Our last day at Canyon Lake we decided it was past time to make a road trip to Gruene, Texas (pronounced Green).Gruene is a small town adjacent to New Braunfels and only about 16 miles from Lake Pointe RV Park. Gruene, established in the mid-1840’s, is now a touristy spot with many shops, restaurants, boutiques but the biggest attraction is Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.
Gruene Hall is the oldest continually running dance hall in the entire state of Texas!!! Built in 1878 it has had the likes of many great singers and songwriters such as Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker and Robert Earl Keen.. The bar itself is nothing to write home about but the nostalgia and the photos of prior musicians on the wall make it a very interesting place.
Nearby is the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar which was converted from a cotton gin and it is located just beneath the water tower bearing the Gruene name.
Just down the road from Gruene Hall you can cross the Guadalupe River and on your right is a small biker bar called Bubba’s Big Deck. A great place to stop and have a few cold ones ($2.50 per can) and walk behind the deck and dip your toes in the chilly waters of the Guadalupe River…
Hard to beat a nice day in Gruene… but the next morning it was time for us to leave Lake Pointe RV Park so we packed up and headed out on some narrow Texas roads. We headed west of Texas 306 until we hit highway 281. North a few miles and then west on even a narrower and windy, but very scenic, road. Texas road 473 was not really designed for large class A motorhomes but it was really worth the drive as the spring wildflowers were still in full display. Along with the backdrop of the rolling Texas hill country nothing could have been finer on this morning.
The end of our drive took us through Kerrville, Texas and ultimately to a very quaint RV park in the middle of a working pecan orchard. Johnson Creek RV Park , nice park tacky web site, is indeed a hidden gem… Voted the number one small RV park in Texas it has well earned its name. We are staying here for a Passport America rate of $21.00 per night for two nights. More expensive than our Passport America rate of $12.00plus electricity at our last park but well worth it…
That is still a good price. Kerrville can be pricey.
ReplyDeleteWe also enjoyed a great day in Gruene.
ReplyDeleteWe missed Johnson Creek when we were in the Kerrville area. Great price.
We really enjoy the back roads of TX. Safe travels.
Just love those back roads in Texas hill country. Greune is an interesting place, but you didn't stop in Luckenbach, we ;love stopping there for a break
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about Texas, the rates are better overall than in Florida, that's for sure! We'll be heading that way by the end of May. Safe travels, guys!
ReplyDeleteHopefully one day we'll be able to head west too. I'm making note of the campground. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGruene is one of the places we didn't make it to when we were in the hill country but its on the list for next time. I too will have to make a note of that campground, always looking for great places to stay.
ReplyDeleteI was really hoping to see you doin' the two step at the dance hall.
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