WILDFLOWER HEAVEN IN THE HILL COUNTRY
Written: Mar 26 '01 (Updated Mar 26 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Gorgeous scenery, great barbecue and friendly folks
Cons: A little hot in the summer
The Bottom Line: The bluebonnet is only one of the many wildflowers that will take your breath away during a spring visit to the Texas Hill Country.
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| mike.holmes's Full Review: Texas Hill Country |
I live in a semi-desert known as West Texas. At times, even a semi-desert can be beautiful. You just have to look a little harder for the beauty. The scenery is improved
after our rare rains. That is when our wildflowers bloom and the cactus flowers appear. This year we have had more rain than usual and the West Texas fields which are
normally an unexciting brown with a few mesquite bushes and scrawny jackrabbits are currently covered by a beautiful golden wildflower. I haven't flown over the fields but it
must be a beautiful sight.
In this part of the state, we seldom can compete with the Hill Country and its more famous wildflowers, the bluebonnet and the Indian paint brush. You may know that a
former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, was instrumental in spreading wildflower seeds along our Texas highways especially in her beloved Hill Country. There were a few who griped about the expense which was negligible but anyone who has driven through Central Texas in late March and April know that the cost was worth it.
Right now is the perfect time to plan a trip to the Hill Country. That part of Texas is roughly defined as follows: the Eastern border is Austin and its booming suburbs such as San Marcos and Georgetown (all on Interstate 35); the Southern border is San Antonio
and its surrounding towns; the Western border includes the towns of Kerrville and Junction and Garner State Park plus the Lost Maples Park; the northern border reaches up to Brownwood. This, as I said, is a very rough description of the Hill Country.
Being from West Texas, we drive through the pretty town of San Angelo which sits on the Concho River, then to Eden and on to a town that claims to be in the Heart of Texas,
Brady. During most years including this one, most of the wildflowers appear just to the West of Brady on State Highway 71 to Llano, Texas or South of Brady along State
Highway 87 which goes through Mason and Fredericksburg all the way to San Antonio. In fact the heart of the wildflower country really is a circuit that starts with Brady, goes
East to Llano, turns South to Fredericksburg, heads Northwest to Mason and then back to Brady.
I am most familiar with the route from Brady to Llano and on in to Austin. About 10 miles East of Brady the bluebonnets seem to pop up out of nowhere. It is amazing to see them grow on the rocky roadcuts alongside prickly pear cactus. The cactus aren't blooming quite yet but when they do their yellow and orange flowers are a gorgeous
contrast to the bluebonnets. As you head further East, you start seeing an orangish-red flower known as Indian paintbrush. Right now there are also several yellow wildflowers blooming so you can imagine the amazing color schemes that exist. Blue, yellow, and red all mixing with the green grasses.
About halfway to Llano from Brady, you'll find the very small town of Pontotoc. This small village has the ruins of an old school built in the 19th Century of red brick.
Alongside the ruins, you'll find all of the flowers I've mentioned plus cactus which actually grows out of the brick building. I've had photographic field days in this one
small town.
As you head to Llano the flowers seem to multiply but when you arrive in Llano, another of your needs must be met. No, I don't mean a potty stop. I'm talking about food. Llano is the home of one of the best barbecue joints on the face of the Earth. It's called Cooper's and it's barbecue is incredible. You get to pick your meat from the grill. You can choose from brisket, two inch thick pork chops, mouthwatering ribs, and chicken. They slap your choices on a tray and then you can choose potato salad, slaw, and
cobblers all of which are excellent. Beans and bread are free and you eat at long picnic tables with the masses. It's a great experience and you won't leave hungry.
If you head further East, you'll go through Burnet and on into Austin and this is beautiful countryside but the road South to Fredericksburg is the true wildflower route. There is a scenic loop about 10 miles north of Fredericksburg that is amazing. Don't expect to speed through this loop. You might run into a cow or another wild eyed tourist with his camera in hand. Along the way you'll come across a ranch filled with the famous Texas
Longhorns (four legged variety, not the football team) and more wildflowers than you can imagine.
If you head on down to Fredericksburg, you're in for another treat. From the name, you can probably figure out that the town has a heavy German history. It does. And you'll find German bakeries, restaurants, and a micro-brewery. Numerous artists also inhabit the town and its the home of the Admiral Nimitz Museum. About 5 miles East of the town is a wildflower farm where such things as maroon bluebonnets have been grown by deranged people called Aggies. Just kidding about the deranged part but the Ags have developed a maroon bluebonnet to commemorate their school colors. You can buy all kinds of wildflower seed here to add beauty to your home.
From Fredericksburg you can complete the loop by traveling to Mason and then back to Brady or you can head to San Antonio. You can also head Southwest to Kerrville and
start on another scenic route but that's for another Epinion.
Even if you're not a dedicated photographer, I recommend that you at least have some of the disposable cameras with you if you visit the Hill Country in the spring. A couple of years ago, I talked to an Englishman who was visiting the U.S. for the first time. He was astounded at the beauty of the Hill Country wildflowers. I found this to be a great compliment from someone who has the beautiful English gardens to enjoy. For a West Texan the Hill Country is a little paradise on Earth.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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mike.holmes
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Member: Mike Holmes
Location: Odessa, Texas
Reviews written: 1262
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About Me:
TO HONOR TED KENNEDY, CONGRESS SHOULD PASS A MEANINGFUL HEALTH CARE BILL
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