Continued from Riding The Kolache Trails Route #1 Westward Ho
ROUTE #2 BRAZOS CROSSING
This scenic 120-mile ride covers one of the most historic parts of the state. We’ll begin the day with kolaches in Ellinger. Motorcyclists on busy Texas Highway 71 might overlook the village if not for Hruska’s Store and Bakery, a kolache institution since 1912. Beyond aisles of random merchandise in this large convenience store, travelers queue up to order kolaches and cinnamon rolls. There are tables where you can sit and enjoy the baked delicacies or any of the sandwiches and wraps.
Considering that it has fewer than 300 folks, Fayetteville has a lot going for it. The Chamber of Commerce claims: “Fayetteville, the way Texas used to be!” The National Register of Historic Places recognizes some 345 historic structures. The Chamber calendar is packed with music events, street dances, art walks, festivals, and historic home tours. Car and bike clubs frequent the eateries, including Orsak’s Cafe.
Twice a year, roads between Burton and La Grange are congested with traffic. The Round Top–Warrenton Antique Weekend extends over two weeks prior to the first weekend of April and October each year and includes every road and rural hamlet in the area. One destination that deserves a visit anytime is Winedale. Philanthropist Ima Hogg purchased and restored a historic Winedale home in 1961, and later on, additional buildings and property were acquired. As well as being an outdoor museum, Winedale hosts several events throughout the year.
Burton’s downtown is a Commercial Historic District, and its annual Cotton Gin Festival features vendors, good food, foot-tapping oompah music, and ice-cold brews. The town is on the La Bahía Scenic Byway (Farm-to-Market Road 290), and the Burton Café is one of my favorite stops.
A set of scenic farm roads leads to Dime Box as well, where several historic buildings will greet you. Riding through Dime Box is like riding through a small Texas town that’s been frozen in time. In mid-May, you might want to ride to Lake Somerville for the annual British Motorcycle Owners Association “Rallye” and enjoy wonderful classic bikes.
Caldwell is the self-proclaimed Kolache Capital of Texas and celebrates the Kolache Festival on the second Saturday of each September. U.S. Highway 79 runs with rail lines that helped create the towns of Milano and Gause. After crossing the Brazos River (the longest river in Texas), we’ll turn left onto Farm-to-Market Road 1644 and enter the agriculturally rich Brazos River floodplain. We’ll finish this route in Calvert. When cotton was king, plantation owners in the area built lavish Victorian mansions in town. By the end of the 19th century, Calvert was the fourth-largest city in Texas. Today, its historic district stretches over 40 blocks.
A short list of some unbeatable kolache stops and events:
BURTON
BURTON CAFÉ
12513 W. Washington St.
979-289-2200
COTTON GIN MUSEUM AND FESTIVAL
307 N. Main St.
979-289-3378
cottonginmuseum.org
Held in mid-April
PIG & WHISTLE PUB
12607 W. Washington St.
979-289-2319
CALDWELL
KOLACHE CAPITAL BAKE SHOP
203 TX Hwy. 21 E.
979-567-3504
KOLACHE FESTIVAL
2nd Saturday in September
CALVERT
INGRAHAM CASTLE B&B
604 Elm St.
979-364-2201
calverttx.com/ingraham.html
ELLINGER
HRUSKA’S STORE AND BAKERY
107 TX Hwy. 71
979-378-2333
hruskas-bakery.com
POLKA FEST
ellingertexas.com
Mid-December
FAYETTEVILLE
JOE’S PLACE
120 N. Live Oak St.
979-378-9035
LICKSKILLET DAYS
fayettevilletxchamber.org
2nd Saturday in December
ORSAK’S CAFE
121 W. Fayette St.
979-378-2719
