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We're expecting a banner
yearfor wildflowere in the
Spring of 2010. Be sure to make your vacation reservations soon.
You'll be glad you did.
WILDSEED FARMS: Native Hill Country plants, wildflower seed, free catalog, best wildflower seed mixes, native
grasses>. Buy direct from the grower.
GRAPE
CREEK VINEYARDS: Fredericksburg Texas area
premium quality wine celebrating its 18th year of award winning wines, is
located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country on Hwy 290, just nine (9) miles east of
Fredericksburg.
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The Bluebonnet Trail
2010
A Fredericksburg Texas area
map is posted HERE with
some of the best paved road routes highlighted in yellow.
If you're new to the area you need to know that, next to hunting season, the
Bluebonnet Trail is high on the Hill Country's list of things both sacred and secular. If
you live in this neck of the woods, no matter your line of work, your well-being (sooner
or later) hinges on these annual events, and both depend on the weather.
Bluebonnets are finicky.
Kinda demanding in a needy sorta way. To really be at their best they'll need a good rain
and hard freeze in the Winter to crack their thick shelled seeds. Snow is even better but
you have better odds on a finding two needles in a haystack. Early Spring has to follow up
with a few good rains. When all needs are met the landscape is a natural cathedral. And
all along the roadsides you'll see folks kneeling down on a carpet of flowers having their
picture taken.
It is from this ancient granitic soil in San Saba,
Llano, Burnet and Gillespie Counties that stands out as prime Bluebonnet country. (Yes,
some folks will dispute that too -- disputes seem to be something of a national past-time
these days -- but I stick to some notions like a rusted lock, and this is one of them.)
Please understand, there are no
experts on Bluebonnets. That's like claiming to know all there is about womenfolk,
teenagers or the stock market. They're forces of nature -- inclined to whim,
chance and opportunity -- and all men can do is wear camoflague and pretend to be
parcicipating.
Anyway, after decades as a feature writer for Hill
Country publications, I have churned out more than my share of articles on the subject, so
any comparison between myself and an "authority" may have some veracity.
( Veracity. Thats a fancy word intended to
imply that I'm a right smart feller, and if I can use it in a sentence I might just know a
thing or two. I ain't gonna disuade you from that notion; besides I'm
assuming you're a grown-up and if you rely on my opinion youre on your own.)
For years it was my task as a journalist and a "film
location person" to predict if we were going to have a good season and, even
under the worst of conditions, where the most abundant Bluebonnet fields could be located.
One year I had the audacity to suggest that, given the drought, warm winter
and such, folks would have better luck seeing Bluebonnets in their photo album.
Next thing I knew phone calls started coming letting
me know that a suit of tar and feathers was one-size-fits-all. But since they weren't
inclined to waste any raw materials on a five-foot-six loud-mouth I might want to come in
for a fitting.
It was too late for a retracraction so I just moved
to the next county. Ever since I've been conservative in my preditions. That's
to say my comments were crafted to keep everyone happy while conceiling the truth one way
or the other.
All that said, I'm going out on a strong limb
and predict this year will be one of the best Bluebonnet seasons on record.
Generally, the prime months are late March,
April, and early May,
with Bluebonnets at their peak in April. Even after the Bluebonnets
go to seed and fade away there are still plenty of wildflowers
such as the Indian Paintbrush (above) in bloom
to justify another road trip.
It really doesn't matter much which roads you take because this year the
wild flowers are likely to be thick practically everywhere. Highways 1431, 29, 281,
71, 29, 2323 and 16 are the main thoroughfares and you can't but help to travel those; but
it's best to branch out and explore.
If you're looking for
Bluebonnets, they're most plentiful in the northern part of the Hill Country. If
you're traveling from Fredericksburg to Llano take highway 16. Beginning at
Willow City the Bluebonnets don't confine themselves to the bar ditches, but spread out
into the fields.
A few county roads, such as the renowned Willow City
Loop just north of Fredericksburg, will be (for good reason) thick with cars.
If you head that way on the weekend you'd best set aside a couple of hours due to the
heavy traffic.
For an out-of-the-way drive, take County Road 113
between Oxford and 2323 . Oxford isn't even a wide place in the road, but you'll spot the
turnoff by the historic marker. There's hardly any traffic at all on 113 and
the unspoiled landscape is exceptional. The Click Route just north of the Oxford
Cemetery on County Road 315 passes through some awesome hills, but you will definitely
need a 4-wheel drive.
RULES OF THE ROAD
If there ever is a time to simply take a slow drive
in the country exploring the numerous county roads, this is the season. However
there are a few facts worth knowing:
Trespassing used to be a light-hearted
game of catch-me-if-you-can between a landowner and the local boys without any serious
consequences. Most of the time a little petty theft went along with the adventure --
such as liberating pockets full of peaches, a watermelon or two, or even a few ears of
corn from their rightful owners.
T respassing was a
rite-of-passage where such traits as courage, stealth and stupidity where honed to a fine
edge. Sometimes a honing strap was employed on the posterior of the culprit to
commemorate the event. Those were the good old days.
Today trespassers are prosecuted. Every now and
again you'll see a "No Trespassing" sign alongside another saying "We Ain't
Dialin' 911". Once I saw a "Private Property/No Trespassing" sign
nailed to the gate's corner post. At the foot of the post was a man-sized mound of
dirt with two boots sticking out the end -- toes pointing to Heaven.
Throughout the Hill Country, county roads cut through
private property. So it might not be a smart idea to stop and picnic under that
beautiful Live Oak on the banks of that pretty little creek in a field of Bluebonnets.
Could be a trap.
A foreman I knew once surprised a
city feller who was fishing on his ranch. No law was called and no shots
fired. Out of sheer gratitude the feller "gave" the rifle toating foreman
a new rod-and-reel and fancy tackle box.
If you're not on state or county property you're
trespassing. And while driving around it is best to remember that this is not only
deer country, but cattle country as well. Likely you'll be going through more than a
few ranches. And there will be cattle in the road.
Don't honk to get them to move on. You will
only attract more. Virtually all of the ranchers honk the horns of their pickups to
call the cattle for feeding. Cows aren't particularly bright critters and your horn
honking will probably make them hungry enough to eat your windshield wipers. Also, there
are many new calves this time of year, and the normally docile cow will become aggressive
if her calf is threatened.
By the way, calves are very unpredictable when
confronted with a car. Just when you think the little devil is well on its way
it just might dart back across the road. They're like teenagers -- with no real
sense of mortality.
Be warned. Hitting a cow with a car is a little like
running into four or five deer all bunched up on top of each other. Or perhaps a
cowhide covered brick wall. One moonless night a black cow ran into the side of my
vehicle and walked away unharmed leaving a sizable dent in the passenger door that took
$1,200 to repair.
Also, many sightseers brake for
wildlife -- even if the critters are in a field 100 yards away, so be
prepared to stop at all times. Apart from dodging cattle, deer, rabbits,
squirrels, armadillos, skunks and vultures you best keep your eyeballs pealed for
two-legged idiots.
There will be cars parked everywhere -- even part-way
in the road -- for yet another picture of their occupants hunkered down if a
field of Bluebonnets. I'm not being critical. There's hardly a living soul in
Central Texas that doesn't have at least of two such pictures of themselves in that
situation. In fact, it's your social responsibility to yield to the moment.
Sometimes folks swarm all around their parked cars,
leaving doors open, kids unattended and dogs on the loose so be extra careful.
Remember, you're driving a lethal weapon.
( Who thought up the "Say Cheese!" command
anyway? What's cheese got to do with it? Besides, if someone doesn't feel like
smiling when they know it's expected of them, why make them feel worse by reminding them
they don't look happy? )
On some county roads, such as Willow City Loop, the
traffic will be jammed, and some folks don't realize that the roads they're blocking are
used by ranching families to run routine and urgent errands. Be considerate and
you'll be welcomed.
It won't hurt to give the "Hi Sign".
Just follow these simple instructions: With one hand on the upper part of the
steering wheel raise your index finger to every oncoming vehicle. That's it.
"What's with these local chaps?" a
gentleman from England once asked me. "When I wave they barely lift a finger?"
He couldn't decide if everyone was tired or lazy or both. Fact is, it's a
sign of friendship extended to all even if you're not familiar with local custom.
Enjoy your tour of the Fredericksburg
Texas Hill Country
and plan your weekend stay at the FULL MOON INN
written by Ira Kennedy
for more on the history of the Fredericksburg area
CLICK HERE
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Willie's BBQ &
Steakhouse is located directly behind
The Full Moon Inn
WILLIE'S BBQ
& STEAKHOUSE
near Luckenbach TX offers a complete line of fare from
Classic Texan to the best home-made comfort food. It's the perfect place for an evening of
dining.
MOTOR
CYCLE
SERVICE & REPAIR
plus ATVs , dirt bikes & go-carts. Factory certified mechanic
on site.
We serve pie that is as good as, or better than, our
mothers and grandmothers made; and serve it in a relaxing family style atmosphere. Pick up
a pie to take home, or stop in and enjoy a slice!
FREDERICKSBURG TRADE DAYS: Shop with Over 350 Vendors
Antiques, collectibles, shabby chic, primitives, antique tools & farm
equipment, hunting supplies, jewelry & clothing & much more.
THE
NAVAJO GRILL:
A Fredericksburg TX premier gourmet dining experience. You'll enjoy Southern cuisine cooking that has
been perfected with an Old and New Mexico influence along with combining flavors of the
Caribbean and New Orleans
Texas Hill Country History, and Travel from Llano Texas to Fredericksburg
with articles about , Llano Texas, Texas history, Indians, pioneer
recipes, Llano real estate.
BECKER VINEYARDS:
Award winning wines from the Texas Hill Country nestled
in the Hill Country, just outside of Fredericksburg and in close proximity to San Antonio
and Austin.
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