Austin to Del Rio

Our last day on the road before reaching Del Rio, starts with a bang with a personal tour of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Thanks to Linda Pybus Glover, who works with the museum and just happens to be a Legends reader, we were able to get a personal tour with wonderful history. 


The museum tells the “Story of Texas” with three floors of interactive exhibits and special effects shows, and is worthy of the Lone Star State. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the exhibits being on loan from other Texas museums, societies and individuals, we were unable to take photos to share with you. Definitely worth the visit to see for yourself! 



Then, with Del Rio still some 230 miles down the road, we plan few stops. We will return to the San Antonio area and dedicate a couple of days. The rest is day-trippable, and you will be hearing lots more.

That being said, we can't resist a stop at tiny D'Hanis, Texas, about 50 miles west of San Antonio. First established in 1847, the building of nearby Fort Lincoln in 1849 afforded the settlers employment and much-needed protection from Indian raids. By 1850, it sported 20 homes and a school. In 1854, it became a stage stop on the San Antonio-Rio Grande Road. The beautiful St. Dominic's Church was built in 1869. 


Today, only ruins are left but still worth a stop for the photo opportunity. In 1881, when the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway built across Medina County, it bypassed old D'Hanis, and a new town grew up around the railroad loading depot 1½ miles west. Today, D'Hanis still supports a small population and has a few remaining businesses, but a visit is like stepping back in time.


We then barrel on through to Del Rio, in search of our new diggs. We have rented a two bedroom furnished apartment that provides us with good internet, dishes; all we need for living for 30 days, and allows our little dog, KayDee. We spend the rest of the evening setting up our new "headquarters." Next morning, it's unbelievably only 26 degrees, but we weren't planning a travel day anyway. We stock up on groceries, explore the town a little, and we're back to work. By weekend, temperatures are supposed to return to normal and we will begin our adventures.

Stay tuned as we explore southwest Texas, taking in such places as Big Bend National Park, Fort Clark, Fort Stockton, Langtry, the Pecos Heritage Trail and much more.


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