Salado Things to Do

UPDATE: According to Basaic with v.t. the creek is not safe to wander into at this point due to health reasons, so better check with the locals before doing so. (June 5, 2011)

Doesn't this look like a great place to be on a boiling afternoon in Texas? I'm sure the children of this town make it a favorite stop in the midst of their summer break from school!

Salado Creek seems a lazy waterway to be sure. It's inches deep and easily accessible. I could envision our grandkids splashing here on a hot day, as I'm sure kids through the ages have done.

Although there weren't any picnic tables to be found, people were either wading in the creek of sitting on its bank just enjoying the view.

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Quite a combination at MUD PIES--pottery and fudge, but well worth your stop. I can testify to the restorative qualities of this fudge...but then every woman knows how chocolate works miracles!!

There were scads of fudge choices, but my favorite is Rocky Road...I suspect the most caloric, too. However, I've not indulged in such for weeks and weeks so didn't feel too guilty. A 1/4 pound is the least one can order and it's handed to you in one big chunk unless you request a further halving. (I shared a half with my husband...honest!)

The pottery was in wonderful colors and neatly stacked in a portion of the shop. I saw some pieces which would look nice with my everyday dishes, but intuition told me that hubby wasn't in the mood to buy any (picture #2). Oh well, maybe next visit.

Directly across from Stagecoach Inn, is The Central Texas Museum of History. Although not extensive by any means, this small collection contained snippets of the area's important events and the Civil War. The museum also contains a geneological section.

We thoroughly enjoyed peering at the old photos of early settlers. Taking one's picture was a solemn event and the expressions confirm this! The vintage wedding and family photos were so interesting to view!

A shop featuring Scottish gifts and other related paraphenalia was part of the museum. A Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games event occur here each year.

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As we familiarized ourselves with this historic little town, we discovered this unique pedestrian bridge.

It was constructed in 1889, originally spanning Cowhouse Creek in Coryell County. Deemed obsolete for vehicles, it was brought to Salado to be used as part of the town's Walkpath Project. It cost $16,500 to construct.

This bridge is a rare example of a lenticular truss type structure and is one of only eight remaining West of the Mississippi River. The plaque notes that there are only twenty-four surviving bridges of this type anywhere.

At the entrance, sculptor Troy Kelley's BILLY GOAT GRUFF greets all pedestrians hoping to cross (picture #2).

**Nemorino (Don) knew that this bridge was made by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of Connecticut. Very good!

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Travelers surely stop by Salado for its unique shopping in its historic setting. When age-worn buildings are renovated and returned to new life, it's a pleasure browsing through them. Filling them with pretty things from floor to ceiling...that makes it especially interesting!

Although most of the shops lined the main street, some were tucked along sidestreets, nestled within a courtyard or peeking out from behind a building or two. It was fun discovering them! See my additional pics below for a nice sampling of the shops.

Picture #2 Trimmings-Home Decor, Candles and Gifts
Picture #3 Bluebird Kids-Gifts, Children's Apparel and Decor
Picture #4 Main Street Place-Unusual Furniture, Home Accessories and Gifts
Picture #5 Splendors-A Great Kitchen Store and More

As you see from the list, most of these shops carried home decor items or ladies/children's accessories and clothing.

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We seem to be drawn to both museums and art galleries, so when we spied the B. Herd Art Gallery before leaving Salado we had to take time to visit.

The artist, Bascom Herd, was in the studio working on an oil painting. He specializes in Landscapes and Western art. We had a great chat with him as he explained his inspiration for several of the pieces. Mr. Herd welcomes commissions and enjoys the creativity involved with each one.

I especially liked his paintings highlighting the Texas bluebonnet--I haven't lived here quite two years yet, but I'm an ardent fan of our state flower (picture #2)!

A few pieces of original art were exhibited at the gallery, but most were prints-- less costly than the price of an original and perhaps the most affordable for the majority of us. The minute detail in each painting was amazing, taking weeks to complete!

We thought this Victorian-style home was a delight! It houses a shop named Antique Rose of Bell--meaning Bell County, of course.

This shop offered antique glassware and China, wood furniture, trinkets, old signs and other vintage items, such as, kitchenware and linens. The shopkeeper was nice enough to give us a map directing us to the residential part of town.

When I googled 'antique shops in Salado', there were about ten references in the nearby area. Apparently, we just didn't get around to many of them.