Wine and Wheels Day Trip to Richards, TX

John, one of our RROC members, is also a member of the CCCA (Classic Car Club of America) Either due to the hot weather or the economy, this day trip wasn't attracting the numbers so he opened it up to our club as well. We're so glad we jumped on the opportunity albeit we took the MKX and not Marque as he would have overheated.

We cruised along some state highways before getting off on some Farm to Market roads meandering 41 miles through the Piney Woods to Grimes County and our destination of the Thomas Ranches. Around 4000 acres, the ranch uses 3000 acres as a working cattle ranch that has been in the Thomas family since the 1950s.

The Plantation home (11000 sq ft) and The Vineyards at Grand View (2 yrs since planting half Blanc du Bois and half Lenoir - Black Spanish vines) ~ Our host, Bill Thomas and his cousin, Judi Benestante, the proprietor of the vineyard along with her husband, John.  John, in the Carriage House kitchen, cooked up a true TX BBQ for us - brisket, chicken, sausage and sauce, baked beans, cole slaw, and little white potatoes in cream sauce. For dessert, large scoops of Blue Bell ice cream ( the only ice cream still sold in 64 oz containers - yum) and homemade cookies. To quench one's thirst there was an abundance of water and soda, and libations of beer and wine that flowed freely.

We were allowed to roam inside the plantation. John admires the mural of the South painted by Bill's 80 yr old uncle ~ Above the front door, the Texas star made of inlaid hardwoods from the ranch ~ Portrait of  Bill's mother in her wedding gown ~ The very same wedding gown restored in one of the bedrooms (talk about being taken aback when one entered the room)

Bill not only collects antique cars but also memorabilia from the area

This was called the $50 room. To make a long story short, when Bill was a teacher in the 70s, a local church was relocating and not taking the pipes for the organ. Bill wanted the pipes and the church sold them to him for $50. ~ Hearing the former Astros organist, Jim Connors, play the Rogers 5 keyboard organ, was a highlight for me. My father's sister used to play the piano in theaters before talkies came into being. Jim gave a performance nonpareil.

Some of Bill's cars ~ L>R 1931 Cadillac, 1930 Packard, 1929 Cadillac

The 'theme' seemed to be Caddys so here are the ones that came on the trip. The unique feature of this 1953 is that the gas cap is located in the left rear tail light. Press the button and the cap is revealed. A non-functioning button on the right tail light provided symmetry. (yes!)