Bandera, TX-December 3, 2011

It was still rainy this morning, so we were slow getting started on our day. We had to go to Home Depot first. Then on a whim we headed down the road to Bandera. We were told that every day at lunch all of the ranchers come into town on their horses. They tie their horses to hitching posts in front of the restaurants and stores. Well, it is true. What a sight! They don't look like the dusty old cowboys in those old western movies. They wear very nice clothes and boots along with good looking cowboy (or girl) hats. It did not take us long to realize that this is a tradition in this very, very old town. The stores look like they came out of a movie, very old and unpainted. But what a charming town. As we drove around we realized this is not a place that would be welcoming to a newcomer. The ranches are massive. Call it miles or 100s of acres, it's all the same size. And the gates to each ranch are clearly marked NO TRESPASSING. It is possible that their social time is meeting in town for lunch. Otherwise they keep to themselves and take care of their ranches. It was some really pretty countryside to see and the horse riding ranchers added such character to the scene. We are certainly glad we saw it. But we do think that being that remote might be a bit too much for us. No doubt they live a very interesting life out in the country. Good for them!