Some Of My Best Memories
Written: May 03 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hills, rivers, trees, so much to see and experience.
Cons: Shake your boots to check for scorpions.
The Bottom Line: You may leave the Hill Country, but it will never leave you.
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| kurbs's Full Review: Texas Hill Country |
Having married long ago into a very old Texas family who hailed from the Hill Country, I eventually lived there for a while after being discharged from the military.
The Hill Country is located in central Texas which spans from San Antonio westward, and up north past Austin. There are many towns in this area, including Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Austin, and lesser known smaller towns such as Bandera, the Cowboy Capitol of the World. There are other towns more favored for water slides and such, but I will leave that to the other reviewers to expound.
The Guadalupe River runs a swath throughout the territory, and provides fun for locals and tourists alike with tubing and canoing almost year round.
Northward lies Leakey which is a very popular area with rolling hills and rock formations that provide a great camping venue. The Frio River runs through the hills and provides clear fresh water you can drink from.
One of the best known sites are the Bluebonnets scattered all over the fields and provide a view that is famous. One can stop anywhere and catch site of these magnificent flowers almost anywhere in the Hill Country.
Cedar trees are scattered all about, along with Southern Live Oak and Mesquite trees that fill the air on a hot day with the aroma of cedar all around.
Bandera is located near the southern end of the Hill Country and one can drive through Bandera Pass and see where Native Americans used the natural advantage to attack settlers as they passed through. It also is home to a museum where one can browse through the history of the area and re-live the times when Texas was young and vividly wild.
As you pass through the winding hills and take in the views, there are many smaller towns such as Center Point (population around 600) where you can drive over the river and stop to buy local items at the stores that line the street, reminding one of a town that never seemed to have left the last century. Also in the same town is a convenience store that has all the sausage making equipment in the back and one can buy fresh sausage made on site.
The strong German Heritage is alive in the names and people throughout the area as well, such as Frederickburg, where bushels of huge sweet peaches are sold. They boast the best peaches in the world, and even if they are not, none can be better!
The most unique food in the area I think, is the BBQ. I have stopped and eaten the absolute best slow smoked Fajitas and ribs in the world, bar none. One man had a portable pit he dragged behind his truck and for a dollar each, sold the Fajitas I will never forget. Slow smoked with his seasoning, he used a combination of Mesquite and Live Oak that melted in my mouth and left a lingering taste I shall never forget.
One can drive through Camp Verde area and see where they US Army trained camels in the 1800's, and see a natural rock formation that is shaped just like the state of Texas.
One can drive through the hills of Medina and see wild goats speckled throughout the hills, as well as a stray Puma or wild boar. Wild turkeys and Mule Deer are as common as dogs it seems, and the Turkey Buzzards that sun on the roads and wait until you are about 3 feet away to fly off are really neat to see.
The people of the area are reserved, but very friendly. One can meet a person and after 5 minutes be eating at their home. When one drives down the road, it is very common to see the driver passing on the other direction to wave at you. It is also common to see when a car is broken down, several cars and trucks are stopped to provide aid to the one broken down. When one mets the people of this area, it truly seems the heart of Texas is embodied in them. They ARE Texas.
One can see exotic animal ranches in the area where Llamas, Ostriches, Emu, Buffalo, roam the fields and watch the traffic pass.
The beauty and serenity of the area are breath taking, and the people are friendly and helpful everywhere one stops.
The aroma of cedar, the lonely hills, the people, all still make one feel as if they were in an unchanged land in times past. I will always love the Hill Country, and I will never be far from it in my heart.
I highly recommend a trip through there, if at least a day trip to the smaller communities. Rock climbing, water activities, and museums provide an activity for everyone.
No matter where you end up, it will be a experience and the eatin' will put as large a smile on your face as the local hospitality.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
kurbs
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Chicago area
Reviews written: 101
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Engineer, lover of things mechanical!
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