Life in Luling

Luling Texas.

Located about 10 miles east of our camp alongside the San Marcos River, it's somewhat like stepping back in time.  The main street is lined on one side with railroad tracks and the other with buildings dating back maybe 150 years or so.  Its beginnings as a railroad town transformed into a cattle town in the late 1800's.  As a stop for cowboys driving cattle on the Chisholm Trail, it was a rough and tumble town that once earned the reputation as the 'toughest town in Texas'.  However the towns fortunes and reputation soon changed as  a guy named Edgar B. Davis discovered oil here in 1922.  The oil field eventually was determined to be about 12 miles long and 2 miles wide and by 1924 was producing about 11 million barrels a year.  And at a going rate of about 75 cents a barrel it was, at the time, quite a big deal.  I suppose some of the towns 5000 inhabitants are still in the oil business but my guess they've moved on to work in the big cities of Austin and San Antonio nearby.  Oil wells are still pumping in and around town so I guess they've not drained the reservoir yet.

So with the railroad and oil production activity on the sidelines what's exciting Luling?  Well let me tell you.  Watermelon thumping.  I'm not sure what thumping is all about (watermelons are not in season) but I could figure out what they do by the sign below.  The main street location is where the championship watermelon seed spitting contests are held in July.  Nobody was practicing today (surprise surprise) so I guess we'll have to return for all those festivities next year.

One thing this little town, just north of interstate I-10 about 140 miles west of Houston, has is some pretty good places to eat.  We've had three recommendations so far:  The Luling City Market (www.lulingcitymarket.com) is known for its BBQ, Edna's Diner on the outskirts of town and housed in an old railroad dining car, and the Rusty Rooster.  So far we've only made it to the Rusty Rooster and with maybe the exception of Babes in Dallas, it had the best tasting fried chicken we've had since our dear late friend Lydia Higgason recipe came into our lives some 35 years ago.

Also located in little Luling is the old Zedler Mill on the banks of the San Marcos.  We have not taken the time to tour the place but it is a neat place to take a picture or two.

So if you thought we spend all our time in the big cities hanging out at Sams Club and WalMart think again.  We livin' the dream out in the oil fields of Texas and having a great time.

Phil