We used Friday as our "tour the area" time. We went to Shiner, TX to see the Spoetzl Brewery makers of Shiner Beer. The whole area is influenced by Eastern Europeans who migrated to the area after the Civil War. A group of them founded together to build a brewery and make beer the way they did in the "old country".
Another part of that culture showed in their painted churches. We went to the High Hill Church, which was "the one to go to" if you were only going to one. Fascinating. In the back of the church was a cemetery with headstones dating back to the 1880's. The detail of the stained glass, the architecture, the upkeep was outstanding.
We wanted to see the Sengelmann Hall, which was a Dance Hall from the turn of the century. Didn't open till 5:00p and it was 4:30p. Right next door was a little bar, we thought we'd go in. Upstairs was the scurviest, nastiest pool room we've ever seen. The pool tables were littered with dead bugs. The shuffleboard table was missing varnish by the points part. There was a sign in Spanish that we'll let you translate. It was so nasty, it was hilarious.
When we did get into Sengelmann Hall, it was wonderful. The upstairs, which was the hall, had that old wood smell that really added to the ambiance. The bar was a recreation of what the bar would have been like in the 1890's. The menu didn't quite fit the surroundings. We learned that for 25 years it was an auto parts store! Pictures didn't turn out great because of the darkness, but it was a great stop.
Saturday was a hang around day enjoying each other's company. Sunday was splitsville as we made the 3 hour journey south to our winter home, Sea Breeze RV Park, and Fred and Vickie made their 4 hour journey north back to Dallas.
That is the funniest sign I think I have ever read! Four stars!!!
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