Thursday, October 24, 2013

Wimberley and The Salt lick...Brisket, Ribs and Sausage at its Best

Click on photo to enlarge

The Bride and I decided to do a little trip north of here to Wimberley...and then eat at the GREAT  BBQ/Smokehouse known as The Salt Lick up the road 12 miles at Driftwood....its only an hour plus from here...two hours if you stop and wonder....we where going to meet Son and DIL for some Brisket, Ribs and Sausage, Texas Style.....but instead of driving back we are spending the night at one of the local Inns...
I'm thinking this will be an interesting trip..(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

A little History:

Prehistoric Wimberley was home to native Americans, and evidence of their presence is found near now extinct stream beds and along the river. 16th century Spanish explorers came here looking for gold and adventure and by the 17th century Spanish church representatives arrived to stake a claim on the population and natural wealth.

Wow....
I'm following the sign
I think we're in the right place

By the mid-1800s several families were living in this area, and explorers and adventurers from the southern states came to the Hill Country. Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, James Bowie and David Crockett became legends and died in the more populous areas here. Land along waterways was sought after, and trading posts were established near stream crossings. First came the grist and flour mills, followed by schools and churches. Thus a village was formed at the little trading post at Cypress Creek. This was Wimberley.

I think we hit the "Mother Load"
.....that's my plate
Ok...also some of that...there're Pork Ribs

In the mid 19th-century, William Winters built a two-room cut limestone home on the north side hill of Cypress Creek and constructed the first grist mill on Cypress Creek.  The home and mill were eventually purchased by Pleasant Wimberley for $8,000 in gold. His family moved here and the mill was used for a flour, grist, sorghum, as a saw mill and a cotton gin. Pleasant also helped establish a church and a school here. In 1880 an application for a post office for "Wimberleyville" was made, and the postmaster general shortened the name and granted it. Thus, Wimberley became an official postal destination.




The windmill that once provided water to travelers between Blanco and Wimberley.
West of Wimberley lies Blanco, another destination for travelers. Water along the travel route between Wimberley and Blanco was precious, and legend has it the windmill still operating at Wimberley Valley Ranch furnished the only watering place between the two settlements. First travelers on horseback and by carriage, then those in early cars, stopped at this location on the "Blanco Road", now FM 2325, for water.

In May of 2000 a central portion of the Wimberley area was incorporated as the Village of Wimberley (click here to see incorporated area), comprised of approximately 10% of the Wimberley area residents and many of the centrally located businesses.  But the Village of Wimberley survived only until 2007, when that city council voted to make it a "city," not without controversy. Now it's just plain Wimberley. However, the 13,000 plus residents of the Wimberley Valley are those that make up Wimberley as most folks refer to it.



A brief word about The Salt Lick BBQ:

Driftwood Texas
Driftwood Church
Church Historical Maker

.
The Salt Lick was opened in 1969 by Augustus 'Texas Boy' Roberts, Sr. and his wife Hisako T. Roberts.[1] It quickly grew in popularity and went from being open just a few times a year to seven days a week. Roberts and Hisako built the Salt Lick restaurant on the ranch where he was born, using locally-quarried limestone. Hisako's Hawaiian heritage inspired the sweet barbecue sauce used in the restaurant.
The Salt Lick's primary cuisine is beef (brisket), sausage, and pork ribs. Chicken and turkey are also served.[2] . The Salt Lick is currently owned by Scott Roberts and his wife Susan. They only take cash and if you want to have some alcohol related Spirits it's "BYOB" of choice.... which we did....

In late 2008 The Salt Lick was featured during an Austin episode in the first season of the Travel Channel's show Man v. Food (hosted by Adam Richman),[5] and the restaurant was positively reviewed by Food Network chefs Bobby Flay and Duff Goldman.[6] Then in 2012 it was featured on another Travel Channel show, Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America, for its spicy brisket jalapeño sandwich topped with habanero sauce (which was recommended to Richman by Flay).

Old Town Wimberley, Tx
Popular Café
Wimberley, Tx
Wimberley, Tx
I tried...but got in trouble


So, back to the trip.......left Sunday around noon time....stopped off at a few places and about two hours later landed at the Wimberley Inn...22 rooms sitting  up on a hill...very quaint setting....the room was spacious...and  as the  Bride said "very cozy"....we registered, got the lay of the land, walked around the grounds, relaxed...and left for Salt Lick....as luck would have it, we pulled in the same time Son and DIL arrived.....the place was huge....two eating establishments...and to our surprise no wait...Son brought beer, we brought wine, and Salt Kick provided Water and ice tea...the stars where aligned just right...

Its five o'clock somewhere
Wimberley Inn view from front door

The Ladies ordered a proper meal while Son and I decided on "all you can eat"....that means the Brisket, Ribs, and Sausage just kept arriving.....all with potatoes and slaw...I know I'm trying to lose weight...but it is a special occasion....we spent 3 plus hours and had a great time eating, reminiscing... and a lot of BSing...but that's what family and good times are all about....we all said our Good-Byes....Bride and I got back...sat outside for a while then crashed and slept like hibernating bear cubs...

Next morning we slept in...finally got up...made coffee and decided to walk around the old part of town...around noon we headed back home...couple hours later we landed, unpacked and then relived our time at Wimberley.... and smiled.....another great Day (Plus) Trip....thanks for stopping by...Horst sends



15 comments:

  1. What a grand day's outing and an over-nighter. Great to meet family and jaw-bone over a meal. Sound like Wimberly is a very interesting community with a lot of history.

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    1. It was a fun trip...though it was hard to leave Ms Casita at home...lol.....it still was a great Getaway.....hope to hear that you Guys are taking a road trip soon...have a SUPER weekend and thanks for stopping by...Horst sends

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  2. That does it! Next Texas trip to Big Bend will include a waltz across Texas devouring BBQ at the finest Texas has to offer. Hope you can make it. - Rob

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    1. Rob...are you back home...and are you planning any "Winter Trips"...I still hope to get something in after Thanksgiving and prior to Christmas.....I like your thought on a Texas trip that includes BBQ...I would love to join you...Have a relaxing weekend...Horst sends

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  3. I am amazed at all the history, culture, food, fun and photos you can pack into one blog post.

    Loved vicariously enjoying the trip with you and the bride and family! :)

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    1. One thing I like about Texas is its diverse and rich history....it may not go back to the Mayflower but it makes it up in "Character"..Since the Bride doesn't do the Camper thing I like for us to take frequent overnight-week trips to places that sound interesting...hope all is going well and that you and Ron are at the "Starting Line" heading for a new adventure...Have a Terrific weekend...Hors sends

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  4. I'm drooling. Wine and BBQ, or BBQ and wine. Both are among my favorite foods. We're heading for Big Bend country after the first of the year. I think Wimberly might be on the way.

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    1. I would say that if you are within shouting distance, it's worthwhile for an overnight stopover....and Wimberley has a RV Park right on Rt 150...Yup Wine and BBQ...they are part of the 7 basic food groups...aren't they....You and Wanda would enjoy it...Take care and have a Great weekend..Horst sends

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  5. And. I had Trader Joe's spaghetti O's for supper :). Nothing better than BBQ and an overnight with the bride. Getting my map out in the morning!

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    1. I think if you're close you ought to try it out...as I told JerryC, Wimberley does have a RV park....Glad to see you where able to get back on the road...Safe Journey....have a terrific weekend...Horst sends

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  6. like Carla, I'm looking on the map! Texas is on the horizon in a couple of months!
    Thanks for the history and local color.

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    1. You'll be coming at a good time of year...not so hot, especially if you're going to West Texas....I enjoy going to the small towns and just roaming around for a day or so...Thanks for stopping by...Horst sends

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  7. Wimberly made the national news tonight when they were reporting on the floods around Austin.

    Wimberly received 12.5 inches of rain...today! Hope the barbecue place is still there!

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    1. Wow, who gets that much rain in one day!

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    2. Lynne....that area is vulnerable...numerous creeks and a River...they closed the schools in Wimberley for a day or more...To my knowledge the "Salt Lick BBQ" was spared...it is 12 miles up the road on somewhat higher ground...though in the past it has been affected by water ...

      Carla...we do keep several "Arks" in Texas, just in case...we are prone to flooding in several parts of Texas....I guess that why "Texans" are so "Hardy", lol....Horst sends

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