| I spent an exhausting two years performing an | | | | six cowboys were plucking and jamming on |
| exhaustive search of the United States | | | | their guitars. Original song lyrics lilted |
| looking for a place my family could put down | | | | over the crowd. Yes, crowd. This place was |
| roots and grow. In August 2005, my husband | | | | jumping. Beer was flowing and a band was |
| and I uprooted our 9-year-old daughter and | | | | warming up in the Dance Hall. Just a few |
| our 11-year-old son and trekked cross-country | | | | miles away from bustling Fredericksburg, this |
| to embrace a completely different culture, | | | | small town demands attention.Fredericksburg |
| climate and lifestyle.We have never looked | | | | is the epitome of hill country charm. Less |
| back. The Texas Hill Country supplies an | | | | than two hours west of Austin, Fredericksburg |
| abundance of clear skies, cool rivers and | | | | beckons the locals and the tourists. There |
| large swatches of live oak trees. Their | | | | is ample shopping, a pioneer museum and |
| canopy creates vast amounts of shade, perfect | | | | lively biergartens. On the scenic Hwy 290 |
| for cooling off and sipping your favorite | | | | into town, you will also pass several Texas |
| libation during the dog days of summer.When | | | | wineries offering up free samples. This area |
| we first arrived, I vowed to see this region | | | | is the up and coming Napa Valley of Central |
| and capture my experiences. I have seen and | | | | Texas.While you are out this way, point your |
| done more in this past year than most of my | | | | car south and drive one hour to the town of |
| neighbors, natives in this region. I have | | | | Boerne (pronounced like your favorite Uncle |
| traveled the meandering two lane highways all | | | | "Bernie") where you will enjoy more historic |
| over the rolling hills.Quaint towns dot the | | | | buildings, more shopping and pristine |
| landscape, some you can roll right on through | | | | riverside parks. All of these towns have |
| without guilt, but others you must | | | | strong hints of their German heritage -- the |
| experience. Like the smallest town I have | | | | beautiful and rustic architecture, the |
| ever seen, Luckenbach. This town offers a | | | | nomenclature of their towns and their |
| post office, general store, dance hall and | | | | exuberant Oktoberfest celebrations.Finally, |
| bar. When we pulled into the dirt lot and | | | | experiencing the Texas hill country would not |
| parked, we were hesitant even to get out of | | | | be complete without dipping your feet into |
| the car. But what awaited hearkened back to | | | | the Comal, the Guadalupe or the Blanco River. |
| a simpler era. Out back of the general store | | | | The hill country is criss-crossed with |
| spread a wood-plank patio where no less than | | | | refreshing, spring fed rivers and lakes. |