Archive for the ‘Hill Country’ Category

Cool Off in Dripping Springs, TX

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

The name Dripping Springs conjures thoughts of cool green waters and quiet pools, and that’s just what you’ll find near Dripping Springs, Texas. Cool off at a Dripping Springs Texas Bed and Breakfast sometime this summer – you’ll be glad you did.

The town of Dripping Springs is about 30 miles southwest of Austin, in the Hill Country region of Texas. The springs from which it takes its name are still present, marked by a granite marker in town. Ask directions from the innkeepers at your Hill Country Texas Bed and Breakfast, then visit the watering hole that once gave fresh water to Native Americans and early settlers.

Hamilton Pool (pictured here) is a natural deep water pool a few miles outside of town. It is a lovely swimming hole – stand under the 45 foot waterfall for the ultimate experience – and has fabulous nature trails, as well. Nearby Pedernales Falls State Park is a great spot for hiking, river swimming, mountain biking and birdwatching. Slightly farther afield is the Lyndon B. Johnston National Historic Park, where it is lovely to delve into both history and nature.

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Texas Hill Country in Bloom

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Texas Hill Country!, originally uploaded by theavonne.

The bluebonnets are starting to appear in the Texas Hill Country. April is a lovely time of year here. Hill Country bed and breakfasts open their doors and windows wide to let it the fragrant fresh air.

When was the last time you were here?

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Wine and Dine Your Way Through Texas

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Wineries are a joy to visit no matter who you are. Couples find it romantic to linger in tasting rooms. Friends have fun deciding which wine has the better legs and nose. Gaggles of girlfriends reminisce old times as they make their way from one winery to another. This is true whether you are in the Napa Valley or the Texas Hill Country.

The Texas Hill Country has many excellent wineries. Plan a week or a weekend to travel the Texas Wine Trail, staying at Texas b&bs as you go.

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Holidays in Hill Country

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

You can’t go wrong when you decide to spend your holidays in the Texas Hill Country. Whether you’re coming from San Antonia, Austin, or out of state, you will surely be pleased with a few days spent at a Hill Country bed and breakfast.

Wine Barrels

Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the Hill Country

The Hill Country is lovely, and filled with many charming historic towns, making this a terrific area to inn-hop (stay at several b&bs over the course of several days). You’ll be hard pressed to find a better selection of antique shops or eclectic boutiques. Shopping really can be fun. (more…)

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Texas Bird Watching

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Texas is a fantastic state for bird enthusiasts. It has miles of coastline, grassland, scrubland, and mountains, and a climate that varies from semi-arid to downright drippy. In short, Texas is diverse, and it has a diverse bird population. Three-quarters of all species of American birds can be found in Texas – and they are waiting to be viewed by you.

Whooping Cranes

Whooping Cranes

Rare Whooping Cranes, pelicans and roseate pelicans are but a few of the species that populate the almost 650 miles of coastline in the Texas Gulf Coast region. A trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the San Antonio Bay – between Corpus Christi and Houston – is essential for anyone interested in bird watching in Texas. Over 115,000 acres on the Blackjack Peninsula, Matagorda Island and more provide a haven for migratory birds, including the endangered whooping crane. (more…)

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A Stay in East Texas

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

East Texas has a lot going for it, so why not hunker down in an East Texas bed and breakfast for a while and explore an area that is rich in history, wildlife and culture. Head east from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and you’ll be there.

The Sabine and Angelina National Forests are along the Louisiana border. With plenty of fresh water and trees galore, they are a great place to hike, bike, boat and fish. The Mineola Nature Preserve is a lovely place to stroll through peaceful woods and escape the heat of the East Texas sun; its almost 3,000 acres of preserved land, much of which is along the tranquil Sabine River, is home to a large variety of animals from butterflies to beavers. And just west of Mineola, in the little town of Grand Saline, the Gator Farm is a great place to see alligators up close (but not too close).

There are hundreds of antique shops throughout East Texas, so bring your truck and be prepared to hunt for treasure. Antiquing takes patience, but those of you willing to meander along country roads and peruse the shops at leisure will be rewarded.

Be sure to find time to enjoy East Texas food. Large, tasty burgers, chicken fried steak and seafood await you. They will fuel you for a trip to the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, which is a few miles east of Tyler. The discovery of oil in 1930-31 dramatically changed the lives of East Texans. Suddenly that remote place was known to everyone in the country, and men and women flocked to the area. The museum is fascinating, and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in East Texas.

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The Boyhood Home of Lyndon B. Johnson

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Deep in the Hill Country of Texas, about 20 miles east of Fredericksburg, TX, and 50 miles west of Austin is the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Visitors may learn about the early life of the 36th president at the Johnson Settlement in Johnson City – location of LBJ’s boyhood home, the visitor center and the Park Headquarters. The LBJ Ranch, near Stonewall, is also managed by the National Park Service. Why not spend a few nights at a Texas Hill Country Bed and Breakfast, and a few days learning about Lyndon B. Johnson?

Anyone who is interested in American or Presidential history should definitely visit this site; it is a fascinating glimpse into the early life of the man who held the American Presidency from 1963 to 1969. According to the Park’s website, “Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th President beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire “circle of life” gives the visitor a unique perspective into one of America’s most noteworthy citizens by providing the most complete picture of an American president.”

The Texas Hill Country is a wild and beautiful place. It touches people who visit, and it certainly influences people who live there. President Johnson spent a great deal of time there, throughout his life. Come experience this place.

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Enchanting Enchanted Rock State Park

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

North of the charming town of Fredericksburg is a magical place known as Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It is comprised of over 1500-acres, almost half of which is an enormous, pink granite dome. It is one of the largest batholiths in the country, otherwise known as an underground rock formation uncovered by erosion. We hope you will stay in a Texas bed and breakfast while you visit this fascinating site.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

The Tonkawa Indians who once lived here believed they saw ghosts fires on top of the batholith; there is no known explanation for whatever they saw. Geologists do explain the mysterious groaning and cracking sounds heard by the Tonkawa as being caused by the rock’s contractions as it cooled at night. The Tonkawa did not know what caused the sounds, but they did believe the rock was enchanted by the “pale man swallowed by” the great pink rock. A conquistador once did lose himself in the batholith as he escaped the Tonkawa who held him captive, but he managed to find his way to freedom. While the Tonkawa believed that he somehow enchanted the place, he believed that other spirits enchanted it, and that as he wandered lost among the rocks he joined them for a while.

We hope you don’t get swallowed by the rock, but we also hope you spend some time there. There is great hiking and rock climbing, and the area has many interesting historical artifacts and geological features. It is a real gem in the Hill Country of Texas.

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Hill Country

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Spring in Texas Hill County is like no where else; the rugged limestone hills are ablaze with Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush, the oaks and cedars sway in the breeze, the sun is shining, and the air is fresh. It is peaceful. San Antonio and Austin both sit on the edge of Hill Country, but in the heart of it, small towns reign.

Over twenty wineries dot the region, and the fine quality of the wine is gaining the attention of wine aficionados around the world. Over the next couple of weekends, plan to travel the Wine and Wildflower Trail; Hill Country wineries will be offering tastings and pleasant picnic spots. The area around Fredericksburg has many wineries, and is a good place to start your tour; there are many fine Texas Bed and Breakfasts in and around Fredericksburg. The New York Times noted in 2008 that Texas Hill Country was the number one vacation spot in the nation – a more affordable alternative to Europe, with its rolling hills reminding the author of Tuscany and the south of France. Indeed, there are strong European influences in this region; much of it was settled by Germans, Czechs and Austrians, and there is fine beer as well as wine to be had here. Of course, the Spanish also had an important impact on the region, which gives the architecture, music and food an interesting fusion.

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Hill Country.

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Texas Barbecue

Friday, April 10th, 2009

There is nothing quite like perfectly done Texas Barbecue. Throw in some potato salad and a special sauce, part sweet, part tangy, and you’ve got the makings for a great afternoon.

A personal BBQ favorite of this author is from the Hill Country of Texas, just outside of Llano TX.  Coopers BBQ is a collection of unmemorable buildings; what stays with you is the vast collection of Pit Bar-B-Ques located outside. The aroma of brisket, chicken, chops and other carnivorous delights fills the senses and you are drawn to the black BBQ Pits to select your lunch off the grill.

The Barbeque Pits at Coopers outside Llano, TX

The Barbeque Pits at Coopers outside Llano, TX

Once inside, you sit on one of many long picnic-style benches with rolls of paper towel on the table for the mess you are about to make. Also scattered along the tables is the sweet nectar of Texas Hill Country: Coopers BBQ Sauce. A delicious blend of vinegar and sweet hickory smoked flavors, it should be drenched on everything.

As you dig into your meal, come up for breath about five minutes later to take in the surroundings. Large blow up prints of the former President Bush are displayed proudly; he lifts a piece of the finest Texas BBQ to his mouth in the same benches which you sit in now.

No trip to Texas Hill Country is complete without some spectacular barbecue, and Coopers is guaranteed to supply!

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