RoamingTheHills.com

Sweet Berry Farm’s ‘Harvest of Fall Fun’ – Marble Falls

2011-09-27T21:41:08Z

It’s Pumpkin time again! So I’m reposting Sweet Berry Farm’s ‘Harvest of Fall Fun.’ It’s a great place for family fun!

Fall in the Texas Hill Country is finally upon us! The weather has turned cooler and the leaves will soon be falling. Kids will be bundling up to go outdoors, and that’s the perfect time to head to the ‘Harvest of Fall Fun!’ at the Sweet Berry Farm.

‘Harvest of Fall Fun!’ is a wonderful place for the whole family. There are so many things to do, and you won’t want to miss out on anything! There are acres of pumpkins. Pumpkins like you’ve never seen! I was amazed at the variety of pumpkins, gourds, and squash – in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You’ll find plenty to decorate your home.

There is so much for kids of all ages to do at The Farm. Once you’ve picked out your pumpkin, or two, or three…. head over to the painting area and give your pumpkin a face! Hey, your kids might just want their face painted too! The artists at The Sweet Berry Farm are very talented and create fancy, colorful designs that are sure to bring smiles to your kiddos’ faces.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to stuff a scarecrow, now’s the time! This is loads of fun that the whole family can pitch in and accomplish! Stuff his body, choose his clothing, pick out a hat or maybe some hair, design his face, and suddenly you have a buddy to take home with you! He’ll look great sitting on the front porch each fall, and your family will always remember the fun you had together!

While you’re down on The Farm, make sure you visit the petting zoo. There are the friendly goats that love to be fed, chickens aplenty, the sweet donkey and her newborn foal, as well as horses to ride! Kids love animals, and riding a horse for the first time is one of those experiences they never forget!

I’ve been on hay rides before, but heading out to Scarecrow Island was quite the surprise! I won’t give it away, but as you can imagine, there are lots of scarecrows and they’ve taken over the island! And as the people of Sweet Berry Farm can attest, “Those bloomin Scarecrows have been multiplying over the ‘off’ season —- we might have to develop a curfew or something for them if this keeps up.” Take the hay ride, you’ll love the humor displayed!

One of the prettiest sites in the Hill Country has to be the field of Zinnias growing at Sweet Berry Farm. I love Zinnias, they are my favorite flower, and when I had the chance to pick a huge bouquet for $2, I was delighted! It looked as if the young children running thereabouts were having just as much fun as I was.

If you’re looking for something fun, outdoors, crazy, and different, you need to try the Texas Maze. It is a HUGE field, planted with corn (or maybe just tall hay, either way, it’s about 8 feet tall), and cut into the shape of Texas. The object is to find 12 historic sites throughout the maze, punching a card at each location. Joe and I made a contest of it – the one who got the most punches at the end of 1 hour won! Yesss, I won! The average time in the maze is 1 hour 45 minutes. For the life of me, I could never find the Davis Mountains, and I know where those are located on the map. Think it’s easy? Let me know after you’ve tried it!

There is also a children’s maze. I was told the kid’s maze was challenging and loads of fun for little ones. There is a third maze for school groups. What an awesome, exciting way to spend a school day!

On weekends in October you will find the Pumpkin Grille open for business. So if you forget your picnic, they serve up some terrific lunch items. You’ll also want to try the homemade ice cream-blended with fruit from the farm and made the old fashioned way. I’m going back for the pumpkin ice cream and grilled corn on the cob. Oh yeah, and more flowers too!

The Sweet Berry Farm’s ‘Harvest of Fall Fun’ is a great place to spend the day with family and kids of all ages (Joe and I had a great time with just the two of us). Some activities are only offered weekends-check their website for details.

The folks working out at the Sweet Berry Farm are the best! They are there to make sure you have a great time; laughing, telling stories, and always greeting you with a smile. So head on out to The Farm, it’s part of what makes the Texas Hill Country unique!

~Karin~

See more photos on our Facebook!

Also, see our post on Strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farm.

The Monument Cafe-Georgetown

2011-05-07T23:00:49Z

The Monument Cafe in Georgetown is one of those MUST visit places. If you love freshly prepared, locally grown food, you’ll appreciate the Monuments Cafe’s commitment to these standards. If you enjoy a bit of nostalgia, such as the roadside cafes of the 1920′s, that’s simply another reason you must visit.

Upon arriving at The Monument, you are warmly greeted by the wait staff as you observe the surroundings reminiscent of a 1920′s diner. Warm, welcoming, and attentive, the staff is dressed impeccably in their white starched uniforms. Starting with breakfast daily at 7:00am, the café is also open for lunch and dinner.

The décor is just as you would imagine-long counter bar with wooden stools, art deco lighting, booths with leather seating, windows covered with wooden blinds, subway tile, and dark wood trim throughout. Nothing was overlooked when it came to creating the unique atmosphere that transports you back in time.

The name ‘The Monument’ is a tribute to the now vanished roadside cafes and the families who operated them. Located throughout the U.S., these cafes were unofficial community hubs for locals and resting places for those just passing through. The black and white photos displayed on the walls were made by noted San Antonio photographer E. O. Goldbeck between 1920 and 1972.

Everything at The Monument is served fresh, never frozen or canned. The food is prepared in-house, from scratch, daily. The orange juice is freshly squeezed upon ordering. The beef, chicken, and pork used are totally free of hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. All ingredients are fresh, wholesome, and organic; i.e. fresh yard eggs, real butter and whipping cream. Their free-range yard eggs are hand gathered and delivered fresh three times a week to make the best huevos rancheros around!

The desserts looked too good to pass up, so I ordered the chocolate pie with pecan crust and Joe ordered the fried peach pie with homemade frozen vanilla custard. Both were delicious! The freshness of the whipped cream topping on the pie and the creaminess of the homemade custard were evident with every bite.

If you’re looking for a place with charm and character, where you can also enjoy a delicious homemade meal made with fresh, wholesome, organic ingredients, make plans to visit The Monument Café.

~Karin~

Luckenbach, Texas

2011-02-28T01:10:52Z

If you’re into live music and love the Texas Hill Country, there’s no better place than Luckenbach. Luckenbach was made famous by the Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson song, but the legend lives on with one of the best country dance halls in Texas. Luckenbach is a place every Texan should visit.

If you’re looking for a true Texas dance hall where you can listen to great music, do a little two-steppin’ on an old wooden floor, and enjoy a cold one on a hot Texas night, this is the place for you!

The dance hall is open just about every night, featuring music by talented musicians like Jimmy Lee Jones or Bo Porter hosting the pickers circle. They also book monthly dances by some of the top Texas musicians. Texas greats such as Pat Green, Gary P. Nunn, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker and others have played at the hall.

If you arrive during the day, expect to hear live music under the tall oak trees. Enjoy a stroll beside the creek, or play a game of washers. Like so many others, my first reaction to Luckenback was, “Is this it??” I’m not sure what I was expecting, but after listening to the live music, visiting the old store that has been in existence since 1849, meeting wonderful people (and listening to a few tall tales), I realized Luckenback is everything it should be. “A Texas state of mind, where you can kick back, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – like a step back in time.”

My family is planning a get together this spring. They don’t know (well, I guess they do after reading this), but it’s going to be in Luckenbach where we can enjoy the lovely Hill Country, visit with friendly people, and two step the night away listening to some awesome Texas music.

Hope to see you in Luckenbach! Where everybody’s somebody.

~Karin~

Enchanted Rock State Park- Near Fredericksburg, Llano

2011-01-05T03:02:47Z

The winter months in the Texas Hill Country make for the perfect time to go hiking. The weather can be quite pleasant, sometimes reaching the mid 60’s with bright, sunny skies. One of my favorite places to hike is Enchanted Rock State Park, located between Fredericksburg and Llano. Just recently, we took a group to ER the day after Christmas to enjoy the fabulous views and walk off some of our holiday cookies.

Enchanted Rock was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1970 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.

Visitors can enjoy primitive backpacking, camping, hiking, technical and rock climbing, picnicking, geological study, bird watching, and star gazing (minimal light pollution). There are several hiking trails, the major one leading to the top of the dome.

At the top, the 360 degree view in all directions is remarkable. The climb is somewhat steep, but there are plenty of boulders to sit on and rest along the way. Enchanted Rock attracts thousands of visitors per year, many of which come for the climbing and repelling areas located throughout the park. If you are daring and up for a challenge, there is a cave (1,000-foot long talus fissure) located to the top of the dome. You must have a flashlight for each person. The opening is small, and you must be able to maneuver under and round boulders, as well as not be claustrophobic!

The park sometimes reaches capacity (in terms of parking) and frequently closes on weekends as early as 11 a.m. If you plan to visit during peak season (March to June and October to December), I suggest you call ahead or leave early enough to reach the park by 10 a.m.

Enchanted Rock is a wonderful area for family or group gatherings. Bring a lunch and enjoy the day, or plan an overnight camping trip to do some star gazing. Enchanted Rock State Park in the Texas Hill Country is a remarkable place you won’t want to miss!

~Karin~

There's no place like the Texas Hill Country!

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree – Texas Hill Country

2010-12-13T15:00:10Z

It’s time to get in the holiday spirit, and that starts with putting up the tree! Of course picking the perfect tree is part of the process. If you’re looking to make some new traditions, head out to one of the Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farms located throughout the hill country.

The Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association has a website that lists all the Christmas Tree Farms in the Hill Country. There are several places in the Texas Hill Country to choose from, so there is probably a “choose and cut” tree farm near you.

Cutting your own local Christmas trees offers a renewable, recyclable resource, while supporting your local farms. It also gives you a chance to visit neighboring towns, most offering beautiful holiday light displays.

Many of the farms have special events planned, making it a wonderful day trip. Evergreen Farms in Elgin keeps a campfire burning with free marshmallows, cider and coffee. After you pick your Christmas tree, you can enjoy pine cone painting and food from the concession stand. Other farms offer hay rides, nature trails, sell natural wreaths, or provide a gift shop.

Whether it’s trekking into the woods to cut your own hand-picked tree in the country, climbing in the car and heading to the local tree lot, or taking the artificial one from the attic, have a wonderful time decorating your tree and making memories with your loved ones!

~Karin~

LBJ State Park – A Great Place For A Winter Picnic!

2010-11-22T01:15:17Z

Last December, I was thumbing through a magazine when a headline caught my attention – A Chef’s Incredible Winter Picnic. I thought to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding! Who would want to eat outside in freezing weather??” But after reading the article and being enticed by grilled Cuban sandwiches, hot spiced cider, and black bean salad, I decided the Texas Hill Country is the only place where a winter picnic could be very enjoyable!

After a little meal planning, we loaded up the car and headed to Lyndon B. Johnson State Park located just west of Johnson City. There was a slight breeze, blue skies, and it was about 60 degrees – perfect for tossing a football or Frisbee. The park features tennis courts, a baseball field, playground, hiking trails, and a swimming pool open during summer months. The park also has nice covered picnic areas with wood/charcoal burning grills. We brought along some young musicians – our kids – so we sang (slightly off key) Christmas Carols and other favorites. After our sing-a-long, we enjoyed a pleasant hike along the nature trails and then a game of Frisbee.

The Visitor Center contains memorabilia from President Johnson’s presidency. There is also the Behrens Cabin, typical of the German immigrant homes of the 1870’s. My favorite was the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead located east of the visitor center and just off the nature trail. It is a living history farm, where life on the farm is presented at it was in 1918. Costumed interpreters carry out the seasonal chores such as canning and butchering and day-to-day chores such as feeding livestock, milking, and gathering eggs. You just might arrive when they are cleaning the floors with homemade lye soap, plowing with horses, or churning butter. It is amazing to see the daily chores carried on at the farm, even cooking daily meals in the wood burning stove!

Across the Pedernales River is the LBJ National Historical Park. Self-guided tours begin at the State Park Visitor Center. Among the sites are the Texas White House and the Johnson family cemetery where the former President is buried.

A winter picnic? Oh yes, the Texas Hill Country – It’s a great place for a winter picnic!

~Karin~

If you’re interested in the article that enticed me to plan a winter picnic, it’s the December 2009 issue of Food & Wine.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum – Austin

2010-11-04T12:40:56Z

The Texas Hill Country covers a large area, including the city of Austin. If you are visiting Texas for the first time, you should make plans to visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. The museum will give you a wonderful overview of our great state, and Austin is a one-of-a-kind (some say weird) city you need to explore.

The Museum features three floors of exhibits. The first floor is entitled Land. It is the history of the Native Americans and Explorers from Europe.

The second floor is Identity. These floors tell the story of how Texas became an independent nation. This one was my favorite, featuring the heroic men of the Alamo and others of strong character who led in the fight for independence.

The third floor, Opportunity, gives an overview of how Texans have persevered and settled the land. Many immigrants came to settle and call Texas home; they shaped Texas into what it is today. The German heritage is still very prevalent throughout the hill country. Of course ranching played a huge role in Texas, and later the discovery of oil, space exploration, and technology.

The Museum’s rotunda features a beautiful, colorful terrazzo floor depicting a campfire scene with themes from Texas’ past.

After touring the Museum, stop in for lunch at the Café. Then head over to the IMAX Theater-the only one in Austin. If you’re visiting Texas for the first time, you’ll want to take in the feature show – Texas: The Big Picture.

Texans are a unique bunch, to say the least. Learning about the people who fought and sacrificed to make Texas to what it is today will give you a deeper appreciation of Texas and the Hill Country.

~Karin~

Link: Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Benini Sculpture Ranch – Johnson City

2010-11-02T21:21:45Z

Roaming the hills of the Texas Hill Country leads you to some remarkable places; there’s always something unique to see or do. One such remarkable place is the 140 acre Benini Sculpture Ranch. Located about one mile west of Johnson City off Hwy 290, turn at the chrome bull (CR 204-Flat Creek Road), you can’t miss it!

The ranch is the creation of Benini, an Italian-born artist, along with his wife Lorraine Benini. Together, they started the outdoor art gallery in 1999, adding new sculptures and selling others to create a rotating exhibit.

The drive up to the ranch is beautiful, one of the prettiest drives in the area. Once you reach the entrance, you will immediately notice huge contemporary sculptures mounted on either side of the road. It is so amazing to see the huge sculptures dotting the landscape, and the artistic renderings are extremely unique; you’re sure to have a favorite!

There is a 14,000 sq. ft. studio and gallery that is open to visitors, featuring Benini’s work as well as that of other artists. The outdoor sculptures (about 110 pieces) and the gallery art work are from artists located in Texas and abroad. Signing in at the gallery, we were given a brief history of the Benini Ranch and an interesting overview of the artwork on display.

After completing the indoor gallery tour, we hopped in the car and continued on our outdoor sculpture tour (there is a walking path as well). Ranging from traditional to abstract, we each had a particular favorite and were simply intrigued by others. It was a great day with overcast skies and a cool breeze, perfect for our drive along the gravel road as we stopped to comment on several artists’ work.

Many sculptures are nestled into the countryside, some among trees, others overlooking ponds or hiding in the tall grass. Whether it was a steel giant towering over the roadside, a kinetic sculpture twirling in the blue sky, or the chrome bull guarding his pasture, the outdoor elements seemed to complement each work of art.

The gravel road climbs to 1800 feet, where Benini’s home and private studio are located. The viewing area gives visitors a remarkable vista of the entire ranch below, as well a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

The Benini Sculpture Ranch is truly unique. So if you’re into art, or just roaming the hills near Johnson City, stop by the Benini Ranch to get a different perspective on the Texas Hill Country!

~Lori~

Fall in Garner State Park – Concan

2010-10-22T00:36:13Z

I am sure that many of you have been to Garner State Park during the summer months. It’s one of the best places in all the Texas Hill Country for swimming and floating. Oh, and let’s not forget those fun nightly dances! I would venture to say that fewer have made the trip out to Garner during the fall months, when the dance is over and the crowds have gone home.

Fall in the Texas Hill Country is the ideal time to camp. Garner State Park, located on the banks of the Frio River, makes for the perfect fall camping retreat. A weekend in the great outdoors with family and friends is an enjoyable time for kids of all ages. Cooking over a campfire, roasting marshmallows, gazing up at a gazillion stars at night, or fishing in the river, make for wonderful family memories.

The morning breeze off the river is crisp and fresh, the perfect weather for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails in the park which meander beside the crystal-clear river and climb along limestone bluffs. The scenic overlooks are spectacular, offering views from atop the high mesas to the deep canyons below. The rich golds and deep reds of the fall foliage are absolutely stunning!

Garner State Park is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Check their website and calendar for park details and hiking trail map. Also, here is a link to the foliage change report at Lost Maples. It is close enough in proximity to pertain to Garner State Park as well.

Make plans to enjoy the Fall foliage of the Texas Hill Country.

~Karin~

I’d love to hear your comments.

Trattoria Lisina Restaurant – Driftwood

2010-10-21T21:14:12Z

Fall in the Texas Hill Country is a beautiful time of year, perfect for a drive out to your favorite Hill Country restaurant. One of our favorites happens to be Trattoria Lisina, an Italian restaurant located in Driftwood.

The Tuscan landscaping which surrounds the restaurant is truly beautiful. Nestled among the live oak trees, the lovely garden area makes for a perfect spot to visit with friends and enjoy a glass of wine.

The architecture is reminiscent of Italy, complete with red tile roof overlooking stone walls. There are two dining areas-the main dining room, which offers a relaxed, serene atmosphere and the sunroom, surrounded by huge arched wood-framed windows and overlooking the garden area, making for a bright and casual dining experience.

We started off with freshly baked focaccia bread, along with their signature olive oil enhanced with spices. Ohhhh! Wonderful and heavenly is all I can say. After eating way too much bread (I couldn’t help myself) our entrées were promptly served. The guys ordered their usual standby-Lasagna Bolognese. This lasagna is NOT your heavy, doughy noodles covered in deep red sauce, but noodles that are light and thin, layered between a bright sauce and just the right amount of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. My daughter, Meg, ordered the Al Funghetto Pizza laden with roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions and goat cheese. It was delicious, with a crust that was thin, but not like a cracker-perfect. It was a nice portion, allowing for leftovers (which Meg considers a plus).

I ordered the Pappardelle al Sugo di Agnello-I know, a long name. It was described as homemade eggs noodles tossed with a sauce of braised leg of lamb, aromatic vegetables, red wine, herbs and tomato. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. The noodles were light and the sauce was absolutely wonderful! It was a perfect blend of aromatic herbs along with red wine flavors-a great fall dish.

The Duchman Family Winery, previously Mandola Winery, is located just a stroll through the garden from the restaurant. Offering award winning wines, the winery is as charming as the restaurant. Visit the winery for a tour and tasting, then finish off your day with a glass of your favorite in the garden. It’s the perfect way to end a fabulous meal at Trattoria Lisina and a great day in the Texas Hill Country.

~Karin~

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