Anyone near Fredericksburg?

[pamela]

Last edited Fri Mar 29, 2013, 10:14 AM - Edit history (1)

My husband and I are new Texans. We're using Texas as our state of residence as we travel around the US in a motorhome. We chose Texas for tax and mail reasons plus we thought we'd be spending some time here each year. We've been here since December but will probably be in New Mexico soon, then Utah and Colorado and a quick summer trip back to Maryland.

Anyway...we've spent about a week now in Stonewall near Fredericksburg. I love it here. Has anyone been to the LBJ state and national park? We spent the day there last week and it was great. You can drive around the ranch and see his "Texas Whitehouse," the home where he was born and the school where he signed an important piece of education funding.

We also went to Luckenbach. Very cool! Just wondering if any DUers are from the area and might have suggestions or if you've ever visited those places and how you liked them. We're heading northwest to get to New Mexico so any travel suggestions or tips for that part of Texas would be appreciated.

The good news is...Texas just got bluer! We both just registered to vote here. Maryland didn't need our blue votes anyway.

[thevoiceofreason]

1. There is an active Democratic Organization in Gillespie County

I live in Houston but I am a member of their group. I will send to you their email.

Welcome - we have a place in Wimberley where we spend a lot of time.

[pamela]

5. Thanks!

We bought our motorhome in Houston and then spent much of January in Galveston. It's a great state!

[DUgosh]

2. Me

I live near the dinosaur tracks in Tarpley, got a kid in Drippin (Dripping Springs) . It's a terrible drought, but the "Hill Country" is usually beautiful this time of year. The second oldest Polish Catholic Church is in Bandera ( the cowboy capital) it is hand painted with murals on the inside depicting the life of St Stanislaus, they ave a festival the first weekend in May. Don't miss the OST (Old Spanish Trail)on main street for eats and atmosphere. Welcome to Texas blue, we love it too.

[pamela]

6. Thank you!

I'll check out those sights. I love murals! That's always been one of my favorite things about the southwest-so many cool murals.

[DUgosh]

14. Stop by the Camp Verde General Store

If you ever go down to Bandera, it has the history of camels imported to do the heavy lifting back in the day then check out the Frontier Times Museum in town. Have a great trip to the north country, if it's not out of your way take 90 west to El Paso and visit Big Bend, Alpine, Marfa, Or come back that way on your return... You won't be disappointed.

[northoftheborder]

3. Central Texas - best area of Texas. Welcome to Texas. Thanks for the blue, we need it!!!

I live south of Fredericksburg, and am very familiar with sights and sites! If you are already gone to New Mexico, you have missed the wildflower season just now beginning; best area drive: Willow City Loop, north and east of Fredericksburg. Stonewall: the best peaches in the world, late spring through early fall. Lots of wineries in the area. Wildseed Farms, great nursery and seed store. Bamberger Ranch, where you can see real conservation in action. Outdoor sculptor garden (can't remember the name) near Stonewall, Johnson City, Blanco area.

West of Fredericksburg, south of Kerrville, wonderful drives through most rugged hills in central Texas. Outdoor theater near Kerrville. From Kerrville west it gets into the "big sky country" not much to see except flat ground and sky, as you will see.

[pamela]

7. We're here for a few more days.

We saw some bluebonnets at Wildseed Farms but I know we're probably going to miss the peak season. I'm bummed about that. We're heading out Monday but we move slowly so I'm hoping we might see some in West Texas on our way to New Mexico.

I'm going to check out that outdoor sculpture garden for sure. That's right up my alley. Thanks for all the tips! I should have posted this earlier.

[TexasTowelie]

4. Welcome to Texas and for making us a bit bluer!

I'm on the opposite side of Austin and can't make many suggestions about west Texas except that you may want to make it up to Mason where I hear that you can find topaz at various locations.

I went to the LBJ ranch when I was a child and my roommate from college lived there, but I haven't been out that way in about 25 years. You might want to read the burntorangereport.com Website since the father of one of its contributors is an elected official there (I think he might be the mayor of Fredericksburg). If you're interested, you might find some old-timers there who can teach you some German. If you haven't done so already, try to check out Enchanted Rock and the Nimitz museum.

Here's a big Texas howdy for you!

[pamela]

8. Mason is probably our next stop.

That's a great tip about the topaz, I'll check that out. Thanks for the tips and the welcome!

[northoftheborder]

9. Mason is a really great little town. It's courthouse square has retained most of it's old buildings

and has lots of interesting little shops, several art galleries, TWO museums, one right on the square, and the other close to town (ask directions) in the old elementary school. Several good places to eat, and very friendly people. And you can hunt for topaz there, the topaz capital of the world. The square museum exhibits the largest topaz ever found. The Chamber of Commerce is handy for directions and suggestions. It's unfortunately very Republican, but Democrats make themselves heard. Santos Cafe, next to the Sandstone Winery, is great for indigenous Mexican food, but may be closed for it's winter off season.

[northoftheborder]

10. The Benini Sculptor Studio & Ranch

http://www.sculptureranch.com/

it's just south of Johnson City, and there is a map

[pamela]

11. Thank you so much!

Last edited Wed Mar 27, 2013, 05:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Seriously, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all these tips! I'm kicking myself for not starting this thread sooner. I should have known DUers would have the best suggestions. Everything everybody is suggesting is exactly the type of stuff I'm into-murals, wildflowers, sculpture gardens, nature...TOPAZ . Thanks again.

[pamela]

21. We went to the Benini Sculpture Ranch today!

Wow! We loved it! Thanks again for telling me about it. I have a blog so when I post about our visit, I'll stop back here and give you the link to see the pictures. I took tons of pictures.

[Paladin]

12. Congrats on hanging out in such a nice part of the state.

A few suggestions for you:

---Next time you're in Johnson City, try Pecan Street Brewing, a good place for lunch and a sampling of some well-made beers.

---Old Tunnel State Park deserves a look, when it warms up a little. It's on Old San Antonio Road, due south of Fredericksburg a few miles. From May through October, several million Mexican free-tail bats fly out of the old tunnel every evening; quite a sight. Google for further details.

---The town of Mason was mentioned up thread. It's worth a trip there to visit Cooper's BBQ, the original venue of that now-legendary chain. Incredible smoked brisket, ribs and sausage.

Glad to have you in Texas.

[pamela]

16. Thank you for the tips.

We'll definitely check out some of those places. The BBQ joint for sure! We went to Lockhart for BBQ when we were in Gonzales a few weeks go. Oh my God, does Texas sure know how to do brisket and sausage. mmmmmmm

[Paladin]

20. Here's another tip for you.

Google the Full Custom Gospel BBQ site. No religion involved, despite the goofy name---other than a worship of smoked meats. The guy who's been doing the site has just been named the new BBQ editor for "Texas Monthly." Great reviews of the best places in Texas, hundreds of them. Worth your while if you're serious about BBQ, and it sounds like you are......

[LeftInTX]

13. Hello from San Antonio

Enchanted Rock in the Hill Country is nice.

Texas has this really neat travel guide. You can view it online and have them mailed to you etc.

http://www.traveltex.com/travel-guide/

I'm not familiar with spots in NW Texas. Depends on the route to NM. The far northwest corner of Texas is fairly scenic.
http://www.traveltex.com/cities-regions/panhandle-plains/

[pamela]

17. Thank you!

I'll check out that guide. I've been really surprised how much there is to see and do here. I use to be kind of afraid of Texas but that was silly blue state/red state prejudice, I guess. Thought Ibwas immune to that being born and raised in the south but I guess we're never immune to stuff like that.

Anyway, thanks again. All these tips are great.

[Ilsa]

15. I took a tour of

The James Avery Jewelry manufacturing facility in Kerrville years ago.
I saw LBJ ranch about ten+ years ago on a weekend trip. Loved it up there. The wildflowers should be awesome this next month. (Thank LadyBird).
Welcome to Texas! Lots of good food here! Especially in San Antonio.

[pamela]

18. I want to go to Kerrville sometime for the folk festival.

That's been a bucket list item of mine for years.

I've been thinking so much about Lady Bird lately and reading a lot about her. I knew of her wildflower passion and her contribution to beautification but it's really sinking in now how important of a role she played in environmental issues in general. I think she was one of our most underrated first ladies. I've got an idea for a children's book inspired by her life. I'd put a packet of wildflower seeds in every book and let the children spread them across the land. I think Lady Bird would love that.

[Ilsa]

19. The folk festivals are fun.

I've camped out for them at Rod Kenedu's Quiet Valley Ranch. You can hear music all night long, although they play quietly. Bring lots of suntan lotion, a big brimmed hat, or maybe a parasol to keep from getting sunburned!

[northoftheborder]

22. Kerrville Folk Festival is grreat. Plus a huge art festival goes along with it. And if you ever...

get back to Austin, go to the National Wildflower Center (used to be named Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) started with her efforts; it is fabulous, and one of my favorite places in the world. The architecture and the plantings are famous. It is also a research center for wild plants in conjunction with the Univ. of Tx. now.