Last Stop...Brackettville.

If you get on Route 90 and drive west out of San Antonio, you will see a lot of farms. After you drive through Uvalde, you will see only ranches, that are surrounded in high fences, to keep the wild game inside. If you keep doing this for two hours, you will come to the town of Brackettville. As my Dad used to say, "Don't blink or you'll miss it." But on the south side of Route 90 here in Brackettville you will find Fort Clark Springs. Inside it's gates you will find a strange and wonderfull world. You will find my Aunt Addie and Unlce Jim too!

Laura and I were so delighted that we had a chance to go and visit my only aunt and uncle on my father's side of the family. Of course we had seen them before, but as we visited we realized it was six years ago since we had seen Aunt Addie. They told us we were the first Ballou's to come and visit them in Texas, so I realized our visit meant a lot to them as well. We really wished we could have stayed longer, but we really enjoyed our short visit.


Addie and Jim took us to the restaurant in the Fort that they like to go to, which is right on the creek that runs through the community. This creek is fed by a natural spring that surfaces here from the Hill Country to the north. This spring is literally like an oasis in the desert. It attracts all the life around. Aunt Addie showed me her wonderul bird feeders, and I was treated to Lesser Goldfinches and a Nashville Warbler to add to my life list. Then at lunch along the creek, she pointed out the Vermillon Flycatcher, a bird that is even brighter then the Cardinal. After lunch Jim showed me how to drive his golf cart, and how to take the trails along the creek to get back to his house.


Laura and I enjoyed the drive, and saw a two red shouldered hawks along the way, and a pair of Golden Fronted Woodpeckers as well (another life lister!). Then Addie and Jim gave us a driving tour of the Fort community and of Brackettville proper. The Fort has an amazing history, and a variety of residents, from families to snowbirds, from RVers to upscale homes, from historic barracks to modern car ports, it has it all.

We really enjoyed our short stay, and would really encourage anyone else in the family to go to this truly unique place! Can't wait until I can get back and explore more.