Day Trips & Beyond: February Events Roundup

I can see for miles. It’s not uncommon for beer gardens to come stocked with plenty of outdoor games like corn hole, Jenga, and ladder toss. But Elsewhere Too may be the only bar in Texas with its own Ferris wheel. The 52-foot-tall amusement ride was specially built in Turkey for the San Antonio bar. It is just tall enough to offer a glimpse of the Texas’ tallest highway flyover ramp to the west at the interchange of I-10 West and North Loop 1604 West. Opened last October, the northside bar is the sister location of the very cool Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen on the San Antonio River in downtown. The north location takes advantage of San Antonio’s mild weather with fire pits in cooler temperatures and lots of shade at the rows of picnic tables under a towering oak tree and multiple awnings during warm periods. The food menu consists of fancy fries, burgers, sandwiches, and salads, while the drink offerings are frozen and canned cocktails and a lot of Texas beers, but not many local brews. The grounds are pet-friendly, and kid-friendly until 8pm. Ferris wheel rides cost $10 for adults, $6 for kids, or you can buy an all-night pass for unlimited rides. The bar opens at 4pm on weekdays and earlier Friday through Sunday. Finding the entrance to the parking lot can be a little tricky, especially with all the road construction in the area. To get there take the westbound Loop 1604 access road from Northwest Military Highway, enter the parking lot of a medical clinic just past the Discount Tire, then take a quick right into the driveway, and you’ll see the Ferris wheel at the back.  

Elsewhere Too, 4513 North Loop 1604 West Access Rd., www.elsewheretexas.com/elsewhere-too

From the Archives

“Day Trips” first appeared in The Austin Chronicle on April 12, 1991. Even before then I had begun amassing a collection of photographs that now numbers in the thousands. Occasionally in the coming months I will highlight a photo that may or may not have previously been published. Hope you enjoy.

After Route 66 was replaced by interstate highways, much of the old highway became access roads paralleling the new highway. East of Shamrock, Texas, it’s easy to see the difference between modern highway design and the original road. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Safety over 66. This year historic Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary. The 2,448-mile highway from Chicago to Santa Monica was one of the first highways designated by a number rather than a name. Over the years before it was decommissioned in 1985, the two-lane blacktop became a cultural icon of American mobility and independence. Several nicknames were attached to highway, like The Mother Road, Main Street of America, Will Rogers Highway, and Highway of Dreams. One moniker you don’t hear too often is “Bloody 66.” Despite the romance of the open road, the combination of high traffic, narrow lanes, lack of shoulders, increased speed, and treacherous curves contributed to crashes. Even though modern roads and vehicles have gotten safer, the drivers haven’t changed all that much. 

Travel Notes:    A model of the waterfront memorial to mariners lost at sea was approved for the entrance to Port Aransas’ harbor.
Credit: Dan Parker/Port Aransas South Jetty

Remembering those lost at sea. Late in January the Port Aransas City Council approved the design of a new mariners memorial to be placed in Roberts Point Park, according the Port Aransas South Jetty. The figure will stand 10 feet tall on a 10-foot pedestal at the entrance to the city harbor. At night the monument will be illuminated to welcome boats into safe waters in all kinds of weather. Names of mariners lost at sea might be added later. The city hopes to have the memorial in place by the end of September. Artist H.W. “Buddy” Tatum Jr. of New Braunfels was selected as the artist in an earlier council meeting. He is a native of Corpus Christi and did the Selena statue inside the Mirador de la Flor on Shoreline Boulevard in Corpus Christi among other public sculptures. At least three other Texas coastal communities have fisherman memorials. 

“Love Station” blues. The Valentine Post Office receives thousands of valentines and greeting cards every year to be stamped with a special postmark, only available in Valentine. Postmaster Ismelda Ornelas will personally hand-cancel more than 10,000 envelopes with the unique postmark. There is no charge for requests up to 50 cancellations. Requests for more than 50 cancellations will be charged 5 cents for each additional cancellation. The cancellation is available until March 14, 2026. A mail-in request for the customized postmark is easy. Address a greeting card or letter to that special someone(s), affix a First-Class Mail postage stamp to each, and place it in a larger envelope with appropriate postage. Address the larger envelope to:

LOVE STATION
POSTMASTER
311 W CALIFORNIA AVE.
VALENTINE, TX 79854-9998

Museum of the Big Bend

Vote today. Two Texas museums are in the running for USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026 for “Best Small Town Museums”: the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine and Frontier Times Museum in Bandera. You can vote once a day until Monday, Feb. 9. 

Piles of crawfish are already showing up at fish markets. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Crawfish gumbo. The 2026 crawfish season looks much better for Acadiana than the drought conditions that devastated Louisiana farms the last couple of years, according to several sources. Most farms won’t hit full production until early February. According to the Crawfish App, although there are some early mudbugs available it’s best to wait until late February or March for the best prices and quality. If predictions hold true and this is a good harvest, we should see a strong supply into May. Looking for crawfish west of the Sabine River? Check out Houston Live Crawfish Specials for real-time updates.

J. David Bamberger, 2001 Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

In memoriam. With the passion of a minister and the patience of a teacher, J. David Bamberger preached land conservation at his ranch outside of Johnson City. Bamberger, who passed away at the age of 97 on Jan. 17, took 5,500 acres of overgrazed and abused land and turned it into a showcase of good land management. Not only did he utilize and invent best practices, but he invited city dwellers and agriculture professionals to tour the property to see firsthand the difference simple conservation efforts can make. The former fast-food chicken restaurant executive believed that we all can make a difference, no matter how small our plot of dirt. To find out more about the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve or to register for a tour or workshop, go to www.bambergerranch.org.

Other February Events: BIG BEND 

Bokyung Byun in Concert

A native of Seoul, Korea, Bokyung began playing classical guitar at the age of 6 and is currently on the guitar faculty of University of North Texas. She’ll give two free concerts as well as a free master class during her visit to West Texas.

Feb. 6-7, Alpine, www.guitarinthebigbend.com

Add your love lock to Prada Marfa, 1.5 miles west of Valentine. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Valentine’s in Valentine

Celebrate love with a dance from 1 to 10pm featuring Shinyribs in the town outside of Marfa famous for its fake Prada store and being almost exactly 1,000 miles from Los Angeles and New Orleans. 

Feb. 14, Valentine, www.valentineinvalentinetx.com

GULF COAST

LaMardi Gras

It’s an old-fashioned backyard party with music, food, a parade, and fun for the whole family to benefit the local volunteer fire department. 

Feb. 13-14, Lamar, www.lamardigras.com

Taste of Gumbo and More

The Cajun Capital of Texas offers a friendly competition to see which local chef makes the best Cajun food. 

Feb. 21, Port Arthur, visitportarthurtx.com/event/rotary-taste-of-gumbo-2

Whooping Crane Festival

Celebrate the annual return of North America’s tallest bird to the Gulf Coast with tours, workshops, and workshops. 

Feb. 19-22, Port Aransas, www.portaransas.org/whooping-crane-festival

Barefoot Mardi Gras

Combine the beach with Mardi Gras beads for a fun afternoon on North Padre Island beginning near Bob Hall Pier. 

Feb. 28, Corpus Christi, www.barefootmardigras.com

HILL COUNTRY

Lost River Film Fest

Combining indie films with live music, this festival showcases the uniqueness of San Marcos. 

Feb. 5-8, San Marcos, www.thelostriverfilmfest.org

In an English Garden

New Texas Sinfonia performs some of the most beautiful music for string orchestras from Great Britain in their Hill Country debut at Lakeside Pavilion.

Feb. 6, Marble Falls, newtxsinfonia.com

Try your luck at catching rainbow trout. Credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

Rainbow Trout Release Party

Bring your fishing gear and join the party as the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department releases 2,000 rainbow trout in the river. There’ll be fishing demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and free hot dogs from 10am-2pm. Fishing license required. 

Feb. 7, Llano, www.llanochamber.org

Engineering Day

A hands-on experience designed to spark curiosity and creative problem-solving in all ages led by engineers from the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Feb. 14, Johnson City, www.sciencemill.org

It’s a sweetheart of a Valentine’s Day show at Luckenbach. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Hug-In & Valentine’s Ball

The Wilder Blue and Shelby Stone put on a sweetheart of a show in the historic dance hall’s 51st edition of this fan favorite happening. 

Feb. 14, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com

Mardi Gras Parade

The Mistick Krewe of Okeanos parade winds through the historic district beginning at noon.

Feb. 14, San Marcos, www.mardigrassanmarcos.com

Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys in Concert

The Western Swing Hall of Fame band celebrates their album release at the historic dance halle. 

Feb. 21, Spring Branch, anhalthalle.com

Texas Independence Day Celebration

Along with free live music there will be a Texas Rangers memorabilia display, cannon fire, and Texas Ranger Living Camp.

Feb. 28, Luckenbach, www.luckenbachtexas.com

PANHANDLE PLAINS Remembering the day the music died in Lubbock. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

The Day the Music Died

Commemorating the 67th anniversary of the tragic airplane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson, the Buddy Holly Center will be open free to the public from 10am-5pm.

Feb. 3, Lubbock, ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center

Buffalo Soldier Heritage Day

Learn about the contributions by the Black soldiers on the Western frontier.

Feb. 22, San Angelo, www.fortconcho.com

PINEY WOODS

Czech Music Festival

Family-friendly music, dancing, and food at the Sokol Hall. 

Feb. 14, Ennis, www.ennisczechmusicfestival.com

Helen Lee began designing the nature preserve in 1951. She ordered a box of daffodil bulbs from Holland but received a boxcar load and thus began her daffodil garden. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Helen Lee Estate Daffodil Gardens

It’s hard to know exactly when the flowers will bloom, but the garden usually opens mid-February through mid-March, 10am-5pm daily, weather permitting, closed on Mondays.  

Mid-February-mid-March, Tyler, www.facebook.com/p/The-New-Mrs-Lees-Daffodil-Garden-100083016203161

Texas Independence Day Celebration

After two years of renovations, the state historic site welcomes visitors back to celebrate the 190th anniversary of Texas independence.

Feb. 27-28, Washington, wheretexasbecametexas.org

PRAIRIES AND LAKES Buy a book to benefit the Brenham library. Credit: Fortnightly Club of Brenham

Fortnightly Club Annual Used Book Sale

Shop a large selection of gently used books, tapes, and vinyl records to benefit the local library. 

Feb. 16-21, Brenham, www.facebook.com/thefortnightlyclub

Dallas Blooms

You know that spring has sprung when the Southwest’s largest annual floral festival happens, featuring stunning floral displays and immersive garden experiences.

Feb. 21-April 12, Dallas, www.dallasarboretum.org

OUT OF STATE

Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday is the last day of the Carnival season and falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Let the good times roll. 

Feb. 17, New Orleans, www.mardigrasneworleans.com

Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 30 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.

The post Day Trips & Beyond: February Events Roundup appeared first on The Austin Chronicle.