Rancho Fatso?

 

      Of course one of the joys of purchasing new property, especially for retirement is naming it.  Our farm in NW Michigan is named Brynmawr Farm after our kennel operation in Oklahoma years ago.  We thought about this long and hard throughout our time here this year.  It is in a canyon along the crystal clear Frio River filled with wildlife, live oaks, and good folks.  Keep in mind our property is only 6 acres, but who cares......the name is everything.  

 

      It is 6 acres of timbered live oaks and some thicker cedars along the back fence.  For years this was a hunting camp consisting of 2 small cabins, one for sleeping and showering and the other is a cook shack.  It also has full hookups for the RV.  At some point in time we will probably build a small house, but for now it's a winter retreat and hunting camp. We have NO homeowners association or restriction covenants to govern us........our property to use as we please.  

      For us tradition is nearly everything.  So much of it is lost these days due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.  We needed the perfect title to seal the deal.  We even solicited names from friends on Facebook to cover the entire gambit of possibilities.  

Some of our names included the finalist list of: 

Southern Star Ranch

Rotodome Ranch

Voodoo Ranch

      In the end after all the considerations, conferencing, soliciting, and insight we decided on Rotodome Ranch.  We embrace this as our own.  Part of our future, built from our past, and worth every penny.  The 'Rotodome' logo symbolizes our past as honored veterans of the US Air Force AWACS family.  The rest shows our respect for our new Republic.  For now it is our winter retreat, our Texas Hill Country hideaway and deer camp, but home nonetheless.  Mild winter weather and lots of good people and food  All our friends are welcome here whenever.  I'll fire up the wood pit and we'll create some great Q and rehydrate ourselves accordingly.  Bring your RV, stay in the cabins, or campout if you like, we have facilities.  Joie de Vivre. A special 'shout out' and thanks to Archie Salinas, our muse and inspiration for this. 

USAF E3 AWACS

Rotodome Ranch

Leakey, TX

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream another dream" 

CS Lewis

WiFi courtesy of AT & T Wireless 

Bent Rim Grill & Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop

 

      We only discovered this place on the way west out of town recently.  As I explained before the Frio River Canyon area is prime motorcycle touring country and Leaky is the hub of the Twisted Sisters Route.   Located about 1/2 mile west of town on Ranch Road 337 it sits in a grove of live oaks and on weekends or throughout the summer when the scooters are in town, the center of the Texas Biker Universe.  

     Both the grill and motorcycle shop are closed Wednesdays.  Other than that both are open 10-4:45 daily.  Not bikers ourselves we did tour the shop and of course picked up a few 'cool swag' items for ourselves.  The motorcycle stop does offer a small selection of parts and accessories.  It is not a full service dealership.                     www.friocanyonmotorcyclestop.com  

      The grill http://bentrimgrill.com  offers a very good selection of food to keep the 'fuel in your tank' as well.  They offer 100% fresh, never frozen, angus beef for their burgers.  They offer 12 half pound burger combos as well as chicken fried steak, vegee burgers, grilled chicken breast, frito pie, and hot dogs (with or without chili).  They also offer hot wings (in 5 degrees of death) and a great selection of sides, including Texas Toothpicks.  You can have nearly any beverage you wish including ice cold cerveza in several flavors.  The Daily Blue Plate Special the day we visited was 2 pieces of hand battered fried chicken, mashed taters n gravy, corn on the cob, rolls, and desert, all for $8.99

Covered outside seating

      You can dine in or take out.  The dining area is actually outside and covered with another set of tables underneath the live oak trees.  Pretty COVID safe.  

Beneath the live oaks

      We took advantage of an early dinner prior to my trip to Oregon to satisfy our craving for beef.  Surveying the menu can actually take a bit, but in the end Barb ordered the Deluxe Bacon Burger.  I opted for the Ninja Burger and Texas Toothpicks.  Burgers are pretty reasonably priced considering this is fresh angus beef.   We also had fries and a cold hers/mine.  Our total tab came to $20.  

Deluxe Bacon Burger

Ninja Burger & Texas Toothpicks

      We found the food to be very tasty and the service, although across the counter, very friendly and efficient Our server recently moved here from Flint, MI.  In fact the Ninja is the King of Burgers, with 1/2 pound of delicious Texas Angus with thick, melted pepper jack cheese and Hatch green chile peppers.  Add this to an order of Texas Toothpicks (batter fried onion and jalapeno slivers) with Ranch Dressing.  Needless to say, I worked up a good 'sweat' and couldn't even finish the entire burger, but I loved it. This was definitely a 'tank filling meal'.  Sometimes we all forget just how good the food and atmosphere is out of the big city or more eclectic areas.  In a town with a total population of 440 folks Leaky, Texas is such a place.  Great folks, good food. 

 

"If half the elected jackasses in D.C. sat in a local eatery, ate a good burger with onion, real melted cheddar cheese, and Hatch Green Chiles with a cold beer once in awhile we wouldn't be in the mess we're in"

Roux Hilts

(The Repuplican)

Bones Hilts

(The Democat)

WiFi courtesy of AT&T Wireless