Hubbard Texas used to be known as Slap Out on account of their general store typically being slap out of provisions. As of the 2010 census the town was 1,423 persons strong and I like it, well put together for the most part with a lively feed store and a couple of shops and decent country restaurants. Their war memorial's especially impressive, a Cobra gunship which saw service in Vietnam before decommissioning in 1994, when 1 Cav gave it to the town.
After a tasty lunch of cheese enchiladas at Polos Italian Pizza restaurant, I drove over to a churchman's ranch for a sick call. What a great old man, in his 90s, a proud vet, Airforce I think, and an excellent horseman in his day. Pillar of the church to boot. He's weak now but clear of cancer, praise God.
On the way back I stopped in Malone, population 269. It's famous for being German and having saloons or bars, Muleskinners, Pair-A-Dice and Whiskey River. I haven't been in any of these but feel I should.
Whiskey River seems the best and it's owned by a friend who obstinately doesn't come to Mass but cheerfully lets me shoot at his back(ish) country range. A neat guy, a wiry landowner with a piercing eye and a serious, shooting safari hunter. I wish he was Senior Warden of Mission #1 but as it is we're allies.
Malone's also famous for its motel. You see, not so long ago this part of the world was dry, you couldn't get a drink because that was so wicked and unchristian, even though wine features rather strongly in the Bible. As in the Miracle at Cana and the Last Supper.
No, not Dr. Pepper and non-alcoholic grape juice in a dixie cup. That in mind, people would drive from as far away as Corsicana, population 23, 770, to live it up at Malone's saloons, and then they'd stay in the motel. Smart.
So now you know. I love this part of Texas.
Shoot straight,
LSP
