Muenster, Texas
Muenster is a small town located northwest of Dallas. It began as a home for German immigrants, and maintains alot of the flavor found in the German towns of Central and South Texas. If you look up a definition for the word "Nestle" in the dictionary... it should say "See Muenster". The little village sits down in the valley created by hills on the rolling prairie. You keep seeing signs advertising businesses in Muenster as you approach..... but there appears to be no indication that there is a town nearby until you top the last hill and are able to see the rooftops rising above the trees in the little valley below you.
Muenster has a smattering of antique shops, and some German Restaurants that are good. The last time I was there I ate lunch at "The Center", located on hiway 82 on the east side of town. The town itself is good.... the ride there and back is GREAT!! Lots of hills, lots of curves, beautiful countryside, quaint small towns, several bridge crossings over the lake.... hard to beat this one. You might try to make the trip during Octoberfest, and let me know how it goes.
The route that I take to Muenster takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on stops and speed. Its a good "one way/one tank" trip.
Directions:
1. Take Highway 289 (Preston Road) north from Plano. You will pass through Frisco, Celina, and finally reach Gunter.
2. At Gunter, take FM 121 west (left). This will take you through downtown Gunter (such as it is). Stay on FM 121 as it winds through the country until you reach Tioga.
3. At Tioga, you will turn North for just a bit on 377 until you reach FM 922. Head West once again on FM 922.
4. Depending upon how much rain the area has had, you can count on up to 4 or 5 nice bridge crossings over the far northern arms of Lake Ray Roberts on FM 922. You also get to see more of the huge horse ranches that dot this area of Texas. Not too long ago, there were even MORE fabulous spreads around. That was before there use as a tax write-off was limited. Now, the ones still around actually EXPECT to make a profit :)
5. You'll be staying on 922 for a long time, but you won't go through many towns. The only one of any size is Valley View, which is about at the half-way point in your trip on 922. Here, you'll pass underneath Interstate 35 and continue on West. After leaving Valley View, you start to see a change in the terrain. The trees get farther apart.... the hills start to roll more.. you are at the edge of the vast prairie region that stretches way out west and up into the panhandle. I think its really beautiful out here!
6. At the intersection of FM 922 and FM 51, you will pass through the little community of Era. Take a minute and stop in at the little general store that sits on the south side of the road. By yourself a cold drink and sit out on the frontporch for a bit. I'm sure they could use the business, and you can entertain yourself by watching the goats play at the house across the street :)
7. Back on the bike, and push westward once again until you reach FM 373. At this point you will head north. The road really climbs along this last leg of the trip, winding dipping and weaving its way through the ranches and oilfields that dot the countryside. As you get closer to Muenster, you notice that many of the old oil pumps are still chugging away. Higher oil prices has made them profitable once again. Aside from some really beautiful scenery along the way, keep an eye open for a castle that sits atop a hill on the right hand side of the road.... it was under construction on my last trip and it looks really wild.
8. At last, when you least expect it, you will top a hill and see the little village of Muenster nestled in the tree lined valley below you.
As an alternate trip back, you can take Hiway 82 east from Muenster to Gainsville. Take Interstate 35 south to Sanger, where you will turn east onto FM 455. This road will take you across the long, long spillway for Lake Ray Roberts. When you reach Pilot Point, you'll have to jog north a bit to continue on eastward on FM 455. At Celina you can head south for the last leg on Highway 289.
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