The Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm is a working
farm that re-creates Hill Country life at the turn of the 20th century. Daily demonstrations (by staff using histori- cal methods and tools) include milking cows, gathering eggs, cooking on a wood-burning stove and tending live- stock. Groups of 15 or more should call ahead for reserva- tions. U.S. 290 at State Park Road 52 just east of Stone- wall. 830/644-2252.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ lyndon-b-johnson.
WINERIES—Becker Vineyards, Pedernales Cellars and Woodrose Winery. See WINERIES listing.
TAYLOR POP. 16,120
ALT. 583 MAP O-17
TAYLOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 512/365-8485.
www.taylorchamber.org.
Taylor is a recognized Main Street Community and National Main Street City, and a primary stop on the Texas BBQ Trail. Along with dining and historic downtown district shopping, Taylor offers festivals throughout the year, including
Main Street’s Zest Fest in May, the Rodeo Association’s Tractor Pull in June, the Taylor Rodeo in July, the Interna- tional BBQ Cook-Off in August, the Taylor Fly-In & Air Race in November and the Parade of Lights in December. Taylor is a Certified Film Friendly Texas Community,
from Heartbreak Hotel in 1988 to the newly released Transformers 4—with 24 feature films in between.
LAKE—Granger Lake, see GEORGETOWN.
MOODY MUSEUM—Housed in the restored birthplace of Texas’ youngest governor, Dan Moody, this Victorian home (built in 1887) contains many original furnishings. 114 W. Ninth St.
www.moodymuseum.com.
UTOPIA POP. 234
ALT. 1,200 MAP R-13
SABINAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 830/426-0121.
www.sabinalchamber.com.
This community is on the Sabinal River among rugged canyons shaded by bald cypress, live oak and pecan trees. Just 12 miles south of the Lost Maples State Natural Area, it offers many activities including swimming, tubing, horseback riding, hunting, hiking, cycling and birding.
SABINAL CANYON MUSEUM—This museum exhibits pioneer farm implements, household items, Native Ameri- can artifacts, fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon and a World War II exhibit. 830/966-3747.
SCENIC DRIVE—Rolling hills and secluded valleys make this area popular. Explore the Sabinal River Canyon along R.M. 187, R.M. 1050 and Texas 337.
UVALDE POP. 16,125
ALT. 913 MAP S-13
UVALDE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU’S VISITOR CENTER: 300 E. Main. 800/588-2533.
www.visituvalde.com.
First settled in 1853, the town was known as Encina from 1855-56. It is the county seat. Uvalde was once the domain of notorious frontier sheriff and outlaw, J. King Fisher. A historical marker is on the graves of Fisher and early set- tlers in the Pioneer Cemetery at the 500 block of N. Park Street. Today, it’s a center for a ranching and truck farming area. It is also home of Southwest Texas Junior College, Sul Ross State University and Rio Grande College.
AVIATION MUSEUM AT GARNER FIELD—Showcases a variety of aircraft, including a Liaison-4, a 1945 Piper L-4 Grasshopper and a Burt Rutan Vari-Viggan. Other exhibits include WWII memorabilia. Donations accepted.
150 Fall for All
TEXAS’ BEAUTY comes in many shades. In the fall, those colors are exceptionally brilliant at Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool and nearby Garner State Park in Concan. The showcase draws capacity crowds in October and November, so plan in advance or arrive early. Get more information and find fall foliage reports at
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks.
At Hangar No. 1 at Garner Field Airport. 830/278-2552.
BRISCOE ART AND ANTIQUE COLLECTION—Extensive collection of art and antiques owned by former Gov. Dolph Briscoe are displayed in the First State Bank. Highlighted masterpieces include works by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Remington and Warren. 200 E. Nopal St. 830/278-6231.
BRISCOE-GARNER MUSEUM—Former home of John Nance Garner, U.S. vice-president under Franklin D. Roos- evelt. The museum is dedicated to Garner’s life and that of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, both Uvalde legends and significant political figures. 333 N. Park St. 830/278-5018.
www.cah.utexas.edu.
FORT INGE—Built as a U.S. Calvary post in 1849, the site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The park features hiking trails and picnic areas. It is on the sce- nic Leona River, at the base of what once was an active vol- cano millions of years ago. Admission charge. Located 1.5 miles south of city on F.M. 140.
GARNER STATE PARK—North 31 miles via U.S. 83. See CONCAN
JANEY SLAUGHTER BRISCOE OPERA HOUSE— Restored and refurbished, the Grand Opera House (circa 1891) was once the center of cultural activity in southwest Texas. Today’s performances are given in its original turn- of-the-century setting. Admission charge. 104 W. North St. 830/278-4184.
SCENIC DRIVE—Take U.S. 83 north through Concan, past Garner State Park to Leakey, then west on R.M. 337 and south on Texas 55; or at Leakey, east on R.M. 337 to Vanderpool (Lost Maples Natural Area), and south on R.M. 187 to Sabinal. This is some of the most spectacular scenery in the Hill Country.
VANDERPOOL POP. 20 (est.)
ALT. 1,610 MAP Q-13
LONE STAR MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM—This museum features motorcycles dating from the 1910s to the present. Admission charge. Four miles north of Vanderpool on R.M. 187. 830/966-6103. www.lonestarmotorcycle
museum.com.
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA—Wildlife thrives here, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Visitors enjoy picnicking, camping, hiking, birding, fishing and swimming. Hike along 11 miles of trails and up steep canyon cuts to
reach several dramatic overlooks. The star of this 2,200- acre area is a stand of uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maples, relics from the last Ice Age. Large weekend crowds journey here when the maples turn vivid colors in late October and early November. Mid-week trips recommended during this peak season. 37221 R.M. 187. Five miles north of Vander- pool. 830/966-3413.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ lost-maples.
SCENIC DRIVES—The Hill Country is laced with scenic drives, but F.M. 337 is among the most spectacular, with massive wooded steppes enfolding secluded valleys.
R.M. 187 north of Vanderpool climbs to the surface
of the Edwards Plateau (2,300 feet) as it joins Texas 39. Sinkholes—porous basins that feed rainwater into the deep Edwards Aquifer—abundantly dot the Hill Country.
VOLENTE POP. 559
ALT. 1,231 MAP FF-11
The main road through Volente was the old Chisholm Trail, where cattle drives used to water cattle. The town was established before Lake Travis was created, so the village had to move to higher ground when the lake was formed. Now the village offers several miles of shoreline on the lake. Volente has full-service marinas, bed-and- breakfasts, weekend rentals and public boat ramps. The area offers views of Lake Travis. A scenic drive wind- ing down F.M. 2769 or Lime Creek Road is favored by motorcyclists and bicyclists. The five-acre Shore Club Volente Beach waterpark
overlooking Lake Travis offers swimming, sandy beaches and water slides.
www.shoreclubtx.com.
ANDERSON MILL AND ROBINSON MUSEUM—The museum complex consists of a wooden replica of the mill, farm implements and other pioneer artifacts. The Robin- son Museum contains family memorabilia, and Robinson Hall offers themed activities and a gift shop. 13974 R.M. 2769 (Volente Road). 512/258-2613.
www.volente.org.
LAKE—Lake Travis, see AUSTIN.
WIMBERLEY POP. 2,684
ALT. 967 MAP Q-16
WIMBERLEY VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER: On R.M. 12 north of the square. 512/847-2201.
www.wimberley.org.
The picturesque village is a resort and retirement area, as well as an artist enclave. It is characterized by cool, shady pools beneath towering cypress trees, cascades on the Blanco River, sparkling Cypress Creek, majestic hills and an abundance of white-tailed deer. Bed-and-breakfasts, vacation resorts and youth camps dot the area where out- door recreation is the prime pasttime. Market Days, the second largest in Texas, are held the
first Saturday of March-December. Other events include the Butterfly Festival in April and Wimberley VFW Annual Rodeo in July.
ARTS AND CRAFTS GALLERIES—Hill Country scenes are available in several quaint shops and studios on and around Wimberley’s “town square.”
BLUE HOLE—The popular cypress-lined water hole is fed by Cypress Creek. It offers swimming and picnicking. Park- ing fee. Admission charge. Take C.R. 173 east one-half mile; take a left onto Blue Hole Road. 512/660-9111 or 512/847-0025.
DISTILLERY—D.E.W. Distillation LLC. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
EMILYANN THEATRE AND GARDENS—The EmilyAnn hosts a butterfly festival in April and the Trail of Lights throughout December. The theater hosts Shakespeare in the Park in the summer. 1101 F.M. 2325. 512/ 847-6969.
www.emilyann.org.
SCENIC DRIVE—One of Texas’ most scenic drives, R.M. 32, known as the Devil’s Backbone, is a winding, razor-backed ridge overlooking Hill Country vistas. It extends from R.M. 12, just south of Wimberley, west about 24 miles to near Blanco.
WIMBERLEY GLASS WORKS—Local artists provide glassblowing demonstrations complete with information on the history of glass. Free. 6469 Ranch Road 12, seven miles south of Wimberley’s Village Square. 888/796-3962 or 512/213-4148.
www.wgw.com.
WINERY—Wimberley Valley Winery. See WINERIES listing.
HILL COUNTRY
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