Escape Texas Heat but Still Eat Awesome Texas BBQ? How?

If there’s one thing Texans know, it’s how to suffer in style when August comes around. The South Texas sun bakes roads like a cast-iron skillet left too long on the burner, and folks start scheming: how do we escape the Texas heat without losing our access to decent brisket? This year, Mullethead, Hambone, Millie, and Hillary pointed Hambone’s Ford Expedition westward, chasing cooler air, mountain pines, and—spoiler alert—Texas-style barbecue in the most unexpected place. Their destination? Cloudcroft, New Mexico. At nearly 9,000 feet, this little mountain village promised 72-degree highs, crisp evenings in the 50s, and more hummingbirds than you can shake a selfie stick at.

Packing Up and Pointing West

Millie handed out her famous road-trip snack packs—trail mix heavy on the M&Ms—while Mullethead declared himself “King of the Cooler” and loaded three cases of Shiner Bock into the Expedition. Hillary took shotgun, immediately regretting it when Hambone launched into a playlist heavy on ‘90s alt-rock deep cuts.

“Next time,” she muttered, “I’m bringing my noise-canceling headphones and a good audiobook.” (Pro tip: we recommend the Lonely Planet Southwest USA’s Best Trips guide, for your own desert-to-mountains adventure).

To pass the time, Hambone tossed a travel trivia game in the back seat. Soon enough, Mullethead was yelling answers to questions like, “What’s the capital of New Mexico?” while Millie gave him the side-eye: “You’re still wrong, honey—it’s Santa Fe, not ‘that place with good sopapillas.’”

Day One: Facials, Fast Ponies, and Billy the Kid

Millie and Hillary had wisely booked facials in Ruidoso, about 45 minutes away. “Our skin needs this altitude adjustment,” Hillary joked, hustling Millie into the spa while the boys plotted their own day.

Mullethead and Hambone did what any self-respecting Texans do in Ruidoso—they hit the racetrack. At Ruidoso Downs, they wandered wide-eyed, watching thoroughbreds thunder past while Mullethead tried (and failed) to pick winners by “the horsepower in their eyes.” Hambone was distracted by a margarita bar, declaring, “This is a tax-deductible business expense if I blog about it later.”

Later, downtown shopping led them to an outdoor gear shop where Mullethead bought a Nikon ProStaff 3S binoculars set . “For birdwatching,” he said with a wink. Hambone suspected it was really for spying on elk or any neighbors nearby from the cabin deck.

Day Two: White Sands and Pizza Dreams

The next morning, the group pointed the Expedition toward White Sands National Park, where the gypsum dunes shimmered like snowbanks under the sun. Mullethead rolled down a dune on a plastic sled while Millie hollered, “You’re gonna sprain something we can’t ice in public!”

By lunchtime, everyone was craving shade and carbs, so they rolled back to Cloudcroft Brewing Company. Inside, wood-fired pizza and cold craft beer became their salvation. Hillary raised her pint and said, “This is how you escape Texas heat—with a slice in one hand and a lager in the other.”

Between pints, Hambone bragged about his new collapsible trekking poles, which he insisted were the reason he beat everyone back to the truck after dune hiking. Millie whispered to Hillary, “I think it was the breakfast taco carb-load, not the poles.”

Day Three: Mad Jack’s BBQ and Solar Science

If you think you have to stay in Texas to find proper barbecue, think again. The next day, the crew set alarms early and lined up at Mad Jack’s Mountaintop BBQ, where pit smoke wafted across the mountain town like a heavenly signal.

The license plates in the parking lot read like a map of Texas, a good omen. “If the barbecue’s bad, we’re rioting,” Mullethead declared. But they needn’t have worried. Brisket, pork ribs, jalapeño sausage, potato salad, slaw, and honey-butter cornbread came out on trays so heavy Hambone whispered, “This is my cardio for the week.”

They grabbed seats on the patio just as a three-piece band struck up classic country hits. Between bites of brisket and sips of Dr Pepper, the group swore they could’ve been back in Lockhart—except this view came with mountains and elk instead of mesquite and cows.

After lunch, the gang wandered over to the Sunspot Solar Observatory for a tour. Mullethead squinted into a telescope monitor and asked, “So you’re tellin’ me the sun’s been tryin’ to roast us alive on purpose?” Hillary patted his arm: “It’s science, dear. Just science.”

Gear We Used (and Loved)

Every road trip deserves a little upgrade, and our crew found some essentials that made the long drive smoother and the mountain stay even better. Here’s what we’d pack again:

• Lonely Planet Southwest USA’s Best Trips – A handy guide for detours and day trips.
• Melissa & Doug Family Road Trip Box of Travel Questions Game – Kept everyone laughing between San Antonio and El Paso.
• Nikon ProStaff 3S Binoculars – For spotting hummingbirds, mule deer, and the occasional nosy neighbor.
• Wise Owl Outfitters Travel Blanket – Perfect for chilly Cloudcroft evenings on the deck.
• Collapsible Trekking Poles – Handy at White Sands and for forest hikes.

These little extras made a great trip even better, and honestly, Millie insists the birdwatching alone was worth the binoculars purchase.

Faith, Friendship, and the Road Back to Texas

On the fourth morning, the Expedition rolled back toward San Antonio, loaded with leftover cornbread, belt-buckle souvenirs, and stories that would grow taller every time they were retold. The mountain air had given them all a reprieve, a reminder that even in the dog days of summer, you can find cool breezes if you’re willing to drive a little and laugh a lot.

As the pines gave way to desert, the group bowed their heads in thanks. They were grateful not only for the barbecue and beer but for the blessings of friendship, faith, and the chance to share another adventure together.

Final Thoughts: Your Turn to Escape

If you’ve ever wanted to escape Texas heat without sacrificing your access to smoked meat and cold beer, Cloudcroft should be on your radar. From spa days and sand dunes to brisket that rivals Lockhart’s best, this little slice of mountain heaven has it all. Plus, it’s close enough for a long weekend but far enough to feel like another world.

So pack your cooler, grab your Shiner, and hit the road. And if you do end up rolling down a dune at White Sands, remember Mullethead’s words of wisdom: “Tuck and roll, y’all. Tuck and roll.”

Adios Y’All

Life’s too short to spend August sweating through your boots. Cloudcroft offered our crew not just relief from the heat but a reminder of how important it is to carve out time for laughter, good food, and exploring God’s beautiful creation. Next time you’re dreaming of mountain air and barbecue smoke, take a page from Mullethead and Hambone’s playbook: hit the road, find a cabin with a view, and let the adventure unfold.

👉 Have you ever found Texas-worthy barbecue outside of Texas? Drop your story in the comments below—we’d love to hear it! Don’t forget to share this post with your road-trip buddies and subscribe to Eathenet for more recipes, travel tales, and laughter.