TEXAS HILL COUNTY ADVENTURE
By Marilyn Miller
Our route from Dallas/Fort Worth to the Texas Hill Country may not be the most direct route, but with a photographer on board, we hunt for scenery. Besides, if you have a little extra time part of the fun can be the journey of shops along the way. Take Hwy 67 South to GLENROSE, TX
As you enter Glenrose, you will miss our favorite Bar-be-que Restaurant if 
you’re not looking for it; RancHouse BBQ - just past Sonic on the left. We plan our trips to arrive there around lunchtime ( 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive). Their BBQ Brisket is great, but do not miss Rocky’s Potato Salad; it’s simply yummy – potatoes, cumin, cilantro, onion & chipotle.
Continue South on Hwy 67 through Glen Rose, then take Hwy 220 to HICO, TX . They have a great town square of old buildings; one block off of the main street is “HOMESTEAD” which became popular in Fredericksburg & built an additional location in Hico to be closer to the Metroplex (custom furniture, shabby chic and unique twists on antiques upholstery).
Take Hwy 281 to Hamilton. On the south side of Hamilton, just before the city limit, is Ortega’s Mexican Food Restaurant – good Mexican food, in case you’re in the mood,
The most direct route from Hamilton is to take Hwy 2005 (turn-off is “In Town”) to Goldthwaite, then Hwy 16 to FREDRICKSBURG, TX.
OR - you can take HWY 281 all the way to Johnson City, then Hwy 290 west to Fredericksburg. (Beware – Hwy 281 takes a tricky right turn in Lampasas)
On this route you go through Marble Falls and past a Texas classic, The Bluebonnet Café, serving home style classics since 1929 along with their legendary pies with mile high meringue. OR you can stop by on your way back to DFW . . . they serve breakfast all day long!
Fredericksburg is a picturesque town established by German pioneers. Main Street consists of several blocks of shopping (antiques, home accessories, collectables, clothing, garden decor, some “country crafts”) and many dining opportunities.
For accommodations contact Gastehaus Schmidt (888.997.3080) They have a large selection of Guesthouses, Inn Homes and Bed & Breakfasts.
Scot & I have stayed in several places we can happily recommend:
Camp David (Fbg) - This updated house is great for a family. But for a couple of couples cabins on the grounds are great (King bed, sitting area, kitchenette & comfortable bath in each.)
Heimplatz Am Fluss (Stonewall, Texas) - This lovely B&B, upstairs over the homeowners, is about 15 miles from Fredericksburg. It’s lovely! A queen bed in the bedroom, full bath, kitchenette, sitting & eating areas & lovely porch looking out over the owners beautiful flower garden. But the absolutely decadant pastries . . . OMG!
Wild Sage Barn (Fbg) - 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 whirlpool tub .
Middlecreek Log Cabin (5 mins. out of Fbg) 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 whirlpool tub agrees with my priorities!
Although, having a kitchen/kitchenette is nice, with an abundance of restaurants . . . why cook? Some restaurants to consider:
Auslander – 323 E. Main St., (Fbg 830.997.7714) Wurst & Kraut to your hearts content !
August E’s – 203 E. San Antonio Street (Fbg - 830.997.1585 Reservations Recommended). An exceptional dining experience featuring fresh meats (steaks & seafood) and produce, so the menu changes daily; the Hill Country charm is always there. A Favorite dining experience!
Altdorf Biergarten Restaurant – (Fbg 830.997.7865) Patio dining for lovely evenings
Hilda’s Tortillas – 149 FM 2093 (Fbg 830.997.6105) Great, fresh tortillas, chips & salsas! Breakfast tacos in the morning, then enchiladas, burritos, rellenos for lunch . . . all a bargain. But be ready to order . . . this is a “locals” joint & the natives get restless at lunchtime.
Hondo’s on Main – 312 W. Main Street (Fbg 830.997.1633) Texas casual dining, self serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, kids menu & bar food. If you want to take the whole family, sit on the big patio, listen to music & have a cool beverage, this is your place!
Peach Tree Tea Room – 210 S. Adams Street (Fbg 830.997.9527) Mother loves this place; you know, chicken salad, green salads, cute sandwiches, flavorful tea selection. Nice people!
Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe – 239 E. Main Street (Fbg 830.997.0498) Tucked back off the street, this is well worth being the hunt! Get there early for lunch, order light, then get their must have Cinnamon Chocolate Cake! (they often sell out by noon) They have fabulous salads and other light things to choose from to ‘compensate’ for the desert . . . sure.
Rathskeller Restaurant – 260 E. Main (Fbg 830.990.5858) Located in the basement below “Der Kuchen Laden” (great foodie stop for every kind of kitchen gadget), this restaurant has been providing consistently good food for years – serving breakfast, lunch & dinner at last check! Check it out!
The Nest – 607 South Washington Street (Fbg 830.990.8383 Reservations Recommended) Great for an intimate, romantic dinner . . . and it’s yummy!
Engel’s Deli – 320 E. Main St. (Fbg 830.997.3176) A great for quick soups, salads & sandwiches . . . reuben, anyone?
Hill Top Cafe - Hwy 87 N (830.997.8922) 12 miles toward Mason at the Doss turnoff. Down home cooking with a touch of gourmet – well worth the short drive... and great music, too!
Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant - 506 E. Main St. (Fbg 830.997.9546) If for no other reason go for their “green salsa” (avocado, sour cream, cilantro & garlic)!
Navajo Grill – 803 E. Main St. (Fbg 830.990.8389) Southwestern Cuisine – very good!
Porky’s – 904 W. Main St. (Fbg 830.997.6882) Best hamburger in town!
Rose Hill Manor – 2614 Upper Albert Road (Stonewall 830.644.5541) Lovely country dining, also worth the drive.
Welfare General Store – 223 Waring Welfare Road, Boerne, Tx 830.537.3700 The daily menu is based on available goods (meats & seafood) , and it’s all good! This is the quintessential Texas Hill Country fine dining experience. Welfare, Texas is a bit of a drive, but well worth it for the adventurer.
PHOTOGRAPHY – People in Fredricksburg will direct you 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
LBJ RANCH & NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Hwy 290, Stonewall, Texas 830.868.7128 Start at the Visitors Center on Highway 290 by picking up a map; you can even get a free driving permit to drive thru the ranch! Not only is the land beautiful, but you can see the “Texas Whitehouse” up close & personal. And, if you have the kids with you, there are some great learning opportunities because the LBJ Ranch is a working ranch, maintained just as it was in LBJ’s time; the cattle are bred to be the same as cattle in LBJ’s time. Your kid can become “A Junior Ranger.”
LUCKENBACH, TX is about 30 mins 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 PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK 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 Pedernales State Park to Sandy (below).
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! The Old Tunnel WMA is located in Kendall County, Texas, approximately 13 miles north of Comfort and 11 miles south of Fredericksburg.
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) with historic notes & scenic river crossing drives.
The Wildseed Farm, just east of Fredricksburg on Hwy 290 is a great place to pick up native seeds.
Below are some of the vineyards in the area, but there are so many popping up just now, it’s almost impossible to keep up with them:
Becker Vineyards just off of Hwy 290 in Stonewall, Texas 830.644.2681
The 46 acres of French Vinifera vines generate 8 different available
varietals, including Syrah, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec,
Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Bell Mountain Vineyards on Hwy 16 about 14 miles north of Fredricksburg. 830.665.3297 Located on the slopes of Bell Mountain, the area was designated by our Federal government in 1986 as Texas' first winegrowing area.
Chisholm Trail Winery – Hwy 290 W. 9 miles to Usener Road 830.990.2675
Fredericksburg Winery, 247 W. Main, Fredericksburg 830.990.8747
Grape Creek Vineyard, on Hwy 290, about 9 miles east of Fredericksburg Experience the feel of “Tuscany in the Texas Hill Country.” 830.644.2710
Oberhof Winery & Wine Cellars – 1406 S. Hwy 87 (1 mile from Main St.) 830.997.8969
Pedernales Cellars – 2916 Upper Albert Road, Stonewall (set back 1 mile off Hwy 29)0 830.644.2037
Texas Hill Country Wine Tours – 217 1/2 E. Main St for Hill Country wine tours 877.839.9436 or 830.997.0123
Woodrose Winery 12 miles east of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290 in Stonewall 830.644.2111
Torre di Pietra - on Hwy 290 about 5 miles east of Fredricksburg. 830.990.9755
ENJOY!!
Sun to Moon Gallery
1515 Levee Street
Dalals, TX 75207
Phone 214.745.1199