| Bluebonnets,
Indian paintbrush, pink evening primrose, scarlet phlox, wild plum, wine cups,
rain lilies and other spectacular blooms carpet the fields and roadsides throughout
Central Texas right
now (April), making this the perfect time to set out to see the sights. Whether
your road trip has a destination or is an end unto itself, whether you pack a
picnic or stop at delightful little cafes along the way, whether you make it a
day trip or escape for the weekend, the important thing is to do it! Off of the
couch, away from the TV, and out into fresh clean country air, warmed by welcome
sunlight, with gentle breezes wafting wildflower fragrances. This year, it seems
all the wildflowers are blooming at once, rather than in waves of progressive
wildflower patterns as in most years. Recent rains have encouraged everything
to blossom simultaneously. Where
to go? Pick your personal favorite or try them all. The Blackland Prairie and
Post Oak Savannah lands east of I-35 have miles of rolling green flatland with
a profusion of early blooming bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, creating dazzling,
long lasting displays. Get out as soon as possible to Elgin,
Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Red
Rock, Lockhart, Smithville,
Luling, Giddings, Gonzales,
Cuero,
Hallettsville, LaGrange,
Schulenburg, Wharton
and Washington County.
Highways 71 and 183 are memorable,
get off on the side roads for even more beautiful wildflower displays. South
Central Texas has gone gold - huisache and huajia cover the wide-open
spaces and gentle slopes, often sprinkled with a splash of bluebonnets or perky
pink primroses. The
Hill Country offers endless
vistas of blossoming peach trees sparked with vivid redbuds and bright yellow
blooms. Take Hwy 290 west of Austin
to Johnson City
and Fredericksburg,
with a detour through the Willow City Loop.
Hwy 281 is a personal favorite alternative to over-crowded I-35
at any time, but an abundance of wildflowers this spring makes it even more enjoyable.
Marble Falls
already has bountiful bluebonnets, and Blanco
is absolutely beautiful right now. East of Blanco
and west of Austin, Wimberley
is another wildflower haven in the hills, and wildflower artists will be opening
their studios around the Highland Lakes throughout April.
For up-to-the-minute
wildflower viewing information, call
Texas Department of Transportation - 800-452-9292
Where
to Stay:
Brenham
Hotels
Austin
Hotels
Fredericksburg
Hotels
Kerrville
Hotels
More
Hotels
First
pubished Spring 1999 |
