Barbecue aficionados around the country are drooling uncontrollably over a relative newcomer to the Central Texas scene. Franklin Barbecue has received rave reviews (including a “best in the country” nod from Bon Appetit magazine). With lofty expectations like that, it’s often hard to live up to the hype, but Franklin’s ‘cue is indeed incomparable. There aren’t too many places where you can say it’s worth waiting more than an hour for the food, but their perfect post oak-smoked brisket, sublime sausage, and premiere potato salad are worth waiting in line for two hours.

Another personal favorite is Louie Mueller Barbecue, just north of Austin in Taylor. Open since the late 1940s, Louie Mueller’s has been featured on food programs across the globe and was famous way before Franklin’s for its succulent smoked brisket. The place oozes weathered, smoke-drenched, rustic charm and serves up tender beef with a slightly peppery sauce and accompanying sweet sides of potato salad and cole slaw.

Hold your fire: believe it or not, El Paso was recently named one of the country’s safest cities. Now there’s no reason to avoid this unexpectedly charming West Texas metropolis—especially for those intrigued by a region’s distinctive heritage and food. Even if you’re not a history buff, the mission trail offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s Spanish colonial past, with three extraordinary adobe missions dating to the 1600s.

Food-wise, El Paso is the Mecca for my favorite Mexican dish: chile rellenos, prepared with velvety white cheese encased in a tangy and lightly breaded anaheim pepper. One of the most memorable places to experience this regional delicacy is at H&H Car Wash, an actual car wash with a tiny restaurant inside offering the tantalizingly smooth yet spicy chiles heated on the same grill as the tasty (and greasy) burgers.

Another area worth exploring in El Paso is Segundo Barrio, a resurgent neighborhood near downtown filled with historic adobe homes and charming corner stores. Be sure to experience Bowie Bakery’s traditional Mexican pastries: empanadas de pina (delectable pineapple turnovers), esponjas, and a cream-filled swan pastry that tastes as sweet as it looks.

In Austin, the words “College Station” and “Aggie” are often the punchline of a joke. But that’s not entirely fair. Not all Texas A&M students look for the “11” on the keypad when calling 911. Haha.

Anyway, the Bryan-College Station area is far from a cultural vacuum; in fact, it’s brimming with impressive museum facilities, historical attractions, and even (gulp) tasty eateries.

Speaking of culture, one of College Station’s biggest claims to fame is the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The easily navigable and impressively interactive facility includes a section of the Berlin Wall, a replica of the White House situation room, and an Oval Office exhibit that allows visitors to sit in the “seat of power” and have their photo taken behind the president’s desk. Fun fact: now that Bush and his wife Barbara have an apartment on the museum grounds, they make occasional “surprise appearances,” shaking hands, signing autographs, and interacting with visitors.

Befitting of the Agriculture referenced in A&M, locals in this region of cattle country take their burgers very seriously. And they don’t get much better than the hearty hunk of meat served at Chicken Oil Co.Despite the name (a reference to a former service station), this restaurant offers top-notch beef in a down-home atmosphere.

So, it’s been awhile since I’ve documented my Texas Rhodes Trips. Now that I'm back in the saddle, I’m just going to pick up where I left off.

My favorite city in Texas (besides Austin) is Fort Worth. Since its population of circa 750,000 is similar to Austin's, it shares a comfortably sized city vibe and easy accessibility. There’s something very appealing about being able to get anywhere in 15 minutes and mastering the road system within a day.

But unlike most small cities, Fort Worth offers a distinctive mix of cattle, cowboys, and culture.
I can’t think of anywhere else where you can marvel at a Matisse then walk across the street to revel in a rodeo. Toss in some amazing Tex-Mex and a trip to the ballpark or botanical gardens, and you’ll be yodeling Cowtown’s praises across the plains.

Things got a bit wild at my recent book signing at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center's Fall Plant Festival. Actually, that's not true at all. But it certainly was an entertaining experience and a good way to mingle with readers while promoting my book.

While whiling away some time at the Wildflower Center, I was reminded about the site's genuine natural appeal. Although it springs to life primarily from March--May, I found that autumn offered a nice change of scenery, in a subdued yet welcoming way. This season, the Center has been educating people about native fall plants with distinctive aromas, including local varieties such as chocolate daisies, daturas, and shrubby bonesets. It's worth making a trip to the Wildflower Center just to get a whiff!