TEXAS HILL COUNTY ADVENTURE
By Marilyn Miller
There are more direct routes, but with a photographer on board, we hunt for scenery.
From the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, take Hwy 67 South
to GLEN ROSE, TX. 
As you enter Glen Rose, you will miss our favorite bar-be-que place if you're
not looking for it, Ranch House BBQ - a small log cabin type building.
We plan our trips to arrive there around lunchtime. Their BBQ Brisket is very
good, but be sure to ask for their special Potato Salad. It’s a combination
of potatoes, cumin, cilantro, onion & jalapeno!
Continue South on Hwy 67 through Glen Rose, then take Hwy 220 to HICO, TX (not Stephenville, Tx)
You may want to drive through Hico's town square - it has some
interesting architecture and will take 2 or 3 minutes, even going slow.
Take Hwy 281 to Hamilton. Hwy 2005 to Goldthwaite, then Hwy 16 to FREDRICKSBURG, TX.
Fredricksburg is a picturesque town established by German pioneers. Main Street consists of several blocks of shopping (antiques, home accessories, collectibles, clothing, garden decor, some "country crafts") and many dining opportunities.
For accommodations, we suggest contacting Gastehaus Schmidt [(830) 997-5612] They offer a large selection of Guesthouses, Inn Homes and Bed & Breakfasts. Scot & I have stayed in several cabins that we can happily recommend:
Camp David (in town)- This group of small cabins (new
construction) are great for couples to stay next door to each other, with
separate facilities. (King bed, sitting area, kitchenette & jacuzzi bath
- in each cabin)
Wild Sage Barn (in town) - This is an old refurbished barn, decorated
with a country theme. It has 2 bedrooms (one up/a smaller one down) with one
living area combined with a petite kitchen. It's greatest feature is a Big
Jacuzzi Bath Tub.
Middlecreek Log Cabin (out of town) is also an old barn to which plumbing was added. The main living area has a sleeper sofa. The kitchenette is very mini (dual hot plate, bar refrigerator & bar sink), Upstairs is a queen bed & half bath. The large full bath on the ground level with it's double Jacuzzi tub agrees with my priorities for vacation visits.
Although, having a kitchen/kitchenette is nice, with an abundance of restaurants, why cook?
Audelweis Biergarten - Wurst & Kraut to your hearts
content Altdorf
Biergarten Restaurant - Patio dining for lovely evenings
Engel's Deli - Soup, salads & sandwiches (a reuben, anyone?)
Mamacita's Mexican Restaurant - Scot & I dine here at least once each
trip, if for no other reason than for their "green salsa" (avocado,
sour cream, cilantro & garlic) . . . . . yum!
Navajo Grill - Wonderful food with a Southern regional flair (cajun
potatoes, grilled trout
and other wonderful treats) One of Marilyn’s favorites!
Hilltop Cafe - Their menu changes daily with a variety of wonderful
foods. Scot enjoyed a
pork chop stuffed with andouille sausage, one of his favorites - don’t
miss it! (Highway 87 to Mason, at the turn-off to Doss, Tx)
PHOTOGRAPHY
Everyone we've asked in Fredricksburg has directed us to the Willow City Loop for the best Wildflowers (Hwy 16 north 11 miles; right on FM1323 to the Willow city school 3 miles; left to the Willow City Loop sign; follow the 12 mile drive back to Hwy 16). Although we always take at least one drive through, we plan some outings in other directions. One year we found the best wildflowers off the road to Mason (see outings).
OUTINGS
LUCKENBACH, TX is about 30 ins from Fredricksburg. Take Hwy 290 East toward Johnson City then Hwy 1376 South to Luckenbach. It won't take long to stop by this "Country Ballad" Town.
Take Hwy 290 to Johnson City, then Hwy 2766 to PERDNALES STATE PARK & FALLS for an opportunity to stretch your legs either hiking or swimming. You get a nice view of some lovely "country", as well. If you are equipped to camp, the Park offers shower facilities, camper hook-ups, walking trails, bicycle paths, interpretive trails & more. For more information or reservations call (512) 389-8900 [M-F 9A-6P according to Texas Parks & Wildlife]
JOHNSON CITY is a nice stop along the way from Perdnales State Park to Sandy (below).
Hwy 290 East to 1320 North
In SANDY, TX-, the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area accommodates approximately 2 million Mexican Free-tail bats from about March to October (July & August is peak - depending on the weather). The "bat tunnel" was a train tunnel used in the early 1900's. Now , if you wait for sunset in the areas provided with seating, you will see a tornado of bats swirl out of the tunnel, up into the sky & away to find dinner. It is a sight! For more information contact Lyndon B Johnson State Historical Park (830) 644-2420.
Take Hwy 87 North to MASON CITY & FORT MASON, about 40 miles northwest of Fredricksburg. Scot & I found the country roads between to be more heavily covered with bluebonnets than some other recommended areas. Once in Mason, we stopped in the Chamber of Commerce on the square & picked-up some brochures. We enjoyed a "Historic Bluebonnet Drive (April) Wildflower Drive (May)" brochure, that directs you on three different drives (#1 - 31.7 miles / #2 - 15.4 miles / #3 - 44.6 miles - we took this route) w/ historic notes & scenic river crossing drives.
Below are VINEYARDS in the area:
Bell Mountain Vineyards on Hwy 16 about 14 miles north
of Fredricksburg.
Fredericksburg Winery,
247 W. Main, Fredericksburg
Grape Creek Vineyard,
on Hwy 290, about 9 miles east of Fredericksburg.
Becker Vineyards
just off of Hwy 290 about 10 miles east of Town
The Wildseed Farm, just east of Fredricksburg on Hwy 290 is a great place to pick up native seeds.
ENJOY!!
Sun to Moon Gallery
3001 Keller Springs Road
Carrollton, TX 75006
Phone 972.418.1199