Willis to Fayetteville and beyond......

What do you do in Texas when temperatures are 93 degrees with a feels like of over 100 degrees but the sky is blue with fluffy clouds?  You take a trip to one of Texas' charming small towns.  Our destination, Fayetteville, TX.  Why you ask with a town of 257 people?  First, it is less than 2 hours away through beautiful country roads and secondly, it has a boutique hotel (8 rooms) with a wine bar restaurant and chef!

But first....we have to drive through Brenham, TX and stop at the famous Blue Bell Factory for delicious ice cream scooped for $1/scoop.  We had the Happy Trails (only available there) and Blackberry Cobbler yum!

Driving the country roads where the land spreads out, hay is rolled neatly in the fields and the cows find whatever shade there was made for a great afternoon.  Arrived in Fayetteville and our hotel, Grand Hotel Fayette is located right off the town square.  A boutique hotel ($175 - 250/night) with beautiful decor, comfy beds, soft sheets and first class pillows.  Self check-in, go to your room and grab the key.  Hotel has several areas to sit, relax or play games and rocking chairs on the top balcony to watch the town square and people.  Bathrooms are stocked with fluffy white towels and soft bath robes.  After dropping off our bags, we went exploring.

The town square centers on the courthouse which was closed for renovations.  It is said to have a jail on the top floor and has a gazebo on the side of it.  Several stores were closed with signs stating, call and we will open up for you but since we were just browsing we did not ask them to come.  Since we were there on Thursday afternoon not much was happening on the square.  We did stop in the Country Glam and Yesterday Past which were friendly second hand/antique shops.  The museum also was closed for renovation and there is a Theater building being started.  One unique find was an Art studio/gallery run by volunteers for kids.  

We had 6 pm reservations for the Wine Bar located on the first floor of the hotel and got to meet Chef George.  Surprisingly, it became very busy on a Thursday night and the staff was pushed to the limit but tried hard.   We started with crab cakes which had a nice flavor and pao de queijo (brazilian cheese bread) which we asked the Chef how did that come to their menu?  He said an employee's mom made them and they shared the recipe.  They were large, warm and delicious and at $6 a bargain.  We then had the Brie en Croute (takes 30 minutes) where the Brie with homemade preserves was huge and covered with pastry. There is enough to share with several people.  Main dish was a filet with au gratin potatoes and green beans, which was delicious, perfectly cooked filet but very simple in presentation.  Dessert was warmed crustless pecan pie with ice cream.  We had a bottle of Trevento Malbec from Argentina with the meal.  Cocktails are limited to a few champagne based ones.  After dinner, we strolled around the square and then sat on the hotel balcony, rocking in the chairs and watching the town and listening to the courthouse clock chimed each hour.

After a restful night (we were the only guest in the hotel)  we enjoyed coffee  and some of the continental breakfast (muffin, yogurt, cereal) on the balcony while watching the town wake up and sun rise.  We joined several locals at the Orsak Cafe for breakfast.  

Then, we headed toward LaGrange, TX to see Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery.  Admission is very reasonable ($3/seniors).  Learned the sad history of Dawson's men and the execution of 17 of the men.   The men were forced to draw a bean blindfolded and if it was white they lived and black they were killed.  Today I am told people still refer to bad luck as drawing the black bean.  The monument is a beautiful tribute to these men and sits atop a hill overlooking the Colorado river.  The Kriesche homestead is open and can be viewed through the doorways of the home.  The Brewery ruins are below and there use to be a flowing spring to feed the brewery.  Several trails are marked for exploring.  

After we headed to downtown LaGrange where their ornate working courthouse dominates the center.  It has a glass ceiling to its atrium with a flowing fountain and benches to sit and enjoy the view of the blue sky and white clouds passing by.  On one entry, there are gargoyles perched above the doorway.  The town is active with a larger population of 4,729.  Visited a couple of the stores and surprised by a birthday celebration of the Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe with giveaways, food tastings and birthday cake along with a very friendly staff.

Finally, we headed to Blissful Folly Farms to visit the Rohan Meadery and LaGrange Brewery which our friends had read about in Texas Highways Magazine.  Rose, behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful.  You can mix and match wine/beer in their 4/$10 tastings.  The pours were generous and I enjoyed the Blanc du Bois and others enjoyed the Otis and Stout Beef and a wine slushy which was cool and refreshing but a bit too sweet.  We added in a cheese and meat board with salsa and chips.  Sitting under the roofed pavilion we enjoyed the country views and crazy chickens with "Tina Turner" hair atop their heads.  Even though the weather was 90+ degrees under the shade of the roof and slight breeze we were comfortable.  There is a small seating area inside that is air conditioned.   Ask for the Viking Hats that you can use for fun selfies.  

Sadly, the day had to end and we drove back home.  We did miss a few things....The Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange and Texas One Stop of La Grange which has kolaches located in a Shell Station but are suppose to be fantastic.  We also drove throught Navasota which deserves a visit too. Already planning next adventure......   Donna

"Tina Turner" hair Chickens at Blissful Folly Farms