Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival in Historic Fredericksburg, Tx

April 24 - 26, 2015
This weekend in Fredericksburg, Texas, bring the whole family and connect with the MIRACLES of NATURE! Join Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park for the Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival a CELEBRATION of FLIGHT! Saluting the unique winged wildlife of the Texas Hill Country! LOOK UP! There are AMAZING WINGS in the TEXAS skies... Birds, Bees, Butterflies, and Bats!

Beautiful Butterfly at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Tx

Miracles that FLY! Join us at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park in Fredericksburg, Texas, for a NATURALLY WONDERFUL WEEKEND of education and entertainment!

The Bees are Busy Making Texas Hill Country Mountain Laurel Honey

This year's Nature Festival will offer a wonderful selection of activities designed to entertain and educate participants about the wonders of the Texas Hill Country's natural resources. Festival HIGHLIGHTS include, a Birding Field Trip to Enchanted Rock, Nature Walks at the Nature Center, Hummingbird Banding, Bat Ecology of the Texas Hill Country, Nature Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt, Butterfly Tent, The Buzz About Bees, Snakes of Texas, Birdology and as an added attraction, Last Chance Forever will be exhibiting some of their raptors at the Pioneer Pavilion from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, April 25, 2015!

Last Chance Forever, The Bird of Prey Conservancy

John Karger, Master Falconer, puts raptors from Last Chance Forever, The Bird of Prey Conservancy, through their paces. A beautiful array of rehabilitated raptors will be presented for your enjoyment and education, along with an amazing display of flight by some of the birds. Don't miss this great fun while learning about the relationship between humans and these amazing marvels of nature! Children of ALL ages will not be disappointed.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 Nature Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt  from 7:30 – 11:30am at the Tatsch House in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. Ruth Hoyt has been teaching wildlife photography for more than 20 years. Her work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute, Missouri Botanical Garden, Powder Valley Nature Center, and the St. Louis Artists’ Guild to name a few. She also has permanent displays in Illinois and Texas.

Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center hopes to create many "A-Ha" moments that will inspire participants to become a stewards of our natural treasures. Bring the whole family. There is something for all ages at Wing over the Hills Nature Festival.

For the schedule of field trips, workshops, demonstrations, activities for children, and to register and purchase tickets online, call 830 998-1927, or visit: www.wingsoverthehills.org

Spring 2015 in the Texas Hill Country was a "200 Year Flood of Bluebonnets and Wildflowers". All around Fredericksburg, Tx the highways and back-roads have been a sea of beautiful hues of blue dancing on the winds of the changing seasons.

Texas Bluebonnets Near Willow City, Texas

The Willow City Loop Near Fredericksburg, Tx

Bluebonnets and Winecups... Texas Wildflowers!

As the blue peaks and fades away, a brilliant show of yellows, oranges and reds appears to bid the Bluebonnets farewell until next year. Firewheels, Indian Paintbrush, wild daisies and sunflowers fling the colors of summer along the back-roads, across the meadows and up the hillsides to the jagged cliff tops.

Daisies and Sunflowers... the Colors of Summer

Go Out and Plant a Meadow... Be a Farmer for the Bees and Butterflies!

Wildflowers on the 16N between Fredericksburg and Llano, Tx.

Yellow and Orange! Plan for a Colorful Future... Plant a Meadow!

Indian Blanket Blazing... Spring 2015!

Called by many names: Gaillardia pulchella, Indian Blanket Flower, Indian Blanket, FireWheels,
Arizona Sun and Sundance.

Indian Blanket Flowers on a Mason County Back Road Near Fredericksburg, Tx

It's Like Living in a Watercolor!

 

 

 

The first peaches of the season are just a month away and the Fredericksburg Farmers Market begins its 8th Spring Market on Thursday, May 7, 2015, from 4pm to 7pm, at the Marktplatz Kinder Halle. Rain or Shine!!!

Roses are blooming all over town in every imaginable color and hue! It's SPRING TIME in the Texas Hill Country! Fredericksburg, Texas is a BEAUTIFUL place to BE!

Get some INSPIRATION! CELEBRATE! We've got Great MUSIC! Fun Festivals! An Enchanted Rock to climb! Luckenbach Texas, Hondo's on Main and Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse putting Fredericksburg, Texas on the LIVE MUSIC MAP! Fredericksburg, Tx might be a small town, but it's a BIG MUSIC and ART SCENE!

Come CELEBRATE SPRING 2015! In the beautiful Texas Hill Country... everything you need for a soul-full EXPERIENCE!

Hondo's on Main Gospel Sunday with Melissa Weatherly and the Any Given Sunday Band

Let's Go to Luckenbach Texas! You never know who might show up!

Go out and get some RED! WHITE! and BLUE! on the Back-roads of TEXAS!

The field of Corn Poppies at Becker Vineyards is absolutely divine! The delicate deep red poppies float on the breeze... the Becker Lavender field in full bloom, is the perfect purple backdrop! Stop in for Wine and Wildflowers! Prepare to be inspired by the feast for your eyes and the flavors in your glass! Fredericksburg, Texas is a BEAUTIFUL place to be! Joie de vivre!

Becker Vineyards Poppy Field... Divine!

Crimson Poppies at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, Texas!

The delicate white Mexican Poppies are exquisite this year. Driving out 16N to Llano there are Fields of snow-white poppies as far as the eye can see! Willow City Loop also has several heavenly fields of White this spring!

Mexican Poppies on the Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg, Texas!

Snow-white Poppies on the Loop!

The Fields Where Snow-White Poppies Run!

  

Forget about "Chicken Soup for Your Soul"! How about some Willow City Loop for Your Soul! 

TEXAS Bluebonnets are the "Official Flower of the Lone Star State"! The Hill Country was blessed with abundant soaking rains in the Autumn 2014 and Winter 2015 and the

Wildflowers have been spectacular for Spring 2015! 

Willow City Loop is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL drive, and word of this amazingly diverse and gorgeous landscape has spread and the loop has become very popular with visitors. Although, I personally have not driven the Loop on the weekends, several visitors have complained that the weekends are absolutely awful, "bumper to bumper traffic"! Just be aware and, perhaps plan to drive the loop on a weekday when there is less traffic! I am including alternate drives that aren't so crowded for weekend  Wildflower viewing!

Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take,  

But By the Moments that take our breath away!

Scenic Drive - The Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg, Texas!

Take 16N (Llano Street) out of Fredericksburg. Proceed 13.3 miles, turn right on RR1323 - continue 2.79 miles to Willow City, turn left onto Willow City Loop. This is a PRIVATE ranch road that winds for 13 miles through rugged, awe inspiring Texas Hill Country and reconnects with 16.

Turn right back to Fredericksburg.

(Please, be respectful of landowners along the Loop and do not block their driveways, or drive, walk or sit on the WILDFLOWERS, as this can damage, even kill the plants.)

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush on RR 1323.

Headed to The Willow City Loop! This is going to be GOOD!

Long TALL TEXANS... Bluebonnets Near Fredericksburg, Texas!

Beautiful! Beautiful TEXAS! A Ridge Line of Bluebonnets on the Willow City Loop!

Texas Bluebonnets, the "Official State Flower of TEXAS!"

  

WOW FACTOR! Defined!

Go Out and Play! Fredericksburg, Texas IS a BEAUTIFUL place to BE!

 

For the Beauty of the Earth...

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.
- Konrad Kocher
(1786-1872)

Here are several alternative SCENIC DRIVES that are absolutely "Take your breath away beautiful!"

1) Take 965 (Milam Street) out of Fredericksburg, Tx. After you pass Enchanted Rock, 965 connects with 16N. Take a left to Llano. Just before 71, turn left on FM 2323 and follow it back to 87. Take a left back to Fredericksburg.

2) Take 87 from Fredericksburg to Mason, Texas. Swing around the courthouse square. Shop! Dine! Buy Texas Wine at award-winning Sandstone Cellars Winery... take in the charm of the Mason, Texas historic district, then return to Fredericksburg on 87! This is a beautiful drive with some of the BEST wildflowers anywhere!

3) Take 87 from Fredericksburg toward Mason, turn right on 152. In Castell veer right and follow 152 along the Llano River back to 16. Turn right back to Fredericksburg, TX.

4) Take 87 to 648 (Hilltop Cafe is on the corner), turn left and continue into Doss, Texas. In Doss take a right on to 783 and continue to 87 take a right back to Fredericksburg, TX.

Wine and Wildflowers

Wine Enthusiast named the Texas Hill Country USA, #3 on their list of "Top 10 Wine Destinations 2014"! Come help us CELEBRATE!

Wildflower Season in the Hill Country, around Fredericksburg, Texas, is somewhat variable. This winter has been wet and cold, the PERFECT conditions to produce a bounty of SPRING COLOR! Come CELEBRATE the changing seasons together! Ein Prosit!

Wine and Wildflowers, Spring 2015

The Fredericksburg, Texas Wine Country Wineries and Vineyards invite you to EXPERIENCE the beauty of SPRING Time magic in the Texas Hill Country!

Have you been DREAMING about a Wine and Wildflower road-trip? A Spring-Fling WINE BUYING extravaganza? If your perfect spring day in the TEXAS HILL COUNTRY includes a perfect bottle of Texas Wine, grab your BEST FRIEND and DRIVE!  A Wine Destination Getaway, in the heart of Texas Wine Country, is just a scenic drive away...
Take an exciting, inspiring, DELICIOUS respite from the ordinary and make a Spring Flurry Fun-Run, take a weekend getaway or mid-week runaway... it's the very best tonic for body, mind and soul!

Wine and Wildflowers at Grape Creek Vineyards

The Wineries and Tasting rooms along US Hwy 290 have new vintages to share. Many have music, and specialty food on Saturdays and Sundays. WINE and MUSIC = A PARTY! So, get on the line to your favorite traveling companions, and make plans to join us!

Corn Poppies at Becker Vineyards

Welcome Spring 2015! SWIRL! SNIFF! SIP! SAVOR! Drink in the Glorious Flavors of Wildflower SEASON... find inspiration on the backroads of Texas! and don't forget to Raise your glass and "Toast a Rising Star, TEXAS WINE! Salut!

Verbena Field at Pedernales Cellars

Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 Member Wineries
Becker Vineyards, Chisholm Trail Winery, Fiesta Winery, Fredericksburg Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards, Hilmy Cellars, Hye Meadow Winery, Lost Draw Cellars, Pedernales Cellars, Rancho Ponte Vineyard, Texas Hills Vineyard, Torre di Pietra Vineyards, William Chris Vineyards, Woodrose Winery, and 4.0 Cellars.

For maps, directions, and details visit: www.wineroad290.com

Texas Hill Country TERROIR STARS: Dan Gaitlin from Inwood Estates Cellars, Kim McPhearson at 4.0 Cellars, Don Pullum, grape grower and winemaker at Sandstone Cellars and Pontotoc Vineyards in Mason, Bob Young and John Riverburgh from Bending Branch Winery, William Chris Vineyards, David and Julie Kuhlken and Fredrik Osterberg from Pedernales Cellar, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo at Messina Hof Hill Country, Dr and Bunny Becker from Becker Vineyards and Brian and Jennifer Heath from Grape Creek Vineyards! SALUT!

It's a BLOOM-Fest at Wildseed Farms

Roll out the COLOR! It's a BEAUTIFUL SPRING in the Texas Hill Country! The Scarlet Corn Poppies ARE Popping and Wildseed Farms in Historic Fredericksburg, Texas, is putting on the ritz!

California Poppies and Scarlet Phlox at Wildseed Farms

Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the United States with over 200 acres of wildflowers in various stages of development. The Market Center is a garden lovers shopping paradise where you can shop for Wildflower Seed, Native Plants, Gifts for Home and Garden, Specialty Foods, Texas Wines, Pottery, Ladies Apparel. The farm also features a series of Walking Trails, Flower Fields, and Display Gardens.

Scarlet Corn Poppies at Wildseed Farms

Scarlet Corn Poppy

Springtime visitors will likely see Texas bluebonnets, red corn poppies, phlox, and a gorgeous array of other spring flowers. Bring the camera and capture the ultimate in wildflower photographs! Summer visitors enjoy cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias and other warm weather bloomers.
In the fall, the fields are planted for the following year's color, but our Nursery is well stocked with a variety of choices for fall planting and colorful pumpkins adorn the grounds around the Market Center which is brimming with delightful gifts for home and garden.

Multi-Colored Corn Poppies at Wildseed Farms

Hours
Open seven days a week, 9:30am to 5:00pm

Location and Contact
Wildseed Farms is located at 425 Wildflower Hills on Hwy 290, 7 miles East of Fredericksburg, Texas
Phone: 1-800-848-0078
www.wildseedfarms.com

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Directions
Wildseed Farms is located 7 miles east of Fredericksburg on US Hwy 290 (Main Street), about half-way between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, Texas. GPS locaters use 425 Wildflower Hills, Fredericksburg TX 78624

Austin's, the Restaurant at Rose Hill Manor

The Only AAA Four Diamond or Select Registry Lodging in the Fredericksburg, Tx Area

Rose Hill Manor Inn and Restaurant

Austins, The Restaurant at Rose Hill Manor  Indulge in the European-style of dining... a leisurely pace, with a succession of delectable appetizer-size courses... BIG FLAVOR on your plate! Imagine yourself transported to a chic country inn in Provence or Tuscany! The Main Dining Room is open every Wednesday through Sunday night to both our overnight guests and the general public. Dinner is served at 7:00 and features a four-course set menu - soup or salad course, an appetizer, a meat or fish course, and a dessert course. Join us for an evening of culinary exploration in one of the most scenic dining rooms in the Texas Hill Country. We also offer a four-course vegetarian menu or vegan menu (with 24 hours notice).
Reservations Required! 877-767-3445

Hours
Wednesday through Sunday, Dinner Served at 7pm 

Location and Contact
2614 Upper Albert Rd, in Stonewall, TX.
Telephone: 830-644-2247
Toll Free: 877-767-3445
Email: rosehill@ktc.com 
www.rose-hill.com
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Directions From Fredericksburg, Tx
Take US Hwy 290 east from Fredericksburg to Ranch Road 1623. Ranch Road 1623 is approximately 15 miles, measuring from the Nimitz Museum at Washington and Main Streets. The turn-off to Ranch Road 1623 is ¼ mile past Lindig's Cafe in Stonewall. Turn right on Ranch Road 1623, drive 2 miles on Ranch Road 1623 to Upper Albert Road and turn right on Upper Albert Road, the first paved road to the right. Rose Hill Manor is on the left, approximately ¼ mile next to the Award Winning Pedernales Cellars.

Auslander Biergarten and German Restaurant

Auslander Restaurant  The Ausländer Restaurant and Biergarten is one of Fredericksburg's most popular eating establishments for over twenty years. Located in the heart of historic Fredericksburg, Texas, The Ausländer offers the finest in authentic German cuisine, as well as hand-cut steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and homemade desserts. Patrons can enjoy a candlelight dinner in our comfortable dining room, or relax to the music in our festive, outdoor biergarten. We proudly offer one of the largest beer selections in the Hill Country. Great food, great music, great service! It's all here at the Ausländer.

Auslander German Cuisine! Prosit!

Hours
Restaurant Open 11am-9pm
Bar Open 11am - Midnight
Closed Wednesdays

Location and Contact
323 E. Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas
830-997-7714
www.theauslander.com
Auslander FACEBOOK

August E's... Indulge your palette!

August E's  Come indulge your palette and expect the unexpected with August E's signature steaks, Fresh Fish and Chef Leu's Asian Fusion creations or traditional sushi, always using meticulously sourced Premium Produce, Meats and Fish. An award winning wine list will certainly please the most discerning and the in house “Mixologist” consistently delivers the perfect martini or libation choice. August E's successfully marries extraordinary cuisine and exemplary service in an exquisite contemporary setting.

The SWEET Life at August E's.

Hours
Dinner, Tuesday through Sunday 5:00 pm until closing. 

Location and Contact
Located one block off Main Street at 203 E. San Antonio Street in Historic Fredericksburg, Texas!
For Reservations: 830-997-1585
www.august-es.com

August E's FACEBOOK

Alamo Springs Cafe

Burgers and Bats - A "Texas Top 10", Texas Monthly Burger, PLUS, Old Tunnel State Park
  

Burgers and Bats at the Alamo Springs Cafe

Take a scenic drive out Old San Antonio Road when the sun is sinking low, and DISCOVER an illuminated landscape of rolling hills studded with seasonal Wildflowers and blooming Texas Natives, iconic River and Creek Crossings where blue herons roost and the Cara-cara flies, pastoral Heritage Farmsteads complete with original rock houses, creaking windmills and grazing livestock. PLUS, once you arrive at Alamo Springs Cafe you are going to experience a made-to-order Texas Roadhouse Destination that will call you back again and again! It is truly, EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Alamo Springs Cafe is famous for their mountainous Homemade Hamburgers... in fact, these BURGERS are Legendary! You just can't get your mouth around how BIG these beauties really are, until you are up close and personal with the Behemoth sitting there on your table!
Note: Be sure to take a friend along, so you can share! There's a reason that so many burgers go by with a knife stuck in the bun... you really do have to cut it in half! It is almost impossible to eat the whole thing! This is definitely a BURGER for TWO!

Save US from Ourselves...

But the basic burger isn't the whole story at Alamo Springs Cafe! Get ready to sink your teeth into the most fabulous comfort food you will EVER encounter on the back-roads of Texas... BLT's, portabella mushroom burgers, New Mexico-style green chili burgers, goat cheese w/roasted garlic, handmade fries, onion rings, and chalk board dinner specials that are out of this world... savory pot roast, lasagna, homemade enchiladas, and for dessert, how about a piece of strawberry key lime pie! YUMMY! Add a wonderful wine and beer selection, and a friendly laid-back, Texas Roadhouse ambiance, and you are in for a WIN! WIN! Food-fest!

Roasted Garlic and Crostino! AMAZING!

Seasonally, you can dine al fresco on the patio and watch the bats fly, as they emerge from the Old Tunnel State Park in spirals just at sunset! Alamo Springs also features Live Texas Music to dine and dance by every Friday and Saturday night!
Alamo Springs Cafe is an absolute MUST TASTE Hill Country Dining Destination near Fredericksburg, Texas!

This is not "FAST FOOD" folks! Every order is custom built just for you! So, kick back and relax... REAL TEXAS FOOD is coming, and it is worth every minute that you have to wait! Bon Appetit!  

Location and Contact
107 Alamo Rd

Fredericksburg, Texas

830-990-8004

Hours
1 - 9 pm, Wednesday - Monday. Closed on Tuesday.

Directions from Fredericksburg to Alamo Springs Cafe. Leave Fredericksburg on US 290 heading east. Continue 3 miles... Look for the brown TxDOT highway sign that says "Old Tunnel Wildlife Area". Turn right (south) on the Old San Antonio Road. Proceed 10.5 miles. The Old Tunnel State Park will be on the left at the top of the hill, turn left onto Alamo Road. Alamo Springs Cafe is located right next to the Old Tunnel State Park.

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Old Tunnel State Park >

Location and Contact
10619 Old San Antonio Road
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Latitude: 30.101 / Longitude: -98.821
Bat viewing nightly May through October.Call 866-978-2287 to get the latest emergence time information.   
MAP

Hours
Open year-round from sunrise to sunset for general use.