Tube and canoe rentals are available. Includes shelters, campsites and a CCC-built group facility. Admission charge. On U.S. 281. 830/833-4333.
www.tpwd.state.
tx.us/state-parks/blanco.
BREWERY—Real Ale Brewing Company. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
LAKE—Canyon Lake, see CANYON LAKE AREA.
SCENIC DRIVE—R.M. 32 from U.S. 281 two miles south of Blanco offers views of Hill Country landscapes. Portions of the drive toward San Marcos follow a ridge called the Devil’s Backbone.
BOERNE POP. 11,384
ALT. 1,405 MAP Q-15
BOERNE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: The Visitors Center is inside the Historic Kingsbury House. An adjacent two-room rock house is one of the oldest in Boerne. 1407 S. Main St. 888/842-8080.
www.visitboerne.org.
Boerne (pronounced BER-nee) was founded by German settlers who aspired to create their own version of Thomas Moore’s Utopia. Boerne is rich with German heritage, in- cluding the Berges Fest in June and the summer Abend- konzerte series. Hauptstrasse (Main Street) offers shops and dining options. Events include the Kendall County Fair, Weihnachts
Dance halls and dude ranches fit the bill in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 157 MILITARY MUSEUM— Home to more than 170 period-correct models of air- planes, ships, helicopters, tanks, armored personnel carri- ers and more. Uniforms dating back to WWI are featured. 205 12th St. 830/796-7528.
DUDE RANCHES—Bandera has plenty of dude/guest ranches—from rustic to resort-style—offering a range of cowboy activities. Check with the convention and visitors bureau for listings.
FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM—Includes a blend of Old West relics, Western art, antiques and Native American artifacts from centuries-old Chinese temple bells to Buffalo Bill Wild West Show posters. Admission charge. 830/796-3864.
www.frontiertimesmuseum.org.
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA—Minimally developed 5,369-acre Hill Country park has a 20-acre designated site for primitive camping and 40 miles of designated multiuse trails. The park offers a back country setting for primitive camping, backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, equestrian camping, and nature viewing. A group lodge is available for equestrian or non-equestrian use. On F.M. 1077, 10 miles west of Texas 173. 830/796-4413.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state- parks/hill-country.
HISTORICAL TOURS—Self-guided Bandera County walk- ing and driving tours feature the original jail, county court- house and historic 11th Street. Also, watch saddle makers at work and tour a working longhorn ranch. Contact the convention and visitors bureau for details.
LAKE—Medina Lake—This impoundment on the Medina River offers boat ramps, fishing, picnicking and camping. About 23 miles southeast of Bandera, also accessible from Castroville. 830/665-2132.
SCENIC DRIVES—Texas 173 North winds through scenic vistas to Camp Verde and Kerrville. Texas 173 South rolls to southern edge of the hills and enters the lower South Texas Plains. Texas 46 East explores steep-shouldered scenery through the town of Pipe Creek to Boerne. Texas 16 and F.M. 470 West feature dramatic hills and green val- leys threaded by sparkling creeks.
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BIG LAKE POP. 3,147
ALT. 2,678 MAP N-10
BIG LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 120 N. Main. 325/884-2980.
www.biglaketexas.org.
Town was named after a large depression to the south that forms a broad, shallow lake during rare wet seasons. The University of Texas owned much of the land around Big Lake where, in 1923, a large oil pool was discovered with the Santa Rita No. 1 well. This discovery made the university one of the richest schools in the nation.
HICKMAN MUSEUM—Features memorabilia on Big Lake and Texon—developers of the Big Lake Oil Field—as well as artifacts of the Santa Rita No. 1 and other oil-related relics. 609 Main St. 325/884-2980.
SANTA RITA NO. 1—The actual well site (in Reagan County Park) remains with an oil derrick and some of the original equipment used during the gusher of May 28, 1923. The well was productive until 1990. A historical marker gives details. Four miles west of town on U.S. 67.
BLANCO POP. 1,798
ALT. 1,739 MAP Q-15
BLANCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 830/833-5101.
www.blancochamber.com.
The town, named after the Blanco River, was the county seat before that was moved to Johnson City. The Old Blanco County Courthouse, a fine example of Second Empire-style architecture, is the town square centerpiece. Antique stores, boutiques and restaurants occupy historic buildings in the square. Blanco is surrounded by lavender farms, bed-and-breakfasts and locally owned accommoda- tions. The area is popular with campers, anglers and hunters. Top events include Blanco Market Days held the third
Saturday of the month April-November with a special Christmas Market Days the second Saturday of December.
BLANCO STATE PARK—This park along the spring-fed Blanco River offers swimming, tubing, fishing and camping.
Fest, Dickens on Main, Boerne Market Days, Wings Over Boerne, Parade of Artists, Summer Scene concerts, Key to the Hills Rod Run and Texas Corvette Show.
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER & MUSEUM—This museum showcases antique farm equipment, horse-drawn implements and household articles. Most items were do- nated by families whose ancestors lived in this area. Call for weekday tours. 830/249-6007.
www.agmuseum.us.
CASCADE CAVERNS—These caverns were discovered by Lipan Apaches in the 1700s as evidenced by artifacts and a fireplace. It also is home to cliff and leopard frogs, Mexican brown bats and Cascade Cavern salamanders. 226 Cascade Caverns Road.
www.cascadecaverns.com.
CAVE WITHOUT A NAME—Less than 12 miles from Boerne, this National Natural Landmark (a living cavern) features stalactites, stalagmites, delicate soda straws, cave drapery and magnificent flowstones. Tour six major rooms via easy, lighted walkways. Cave temperature is always 66 degrees. 325 Kreutzberg Road. 830/537-4212 or 888/839-2283.
www.cavewithoutaname.com.
CIBOLO NATURE CENTER—The center, on 100 acres of protected Hill Country land, features four different ecosystems with walking trails, streams and tree groves. The center also offers educational workshops, and the “Moondance Concerts” series in spring and summer. 140 City Park Road. 830/249-4616.
www.cibolo.org.
ENCHANTED SPRINGS RANCH—This working ranch is characterized by its rugged, natural beauty, exotic animals and an authentic 1800s Western town. The Old West town, used in several TV films and commercials, consists of more than 30 buildings. 830/249-8222 or 800/640-5917.
www.enchantedspringsranch.com.
GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK—This park on the beautiful cypress-lined Guadalupe River offers tent and RV camping, picnic sites, fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking. Wildlife area. Off Texas 46 east, 13 miles from Boerne. 830/438-2656.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ guadalupe-river. Honey Creek State Natural Area—Adjacent to Gua-
dalupe River State Park, this area is accessible by sched- uled guided walks. Call 830/438-2656.
www.tpwd.state.tx. us/state-parks/honey-creek.
WINERY—Sister Creek Vineyards. See WINERIES listing. PHOTO: J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOT
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