw away the crutches to perform.
“I go by GimpDaddy in the air competition, primarily because I was born with spina bifida,” he explained. “I don’t like to use my handicap to an advantage, but I do understand that it does bring out a certain element that a lot of people aren’t expecting, and they’re like ‘Wow, someone like that did that.’” An extremely tough competitor, Patrick feels the music rush through him and for a few seconds he’s a rock god. “For those of us who didn’t have talent, but still have that appreciation, this is a way for us to perform…It sounds silly, but it’s a thing, and it’s enjoyable,” he said. “You’re like a rock star for just a few moments, you know? If you’ve never been a rock star, if you’ve never been on stage like that, it’s the best feeling,” confirmed Randy.

In the end, it’s a competition and only one can move on to the US Air Guitar National Championship. For a few hours it’s also just a chance for people with regular day jobs to pull a Page, keep up with Clapton, sling some Stevie or act like Angus. They come together for their love of music and leave us all with a feeling like we’re floating on air, making it well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List. “Music has been a huge part of my life, I’m always listening to music, always rocking, and this is just a huge extension of it,” said Randy. “I just have fun, you know? I suck at being a shut-in, and so I get to come out, I get to enjoy music, hang out with people who are just… really good folks, and it’s just fun,” concluded Patrick.

The Texas Bucket List – Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas

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DALLAS – When you drive through Dallas, there’s a Texas treasure that’s pretty hard to miss. You can see it from the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, and it’s filled with all sorts of amazing stuff. We urge you to go inside-just make sure you have your walking shoes.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is truly an incredible museum for all ages.

“It’s a gorgeous museum and not only for what is inside, but architecturally we get recognized around the world because it’s a very unique space,” said Krista Villarreal- Moore, Director of PR and Communications at the Perot Museum.

Villarreal-Moore is a former TV meteorologist who kept her calling for science and nature alive by taking a job at the museum dedicated to it.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, science isn’t for me,’ but if you’re curious about your world, that’s science,” Villarreal-Moore said.

The massive complex is a combination of three, long-time Dallas museums in one. The Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place, and The Dallas Children’s Museum. The three united in 2012 to form the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. With five levels and 180,000 square feet, this museum takes a big bite out of all sorts of subjects in a fun, interactive and inspiring way.

“Our mission is to inspire minds through nature and science, but the reason that’s important is that STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math careers are going to be central to, not just our region’s economy, but the nation’s economy going forward,” Villarreal-Moore said.

The learning starts as soon as you walk in and head up an escalator.

“So this is the ride up to the T. rex (Tyrannosaurus rex). We have a new T. rex that greets visitors at the top. His name is Stan,” Villarreal-Moore said. “We did not name him, but he came to us that way. He’s the second most complete T. rex ever discovered. It’s a neat way for visitors to get their sort of first dinosaur experience as they’re coming up our escalator, which sticks on the outside of the building.

He’s friendly though, harmless. He’s from South Dakota. Lots of dinosaurs, especially T. rex were found there in the Badlands.”

Don’t expect just dinosaurs. The museum has it all. We rocked out in a gallery that knocks out two birds with one stone, telling the history of our Earth while showcasing some amazing beauty.

“This is our gems and minerals hall and I’ve got to show you what we call our grape jelly geode.” Villarreal-Moore said. “You’ll see why. It’s a 2000 pound amethyst. This was the first piece installed in the Perot Museum because we wanted to make sure that we got it installed and that it would be safe, as everything else was starting to move in. What I find fascinating about this is that this is how it was naturally found. This is just nature. A lot of times you’ll find minerals in the ground, but when you see it in a piece of jewelry, it’s because it’s been cut and polished and faceted, but no, this is just nature’s beauty.”

You’ll also find a new, birthstone exhibit inside the museum and a dazzling display of gems from around the world.

But learning about our bodies and what it takes to make us tick is what we found totally mind blowing.

“This is a real, human brain,” Villarreal-Moore said. “This is one of the only places in the world to see a brain still connected to its spinal column with the nerve ending displayed this way. It’s so interesting t

o be able to see it up close, because we all see photos and pictures, but to be able to see the intricacies of what’s making us all tick, I think is just a really unusual, unique experience.”

After learning about the human body, Villarreal-Moore takes us to Dinosaur Hall. Not only will you see real dinosaur bones found in Texas, but you get to see an actual paleontologist in their element-finding fossils.

Dr. Ron Tykoski knew from an early age that he wanted to work with dinosaurs and it all started when his parents took him to museum. Imagine that!

“I remember when I was five years old, they said, ‘Maybe someday if you do really well in school, you can come and work here and work on the dinosaurs’ I said, “Okay,” Tykoski said.

Today he’s living the dream, a rock star when it comes to digging into rocks. Folks get to watch him work all day.

“You can watch, in real time, our paleontologists and volunteers doing their research so they may be right in front of your eyes discovering a new species of dinosaur because our paleontologists have thus far identified several new species that were previously not known to science,” Villarreal-Moore said.

“We really don’t know what comes out of these rocks any given moment, any given day, something can appear out of here. You can be the first human being to ever see some element that appears out of one of these rocks,” Tykoski said.

Being able to see the exhibits and exhilarating history of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is the perfect family outing, but getting to see actual science is a bonus big enough to make this wonderful world of all things wondrous well worth a stop.

“I’m pushing science and knowledge forward,” Tykoski said. “What greater contribution is there than that?”