Texas Backroads Weekly

A massive pink granite dome rising from the Hill Country floor. The Backstory Rising like a giant pink whale out of the Llano Uplift, Enchanted Rock has been a site of mystery and awe for thousands of years. This massive pink granite monadnock is steeped in legends—from stories of spirits sighing in the night to glowing lights on its surface. While the "noises" are actually just the rock expanding and contracting with temperature changes, the sense of wonder here is very real. The Texas Hill Country has a lot to boast about, but this rock is the center of it all. On my visit, the Texas sun was in full force—a brutal 100 degrees. I didn't make it to the very top that day, and honestly? I’m okay with that. The sheer scale of the granite and the views from the lower slopes were enough to make the trip worth it, even if I was melting in the heat. Why It Matters Enchanted Rock is proof that you don't need a mountain range to have a world-class view. It’s ...

The lush, spring-fed paradise of Gorman Falls. The Backstory Nestled along the curve of the Colorado River in the northern Hill Country, Colorado Bend State Park is one of the most diverse outdoor destinations in the state. Offering six miles of river frontage, the park is a haven for tubing, fishing, and kayaking. However, the crown jewel of the park is undoubtedly Gorman Falls—a 65-foot living Christmas tree of a waterfall that looks like it belongs in a tropical rainforest rather than the rugged Texas brush. The park is a place of second chances. On my first attempt to visit, I arrived without a reservation and was met with the disappointment of a "Park at Capacity" sign. It took months before I could finally return and secure my spot, and even then, I realized that a few hours isn't nearly enough time to see everything this 5,300-acre wilderness has to offer. Why It Matters Colorado Bend represents the wild, untouched side of Texas. It’s a place wher...

The 16-foot champion of the Great Pecan War. The Backstory The saga of the massive nut begins and ends right here in the Lone Star State. It started in 1962, when a local dentist in Seguin built a 1,000-pound, five-foot-long pecan in honor of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca. The Spanish explorer famously subsisted on pecans while traveling along the Guadalupe River—which he aptly named "the river of nuts." For twenty years, Seguin proudly held the title. But in 1982, the town of Brunswick, Missouri, struck back. They built a 12,000-pound replica of their own pecan and began a campaign of "nutty" harassment, sending mocking postcards to the Seguin Chamber of Commerce for years. Not to be outdone, Seguin unveiled a new 16-foot long version in 2011 to reclaim the throne. Why It Matters In Texas, we don't take kindly to losing our "World's Largest" titles. This statue represents more than just a photo op; it’s a symbol of small-town pride ...

A spooky masterpiece hidden in the heart of Waxahachie. The Backstory Most people who want a new home look through a catalog, but Sandra and Charles McKee had a different blueprint in mind. They spent years watching and re-watching episodes of the 1960s sitcom The Munsters to build an exact, room-by-room replica of the famous Victorian mansion located at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. This isn't just a "themed" house; it is a living tribute. From the secret staircase under the haunt to the pipe organ in the living room, every detail has been painstakingly recreated. They even tracked down original props from the show to make the interior as authentic as possible. Why It Matters In a world of cookie-cutter suburbs, the Munster Mansion is a beacon of individuality. It represents the "Keep Texas Weird" spirit long before it was a bumper sticker. The McKees didn't build this for fame; they built it out of a pure, fanatical love for the show’s legacy o...

The ultimate symbol of "standing your ground" in the Lone Star State. The Legend If you find yourself driving down Wheelock Street in Hearne, you’ll notice the asphalt suddenly splits to make room for a small, white-picket fence. Inside that fence lies the grave of Hollie Tatnell , a woman who has been successfully blocking traffic since 1911. Hollie was born into slavery and later became a respected member of the Hearne community. When she passed away, she was buried in what was then a traditional cemetery. However, as the city grew, developers bought the land and moved the other graves to make way for a new residential subdivision. Hollie’s children refused to let her be moved, standing their ground against the city and the developers. Why It Matters This isn't just a roadside oddity; it is a monument to family loyalty and heritage . Because her children wouldn't budge, the city was forced to pave the road around her. Today, she remains exactly wh...