Our first stop was Cross Mountain. Here is a little history from the marker:
“This Marl and Limestone Hill, elevation 1915’, was an Indian signal point, advancing news of the intrusions of white settlers. The hill was first recorded and described by the German Geologist Dr. Ferdinand Roemer in 1847. A timber cross found on the hilltop of the same year suggests that Spanish Missionaries recognized it as a landmark on the path from San Antonio to Mission San Saba. John C. Durst (1825-1898), arriving with his family in 1847 from Germany, received a town lot and 10 acres of land, including this hill. On finding the cross, he named it “Kreuzberg”, or Cross Mountain. The Easter fires on Cross Mountain and the surrounding hills recall a German tradition of burning the old growth to make way for the new, and also commemorate the 1847 treaty made by John Meusebach and the settlers to establish peace with the Comanche nation.
In 1849, a bohemian priest, Father George Menzel, erected a more substantial cross as a symbol of redemption and civilization. Easter sunrise services were held on the mountain for many years prior to 1941. In 1946, the Very Rev. F.X. Wolf threw the switch to illuminate the permanent cross of metal and concrete build by St. Mary’s Catholic Church.”
The cross:
Notice the rays of sun in the background:
Me in front of the cross:
Views from the top of the hill (notice the cactus):
From there we explored the shops in town – I just love the buildings:
The streets of Fredericksburg are known to be the widest in the state. They were designed this way so there would be enough room for an oxen wagon to turn around.
Admiral Nimitz birthplace:
Admiral Nimitz Hotel:
We had lunch at the Silver City Restaurant – great food. As we walked in, Pierre and Dan wanted their picture taken:
Since it turned out to be such a beautiful day we decided to take a ride to Hunt where we found this – Stonehenge II:
A little history from the board:
“In 1989 Doug Hill tipped on end a massive limestone rock onto Al Shepperd’s field. After looking at the rock and joking about it for months, Al and Doug decided to build an arch behind the rock to make it more visible to passers by. When the arch was built, Al was reminded of the original Stonehenge in England. He commissioned Doug to design and build a Stonehenge. Stonehenge II is not a replica; it is about 2/3 the size of the original, and it is not oriented to the sun, as is the original. It is, however, Doug Hill’s impression, in steel and concrete, of the nearly 5000 year old circle of stones on the Salisbury Plain.
The Easter Island statuary, for Al, was a natural partner for Stonehenge II. He had visited Easter Island and now thought the mystery of the construction of those magnificent statutes was a complement to the mystery of Stonehenge.
Al Shepperd died in 1994; since his death, his family, with the help of the great neighbors, has maintained the statuary and grounds.”
Me holding up the stone:
Andy tickling the statue’s nose:
Notice the halo on this statue:
More pictures of Stonehenge II:
And yet another cactus:
What a wonderful day!
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