Zane Williams preforms “Honkytonk Situation” at Lakeside Icehouse in Bryan, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Keeton Coffman preforms “Killer Eyes”
Keeton Coffman preforms “Killer Eyes” at the Grand Stafford in Bryan, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Mark Walton preforms “See You Later”
Mark Walton preforms “See You Later” at the Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Mickey and the Motor Cars preform “Hearts from Above”
Mickey and the Motor Cars preform “Hearts from Above” at the Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Morgan Ashley preforms “I Shot the Fire”
Morgan Ashley preforms “I Shot the Fire” at the Grand Stafford Theater in Bryan, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Cody Joe Hodges performs “Getting Back to Country”
Cody Joe Hodges performs “Getting Back to Country” at The West End Elixir Company in College Station, Texas.
The Texas Bucket List – Summer Special 2017 – Dolphin Lady in Port Isabel
No summer road trip in the Lone Star State would be complete without stopping to soak up some sun on the Gulf Coast. On South Padre Island you can catch some rays and learn about some of the incredible creatures found in the Texas shore by visiting the South Padre Island Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center. With touch tanks, dolphin tours, and a dolphin whisperer, this research center has a little something for everyone. A nature tour with an island native who really knows her dolphin facts is sure to inspiring learning in all who step aboard her small tour boat.
The Texas Bucket List – Summer Stops Newman’s Castle in Bellville
When passing through Bellville, you’ve got to stop at two places. First is Newman’s Bakery. This bakery has been serving up some of the best treats in Texas for over 30 years, but that’s not why Bellville finds itself on our list of summer stops. The big attraction here is bakery owner Mike Newman’s medieval castle. Newman’s Castle was built in true medieval fashion complete with a moat, dungeon, and formal dining area. While at the castle you can dress up in medieval attire, watch a catapult demonstration, eat a dinner fit for the Knight’s Round Table, and say a prayer in the castle’s chapel.
The Texas Bucket List – Fort Griffin Fandangle in Albany
ALBANY, Texas – Every June in the county seat of Shackelford County, the old west returns to town. Hundreds turn out for the parade that kicks off two weekends dedicated to a Texas tradition as celebrating the Lone Star State gets turned up for the summer. This is the start of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, and as the sun sets a tradition that’s been a part of these parts since 1937 comes to life.
John Ayers is one of the 300 locals that participate in this rite of passage in Albany that tells the story of the storied fort 16 miles from town.
“I’ve been the Indian chief for many years now,” John said. “My heart and passion lies with that. I’ve had a lot of fun through the Indian raids and through various parts of the show.”
Donnie Lucas is one of the narrators of Fandangle.
“It’s hard to define what Fandangle is,” Donnie said. “It’s a lot of things.”
Connie Wood is also a narrator, a title she’s had since 1977.Connie has a different definition of Fandangle from Donnie.
“Each year it’s basically the history of Shackelford County, but it’s told through different eyes,” Connie said. “The only way I can tell it’s 40 years is my children and grandchildren are all grown up and moving on.”
Cliff Teinert has also played a major role in this long tenured production as the lead male singer in the Fandangle since 1964.
“It’s just a great thing for our community here, and we strive to keep this thing going,” Cliff said.
This powerful play was first produced by Albany native Robert Nail. He directed the Fandangle until his death in 1968. He instilled three ground rules when it came to this story of Texas. One, it could only be advertised through word of mouth, two no profanity, and three, “You have to be kin,” according to Connie.
Revealing the roots of how Shackelford County came to be includes early battles with natives, cattle drives, the harsh way of life in the pioneer days and the discovery of oil of the plains.
“All of the things that we do here, goes back to keep all of our heritage alive, and that’s what the Fandangle does for our community,” Cliff said.
This experience doesn’t just enrich the knowledge and lives of those who come to see it; being a part of something that’s been such a big piece of the town’s identity has its benefits.
“It feels great to have them become invested in the community and have their own history,” Donnie said.
Texas pride, Texas history, and Texas culture. The Fort Griffin Fandangle exudes these characteristics that makes a trip to Albany, well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.
“It’s one thing you need to do; to say that you saw the oldest musical in the state of Texas,” Cliff said. “It’s the oldest musical west of the Mississippi River. There you are.”
The Texas Bucket List – Billy B’s Sale Barn in Groesbeck
GROESBECK, Texas – from. Every day across the Lone Star State, beef is being wheeled and dealed. With 12 million cattle in Texas, it’s the top commodity in the state and in Limestone County, the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Company is the place to buy and sell your grazers.
But if you work up an appetite watching burgers and steaks walking off the auction block, just head for the greener pasture of Billy B’s Sale Barn Café.
Billy Brown and Shane McLean are the grandfather and grandson duo in charge of making sure the ranchers and the regulars are sold on their food.
“We’ve only got enough space to serve about 60 people, and we serve about 12 hundred people a week in four days,” Billy said.
Only open Wednesday through Saturday, Billy B’s is always busy.
Limestone Country Sheriff Dennis Wilson, it’s safe to say, is a regular here.
“You know that’s what they’re always telling you, that the police hang out at the donut shop,” Sheriff Wilson said. “Well you can come out here and see a whole bunch of police cars, because they know where to eat. That’s what we do.”
Billy isn’t a rancher, he’s a former produce salesman who wanted to do something different. So, back in the mid 90s he bought the ol’ Sale Barn Café, a restaurant with roots that go all the way back to the 20s in Groesbeck.
“The barn was originally downtown,” Billy said. “ Had a big fire, and it burned. So the city wanted to move it out of downtown area, so they moved it out to here.”
O’Neal Foley is one of the old timers who has seen and done it all.
“I’ve done about everything haul hay, loaded watermelon, bailed hay, shredded, there ain’t much on a farm that I haven’t done.”
Lendell Grayson has been coming here his whole life.
“I used to come in here when I was a little kid,” Lendell said. “We’d come up town, and then we’d start eating here. He loved to eat, so he’d always make us get up early and eat.”
Of course, the one thing that might set some folks back is the initial smell of the auction house. Fortunately the bouquet of the cooked beef carries through the café.
“When I bring my friend form the city out, I do give him a warning before we go,” Sheriff Wilson said. “I tell them once we get in the café the aroma will change, and it will be a lot more pleasant than what you smell when we come out.”
It didn’t take long for a whiff of what was being made to find our noses, so we headed to the back for a big ol’ burger.
Head cook Robert Stahl is the real hero over the steel flattop. He got things started with two six ounce patties of 90/10 beef topped with pepper. The fresh beef sizzles on the grill and fortunately it’s not as fresh as you might think. Luckily for the cattle in the sale barn, the beef in these patties don’t go straight from the auction block to the butcher in the café.
After the patties have started cooking, eight slices of bacon get thrown on the flattop. Next, the bun gets gets buttered and toasted and topped with mustard and your typical toppings. The burger then gets flipped, flattened, and finalized.
After just one big ole bite, I knew it was good. You might even say it’s the Billy B’s knees.
The beef is obviously biggest flavor you get here. Imagine that. Then comes the bacon and all the garnishments and that bread, but the burger is all about the meat. It’s safe to say they definitely serve food that puts you in a good mooood.
Well the double bacon cheeseburger at Billy B’s in the sale barn in Groesbeck, Texas well worth a stop and a sale on The Texas Bucket List.
“It really is amazing,” Sheriff Wilson said. “This is not a local eating place, because the word has spread about the food here and the hospitality.”
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