Paige Icehouse

John Dee was a 16th-century man of the courts, a polymath who spent his time pursuing the subjects of astronomy, astrology, alchemy, philosophy, divination, mathematics, and the occult. He owned one of the largest libraries in England and was as an advisor to the English crown under Elizabeth I. Eventually, he left court to travel and learn about the occult and supernatural, living a nomadic lifestyle across Europe and taking an audience in the courts of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague Castle and King Stephen Báthory of Poland. A fascinating guy indeed, whether you're into science or sorcery.

As I sipped on a cold one at @paige_ice_house_ and listened to the bar's patron, Norma, share stories and preside over her seat of power, it may have dawned on me that she probably could’ve been an advisor to the crown in a past life. A woman of many interests and several lives lived, Norma is a former med school student and electrical engineer who likes to spend her time tuning hot rods and practicing holistic medicine, in addition to running the finest bar in Paige, TX. She has three kids and a deep bag of stories that will keep your ears occupied.

Norma also has one of the wildest collectibles I've ever seen in anyone's possession: a real-life ISIS flag. Her son was serving overseas and—excuse the lack of details here—came across the item while purchasing a Toyota truck in Somalia. You can't make this stuff up, folks.

The bar itself is a concrete and corrugated metal building built in the late 1800s. For much of its life, it served the town as a gas station and mechanics station, but these days you can fill 'er up with ice-cold beer. There's plenty of room inside for mingling or shooting stick, and admiring the fun collectibles adorning the walls. Cyclists and bikers (of the motorized variety) alike like to pop in on group rides and kick back with some pigskin on the tube.

If you're rolling through Central Texas and want to hear some stories about a metric fuckton of things, you’re in luck. Because at Paige Ice House, court is always in session.