Glen Rose, Texas

Parking is not a problem in Glen Rose, Texas.  This quirky little town, south of Granbury, is loaded with character but usually lacking in people and activity.  The day we decided to eat at the Storiebook Cafe, we pulled up and parked right in front.  Five giant steps and we were in the door of a restaurant/book store that promised us a "novel" experience.  Storie is the owner, and Stacy was, not our server, but a character in our story.  The atmosphere was fun and light and we chatted with everyone in the building including the cook in the kitchen.  

Don't bother me.  I'm eating!

Creative paint job on the bookcases, antlers on the piano.  Yip!  You're in Texas.  

Our chef for the day.

On nice days you can eat outside, accompanied by a giant pink flamingo.

Storie, the owner

Storie, visiting with customers.  You won't have any trouble finding the bathroom.  (It's in the corner.)

Tracy, ready with a quip--"What happens in Storiebook stays on the shelf."--and full of personality.  

Another day we chose to eat at the Riverhouse Grill.  

Uhhhh....we think the sidwalk could use a little repair.

The house was built in 1902, destroyed by a tornado in 1904, and rebuilt.  

Not too many other customers.

 Nice Valentine's Day decor.

We visited with the owner...

..while we waited for our cabbage and brats...

...and finished with a wonderful creme brûlée.

One of our neighbors had a New Year's Day party this year and invited everyone who lives on our street.  We met lots of nice neighbors but our favorites were Gary and Michelle.  They are middle aged and newly wed.  Gary is an emergency room physician and Michelle owns a shop on the Glen Rose square.  One day two years ago Gary was in Glen Rose, looking for a cup of coffee when he spotted this shop--Texas Treasures and Jitters Coffee Bar. 

Gary went in, ordered a latte, spent two hours visiting with Michelle and married her a year later.

We found the shop, went in and found both Gary and Michelle there.   

Hobart and Gary visited,

while Michelle showed me around her shop. 

 Gary helped me load my purchases. 

Then it was time to look around the town square and  court house, which is surrounded by monuments, plaques and statues. 

Glen Rose citizens are patriotic and love their veterans.

The story of Juana and Charles 
Barnard, the “First Family” 
of Glen Rose, has been 
captured by the talents of 
“Renowned Artist, Sculptor 
and Hometown Boy” 
Robert Summers. 

“Barnards of the Brazos” 
is proudly in its place 
on the Somervell County 
Courthouse lawn. 

Parking isn't a problem around the square.  Neither is traffic.  

But that doesn't mean Glen Rose doesn't need traffic cops to lead a funeral procession through town...just in case some traffic might appear.  

  

Look closely and you can see the hearse turning the corner and the cop, directing "traffic."  

After that little bit of excitement it was time to see what else there was around the square.  

There was the old post office...

...the old ice house...

...two residents and their very big dog...
(interesting headware)

...the museum...

..oops, it's closed...
(I guess we didn't notice the "inclement weather")

..but you can still see evidence that dinosaurs roamed the streets of Glen Rose many, many, many years ago. 

Around the corner you'll find Hollywood!  
(It's on Vine street!)

Now who could resist going into this shop on the square?  Hobart was drawn to this studio by the display on the sidewalk.  

 The owner/artist gives lessons.  I think she mentioned that you could bring your own bottle of wine to class.  Sound like fun?

She painted this mural which welcomes you into town.

So that was our adventure in Glen Rose, but we'll definitely go back.  We want to check out the other dinosaur tracks in the Dinosaur Valley State Park,   drive through Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, visit the Glen Lake Methodist camp, and check out the Creation Evidence Museum.  

Clerks and Characters

Often in our travels or just our trips into town, Hobart and I run into interesting people.  Usually they are those who are there to serve us--clerks, and sometimes they are just people who catch our eyes or attention--characters. We strike up a conversation with them to see what we can learn.  Most are willing to verbally banter with us.  Sometimes we strike gold--someone willing to open up and share a peek into his life...or his soul.  The following are some of our favorites and a bit of their stories.

Billy works at Staples in Granbury.  He felt really bad when he couldn't refund our money on a return, but he always remembers us and flashes us this sweet smile.  

Carl, another Staples clerk, is a foodie.  He and Hobart bonded while discussing the best hamburger joint in Hood county and beyond.  

Marlee works at Walmart in Midland, TX.  She's a senior in high school.  Her dream is to be a veterinarian...and to get out of Midland.  

Krish was waiting to check us in at the Quality Inn in Pecos, TX.  He greeted us with warm cookies and a warm smile and directed us to the only restaurant in town, a Mexican one, of course.  

Now who would have thought that a Mexican restaurant in Pecos, TX, would be called Alfredo's?  Isn't that the name of the Italian place we just visited in New York City?  Definitely NOT Mexican.  Oh, well, bring on the tacos.

 Does this guy look like an artist to you?  Well, he is.  

He was painting this winter scene on the windows of a fancy grocery store in west Texas.  He was more than happy to pose...

..and show us his "studio"...

...and sit to chat with us about his work and career. He also encouraged us to put in a good word about him to the manager of the store.  

Val is a waiter at the Hofbrau in Granbury.  He's 40 and still going to school, hoping someday to find a career.  In the meantime he's a darn good waiter.

Character!  This is the cutest, happiest cotton candy salesman in the state of Texas.  Or anywhere else, probably.  When I whipped out my camera, he immediately struck this pose.

Chris owns a butcher shop in Granbury.  Business is good, he responds, when asked.  While we were buying ribs and a filet for Hobart's birthday dinner he told us about his eight-year-old daughter, who had just made $2.50 the day before, selling her Halloween candy.  "She's going to be a good business woman", he said, with a grin and a twinkle.

Curtis checked us out at Walmart.  When Hobart asked about his beard, he explained how it used to be lots longer, but got in the way of his work.  He will never shave it off and he explained why.  He shaved it once when his daughter was two years old and she cried because he didn't look like Daddy anymore.  The beard is here to stay.  

Ben loves working at the Lego store at a big mall in San Diego.  He has a 14 year old brother who loves Legos and Ben loves to buy them for him.  

Shelly at the Granbury H-E-B ran all over the store looking for brown sauce for Hobart.  She even made some calls.  No brown sauce, but she told us where we can get it on line.  Thanks, Shelly!

Aren't people wonderful?