A Perfect Day In Comfort

It was a perfect day in Comfort.  Comfort, Texas was not only the backdrop but was an integral part of a perfect day.  We started out from the town of Kerrville, our staging point for our excursions into the Hill Country.  We awoke to a crisp fall morning which gave way to clear blue skies and ideal temperatures in the high 70s.

Comfort, a charming town of German heritage (as much of the Hill Country is) was established in 1854.  Many of the settlers were “German Freethinkers” who, instead of religious dogma, believed in individual philosophy based on moral values dominated by life and nature.  Their attempt at a utopian existence may have faltered but they left a viable legacy here. Comfort was designated a National Historic District and has more than 100 structures dating from the 1800s.

Many of the beautiful architectural gems were designed by Alfred Giles, a San Antonio architect who chose to use the creamy colored sandstone found locally.  Several places of business were once owned by Peter Joseph Ingenhuett or his descendants, a prominent family in the community. 

A former bank now houses a museum in Comfort

 

Many of the buildings in Comfort were designed by
San Antonio architect Alfred Giles

Though small, with a population 2,363, there are a number of vibrant businesses.  Several antique stores dot the streets.  Juniper Green Antiques offers beautiful English antiques, specializing in copper.  Comfort Antique offers an extensive line of merchandise.  Blackbird Antiques and Interiors has very pretty displays.  The very accommodating owner has a wonderful product line of bedding and rugs and is more than willing to work with customers on line. The personality of the shop is established by three adorable pugs - Eddy, Molly, and Hudson - who love to take naps in their own antique salesmen’s sample size beds.  They are too cute!

Juniper Green Antiques specializes in copperware from England



Interior of Blackbird Antiques and Interiors

Furniture paint in a rainbow of shades

 

Eddy, Molly and Hudson, asleep in their own pug-sized beds

After browsing, chatting and making a few small purchases we stopped at Comfort Pizza - Texas.  The ovens used are Italian Forno A Legna (wood ovens).  The oven temperatures are 900 degrees- about double the typical pizzeria.   Mesquite is used for cooking while oak is used at night to maintain optimum temperature.  Of course, it helps that the pizza ingredients include a mix of organic flour and blue agave sugar.   We dined on bacon and lime chili spiced pineapple pizza -YUM!  I chose a prickly pear cactus drink (“glows with a purple hue”) while Mike opted for beer.  I thought ‘wow what a great find!’  But when I visited the bathroom I saw the framed article from  the May 13, 2013 New York Times Travel Section  which noted that when in the Hill Country be sure to stop in Comfort for the  prickly pear cactus drink.  OK, so apparently we aren’t among  the first to find this great pizzeria….it’s still great.

 

Comfort Pizza is housed in the oldest gas station in town.  The
"cruiser" bikes in front of the building can be rented by the day or hour

The colorful furniture is for sale, too!

 

The prickly pear cactus drink "glows with a purple hue"

 Strolling through this charming town is a great way to spend an afternoon.  A longer stay could be arranged.  The town boasts several bed & breakfasts and a hotel.  And, if you want to stay even longer, there are a number of great old homes for sale and business opportunities available.

The Hotel Faust, Comfort, Texas

This home, which until recently housed a bakery in the attached
commercial space, is available for purchase in Comfort

If you want to stretch your day there are lots of wineries.  There are more than 50 in the Hill Country.  Three in the immediate vicinity of Comfort are Bending Branch Estate s Vineyards, Comfort Cellars, and Singing Water Vineyards.

The end of a perfect day in Comfort is a glorious sunset with a crescent moon peaking through.  And it’s a serene closure to another Road Story.