Wine Road 290 Event - 3/20

I so very much wish that Randy and I could go to this!

Vino and Pasta, on the Wine Road 290 near Fredericksburg.

Sigh.

The weather is supposed to be crappy, but I sure hope someone I know is making the trek out there for this - too good an idea to pass up!

Whatcha doin' this weekend?

I had the opportunity to attend Governor Perry's Blogger Summit this weekend, but frankly the idea of being cooped up with a computer this weekend didn't appeal, considering the hours spent indoors this week and recently. KVUE says the nice weather will hold, so I'm looking at what else is going on.

Nine wineries up on HWY 290 near Fredericksburg (the "Wine Road") are hosting Port'n'Pairing this Saturday, during regular tasting hours. Each winery will be featuring their ports and offering matching treats. Fees vary. Sounds like a great way to spend Saturday to me! H/T Fredericksburg Texas Info blog.

Austin 360 has a short list of bands worth going to hear this weekend.

Celebrate Mardi Gras early at Nutty Brown Cafe down on 290; they're doing "N'Awlins Night" on Friday, like most Fridays. Free Mardi Gras beads, fresh oysters on the half shell, shrimp boil, Cajun and Creole specials, and all you can eat catfish specials. Go back on Saturday night for karaoke.

Hill's Cafe has Shane Smith on Friday, and Seth Canadan on Saturday. Or, wait for Sunday, and go to Gospel Brunch with Danny Brooks.

Of course, staying in isn't a bad idea either - Austin360 has the recipe for the Roaring Fork's Green Chili Pork. You'll want to work up an appetite; take advantage of the beautiful weather at Bull Creek or someplace similar.

January in Austin. We're a spoiled bunch.

Central Texas Spring Getaway

Bluebonnet season begins in late March and runs through late April in Central Texas.  There are a number of great weekend getaways that are cheap and will really give you the ambiance of rural Texas.  

The Texas Hill Country, west of Austin, is a beautiful place to see the state flower, the bluebonnet.   The area near the Highland Lakes is ideal for great family pictures, unique scenery, and a relaxing drive through the country.  From Austin, the ideal route is to go west from Austin to Marble Falls.  Marble Falls, incidentally, has a great restaraunt called the "Bluebonnet Cafe" located on US 281 just north of Lake Marble Falls.  

From Marble Falls, continue to meander up State Highway 71 to Llano.  This highway cuts through some of the most beautiful country in Texas.  The landscape changes from rolling hills to granite mesas and mountains.  The sandy streams that pass under the highway give you an idea of the dynamic geology of the Texas Hill Country.  The closer you get to Llano, the closer you get to Enchanted Rock, a granite dome that towers above the surrounding landscape located between Llano and Fredericksburg.  

All the while the countryside is covered with seas of blue and red wildflowers.  Pull over and take pictures as often as traffic will allow, which is fairly frequently.  

In Llano, stop at Cooper's barbeque.  You will not be disappointed.  

From Llano, take State Highway 16 south to Fredericksburg.  This is an absolutely beautiful highway.  You wind around going south through large granite outcropping and have the feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere.  Fear not, though.  Fredericksburg is worth the drive.

Fredericksburg is a destination in itself.  The locals are not real fond of tourists, but they are fond of making money off of tourists.  Fredericksburg is a German town and home of the Admiral Nimitz War of the Pacific Museum.  This is the only museum in America that is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of World War II in the Pacific Theater against Japan.  This museum is well worth the time to go through.  

Directly across the street from the museum is the home that Admiral Nimitz grew up in and the Fredericksburg Brewing Company microbrewery.  Authentic German food and authentic beer is a great combination!

Fredericksburg is also home to many great souveneir shops, antique stores, annual festivals of all kinds, and the is the center of the Texas Hill Country wine country.  Many local wineries have tasting rooms on site.  

I could go on for hours about what to do in Fredericksburg, but I would rather just go back and enjoy the town again.  

As you drive US 290 back to Austin, you will pass by the LBJ Ranch and National Historical Park and go through the town of Johnson City.   

The trip concludes with one last photo op in Dripping Springs, as you watch the sun set over the Texas Hill Country on your way home to Austin.  Bluebonnets at dusk after a great day in the Texas Hill Country is a priceless, yet cheap getaway for a weekend.