Wandering in Texas Hill Country

HR has worked really hard on his to do list and earned a few days off (Thank you, Miss Laverne.) We were delighted when our friends (and fellow RVers), Lisa and Scott, invited us to share some of their favorite spots in Texas Hill Country.

Caravanning from College Station, first stop was in Gruene for lunch at Gristmill River Restaurant and a little shopping at the cute little shops.

We couldn’t leave without stopping in at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. Known throughout the world as a great music venue, it has been instrumental in starting the careers of Lyle Lovett, George Strait, Hal Ketchum and many others. Over the years it has hosted the likes of Bo Diddley, The Dixie Chicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson. It continues to provide live music every day (but not midday on a Monday.)

Next stop, The Apple Store for coffee and apple strudel. Since we are loving the idea of exploring the huge state of Texas, we picked up a guide book.

Wandering further west, skirting the southern edge of the Austin area, through New Braunfels, we parked The Wanderer at Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, TX. This particular park was chosen for the fall color. (Yes, there is fall color in Texas if one knows where to look.)

Let's be fair here, even though it is November, the temperature hasn't been cool enough for the maples to turn red and bright yellow. We understand it will be a spectacular site in another week or so.

Even without the colors, it is a lovely park. We enjoyed hiking a somewhat strenuous 5-mile hike with Lisa, Scott, Izzie and Ozzie.  

Always the nurse, ABN referred to the hike as a cardiac stress test and was happy we all the passed, especially since there was mostly no cell service.

Due to drought there is a no burn order in effect; the brilliant star-studded sky made up for the lack of a campfire. It was a grand time sitting around sipping wine and telling stories. How refreshing to hear new stories! No offense to those dear friends with whom we have sat around campfires and on the porch at home, telling (and embellishing) the same stories year after year. While in Texas, we have learned the polite way to say '''I have heard that story" is to raise your hand. We will be honest here, in the short time we have been with friends in College Station the hand has gone up a few times. So there you go.

A great break; now back in College Station to finish work on the to-do list.

One last game this weekend before heading home. The Aggies barely scraped past South Carolina last week; where was the defense? Let’s hope both teams show up for the showdown with Auburn. Gig’em Aggies!

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