Riffs, Roams and Raves: A Weekly Column

Riffs, Roams and Raves uncovers the creative, noteworthy and accomplished in the Wimberley Valley and beyond with tips on who to hear, where to go and what to see from managing editor Teresa Kendrick.

Riff: Del Castillo

Susanna’s Kitchen has done it again by presenting a very fine concert by the Del Castillo trio last week. Brothers, guitarists, and vocalists Mark and Rick del Castillo along with vocalist and guitarist Alex Ruiz delivered an uplifting performance of what they call “Nuevo Americano,” Rock, Latin, Blues, Latin Rock and World music. In last week’s set we heard a lot of signature flamenco style guitar, a little cosmic Santana and crowd pleasing Gypsy Kings-style riffs embedded with their exceptional brand of Latin Rock. Five minutes of Del Castillo and you’re instantly transported to your personal happy place shod in your best dance shoes with hips and knees, shoulders and arms moving to your best inner salsa.

Gauging from the full house and enthusiastic applause, stomps and whistles, it’s safe to say they played to ardent fans. The band appeared relaxed and they laughed at themselves over a missed line in a song they “haven’t played in a while” and joked about their 2017 CD of Italian songs. “When you’re from Texas, the word ‘Italian’ becomes ‘Eye-talian,’ you know.”

They played songs from their first CD, meant for family and friends, that took off, surprising them all and, from their second, the moody “Siento que voy a morir.”

After the break, they played the Latin standard, “Malagueña Saldarosa,” with vocalist Alex Ruiz tearing up the impossible high falsetto notes with abandon. Later came “Parla” from their Italian CD. Every song seemed to galvanize the crowd even further with their exceptionally polished dramatic music and sound that will make a fan out of anyone who listens.

Roam: Fimfo’s Cliff Carver Alpine Coaster

A quick, 30-minute drive from Wimberley in the environs of Canyon Lake where it meets New Braunfels, is Camp Fimfo. Fimfo is an acronym that stands for “Fun Is More Fun Outside,” and its promotional literature says it’s the first of its kind — a glamping and camping resort — that leans far more on the comfort side than the rustic. The gorgeous property, all limestone, landscaped, and situated on the Guadalupe, opened in 2021. It’s part of an enterprise called the Northgate Resorts and there’s another one in Waco. This year, another one will open in the Catskills and in northern California. The resort has different types of cabins, tent and full hookup RV camping, as See Riffs, Roams, and Raves , Page 11 well as all kinds of family attractions. There is river access with tubing and fishing on the Guadalupe, sports courts, an 18-hole mini golf course, a water playground with slides, and a pool with a swim-up bar. Squirrely’s Tavern serves adult beverages and bar snacks and there’s an activities pavilion with scheduled classes. On the grounds is a general store and a restaurant called the Filling Station with food that appeals to kids. The property spans over 400 acres and you can rent a golf cart as part of your camping package. And, it is right next door to the Whitewater Amphitheater where Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt and Miranda Lambert are scheduled to appear this year.

Thanks to our advertising superstar Karitta Love Fitts and her husband Brian, I learned about one of the camp’s attractions, the Cliff Carver. The Cliff Carver is an alpine coaster, a kind of roller coaster in which the sled runs on rails and is not able to leave the track. That last bit of information, “not able to leave the track,” sold me on the experience and I plunked down the $20 required for the online ticket. At 2:30 in the afternoon on a sunny day I stood under a pavilion to wait my turn in line with about twenty five other adults and kids.

My first look at the coasters was encouraging. The lightweight bobsled rolled down into the waiting area where two or three wranglers cued them up for the next rider. Kids and adults can double up and ride together or single riders can buckle in for a solo whirl. I swung my leg over into the cart, climbed aboard, buckled in, and put my hands on the manual brakes as I waited for my car to ascend to top of the first downhill run.

At the top of the elevated track we were advised, via a speaker mounted to a pole, to push the brakes forward and accelerate. Right away the thrill was on. Gravity took over and down I went, my bobsled canting left and right on short hairpin turns that made me hoot with excitement. At one point I couldn’t tell if I was grinning or grimacing but since the ride required an “all-in” commitment, I let ‘er rip, flying along at a dizzying 30 miles an hour. At the bottom of the first downhill run I ascended again to the second lift station where I entered the second course. More tame than the first, course number two seemed shorter, but it could have been my imagination. Before I knew it, I was ready for the final run. At the top, I accelerated as before and rode my bobsled down the track feeling a little like a kid in a soap box derby at Indy.

As I climbed out of my cart, I felt both relief and disappointment that the ride was over. One of the wranglers handed me a card that I could insert into a nearby kiosk to view a video recording of my ride. After the initial preview, I decided not to pay $10 to see my face beetlejuiced at 2G.

Next stop: Camp Fimfo’s River Zipline, 16 stories above the Guadalupe.

Rave: D’Vines

A second shout out goes to adventuress Deb Bradshaw for leading me to D’Vine Home Cooking in Canyon Lake. This little place at 2173 Potters Creek Road, with indoor and outdoor seating, features truly fresh, quality home cooking. Our table ordered the pork tostadas and received two huge haystacks each, piled high with pork, refried beans, cotija, veggies, lettuce and avocado slices so fresh you could feel that it was made with love. The blended green salsa on the side was a revelation.

The restaurant is run by a mom and her sons who will win your loyalty with their authenticity and genuine ways. Not only do they serve Tex-Mex dishes, they offer brisket, breakfasts, soups, burgers and other home cooked meals. The menu changes up as do the hours of operation. They’ll close over school breaks and other holidays and they accept cash only, but no reservations. To eat here you’ll have to pay attention and plan ahead, but it’ll be worth the effort. Did I mention that the prices were reasonable? All the more reason to add this place to your list of favorites.