Tonight we're going to party like it's 1899
In the middle to late 1800's there was a big wave of German settlement in the midwest. My own family came over in that wave, ending up in Kansas, but a whole bunch more headed for Central Texas, founding towns like Fredericksburg and West, and building great beer/dance halls, many of which are still around - like Shultz's in Austin, a famous long-time watering hole for Democratic polticos.
We visited another one last weekend out in Twin Sisters. A wonderful old place, tall arched ceiling, wide clear dance floor surrounded by a wide area of ancient wooden tables and benches, and a small, but servicable stage. Clearly the electricty and plumbing had been added later. The wood floor behind had the bar was drilled with numerous holes let spills and mop water drain. There are regular dances the first Saturday of every month, and it's also available for private events.
On Saturday we were there attending a long-running annual party organized by a group including a few folks we knew. Each year they rent the hall, invite a couple hundred of their closest friends and have a big campout - barbeque-potluck - dance. K has been itching to go dancing more ("more" as in "more than never") and I've been wanting to do more camping, so it was a perfect fit.
Originally the group was almost all singles, but over the eight years of the event, more folks have hooked up and kids are more common. J and A knew a few of the other kids, made some new friends and after dinner they ran themselves into exhaustion.
Which was perfect. After the kids (and dogs) were cleared from the dance floor the band got going. K & I aren't great dancers, but we have fun, and the band was great. Very high energy which kept everybody jumping until about 1:00.
The next day was Easter, and there were eggs hidden around the camp and in the Hall. After the egg hunt was another big pot luck breakfast. Much food. Much fun.
So we missed church, which in the past would have bothered me more. But it was a great weekend. New friends, BBQ, dancing, dogs, kids, topped off with chocolate eggs and jelly beans... Hey, what more can you ask?
Post 2 of 100 in the 100 Posts in 100 Days project.
We visited another one last weekend out in Twin Sisters. A wonderful old place, tall arched ceiling, wide clear dance floor surrounded by a wide area of ancient wooden tables and benches, and a small, but servicable stage. Clearly the electricty and plumbing had been added later. The wood floor behind had the bar was drilled with numerous holes let spills and mop water drain. There are regular dances the first Saturday of every month, and it's also available for private events.
On Saturday we were there attending a long-running annual party organized by a group including a few folks we knew. Each year they rent the hall, invite a couple hundred of their closest friends and have a big campout - barbeque-potluck - dance. K has been itching to go dancing more ("more" as in "more than never") and I've been wanting to do more camping, so it was a perfect fit.
Originally the group was almost all singles, but over the eight years of the event, more folks have hooked up and kids are more common. J and A knew a few of the other kids, made some new friends and after dinner they ran themselves into exhaustion.
Which was perfect. After the kids (and dogs) were cleared from the dance floor the band got going. K & I aren't great dancers, but we have fun, and the band was great. Very high energy which kept everybody jumping until about 1:00.
The next day was Easter, and there were eggs hidden around the camp and in the Hall. After the egg hunt was another big pot luck breakfast. Much food. Much fun.
So we missed church, which in the past would have bothered me more. But it was a great weekend. New friends, BBQ, dancing, dogs, kids, topped off with chocolate eggs and jelly beans... Hey, what more can you ask?
Post 2 of 100 in the 100 Posts in 100 Days project.