Annie always seems to come up with the best birthday surprises for me. I’d initially indicated a preference for a bottle of tasty single-malt Scotch as a birthday gift since space in an Airstream is limited and it was a consumable gift. But she offered me a choice: whisky or an heretofore unknown experience. Thank goodness I chose the experience, even though as we were driving in the dark through the rural Texas hill country, I was quite curious where we were heading. Eventually we landed in a small town called Albert, home of one of Texas’s great historic dance halls. 

While initially I was wondering why we’d be pulling into the parking lot of a two-step dance venue (as I’d only learned how to go in a straight line and since forgotten even that), I soon discovered the real reason behind the drive: Our favorite honky tonk band The Derailers were playing that night. Luckily securing the last of dinner options from the nearby food truck (and ultimately sharing some with our less lucky neighbors), it was so much fun downing a Shiner with boudin balls, gumbo, and fries while bopping to songs both new to us along with old favorites. If you’re unfamiliar with them or the genre, I recommend starting off with Here Come the Derailers (Apple Music | Spotify), their excellent 2001 album. 

We naturally took a few photos, and took a couple of Katherine, one of the most talented two-steppers we’ve ever watched, and later learned her great grandfather had also danced at Albert. Talk about a family legacy! She surreptitiously told the band about my birthday, which made them sing a round of “Happy Birthday” to me, quite the highlight of the night. 

See? Annie really does come up with the best birthday surprises.