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Blanco, TX

Blanco is that little town in the Hill Country that you could drive through in 5 minutes, or spend a week exploring.  Those that are in the know travel here to spend a day or longer diving into the history, blue water, and food.  To download the episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.

CULTURE

The first thing most notice when they visit Blanco is the Old Blanco County Courthouse which was built in 1886.  While it looks very official, it only served as the county courthouse for 4 years, because in 1890 the authorities moved the county seat 14 miles up the road to Johnson City.  Today this old building serves as a museum, a gathering place, and a movie set.  If you walk upstairs into the courtroom, you can feel the presence of Rooster Cogburn (aka Jeff Bridges) from the 2010 film “True Grit.”

If you love movie history or just history in general, then you’ll want to head to the Blanco Buggy Barn Museum which showcases over 100 different buggies from around the globe.  Many of the buggies have been used in films such as “Gone With the Wind,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”  It’s amazing to look at how the technology progressed during the era of horse-drawn transportation.  If you arrange it early, the owners will take you on a buggy ride around town.

Blanco’s biggest modern-day contribution to Texas culture is to the growing Texas craft beer scene.  If you’re into craft beer, then you’ve heard of Real Ale Brewing, or at least Firemans #4, it’s most popular variety.  Many don’t realize that it’s brewed down a dirt road in the heart of Blanco.  They offer great tours of their facilities and brewing processes on weekends but even if you don’t take a tour, you can visit their tasting room and sample one (or more) of their dozen or so brews.  I highly recommend sampling some of their barrel-aged “Mysterium” series, where they let beer sit in wine and whiskey barrels.  It comes out completely different.

If you’re more into Texas wildflowers than Texas beer, then you’ll be happy to know that Blanco is the “Lavender Capital of Texas” and during the summer months, you can visit lavender fields to pick your own puffs of the purple stuff.  I highly recommend Hill Country Lavender.  Not only do they offer a really great picking experience, but they also sell all of their lavender products on site, so you can stock up on sleep-inducing and bug-repelling lotions, creams, and soaps.

Lastly, there’s a hill country tradition that exists ONLY in a number of small German communities across Texas.  It’s 9-pin bowling, and is done in private bowling clubs.  It’s different than traditional 10-pin bowling in that the pins are set up in a diamond and bowlers get extra points if they leave the middle one standing.  It’s very fun but hard for an outsider to experience. UNLESS – you are in Blanco on a Saturday night, when the Blanco Bowling Club is open to the public.  Make sure to call ahead and let them know you are coming, as they’ll need to make sure a pin-setter is on site.  This is such a rare game that there are NO machines to do the work, so high schoolers earn extra cash setting up pins after folks knock ’em down.

FOOD

No trip to Blanco would be complete without a trip to the Redbud Cafe on the square.  This local favorite mixes fresh sandwiches, baked cookies, and craft beer to become the most charming cafe-bakery-bar combo in Texas.  They make perhaps the best reuben sandwich I’ve ever had, and in the winter they make amazing potato chip cookies.  Seriously, try them.

If you’re in the mood for Bar-B-Q, then make your way to Old 300 BBQ.  This is a very Texas kind of joint smoking up brisket, sausage, ribs, pork loin, and more over live oak wood.  You’ll love it.  If you’re in town on a Saturday, you can sample their special “Akaushi” beef brisket made from an amazing flavorful and rare bovine breed.

OUTDOORS

The biggest outdoor attraction of Blanco is definitely the Blanco River where folks do everything from swim to paddle to fish, and just generally relax beside the calming blue water.  The river flows right through the middle of town where you’ll find Blanco State Park – the best place to jump into the Blanco.

Dripping Springs, TX

As with many hill country towns, it isn’t so much what’s in town, but all around town.  This is especially true with Dripping Springs the “Gateway to the Hill Country.” To download this episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.

But before you head to the hills, there are some things in the town worth checking out.  First off are the namesake springs of this small town which sit on the private property of the Homestead B&B.  Just knock on the door, and the owner is usually happy to show you around.  However, Start the day off right with breakfast at Rolling in Thyme and Dough.  A delicious breakfast and lunch spot tucked away in an old house right off Highway 290.  The egg/sausage/pesto croissant is phenomenal.  Later in the afternoon, you might want to grab a fresh pint of craft brew from The Barber Shop serving house-made brews and Texas brews from all over the state.

To experience the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, there are 3 must-do activities just north of town.  The first is Hamilton Pool, an amazing natural grotto that is also some of Texas’s most magnificent swimming holes.  Make sure you arrive early, or else you might be waiting in the parking lot for hours to get in.  While Hamilton Pool is well-traveled, the second activity is as untouched and pristine as possible.  This is West Cave Preserve.  Take a guided nature tour down to this stunning grotto and cave and be taken into a world far away from human hands.  Finally, if you want to jump into the hill country full-on, then there’s no better place than Milton Reimer’s Ranch, this private ranch turned public park is an outdoor playground with everything from fishing to mountain biking to some of the best rock climbing in Texas.

And to cap off an exceptional day, head south of Dripping Springs to the town of Driftwood, TX and take down a big, honkin’ plate of some of the best BBQ in Texas at – The Salt Lick.

 

 

Wimberley, TX

This town calls itself “A Little Bit of Heaven”.  And the funny thing is – they may be right. Wimberley is an artist’s haven in the truest sense.  It must be the rolling hills that inspire the inner soul, but whatever it is, you’ll want to check it out.

CULTURE

Local artisans peddle their craft all around the Wimberley Town Square.  Outside of town, you can visit the very prominent artists behind Wimberley Glassworks. Not only can you peruse a gallery of breathtaking glass artworks like light fixtures and vases, but you can also watch glassblowing demonstrations to see how the pros do it.

If you are there during the summer time, there’s nothing better than capping off your day with a movie under the stars at the Corral Theater which shows current movies in an old horse corral. You can sit in the chairs at the theater or bring your own, either way, you’re bound to have the best seat in Texas as you enjoy the movie and the beautiful night sky at the same time.

There’s nothing better than cruising with the top down…well except cruising down one of the most scenic drives in Texas, the Devil’s Backbone on Highway 32. The route gets its name from the rolling hills and vertebrae-like rock outcroppings, but there’s really nothing devilish about it — it’s a heavenly view!

OUTDOORS

Wimberley boasts some of the most beautiful nature in the Hill Country. The best way to see a panoramic view of it all is at the top of Prayer Mountain (aka “Mount Baldy”). And if you’re not much of a mountain climber, don’t worry — it’s actually a mound with 218 stairs leading up the mountain to the “bald” rocky top where you can see the hilly Texas landscape for miles and miles.

To take in the work of the great Artist who created everything, take a dip in Blue Hole, one of Texas’s finest swimming holes. Just one look at the water and you’ll know why it’s called “Blue Hole.” And there’s even a rope swing so you can spend the afternoon just hanging around… (sorry, I had to!)

FOOD

All this art will leave you starving, so I highly recommend fixing that at Brewster’s Pizza (also home of the Wimberley Brewing Company) which is run by the Collie family from top to bottom.  What could be better than washing down a delicious slice of hand-tossed pizza with a ice cold pint of handcrafted beer? NOTHING!

You might also want to check out the INO’Z Brew and Chew to enjoy burgers outside by the creek or the Wimberley Pie Co. for some of the best pies in town. I suggest the Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie — it’s out of this world! You can find both restaurants in the town square area.  

Unfortunately, the Gourmet Tamale Kitchen featured in the episode has closed its doors.

 

Luling, TX

This is a town known for two things: Bar-B-Q and watermelon.  You’d be hard pressed to think of two better things to be known for.  According to Texas Monthly, Luling is home to some of the best BB-Q in the Lone Star State.  And they are right!  Luling City Market is one of Texas’s most-storied BB-Q joints serving up 3 meats and only 3 meats: brisket, sausage, and ribs.  Across the street sits  Luling Bar-B-Q a relative new-comer in Luling, as it’s only been around for 30 years.  Try one or try them both, but make sure to save room for watermelon which can be bought just across the street at the Luling Farmer’s Market.

If you do buy a watermelon, I’d recommend taking it down to Zedler Mill to crack it open and enjoy it on the banks of the San Marcos River at this old renovated mill and one of Texas’s best swimming holes.  Or if you want to go a bit further, head to Palmetto State Park, and eat your watermelon in the river or while exploring its unique hiking trails full of Palmetto palms.

Other attractions in Luling worth checking out include the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum, and Luling’s Pumpjack Zoo Tour with oil pumps decorated as everything from quarterbacks to killer whales.

Spicewood, TX

Spicewood is a Texas town nestled along Lake Travis and the home of Country Music Legend Willie Nelson. Need I say more…

You will undoubtedly want to kickstart your day with a cup of coffee from Cuvee Coffee, one of the most respected specialty roasters in America that is hidden behind a metal gate marked inconspicuously with a “C”.  If you find it, then you can join them for a “cupping” and get a tour from the guys roasting the beans.  If you like wine more than coffee, then head to Spicewood Vineyards for a tour and tasting.  Unfortunately Willie’s “Luck, Texas” ranch isn’t open to the public, just you can still crank up the tunes as you cruise around town.

To indulge in the adventurous side of Spicewood, cruise through the air on a Zipline tour at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours or hit the trails at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area on the banks of Lake Travis.  If the weather is right, take a dip in Krause Springs, a hidden-oasis swimming hole complete with rope swing, sunbathing rocks, waterfalls, and a hidden grotto.

After a day like this, you will be starving.  So indulge in the “spicy” BBQ (or any BBQ) from Opie’s Barbecue.  The sweet and spicy ribs are killer, as is the brisket, sausage, chicken, banana pudding, spicy creamed corn…you get the picture….everything.  To cap off your day with some live music, or to eat one of the best burgers in Texas, head to Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse.  Poodie was Willie Nelson’s longtime stage manager and, before passing, was the proprietor behind one of the best burgers in Texas.  Enjoy a burger, a cold one, and an incredible view at Poodies.

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