This year’s solar eclipse awakened my inner stargazer. Without a telescope, however, it’s frustrating to see anything but points of light in the night sky. Enter the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas (TAS). Founded in 1955, this amateur astronomy group hosts star parties around the Metroplex most Saturday nights.
TAS Star Party
The star gazing hobbyists set up their personal telescopes at local parks and invite the public.
At the star party you’ll find several viewing scopes in place at dusk with the party really getting started at dark. Telescopes are positioned on an astronomical body of interest, and everyone is given an opportunity to look. There are even stepstools to help the youngest look through the viewfinders on the massive scopes. TAS members are friendly, fun, and knowledgeable guides. No night sky is the same, with different times of the year featuring slightly different cosmic bodies. What a great opportunity for kids to learn about the night sky and the constellations.
TAS Star Party Locations
The amateur astronomers host viewings at four locations.
Fairview Community Star Party is held on the first Saturday of each month at Sloan Creek Intermediate School (440 Country Club, Fairview). Scopes are set up at the track and field complex east of the school building. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. This star party begins a little later than the rest, at 9pm, and can last past midnight.
Frisco Starfest happens on the second Saturday of each month in Frisco Commons Park (8000 McKinney Road, Frisco). Meet near the park entrance (next to the parking lot). There are some park benches, but you can also bring your own lawn chairs. Frisco Starfest begins at dusk and finishes about 10:30 pm.
Cedar Hill Starbolt occurs on the third Saturday of each month in JW Williams Park (1605 High Pointe Lane, Cedar Hills). This viewing begins about dusk and finishes around 10 pm.
Finally, on the fourth Saturday of the month the Stars on the Rock is held at the Shores Park (2358 Shores Boulevard, Rockwall).
When You Go
Star parties occur year-round but are weather dependent … no star party on cloudy nights. Frisco Starfest and Fairview Community Star Party can be found on Facebook. The TAS calendar and TAS Facebook page can also be helpful. Star parties are come-and-go events and are free.
Tupps Brewery joins the list of attractions in McKinney’s Historic Mill district. The brewery, known locally for its craft beers, had its start in McKinney in 2009. They moved to their new campus near the Flour Mill this spring. The expanded space, composed of three retrofitted 100-year-old buildings, outdoor stage, and open spaces, allows Tupps to not only serve great beer, but grow as an event venue.
Grain Room Taproom
We started our evening at the Grain Room Taproom. It’s a huge indoor space for those extra hot summer days or spring rains. Tables abound and there are large screens for the sports watch parties hosted at the brewery. If sports aren’t your thing, Tupps has something happening almost every night. Tuesday evening is Music Bingo and Burgers, and Wednesday is Tupps Trivia Night.
Brews and Burgers
Tupps has a full-service kitchen serving what you might expect from a brewery … burgers. The full-grown-man burger is one of those tall creations that challenge the human mouth. Thankfully, knives and forks are available. The food isn’t haute cuisine, but it is good and often unique, like the bacon stout jam used instead of ketchup in the burger. And there are new takes on old favorites like a charcuterie-styled selection with whipped peanut butter dip as its base. Vegetarian options and salads can be found on the menu, too.
Tupps Brewery has automated their food ordering. At each table you’ll find a QR code to scan that takes you to their menu, then make your selections and pay online. Each table is coded, so the servers know where to deliver your food. We were pleasantly surprised at how well this system works. Unfortunately, you will, for obvious reasons, still have to stand in line to order your brew at the bar.
Tupps Outdoor Stage
The outdoor event stage is a welcome addition. Look for weekend performances during spring and summer evenings. There’s no fence around the grounds and no gate admission, so check out Tupps events calendar for some free alfresco music. There are a few limited ‘seats,’ so be sure to bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the tunes.
We visited on a Friday evening and were surprised by the number of kids playing at the brewery. A small Boho market was in full swing, and children took advantage of the ample grassy spaces to run and play. You’ll find corn hole games and even an entire outdoor section for the kiddos. This makes Tupps a great family hang-out, unlike other wineries and breweries with limited kid options.
McKinney’s Historic Mill District
Local Yokel, a long-time McKinney store selling farm fresh meat and eggs, has a fine dining restaurant across the rail tracks from Tupps Brewery. Local Yokel BBQ and Grill (350 E Louisiana) elevates barbeque to haute cuisine and is a great restaurant-styled dining if you want local fare but in a more formal setting.
Grain Silo Art. The most impressive town mural is the McKinney Silo Project and it’s right next door to Tupps Brewery. Guido Van Helten, an Australian artist, took over five months to complete the behemoth project, painting the mural depicting McKinney residents on the sides of 100-foot-tall concrete grain silos. If you haven’t yet visited, be sure to check out the photorealistic artwork. You can find it just north of Tupps Brewery.
When you go
Tupps Brewery is located at 721 Anderson Street. Parking is free but limited in front of the brewery complex. Additional parking is also available just north at the Flour Mill. Right now, navigating the Historic Mill District is challenging with construction everywhere. New buildings are being built and streets improved. Be patient. Once construction is complete, McKinney’s Historic Mill District likely will rival The Silos in Waco, with Tupps Brewery anchoring the district.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Central Flyway, hosts up to 30,000 migratory birds each year. Just west of Sherman, the refuge provides wetland habitat for thousands of Canada, snow, and Ross geese along with ducks, heron, and songbirds. Late fall through winter offers prime viewing for birds wintering in our area.
North Texas Birding Bonanza
Over 300 species of birds reside or migrate through the refuge. Cormorant troll the waterways their long necks like submarine periscopes. Ducks such as northern shoveler paddle in ponds, and shorebirds from stilts to sandpipers are found along the Lake Texoma shoreline. My favorite is the great blue heron whose flight reminds me of a prehistoric pterodactyl. In wooded areas you’ll find wrens, titmice, and woodpeckers. Lucky birders may be rewarded with rare glimpses of migratory ibis, stork, and spoonbill. Most notably, bald eagle have returned to the refuge.
Unique Bird Blinds
One of my favorite things about Hagerman is the opportunity to bird by car. The refuge has a four-mile, self-guided auto tour. Ideal for birders with limited mobility, the driving route gets you close to thousands of birds without ever leaving the car. The best part, your parked vehicle serves as an effective birding blind!
An audio auto tour is available for cell phone users. No phone, no problem. The tour is also available on CD from the visitors’ center. The auto tour includes six stops with information about Hagerman’s history and wildlife.
Hagerman Tram Tours
The Wildlife Explorer, a ten-person, open-air tram, is in operation for small group tours of the refuge every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. The tours are free but, due to space restrictions, require advance registration. Friends of Hagerman volunteers lead the tours. Other tram tours can be arranged in advance by contacting Friends of Hagerman.
Explore on foot
In addition to the driving route, the refuge sports miles of hiking trails. You’ll find additional bird species along with many local animals like armadillo, rabbit, fox, and squirrel; and the occasional coyote, bobcat, and feral pig. Trails cover a variety of habitat from prairie to marsh to woodland. The Meadow Pond trail is along an unpaved service road that is an easy hike for families with small children. For those wishing a hike on dirt trail, I recommend Haller’s Haven trail. It’s on the north end of the refuge and offers a longer loop footpath through woodland.
Enjoy your lunch at one of the many picnic areas scattered throughout the refuge.
Counting Birds
Every Tuesday, volunteers conduct a day-long bird count. Anyone, novice or expert, can ride with the bird counters on a space available basis. A recent Tuesday count tallied 76 different species. This weekly bird count is reported to Cornell Lab on Ornithology for research use. What makes Hagerman so unique is the fact that the bird census has been going on for over 50 years!
Other bird counts include first Saturday sunrise events affectionately dubbed The Little Sit. A master naturalist leads the count that starts 30-minutes before sunrise. This is a great opportunity for birders of all skill levels to get tips from the experts. Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Participants to Little Sits should bring their own binoculars and camp chairs.
Finally the Christmas Bird Count will happen at the refuge on December 16 this year. All skill levels are welcome. In addition to counting birds on the refuge, you can participate in the annual event right at home by contacting the Audubon Society.
Hagerman Second Saturday
On the second Saturday of most months, a master naturalist or other wildlife expert presents a free program open to the public. Most recently, I attended a talk on waterfowl, ducks and geese, at Hagerman. Being a true novice, I found the lecture helpful with its tips on bird identification. Birds aren’t the only topics covered. An upcoming talk will discuss frogs and past talks have included information about the area’s history.
Kids at Hagerman
Friends of Hagerman are active in producing programs for children under the moniker of The Refuge Rocks. There is a Junior Wildlife Nature Journal available at the visitors’ center. The pamphlet has a number of activities to keep youngsters engaged like a scavenger hunt and backyard birding notes. Programs designed for children are available most months and tie thematically to the season like the November program Talkin’ Turkey. What a great way to introduce children to a life-long appreciation of nature.
When You Go
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (6465 Refuge Road, Sherman) is a day use facility open from sunrise to sunset. Visit the Friends of Hagerman website for information on free tours and talks at the refuge.
I love unique and quirky. You’ll get both at the Buggy Barn Museum in Blanco.
Buggy Barn Founder
Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the museum and Pine Moore Old West Town are the brainchild of Dennis Moore, Blanco resident and trucking company owner. Moore began collecting buggies over a dozen years ago, at first renting them for proms and weddings. Bit by the buggy bug, his collection has swelled to over 270 of the horse-drawn conveyances. According to Moore, he has the second largest collection of buggies in the United States, and the largest collection open to the public.
Buggy Barn Museum
It’s an incredible assemblage. There’s an elegant Czechoslovakian funeral carriage and dozens of Studebakers. Who knew Studebaker made wagons before cars? After the Civil War, Studebaker was the largest producer of horse-drawn vehicles in the world. The museum has dozens of these Studebaker originals. It’s a bit overwhelming with buggies and wagons everywhere. Placards provide the carriage’s pedigree: when built, by whom, and for what purpose. Some have a famous lineage, having appeared in such films as Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. From the practical buckboard wagon to the opulent coach, you see it all at the Buggy Barn Museum.
Pine Moore Old West Town
The Buggy Barn Museum, while impressive, is only a fraction of what you’ll find here. There is an entire Old West town. Well, not old, but a new, Old West town set. Pine Moore has been used for filming movies and music videos. You can rent the town for functions or use the church for your wedding. It’s really amazing. Pine Moore has a Texas Rangers building complete with jail cell, a saloon, and even a dentist/barber building.
Prop Master’s Dream
Pine Moore buildings are chocked full of vintage furniture and western gear. There are hundreds of saddles, wood stoves, butter churns, and ice boxes. The Buggy Barn Museum is one-stop shopping for anyone staging an American West production. All, including the buggies and wagons, are available for rent. For me, it was fascinating to go through the buildings and see all the everyday fixtures of frontier life.
The Buggy Barn Museum is not the typical museum. The massive collection is organized, but not like a standard museum. There are not exhibits, in the classic sense. But there is an amazing collection of western gear, carriages, wagons, and homestead furnishings.
When You Go
Buggy Barn Museum (1915 Main Street) is open Monday through Saturday. Admission is charged. There isn’t a café associated with the museum, but downtown Blanco is just a mile away. The Redbud Café (410 Fourth Street) is an excellent place for lunch. It’s open 10 am to 3 pm, later on Friday and Saturday.
Fun Fact: What is the difference between a buggy and a wagon? Buggy is normally a light two- or four-wheeled carriage, whereas a wagon is a heavy transport vehicle.
The nighttime exodus of millions of bats ranks as one of Texas finest natural wonders. In season, Old Tunnel State Park, located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, provides prime bat viewing. If you plan a summer visit to Fredericksburg, Texas, be sure to reserve an evening for the bats.
Mexican Free-tailed Bats
Unlike their northern cousins, Mexican free-tailed bats do not hibernate in winter. Instead, these flying mammals spend time between Mexico in colder months and south Texas in warmer months. The bats arrive in Texas Hill Country around March and return to their winter homes in Mexico around October. Up to three million Mexican free-tailed and 3,000 cave myotis bats have repurposed the abandoned railway tunnel at Old Tunnel into their summer home.
The little Mexican free-tailed bat is less than five inches long and weighs about 14 grams (that’s just half an ounce), and are a tasty bite for hawks and owls. The bats emerge en masse to increase their odds of escaping predators flying outside the tunnel opening. The counter-clockwise emergence vortex serves the additional function of helping the bats to gain lift as bat bones are denser than those of birds.
Aerial River
At dusk, onlookers see a streaming black river flowing above the tree canopy as the little critters make their way south towards the Guadalupe River. The bats will swoop down to the river for a quick, in-flight drink of water and then fly to feeding grounds in farm fields as far as 100 miles away. The bats are insectivores, eating whatever nighttime insects they find. Their primary food are moths, and a Mexican free-tailed bat can consume as many as 40 in a night. Once full, the tiny creatures return to the tunnel to rest until the next evening feeding flight. Viewing a bat emergence is a must on any nature lover’s bucket list. My husband and I were transfixed in awe as the river of bats continued for almost fifteen minutes, and intrigued by the scent left in the bats’ wake. Yes, you can smell the bats! It’s a little like an umami scent.
Bat viewing tips
Old Tunnel has two viewing areas. Aligned with the tunnel entrance, the lower level is space limited and no children under four are allowed. The upper viewing area is also a wonderful option. Both areas require an advance reservation that can be made online at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Bats emerge most but not all nights. The mammals are fair-weather feeders and often stay put in the cave during rainy evenings. That makes sense as fewer insects are available during inclement nights. Docents were on site the night we visited. These volunteers are a wealth of information and source of great bat trivia.
Old Tunnel State Park
At a mere 16-acres, Old Tunnel is the smallest Texas State Park. The 920-foot tunnel, now home to our bats, was built at the beginning of the twentieth century to link Fredericksburg to Comfort by rail. The railroad venture didn’t pan out and the line was abandoned in the forties. In an effort to protect the bat colony, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the land in 1991 with the express purpose of protecting the bat colony. The area became a state park in 2012. The park has a mile-long trail that follows the old railroad bed. No camping is allowed at the park.
Alamo Springs Café
Why not have dinner before seeing the bats? Alamo Springs Café, adjacent to the park, claims to offer the best burger in Texas. It’s a funky café that looks like a house with a few too many additions on it. We ate there on a Saturday night and were treated to tunes from a local band. The café and patios are packed at dinner time, so be patient. The service is friendly and efficient. The burgers are great, but my favorite were the onion rings….awesome!
When You Go
Old Tunnel State Park is at 10619 Old San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg. Bat viewing for both the upper and lower areas requires an advance reservation. Bats don’t use alarm clocks, so you need to check the Old Tunnel hotline at (866) 978-2287 or check the park’s Facebook page to get the latest emergence time. Alamo Springs Café is at 107 Alamo Road. The café is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. There are also a few outdoor tables at Old Tunnel if you want to bring your own picnic.
Be careful driving home. The area is chocked full of deer, we almost hit a buck making our way back to Fredericksburg.
Tip
Frankie the Free-tailed Bat is a cute book for kids. It’s loaded with information about the bats. You can download a free copy courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife.
