Early, Texas
From the Folks in Early:
“Come early, and stay awhile! Lots of smiling and friendly faces here.
Make some memories with us. A great place to live and retire. And lots
of room to have fun!”
Pop: 2,760
Nearby:Abilene: 70 miles; Austin: 140 miles;
Dallas: 160 miles
Profile: Small town livin’ and big town
pride on the northern edge of the rolling Texas Hill Country. Bordered
by the beautiful, tree-lined banks of the Pecan Bayou.
To Do: Texas
Bass Couples Fishing Tourney, Sept. 25-26; Two of Us Couples Fishing
Tourney, Oct. 8-10; Christmas Lights, entire month of Dec.;
Heartland
Rod Run & Classic Car Show, June 2011.
Restaurants: A smorgasbord of choices including
Humphrey Pete's,
Jerry's Burgers and Shakes, Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant and more.
You’re Invited: Enjoy yourself at
the family-oriented skating rink or eight-screen theater with 3D, then
shop ‘til you drop at Heartland Mall. Enjoy the outdoors at the city
park with playground and ball fields, scenic countryside for biking
or cycling, three golf courses and
Lake
Brownwood State Park, all within 10 miles.
Eden, Texas
From the Folks in Eden:
“Friendly, hospitable residents and nature’s abundant beauties
await you - come, experience the blessings in Eden!”
Pop: 2,381
Nearby: San Angelo: 45 miles, San Antonio:
165 miles, Dallas: 240 miles
Profile: Where business success meets personal
serenity! Known throughout the region as “the garden,” Eden
is the gateway to both the Texas Hill Country and West Texas. The area
is a scenic transition of West Texas ranching, fragrant wildflowers,
breath-taking sunsets and excellent hunting.
To Do: April’s Spring Stampede including
Adam’s Rib Cook-off, Eve’s Seduction Dessert Cobbler Competition
and Ranch Rodeo;
September’s
Fall Fest; November’s Hunter’s Camouflage Cotillion;
Christmas on the Square;
Concho
Springs Golf Course,
Don
Freeman Memorial Museum; Paint Rock’s Indian Pictographs
Restaurants: Authentic Mexican cuisine at
City Limits Café, the Texas-sized “Donkey Burrito”
at the Morocco Café, mouth-watering gorditas at Adelita’s,
and more!
You’re Invited: Tempting home-baked
pies and pastries at Eve's Seduction Dessert Cobbler Competition kick
off the two-day
Fall
Fest Sept. 24-25, including a western dance, a two-mile walk/run,
and a world-class bull ride. Enjoy cow patty bingo and a Mom-calling
contest before ending the festival at a barbecue supper.
Fulton, Texas
From the Folks in Fulton:
"Come to Fulton, Texas - we're sure our small town hospitality, gentle
gulf breezes and natural beauty will have you planning a return trip
soon!"
Pop: 1,660
Nearby: Rockport: right next door; Corpus
Christi: 30 miles; Port Aransas: 50 miles; Victoria: 90 miles
Profile: On picturesque Aransas Bay, Fulton
is a tranquil, charming seaside town with year-round gulf breezes and
natural beauty. With fishing, kayaking, nature tours, beachcombing,
and many local shops and restaurants, Fulton makes the perfect getaway
any time.
To Do:Bird watching boat tours run November
through March; dolphin-watching sunset cruises run June through September.
The
Texas
Maritime Museum in nearby Rockport showcases Texas’ maritime history
from the Spanish conquistadors to present. Historic site
Fulton
Mansion is open for tours year-round. Line and square dancing at
the
Paws and Taws
convention center, with the
Fulton
Fishing Pier right next door.
Restaurants: Cheryl’s
By The Bay , Captain Benny’s Seafood, Moon Dog Seaside Eatery
You’re Invited: :
Oysterfest,
March.
Howard
County, Texas
From the Folks in Howard
County: "Howard County has been blessed with a wonderful
attribute of friendly people. Join us and discover our rich history,
while creating big possibilities."
Pop: 33,627
Nearby: Midland: 40 miles; San Angelo: 90
miles
Profile: A place where a handshake still
means something. Home of caring residents, friendly families, beautiful
landscapes, and a multitude of cultural, sporting and recreational events.
To Do:Howard County is a haven for nature
enthusiasts with more than 800 acres of public parks offering hunting,
fishing, bird watching and water recreation. Active for 30 years, the
Big
Spring Symphony performs several times each year and for the Fourth
of July Celebration, Pops in the Park.
The
Hangar 25 Air Museum houses aircraft from the WWII era; programs
and exhibits are hosted at the Heritage Museum throughout the year.
Restaurants: Al’s & Son Bar-B-Q,
Moss
Creek Ranch,
Bean’s
World Cafe
You’re Invited: :
Comanche
Warrior Triathlon, Sept; Festival of Lights, Dec.; Rattlesnake Roundup,
March;
Big Spring
Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, June.
Mercedes,
Texas
From the Folks in Mercedes:
"The people of Mercedes treat everyone like family. Come join us for
the South Texas hospitality you won’t find anywhere else. Mercedes is
truly ‘the Queen City of the Valley’ (La Reina del Valle)."
Pop: 15,401
Nearby: Harlingen: 15 miles; McAllen: 20
miles.; Nuevo Progreso (Mexico): walking distance
Profile: Situated along the Mexican border
on acres of ranch land, Mercedes boasts scenic views, subtropical temperatures
year-round, a rich cultural heritage and friendly small-town atmosphere.
Mercedes is also known as the "Boot Capital of Texas".
To Do:Mercedes is home to public golf courses,
tennis courts and several sports leagues. Visitors can watch the stars
in the
Mercedes
Planetarium, or delight in more than 500 dolls from 40 countries
displayed in the Mercedes Memorial Library, some dating back to 1890.
Mexican border city
Nuevo
Progreso also offers a perfect little taste of Mexico.
Restaurants: El Fenix Café, Juanito’s Restaurant
#2, Alicia’s Restaurant, Los Comales Restaurant
You’re Invited: :
Texas
Street Festival, Sept.;
Rio
Grande Livestock Show and Parade, March.
Snyder, Texas
From the Folks in Snyder:
"The next time you’re looking for a great place to rest and relax, come
see us and the 'White Buffalo'. When visitors are asked why they keep
coming back, they simply reply: Y’all are just so nice. We’re Southern
hospitality at its best!"
Pop: 10,406
Nearby: Midland: 90 miles e
Profile: The "Land of the White Buffalo,"
Snyder is nestled deep in the heart of West Texas. Once dominated by
herds of wild buffalo, now home to cotton fields, wind turbines, oil
field pump jacks and West Texas sunsets.
To Do:Home of the restored Ritz Theater,
Snyder is a great place to live or visit with shopping, dining and recreation
opportunities at the
Windmill
Ranch Preserve ,
The
Coliseum, The Belle Opry House and more than 40 restaurants.
Restaurants: Big
Apple Deli,
Manhattan
Coffeehouse,
Mo
Malees Steak House & Grill, Spanish Inn and more.
You’re Invited: White
Buffalo Weekend – a motorcycle rally and a historical celebration
in one, Oct.;
Christmas
Around the Square, Dec.;
West
Texas Western Swing Festival, June.