Day Trips & Beyond: August Events Roundup

Lay my head in Big Bend. A new generation of hospitality professionals is taking over some of West Texas’ most recognizable hotels in Alpine, Fort Davis, and Marfa. An Austin company with West Texas roots, Byways Hospitality, has taken over the Maverick Inn and the Holland Hotel in Alpine and the Hotel Limpia in Fort Davis. They already are working on the Stagecoach Inn in Salado, a boutique hotel in San Antonio, and have an upscale RV park on the Frio River.

In Marfa, the Hotel Paisano – famous for housing the stars of Giant during filming of the movie in 1955 – has passed to Lauren Werner King and her husband Harrison King. Harrison is a member of a local real estate company. Lauren operates the Willow House, a set of casitas just outside the gates to Big Bend National Park that look like concrete box culverts from the outside but are decorated in stylish minimalism on the inside. Each cabin offers expansive desert views about 3 miles from Terlingua from a private porch.

Work has already begun on all four properties. The Maverick Inn is currently closed for major renovations. Built in the late 1930s, it is believed to be the oldest operating motor court in Texas. Across town, the 27-room Holland Hotel was built in 1928 by Henry Trost, who designed several West Texas inns including the Hotel Paisano. The hotel is still open, but kitchen service has been discontinued and the popular Century Bar and Grill is closed. One of the best eateries in Fort Davis, the Blue Mountain Bar and Grill at the Hotel Limpia is temporarily closed, but rooms in the historic 1912 hotel are still available. The Hotel Paisano is currently closed while restoration is in progress. The iconic Jett’s Bar and Grill in the hotel is gone and will be replaced with a new restaurant possibly as soon as this fall.

Open daily, the indoor public pool at Indian Hot Springs requires reservations only on weekends to soak in the natural geothermal waters. The site has offered mineral baths since 1863, making it one of the oldest hot springs resorts in Colorado Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Soaking up the scenery. Just under an hour west of Denver, Colo., Indian Hot Springs, on the edge of the town of Idaho Springs, is old, and kind of funky, but charming. The main public pool is shaped like a three-prong puzzle piece covered with a curved opaque roof. A jungle of tropical plants surrounds the pool area. Two waterfalls continually refill the pool with hot mineral water. The further away from the waterfalls, the cooler the water which averages a little over 100 degrees. The pool is about 5 feet deep and feels about the temperature of a relaxing hot bath. When you get out, even after a shower, your skin feels velvety clean. There is no sulfur smell like at some hot springs.

The private tubs run hotter than the main pool. Each private option must be reserved and comes at an additional charge. Besides spa treatments and mud baths the private tubs offer a unique level of soaking. The classic indoor private tubs are for two and four people. Outside are fiberglass hot tubs and cedar tubs. For the hardcore hot springs soakers, the underground caves give patrons a chance to get in real hot water. There are clothing-optional areas segregated by gender. Even the staff think this area is brutally hot.

Native Americans once used the mineral hot springs as a sacred healing site. The first bathhouse was built in 1863, making Indian Hot Springs one of the oldest commercial bathhouses in Colorado. The resort has that old feeling without being ratty. A small gift shop supplies essentials and souvenirs.

Lodging in the historic 1905 resort building has the advantage of not having to go outside to access the hot mineral water pools. Disadvantages are many: the rooms have no shower or bathtub, no air conditioning (although it’s cool enough that opening the window is comfortable enough), and tiny rooms. The rooms in the two-story inn have recently been updated, although not by much. The rooms are small and minimalist. They’re a short walk across the road from the pools and adequate if you’re not spending much time in the room. The lodge is a two-story building of rooms that haven’t been updated but are the cheapest option. There also are small cabins with full kitchens.

A former mining town, the architecture of Idaho Springs is pure Old West style. The town has closed off Miner Street through the old town section forming a pedestrian mall and giving the restaurants outdoor seating. It’s a tourist area but not crowded like Golden or Boulder. The dining options range from steak to pizza, and craft breweries to bakeries.

Indian Hot Springs, Idaho Springs, Colo., https://indianhotsprings.com

From the Archives

“Day Trips” first appeared in The Austin Chronicle on April 12, 1991. Even before then I had begun amassing a collection of photographs from around Texas that now numbers in the thousands. Occasionally in the coming months I will highlight a photo that may or may not have previously been published. Hope you enjoy.

In the days before selfies, Abel Head “Shanghai” Pierce, a cattle and real estate baron on the Coastal Plains, had his likeness done in a life-sized marble statue. The sculpture now stands at his grave in the Hawley Cemetery outside of Blessing. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Shanghaied. According to legend, when Abel Head “Shanghai” Pierce first saw the $10,000 marble statue he had commissioned of himself by the noted sculptor Frank Tiech, his words were: It’s a fair likeness. The statue would eventually be placed over his grave in the Hawley Cemetery seven miles northeast of Blessing, a town established by the Pierce brothers. When asked by a reporter why he ordered a statue of himself, he supposedly replied, “Well, nobody else would do it.” Born in Rhode Island, Pierce stowed away on a freighter in New York City and landed at Indianola in 1853. He learned the cattle business from the ground up. Pierce became a larger-than-life 19th-century cattle baron who drove thousands of head of cattle to northern markets during the days of the Chisholm Trail. Over his lifetime he made and lost several fortunes. Along with his brother, Jonathan, Pierce established ranches in Wharton and Matagorda counties.

The family’s legacy survives on the Coastal Plains. The former company town of Pierce, TX, hangs on southwest of Wharton. The Pierce Ranch is still a major agribusiness. Its former ranch house serves as an event center. In Blessing the Blessing Hotel has welcomed guests since 1907. Open for breakfast and lunch, the Blessing Hotel Coffee Shop is a favorite dining spot in the area. Fourteen miles south of the hotel is Palacios with multiple restaurants, a thriving bookstore, an interesting little museum, and the ongoing restoration of the Luther Hotel. The coastal area offers an abundance of backroads to explore. Blessing is about halfway between Bay City and Port Lavaca. The Lower Colorado River Authority’s excellent Matagorda Bay Nature Park is 40 miles southeast. Blessing is just under three hours from Austin.

Aug. 27, Adventures in Beachcombing, Matagorda Bay Nature Center, 979/863-2603, https://lcraparks.com/land-development/matagorda-bay-nature-park

Travel Notes: Come prepared when you’re taking a hike of Enchanted Rock SNA’s recently opened Backcountry Area. Part of a former ranch, the trails are rugged, but the scenery is out of this world. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Hard rock hike. If you’re looking for a daylong workout, look no further than Enchanted Rock State Natural Area outside of Fredericksburg. The park has opened a portion of the newly acquired land for self-guided day use after being accessible by guided tours only. Maybe not as challenging as the 425-foot climb up the Summit Trail, the Backcountry Area is part of acquisitions in 2024 and 2025 as part of the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund program that added in excess of 3,700 acres, more than doubling the size of the park. It’s a 2-mile hike just to get to the entrance to the Backcountry. Once you’re there, you’re rewarded with a landscape of scattered mounds and hills of pink granite. The area is laced with almost 11 miles of trails, some of which can be quite strenuous. Come prepared.

Something blue. There aren’t many public parks in Central Texas as beautiful as Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley. The parks and recreation department has announced the City of Wimberley is planning a new $4 million Blue Hole Nature Center at the Hays County park. The 2,375-square-foot facility will include two flexible nature learning spaces that can be combined into one larger classroom, restrooms, covered porches, and a large outdoor educational courtyard, according to MySA. The cypress tree-lined creek with a rope swing and chilly spring-fed water is one of the best swimming holes in the area. Since 2005, the city has protected the 126-acre park from being loved too much by limiting access and establishing common sense rules. The park features hiking trails, bike paths, sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic areas for picnics. Reservations are required for the swimming area from May 1 through Labor Day, as well as weekends in September. All other recreational areas in the park do not require reservations.

Blown glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly evoke a sense of controlled chaos. This is part of a piece in the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which has a collection of the artist’s work. You’ll have to visit the City Art Center in Round Rock to see the first permanent installation of Chihuly’s work in Central Texas. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Choo, choo, Chihuly. The first permanent installation of a glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly in Central Texas has landed at Round Rock’s City Arts Center. According to Cora Ness at KXAN, the Round Rock City Council approved a $360,000 contract for the approximately 9-by-6-foot sculpture to hang in the City Arts Center. Titled Ruby Sunstone Pineapple, the hand-blown glass art weighs around 460 pounds. Admission to the City Arts Center is free. The galleries are in the old downtown area at 216 E. Main St. and are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm with extended hours on Wednesday until 8pm. Known for his beautiful and often whimsical glass creations, has installation around the world. The largest permanent collections and site-specific installations are at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Wash., and at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in OKC, Okla.


Bird blues. Throughout the summer, after dining on insects during the day and prior to settling in for the night, Purple Martins put on spectacular aerial acrobatics shows before landing in selected trees to roost. Purple Martins are the largest swallows in North America and gather in massive flocks (or “bird-nados”) to roost during their annual migration. In past years the highly social birds have roosted at various places in North Austin and Round Rock. For whatever reason the birds decided to move this year to the trees at Greenlawn Crossing, 601 Louis Henna Blvd. The shopping center management was not thrilled by the development and told the Travis Audubon that the birds and the group’s annual Purple Martin Parties were not welcome and anyone loitering on the property would be considered trespassing. The next day, after receiving a lot of bad publicity, the management company reversed its decision. This year’s last three birdwatching parties are on Aug. 1 and Aug. 7-8 from 8 to 9pm in the parking lot between Pho Viet and Kyoka Sushi. If you can’t make one of the watch parties, the conservation organization suggests alternatives like watching the Bird Lot, a short documentary on a local Purple Martin colony, or having a cold Austin Beerworks’ Bird-nado Migratory Ale. The beer is a special collaboration in partnership with the Travis Audubon Society to celebrate and raise awareness for Purple Martins.

The bright all-white beluga whales look blue in the shade of a canopy at SeaWorld. The first rescued beluga whales from Marineland of Canada have arrived safely at SeaWorld San Antonio as part of an international effort to relocate the park’s remaining whales. The San Antonio theme park will receive as many as 13 of the 30 white whales from the shuttered theme park. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Save the whales. The closing of a theme park in Canada has left 30 beluga whales stranded. SeaWorld San Antonio is one of several marine life facilities in the U.S. and Spain that have agreed to take some of the animals. Marineland in Ontario near Niagara Falls was an amusement park and zoo that closed its doors in 2024. Unfortunately, the park’s beluga whales cannot be released into the ocean because they were born and raised in captivity. The all-white whales with distinctive protuberance at the front of their head which houses an echolocation organ are native to Artica Ocean and the northern Atlantic. The San Antonio theme park already has eight of the charismatic whales (pictured) that perform in shows and encounters with guests. As many as 13 of the rescued whales will be relocated to the Texas facility.

Other August Events: BIG BEND COUNTRY A portion of the wall at the Healing Garden memorial to victims of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass killing at the Walmart in El Paso will be the site a memorial service Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

August 3rd Memorials

A series of memorial events to remember and honor the victims and families lost on August 3, 2019, mass shooting at the local Walmart. These events offer a moment of reflection, solidarity, and hope as we pay tribute to those we lost and support one another in our ongoing journey of healing.

Aug. 1-8, El Paso, www.epstrong.org/august-3.php

GULF COAST

Purple Martin Watch Parties

From July to September, Houston’s Purple Martins spend most of the day feeding on flying insects to build energy for their long journey across the Gulf of Mexico. At dusk, large flocks, some areas witnessing up to 500,000 birds, cover the sky in a dark cloud as they fly into the trees to roost at sunset. Prime locations are at The Fountains shopping center in Stafford and around Willowbrook Mall. Be sure to check the final location before making a long trip.

Aug. 1, 15, Houston, https://houstonaudubon.org/programs/events/all-age-groups/purple-martins.html

HILL COUNTRY

Purple Martin Watch Party

Travis Audubon is sponsoring free watch parties of the aerial acrobatics show the birds put on at Greenlawn Crossing Mall, 601 Louis Henna Blvd., in the parking lot between Pho Viet and Kyoka Sushi.

Aug. 1 and 7-8, Round Rock, https://travis.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/travis/event.jsp?event=26986

Shakespeare on the River

Free performances of MacBeth at Blue Hole Regional Park. Reservations required.

Aug. 1-2, 8-9, Wimberley, www.wimberleyparksandrec.com/special-events/shakespeare

Round Rock Summer Arts Fest

The town shows off its creative side with hundreds of artists, exhibitors, sponsors, local and regional musicians, and theatrical performances, plus a variety of foods and drinks. 

Aug. 7-9, Round Rock, www.roundrocktexas.gov/city-departments/arts-and-culture/the-city-arts-center

I Love Lucy Charity Grape Stomp

Channel your inner Lucille Ball by jumping into the oak barrels to stomp some grapes and recreate the most iconic TV wine moment in history. Then cool down with a glass of limited-edition Lucy Sangria or join the Lucy Costume Contest while enjoying live Hill Country music. Bring an appetite so you can Eat for a Cause with 75% of all food proceeds going directly to support the local volunteer firefighters. The Sunday Stomp is a bit more casual from 1-4pm.

Aug. 8-9, Johnson City, https://texashillsvineyard.com/events/grape-stomp

Live Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing

Pick your favorites in the quarter horse and thoroughbred races. Gates open at 11am, post time is 1pm, rain or shine

Aug. 15-16, 29-30, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.com

Bat Watch

Learn about the flying mammals in the area. Reservation required.

Aug. 21, Wimberley, www.wimberleyparksandrec.com/bat-watch

Join the harvest celebration at Messina Hof Winery on US 290 Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Messina Hof Hill Country Harvest Festival

After picking grapes, take part in the time-honored tradition of old-world grape stomp and leave your mark by signing a souvenir Harvest Crew T-shirt with your own purple footprints. Day time and sunset options available.

Aug. 21-22, Fredericksburg, https://messinahof.com/hill-country-harvest-festival

St. Louis Day

The Saint Louis Catholic Church is turning 144 years old, the congregation is holding its annual birthday party and you’re invited. The picnic and dance are held in Koenig Park famous for the Alsatian sausage, barbecue, and oompah music.

Aug. 22-23, Castroville, www.saintlouisday.com

Gillespie County Fair

The oldest continuously operated county fair in Texas celebrates its 138th year with horse racing, midway, livestock shows, and more.

Aug. 27-30, Fredericksburg, www.gillespiefair.com

LBJ’s 117th Birthday Celebration

Come play the same games that LBJ might have played as a child in 1918. The annual wreath laying ceremony at LBJ’s grave is on Aug. 27 at the Johnson Family Cemetery at 10am.

Aug. 29, Stonewall, https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson/park_events

PANHANDLE PLAINS Get your cowboy or cowgirl on in Dalhart at the XIT Rodeo Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

XIT Rodeo and Reunion

This year is the 90th anniversary of one of most legendary events in Texas. Famous for its thrilling rodeo, lively parades, unforgettable live music, and the world’s largest free barbecue.

Aug. 6-8, Dalhart, https://xitrodeoreunion.com

Fess Parker Fess-tival

San Angelo pays tribute to the Fort Worth-born and San Angelo-raised star of TV and films with a movie, displays, and look-alike contest.

Aug. 15, San Angelo, www.sanangelo.gov/774/Fess-Parker-Fess-tival

PRAIRIES AND LAKES Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Shakespeare at Winedale

The Bard’s plays are performed by students in the old barn at the Winedale Historical Complex.

Aug. 1-9, Round Top, www.liberalarts.utexas.edu/winedale

Taylor International BBQ Cookoff

One of the oldest continuously operated smoked meat competitions in Murphy Park. Free admission.

Aug. 14-15, Taylor, https://taylorbbqcookoff.com

Praha Picnic

The annual homecoming at St. Mary’s Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Assumption with dancing, auctions, and games including a cake walk, and Praha Stew and fried chicken.

Aug. 15, Praha (outside of Flatonia), www.stmaryspraha.org

OUT OF STATE

Elvis Week

The nine-day pilgrimage honors the King of Rock & Roll with concerts, exhibits, panel discussions, and the annual Candlelight Vigil where fans walk up the driveway to Graceland’s Meditation Garden on Aug. 15. Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 and would have been 91 years old last Jan. 8.

Aug. 8-16, Memphis, Tenn., www.memphistravel.com/trip-ideas/elvis-week

Bear Fest

Enjoy a fun day at Los Alamos Nature Center full of booths, games, and resources on living with black bears and other wildlife in northern New Mexico. 

Aug. 29, Los Alamos, New Mexico, https://peecnature.org/events

Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 35 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.

The post Day Trips & Beyond: August Events Roundup appeared first on The Austin Chronicle.