Check out the glider museum, send your love a special Valentine, and join a Mardi Gras parade this month.
Of the approximately 14,000 gliders built for the military during World War II, only a half-dozen survive. Lubbock was the main training base of glider pilots from 1943 to 1945 and is home to the Silent Wings Museum. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Daring young men. During World War II, the U.S. military used gliders – motorless and unarmed airplanes – to support airborne troops. The most widely used glider was the CG-4 built by the Waco Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio. The plane could carry 13 troopers, a Jeep, a quarter-ton truck, or a 75mm howitzer, plus the pilot and co-pilot. The payload was loaded and unloaded by flipping up the nose of the aircraft. Inexpensive to build, the gliders were constructed of canvas stretched over a wood and aluminum frame. The planes participated in almost every major battle on the European theater from before D-Day to the invasion of Germany.
Approximately 80% of the more than 6,000 pilots of the flying machines with a nearly 84-foot wingspan were trained at the South Plains Army Air Base in Lubbock. In 1950, the Lubbock Municipal Airport terminal replaced the former military base, and in 2001 the Silent Wings Museum moved into the building after the airport moved to the Preston Smith International Airport. Along with displays about World War II, the centerpiece is one of only a half-dozen surviving CG-4s out of the approximately 14,000 built.
At the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, a Jeep peeks out of the nose section of a Waco CG-4 glider. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
There are many stories about the gliders’ adventures and misadventures during the war, from carrying mules to retrieving the wounded. In Citizen Soldiers, (Simon & Schuster, 1997) Stephen E. Ambrose tells the story of a medic accompanying a Jeep to the battlefield in Europe in a Waco glider. The pilots told the soldier to get in the vehicle and start the engine so that he could drive off as soon as they landed. Just before touchdown an artillery shell exploded nearby that broke the latches to the nose section, ejecting the pilots and sending the Jeep flying out the open hatch. “(The medic) made a perfect four-wheel landing and beat the glider to the ground, thus becoming the first man in history to solo in a Jeep,” Ambrose wrote. The three GIs survived the crash landing.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, Silent Wings Museum, Lubbock, 806/775-3047, ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/silent-wings-museum
The Orange Show Monument is currently closed for restoration. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
A life well lived. If saving the Orange Show Monument had been one person’s only achievement, they would have accomplished more in their lifetime than most. Marilyn Oshman was a founder of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art and its annual Art Car Parade, a philanthropist, and a leading advocate for the arts in Houston and beyond. She passed away peacefully on Dec. 22 at age 85. The scion of Oshman’s Sporting Goods, Marilyn’s numerous contributions to society and the arts included the Contemporary Art Museum Houston, the Menil Collection, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and even a stint on the board of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She will be missed and appreciated for her love of art and support of individual artists of many stripes.
The Orange Show Monument is a work of folk art architecture in Houston’s East End. It was built singlehandedly from 1956 to 1979 by the late Jeff McKissack, a retired postal worker. The outdoor 3,000-square-foot environment is mazelike in design and includes an oasis, a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop, and several upper decks. It is constructed of concrete, brick, steel, and found objects including gears, tiles, wagon wheels, mannequins, tractor seats, and statuettes. Each piece of the Orange Show was hand-placed and hand-painted by McKissack.
Marilyn Oshman was introduced to McKissack in the mid-1970s. When he passed away, friends discovered a note that read, “If anything happens to me, call Marilyn.” She quickly convened a group of friends to contribute $500 each toward the purchase of the monument to oranges. Since then the Orange Show has become the guiding light of folk art appreciation in Houston. The monument is currently closed for restoration.
Travel Notes:
From Valentine, TX, with love. It’s easy to send your sweetie a Valentine postmarked from Valentine, TX. Put the Valentine in an envelope and address it to your sweetie. Be sure to place the required postage to the envelope. Place the envelope (or up to 50 envelopes) in a larger envelope, also with appropriate postage. Address the larger envelope to:
Valentine’s Day Postmark
Postmaster
311 W. California Ave.
Valentine, TX 79854-9998
To ensure your card is delivered in time for Valentine’s Day, it’s recommended to send it to the Valentine post office by Feb. 5. The program lasts through March 14, so late arrivals will still be forwarded. The postmaster opens the larger envelope and postmarks each Valentine with the special Valentine, Texas, postmark, and sends it off to your designated sweetie or sweeties. Lovers who submit more than 50 will be charged an extra five cents for each additional letter. Red envelopes are not recommended because the postmark is done in red ink.
The Port Aransas Museum is expanding its footprint at 408 N. Allister, and you can send a Valentine’s message on a paving brick. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Be my stepping stone. Looking for a unique Valentine’s gift that will stand the march of time? The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association is selling personalized pavers for the walkway to their new complex. The small paving brick sells for $50 and allows a message of three lines. The larger paver goes for $300 and has space for up to 12 lines. It’s a nice way to memorialize a loved one, a family, or a business. The pavers help support the PAPHA’s mission of operating and maintaining the Farley Boat Works, the Port Aransas Museum and Mercer Market, and the Chapel on the Dunes.
New flavors. Coming to Buda this spring will be Roxie’s a new dining concept by Scott Roberts, the owner of Salt Lick BBQ. The restaurant will fill the space left vacant by the demise of Valentina’s Barbecue at 308 Main St. Named for Roberts’ grandmother, the new eatery will feature Southern-style fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, and char-grilled steaks. Besides the original Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood famous for their family-style servings, there is Salt Lick Cellars, Salt Lick Round Rock, and outposts in the Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth airports.
The Albert Hotel welcomes the new year in Fredericksburg. (Photo courtesy the Albert Hotel)
Hang your hat. It’s not easy opening a new hotel in Fredericksburg. In order to fit into the Hill Country tourist mecca, any addition has to be a blend of contemporary comfort and historic ambience. The new 105-room Albert Hotel at 213 E. Austin St. seems to check all the boxes. Opened on the first weekend of the new year, the guesthouse is named for Albert Keidel, whose family has a 175-year history in Gillespie County. Along with event space, fine dining, swimming pool, and a spa, the hotel has reinvigorated the White Elephant Saloon building and turned the two-story Keidel Pharmacy building into a grab-and-go sandwich and coffee market. The hotel is the latest property of New Waterloo, an Austin-based hospitality company that has hotels in six states including the South Congress Hotel in Austin, plus 10 restaurants such as Austin’s Sway and La Condesa, and social venues like Butler Pitch & Putt Golf Course in Austin.
Find new camping adventures with the 2025 campground and glamping guide. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Follow your guide. Camping weather is right around the corner and the Texas Association of Campground Owners has released their 2025 RV Travel & Camping Guide just in time to start planning your next trip. The guide lists more than 400 member campgrounds, RV parks, glamping resorts as well as private parks in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. As a special feature of the guides are descriptions of museum, festivals, and attractions. The guide is available online, from Texas State Welcome Centers, and by mail.
State land. In December, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department announced that it had purchased the 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park. Utilizing funds from the sporting goods sales tax authorized by Proposition 5 in 2019, the state purchased the property that it had leased for more than 50 years. The lake’s water is used to cool the generators of the Morgan Creek Power Plant, the largest modern gas-fired steam electric station in West Texas. By purchasing the land from the power company Vistra for approximately $5 million, TPWD avoided losing the park like it did Lake Fairfield State Park in 2023. Not an especially scenic park, Lake Colorado City State Park does offer camping and access to the lake. The park is south of I-20 between Midland and Abilene, about five hours northwest of Austin.
Construction will begin on the buildings in the Big Bend National Park’s Chisos Basin in May.
Bend in the river. Spring is one of the best times of the year to visit Big Bend National Park and now is the time to start planning. As you make your reservations and decide your route for a West Texas expedition, keep in mind that the Chisos Basin area will close in May and continue to be off limits to visitors for approximately two years. Construction in the area will result in a new lodge, restaurant, store, visitor center, and trails. The rest of the park will be open during the construction. The busiest time for the park is November through April. All campsites in the park require a reservation.
Louisiana waterways don’t get much wilder than the Vermillion River outside of Lafayette. Join a rare kayak trip down a 50-mile stretch of the river. (Photo by Photo by Nathaniel Martin)
Whatever floats your boat. South central Louisiana is laced with old river channels, bayous, and swamps between the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers. The Vermilion River is one of the basin’s wildest areas. Lafayette Travel and Bayou Vermilion District have partnered to host Vermilion Voyage, a three-day paddle trip, March 21-23, on a 50-mile stretch of the river from Acadiana Park to Palmetto Island State Park. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a tidal river at its best. The trip of lifetime costs $400 and covers experienced guides, a paddle craft, shuttle service, meals, and more.
And finally. We say good-bye Dignowity Meats, a popular San Antonio smoked meat and gourmet sandwich spot for a decade. The eastside favorite closed the walk-up window for the last time on Dec. 30.
Other February Events:
Jump to a region: | Big Bend | Gulf Coast | Hill Country | Panhandle | Piney Woods | Prairies & Lakes | South Texas | Out of State
BIG BEND
Valentine’s in Valentine
Sweethearts from far and near gather in the village for a February celebration of music, food, and a boot-scootin’ good time. Online tickets are $25.
Feb. 15, Valentine, www.valentineinvalentinetx.com
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Enjoy seven shows mixing poetry, music, stories, and songs from women and men who know a lot about ranch life, livestock, hard work, and great music.
Feb. 20-22, Alpine, www.lonestarcowboypoetry.com
Ladies of the West
Ladies, start your engines for a weekend of off-roading, target practice, and hiking in the desert outside of Terlingua. $800 covers accommodations, meals, and activities.
Feb. 28-March 3, Alpine, tickets on Eventbrite
GULF COAST
Lunar New Year at Asia Society
The free event includes a variety of fun activities including two lion dances, a Lucky Lunar Mission, food and shopping, and ticketed music and dance performances by Huaxing Arts Group.
Feb. 1, Houston, asiasociety.org/texas/events/lunar-new-year-2025-celebrating-year-snake
Brick Fest Live
The whole family gets involved in Lego attractions and hands-on activities designed to inspire, entertain, and educate.
Feb. 8-9, Houston, www.brickfestlive.com
LaMardi Gras
The small town across the causeway from Rockport celebrates Mardi Gras like no other with golf cart parades, lots of local food, and village hospitality.
Feb. 14-15, Lamar, www.lamardigras.com
Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival
Singer-songwriters from across the country gather in downtown Corpus Christi to share their stories and songs in intimate venues designed for listening, connection, and creativity. Many of the events are free, while inexpensive passes offer unlimited access.
Feb. 14-16, Corpus Christi, ccsongwriters.com
Greater Houston Train Show
Elaborate model train layouts fill the convention center, allowing patrons to purchase parts and ask questions.
Feb. 15, Pasadena, www.sanjacmodeltrains.org
Whooping cranes feeding in a field on the Texas Coast. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Whooping Crane Festival
The whoopers are back on the coast for the winter and the festival offers tours, workshops, and a trade show.
Feb. 20-23, Port Aransas, www.portaransas.org/whooping-crane-festival
Mardi Gras! Galveston
The largest Fat Tuesday celebration in Texas features at least 20 parades, concerts, balls, and more fun taking over the island city.
Feb. 21-23, 28; March 1-4, Galveston, www.mardigrasgalveston.com
Mardi Gras on Main
You don’t have to go all the way to NOLA to experience the fun, food, and parades of Fat Tuesday.
Feb. 22, La Porte, www.visitlaportetx.com/mardigras
HILL COUNTRY
Hill Country Flyer
All aboard for a 66-mile train ride, through the Texas Hill Country crossing the trestle bridge over the South San Gabriel River and Short Creek Canyon. During a two-hour layover you can explore Burnet and enjoy lunch, shopping, and a leisurely stroll around the historic town square.
Feb. 1, 8, 15, 23, Cedar Park, www.austinsteamtrain.org
Kerrville Renaissance Festival
The final weekend of the fair brings together a mix of entertainment, shopping, and food.
Feb. 1-2, Kerrville, www.kerrvillerenfest.com
Freedom Flight Cruises
Take a boat ride on Lake Buchanan with Vanishing Texas Cruises to watch the release into the wild of birds of prey that were injured and have been rehabilitated by Last Chance Forever.
Feb. 16, Burnet, www.vtrc.com
Cowboy Mardi Gras
The mix of Cajun food, zydeco music, and cowboy hats means fun for everybody as colorful floats travel down Main Street and arts & crafts booths cover the courthouse lawn.
Feb. 20-22, Bandera, www.banderacowboycapital.com
Troutfest Texas
The three-day event at Lazy L&L Campground on the Guadalupe River is for everyone who has an interest in fly fishing and preserving our rivers.
Feb. 21-23, New Braunfels, grtu.org
PANHANDLE
Buddy Holly memorial in Lubbock. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
The Day the Music Died
The Buddy Holly Center will be commemorating the 66th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson. The museum and the Allison House will be open free to the public from 10am-5pm.
Feb. 3, Lubbock, ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center/events
Buffalo Soldier Heritage Day
The frontier fort comes alive with actors re-creating the days when Black soldiers manned the grounds.
Feb. 23, San Angelo, www.fortconcho.com
PINEY WOODS
Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden outside of Gladewater. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Helen Lee Estate Daffodil Garden
It’s hard to predict exactly when the yellow daffodils will cover the tree-shaded hills, but it’s a sight to be seen when it happens. Check the website or call 903/845-5780 for dates. Admission is free, but it’s run by a nonprofit and donations are greatly appreciated.
Mid-February-March, Gladewater, Facebook.com
Mardi Gras
The northeast Texas town pulls out all the stops for family-friendly celebration with parades, a carnival, lots of food, and vendors.
Feb. 28-March 2, Jefferson, www.mardigrasupriver.com
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with lion dances, traditional foods, and live entertainment.
Feb. 2-4, 10-11, Grand Prairie, www.asiatimessquare.com
Dallas Blooms
The largest annual floral festival in the Southwest features 500,000 blooming bulbs, including 350,000 tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, alongside vibrant azaleas and cherry trees, creating a breathtaking spring display.
Feb. 22-April 13, Dallas, www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/dallas-blooms
SOUTH TEXAS
Birding Festival
This is one of the premier birding events in the country with a variety of scenic trips escorted by professional field guides and members of the local Audubon Society.
Feb. 5-8, Laredo, www.laredobirdingfestival.org
Stock Show and Rodeo
From the excitement of the rodeo to the stunning view from the Ferris wheel, this San Antonio tradition has something for everyone.
Feb. 6-23, San Antonio, www.sarodeo.com
Palo Alto National Historic Park, Brownsville. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)
Living History Program
Chat with living historians and listen to stories about the Battle of Palo Alto and the U.S.-Mexican War at this monthly program that includes live weapons demonstrations (dependent upon weather).
Feb. 8, Brownsville, www.nps.gov/paal
Newlywed Block Park
Celebrate the nuptials of hundreds of couples who place a lock on the Kallison Love Lock Bridge before exchanging vows at midnight on the courthouse steps.
Feb. 13-14, San Antonio, www.mainplaza.org/events
OUT OF STATE
Rebel Stakes
At the historic racetrack, this 1 1/16-mile race gives Kentucky Derby qualification points for the first four finishers.
Feb. 22, Hot Springs, Ark., oaklawn.com/racing
Mardi Gras
One of the largest free parties in southern Louisiana, the family-friendly good times features lots of parades, food, and music.
Feb. 21-22, 28-March 4, Lafayette, La., www.lafayettetravel.com/events/annual-events-festivals/mardi-gras
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 30 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.
