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