Start 2024 well-caffeinated in Paint Rock on the way to the northwest.
Sweeten your ride. On the long drive to the northwest, whether it’s a ski trip or just to visit northern New Mexico and all points beyond, the route from Austin through Llano, Brady, and Sweetwater isn’t a bad way to go. The path also goes through the tiny settlement of Paint Rock, about 3.5 hours out of Austin. Which is just about the perfect time for a potty break, and the Paint Rock Coffee Company is a great comfort stop. In the former bank building across the street from the Concho County Courthouse, the small coffee shop serves hot and cold espresso drinks, ready-made tacos, and all kinds of pastries with counter and drive-through service. Order the Friday Special meal by Thursday at 4pm for pickup anytime on Friday. Or order a whole pie or cake to take with you. The manager, Celeste, said they recently painted over the cool old bank sign on the front of the building with a pink “Coffee” because people were stopping looking for a bank. Next door to the coffee shop is a small park with picnic tables with swings as seats and clean restrooms. The coffee company also has a location in Lubbock at 2002 Broadway.
Paint Rock Coffee Company, 112 San Saba St., Paint Rock, Daily 8am-7pm, 325/977-8222, www.facebook.com/p/Paint-Rock-Coffee-Co-PR
Plan your visit. The National Park Service has announced six free entrance days for 2024:
- • Jan. 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
- • April 20: First day of National Park Week
- • June 19: Juneteenth
- • Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- • Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
- • Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Of the 428 National Park Service sites, 17 are in Texas. Only two are actual National Parks: Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains. The others are:
- • Amistad Reservoir National Recreation Area
- • Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- • Big Thicket National Preserve
- • Blackwell National Historic Site
- • Butterfield Overland National Trail
- • Chamizal National Monument
- • El Camino Real de los Tejas
- • Fort Davis National Historic Site (fee)
- • Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
- • Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
- • Padre Island National Seashore (fee)
- • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
- • Rio Grande National Wild & Scenic River (fee)
- • San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- • Waco Mammoth National Monument (fee) (Dig site not included on free entrance days)
Reservations to visit national parks in 2024 will be open on Jan. 5, at www.recreation.gov. Park officials plan to hold a limited number of spots until one week prior to each entry date. Some of the most popular parks such as Yosemite and Glacier will require advance reservation during peak periods.
Free entrance days, National Park Service, www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
Travel Notes:
Picture this. A selfie of the Holm family jumping for joy in Palo Duro Canyon State Park was the grand prize winner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife photo contest. TPWD has published the 17 other finalists and honorable mention photos. The contest was part of the State Parks’ 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2023.
Aggieland music. Right before Christmas, Michael Hearne announced the lineup for the Bryan version of his popular Big Barn Dance Music Festival held in Taos, N.M., for more than 20 years. The Texas rendition happens May 3 and 4 with a Songwriter Series on Sunday, May 5. The inaugural music festival features the usual suspects including Asleep at the Wheel, Gary P. Nunn, Rick Trevino, Shinyribs, and many others. The Big Barn Dance in Taos happens on the weekend after Labor Day, Sept. 5-7.
Merry memories. In 2024, the Texas Renaissance Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary. The annual recreation of Victorian England wants you to send photos of your visits to the fantasy village outside of Todd Mission. Along with digital copies of your favorite photos send your name and a favorite memory of the festival. The collection will be published later in the year.
Let them eat cake. Many Christian religions around the world celebrate the 12th day of Christmas or the Epiphany with cake. This year the holy day is celebrated on Jan. 6. In French society it is called King Cake, but in Mexican culture it is Rosca de Reyes. Traditionally it is a ring cake with a baby figurine baked into the batter, topped with fruit in the colors of the Mexican flag. Getting the slice with the figurine is considered good luck. That person is expected to provide the tamales for Dia de la Candelaria on Feb. 2. Get your Rosca de Reyes fresh from La Ideal Bakery in Lockhart, but don’t wait until Jan. 6, because they always sell out.
Other January Events:
Jump to a region: Big Bend | Gulf Coast | Hill Country | Panhandle | Piney Woods | Prairies & Lakes | South Texas | Out of StateBIG BEND
White Shaman Preserve Tours Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Comstock, www.wittemuseum.org/white-shaman-preserve
GULF COAST
Polar Plunge Jan. 1, Surfside Beach, www.visitsurfsidebeachtx.org
Cistern Illuminated Jan. 1-Jan. 7, Houston, www.buffalobayou.org
Radiant Nature: See the Garden Glow Jan. 1-Feb. 25, Houston, www.hbg.org
Gospel Music Festival Jan. 5-6, Rockport, www.gospelforce.org
Second Saturday in the District Jan. 13, Rockport, www.rockportculturalartsdistrict.com
MLK Grande Parade Jan. 15, Houston, www.mlkgrandeparade.org
Port Aransas Restaurant Week Jan. 19-28, Port Aransas, www.portaransas.org/restaurant-week
Bird Banding Jan. 20, Lake Jackson, www.gcbo.org
HILL COUNTRY
Renewable Ramble – a New Year’s Day guided hike at the Colorado River Refuge Jan. 1, Bastrop, pplt.org/preserves
Hair of the Dog Day Jan. 1, Gruene, www.gruenehall.com
Guided Morning Tours of Jacob’s Well Natural Area Jan. 7, 14, Wimberley, hayscountytx.com
Hill Country Indian Artifact Show Jan. 13, Fredericksburg, www.hillcountryindianartifacts.com
Folk Festival Jan. 13, New Braunfels, texashandmadefurniture.com/livinghistory
Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse Concerts Jan. 18, Wimberley, www.wimberleyumc.org
An Evening with Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra Jan. 19, New Braunfels, brauntex.org
Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show Jan. 20-21, Fredericksburg, www.fredericksburgrockhounds.wordpress.com
Kerrville Renaissance Festival Jan. 20-21, 27-28, Feb. 3-4, Kerrville, www.kerrvillerenfest.com
Texas Children’s Choir in Concert Jan. 21, Fredericksburg, www.fredericksburgmusicclub.com
Acoustic Eidolon Experience Jan. 27, Boerne, www.cavewithoutaname.com
Nebgen Historic School Open House Jan. 27, Fredericksburg, historicschools.org
Texas Indian Heritage Association Winter Powwow Jan. 27, Llano, www.llanochamber.org
PANHANDLE
N.C. Wyeth and the Golden Age of American Illustration Jan. 19-March 31, San Angelo, www.samfa.org
PINEY WOODS
Sam Rayburn Day Jan. 6, Bonham, www.thc.texas.gov
Winter Fantasy Faire at Faire of Champions Jan. 6-Feb.11, Palestine, www.faireofchampions.com
Caddo Artist Series – Michael Sheyahshe – Workshop Jan. 19, Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, www.thc.texas.gov/news-events/calendar
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Dinosaurs Live! Jan. 1-Feb. 19, McKinney, www.heardmuseum.org
Central Track: Crossroads of Deep Ellum Jan. 1-May 31, Dallas, aamdallas.org
Pearl Bluegrass Jam Jan. 6, Gatesville, www.pearlbluegrassjam.org
Ray Wylie Hubbard in Concert Jan. 12-13, La Grange, www.thebugleboy.org
Train Show Jan. 19-21, Plano, www.facebook.com/dfwtrainshows
Lunar New Year Jan. 26-28, Feb. 2-4, 10-11, Grand Prairie, www.asiatimessquare.com
SOUTH TEXAS
Washington’s Birthday Celebration Jan. 25-March 2, Laredo, www.wbcalaredo.org
Robert Burns Night Jan. 27, San Antonio, scottishsociety-sa.org/annual-burns-nicht
OUT OF STATE
Mardi Gras Twelfth Night
Jan. 6, Lake Charles, www.visitlakecharles.org/swlamardigras
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 25 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.
This article appears in December 29 • 2023.
