Gruene, Texas

German immigrant farmers were the first settlers of this area, which was originally called Goodwin.  Henry D. Gruene established a large cotton farming operation here in the 1870s. 

He built a mercantile, cotton gin, and dance hall and conveyed land for a school.  The town became known as Gruene in 1903. 

The old saloon dance hall.

A little Texas Two-Step.

A boll weevil infestation destroyed the cotton crop in 1925 and signaled the decline of the town.  Restoration efforts began in the 1970s revitalized the area.  The town was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

We dined at the Gristmill Restaurant on the banks of the Guadalupe River.

Prickly Pear cactus growing on top of the Gristmill wall.

It's true!  Everything is bigger in Texas.  Look at the size of these wind chimes!

And...the hats are bigger too!

These nice hats will keep the sun off your face...your body...and the five people nearest to you!

We were right sad when Trevor and Roni had to leave us in New Braunfels, Texas.  I said to Trevor, "Sure...drag us all the way to the middle of Texas and then abandon us!"

Trevor smiled and said, "I can only drag you so far."