Road Runners enjoying a pre-concert fiesta dinner
Vicki Baker
Not one…not two…but three icons of Texas to celebrate the Christmas Season! Boy, did the RR Road Runners celebrate on December 21 with an evening of wine tasting, a Tex-Mex feast and a yuletide show.
To warm our spirits we visited Times Ten Cellars, a “hip” grape bar, and were welcomed by the sweet smell of fermenting grapes. The winery’s tasting lounge was homey and inviting with warm hues, vaulted ceiling, candles lit throughout and featured a wide selection of wines. Several California wines are made on-site, but it’s the Texas grown Cathedral Mountain grapes that makes this place a must. Not only is the wine blended in the Dallas and Fort Worth locations, but the owners also grow the grapes in Alpine, Texas. The result is delicious wines by the glass or bottle. The Road Runners relaxed and enjoyed three reds and three whites at the tasting bar and lounge.
Then it was time to fill our bellies with dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s, a tradition in Fort Worth since 1935 serving authentic, old-school Tex-Mex cuisine and fantastic margaritas. Still at its original location, a humdrum city block has been transformed into an oasis over the years that has embraced generations of diners.
Passing through the entrance was like entering a villa garden in Mexico; our jaws dropped wandering among the art and gorgeous gardens. Once seated in the inner dining room, we ordered potent margaritas made with silver tequila and real lime juice. The original family recipes are still cooked today. We feasted on mouth-watering sizzling chicken and beef fajitas or a family style dinner of enchiladas, tacos and nachos, both accompanied by communal platters of rice, beans, guacamole and homemade tortillas.
Satiated with great wine, margaritas and food, we headed to Bass Hall for the highlight—an evening with cowboy poet and musician Michael Martin Murphey and his annual “Cowboy Christmas.” A native Texan, MMM made an indelible mark on American music in the 1970s. Through the years he remained constant with a mix of country, rock, bluegrass and classical music influenced by his lifestyle seen through the cowboy’s eyes. The yearly yuletide show included MMM’s iconic hits along with cowboy poetry and tales of Christmas cheer and wonder. He balanced traditional Christmas songs with originals that captured not just the style, but the very feel of classic cowboy songs with down home warmth and honesty. Christmas is MMM’s favorite season, “We remember our fathers and mothers. We celebrate our children, and we treasure our friends and the many blessings given us. It really brings out the very best in all of us.”
This evening of holiday celebrations with friends was a great way to end the Road Runners’ travel year. It’s been professed, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” So come join the Road Runners in 2016 for a year of “wow” experiences. Visit us at www.rrrrclub.com.