US Highway 281

Rural fun runs support America.

Celebrate the road less traveled, (Highway 281) small towns in rural USA appreciate the economic boost we travelers bring to their area. More often than not you will be doing business with the owner rather than a corporation. It could be Mom, Pop or one of the kids working the store. Have you noticed that people in small towns seem friendlier. You don't have to travel far, or break the bank to have an awesome adventure!

We urge you, the family, friends and neighbors to get up and go explore rural America, the people, the places, the history and the many different cultural activities and recreational opportunities this great land has to offer. Anyone that appreciates Americana and the foundations of free enterprise should consider spending their tourist dollars where it benefits other Americans.

Beaches and the Border - South Texas 281

We are traveling the southern part of North America into Texas on Highway 281. Hidalgo County part of one of the fastest growing areas in the United States and with a cost of living lower than the U.S. average. A great agricultural area. Fresh fruits and vegetables most anytime of the year here. Winter visitors like to call this area, "home away from home". Entertainment for every member of the family. Annual events, festivals and weekly happenings, lots to see and do in these International Border-towns.

US Highway 281 Texas

Alice on US Highway 281 - Hub City.

South of San Antonio on Highway 281 we have Alice. The lands south of San Antonio are commonly referred to as South Texas. Alice with a population of around 20, 000, was named after the daughter of one of the founders of the famed King Ranch, Alice King Kleberg. The post office opened for business in 1888.

Escape on Highway 281 South thru Texas.

Snow angels to palm trees on US Highway 281.

If one wanted to bounce out of the house for some fun on 281 this weekend into the week ahead we might want to dial in the weather channel for a look see. Lets have a satellite look at the weather conditions some of our neighbors up and down US Highway 281 are or will be experiencing in the next few days.

Bar-B-Que run on Hwy 281 TX Hill Country

Over the month I have enjoyed barbecue in the Texas Hill Country at 8 different joints on or near US Highway 281. The towns were Marble Falls Hwy 281, (2 joints), Spicewood Hwy 71 (1 joint). East of 281, then Johnson City, (2 joints) Hwy 281, Blanco, (1 joint), Hwy 281 and San Marcos, (2 joints) East from Highway 281. The other day Kim, Todd and I were talking about barbecue and day trips when we came up with our favorite BBQ joints of these 5 Texas Hill Country towns.

The Cowboy Capital on Texas Hwy. 281

Stephenville, TX is of South Interstate 20. The town is bisected by three major US highways. US Highway 281, US Highway 377, and US Highway 67. January 8, 2008 Stephenville gained national media attention when dozens and later hundreds of residents reported observations of UFOs. According to reports, residents observed several types of UFOs, the descriptions ranging from triangular looking craft to discs. Several residents described the crafts as the size of a football field, while others said they were nearly a mile long.

Crazy Water on Texas Highway 281.

Mineral Wells, Texas (16,880), on Hwy 281, intersecting with the east/west Highway 180. West of Ft. Worth, North of the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and Interstate 20. This north Texas town is an area of about twenty square miles.

Around 1880 a local North Texas man dug a well that produced a foul tasting water. This enterprising Texan declared that this "Crazy Water" had cured his rheumatism. Soon there after "Crazy Water" was being touted as a cure for numerous ailments from sore muscles to hysteria. The area was billed as the greatest health resort of the South by 1920 with over four hundred mineral wells.

To the Gulf of Mexico on Highway 281.

Here we go, south bound on US Highway 281 Giddy Up. From the lovely Guadalupe River area of Bulverde/Spring Branch. We will be traveling the Z stretch of 281 to the toe of Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.