home to Acton State Historic Site (the smallest in the state), the U.S. Veterans Museum and several wineries. Farther to the south, communities
such as Bastrop, Lockhart and Seguin claim their own picturesque town squares and distinctive at ractions. Bastrop also is known for its “Lost Pines”—a forest of loblolly pine trees that almost seems out of place in this part of Texas—inviting visitors to lose themselves in the great outdoors, or relax at a resort and play a round of golf. Half an hour away in Lockhart, four longtime barbecue establishments vie for customers’ loyalty and give the town its offi cial designation as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas.” Early Texas history is the backdrop for a leisurely walk through Seguin, one of the oldest towns in Texas. All three of these com- munities are within one hour of each other and just a short drive of San Antonio and Austin, making an ap- pealing side trip if you’re headed to or from any of these destinations. Nestled deep in this region as it ap-
proaches the Gulf Coast, hamlets such as Washington, Round Top and Chappell Hill off er glimpses of idyllic small-town life and Texas history. Ex- plore the state’s remarkable past at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State His- toric Site, which marks where Tex- ans declared their independence from Mexico. An unexpected jewel in this rural landscape, the Round Top Festi- val Institute, welcomes internationally known classical musicians, students and other performing artists to its cam- pus and ornate concert hall. Henkel Square off ers shopping in quaint his- toric structures from the 1800s, and antiques dealers line the roads to and from town, especially during massive shopping weekends in fall and spring. This area also is known for a profusion of wildfl ower blooms in the spring, and the tiny town of Chappell Hill hosts a Bluebonnet Festival each April. ★
Lakes and Parks As the name suggests, the Prairies
and Lakes region has an abundance of wide-open spaces and lakes that never seem more than a line’s cast away. Many are adjacent to parks, and almost all off er spaces for boating, camping,
PHOTO: J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOT
sound but your paddle hit ing
the water, birds and wind in the trees. More than a dozen pad- dling trails in the region off er
this unique experience, whether you bring your own watercraſt or rent one from a nearby outfi t er.
★
Historic Journey Even in this region’s most mod- ern cities, Texas history looms
large. The Texas Revolution, the Old West, and the rise of cat le, cot on and railroads all leſt their mark here in intriguing ways. Many of the events that led to
the birth of Texas, as it’s known today, took place in the southern reaches of this region. Gonzales is known for being the site of the “fi rst
hiking, fi shing and swimming. The largest is Lake Texoma on the
border with Oklahoma, which is ringed by Eisenhower State Park, wildlife ref- uges, marinas, resorts, campgrounds and golf courses. Farther south, the Dallas and Fort Worth area is sur- rounded by numerous recreational lakes and parks. Cedar Hill State Park is a popular place for families to play, featuring playgrounds and swim- ming beach on Joe Pool Lake, as well as a mountain-biking trail. Ray Rob- erts Lake State Park near Pilot Point off ers boat rentals; overnight lodging at the Lantana Resort; and a 20-mile trail system that welcomes hikers, bik- ers, canoeists, birders and equestrians (bring your own horse). Other popular recreational lakes in the area include Lewisville Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, Grapevine Lake, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lavon Lake, and Lake Tawakoni. Those looking to cool off during the
summer months also can fi nd relief and fun at places such as NRH20 in Richland Hills or Hawaiian Falls Water Parks scat ered throughout the region in Garland, Mansfi eld, Roanoke, The Colony, Waco and White Set lement. To get away from it all, head to the
rural, tranquil surroundings of Lake Whitney and Lake Somerville, both of which have state parks on their shores. For a change of pace, imagine fl oat-
ing down a scenic river in a canoe or kayak, gliding for miles with no other
shot fi red for Texas independence,” which is celebrated with numerous historical sites and the annual “Come and Take It” Festival (referring to col- onists’ refusal to surrender a cannon to Mexican forces) each October. In Washington, the Star of the Republic Museum tells the story of the Republic Era (1836-46), and the Barrington Living History Farm shows what life was like on an 1850s cot on farm. Of course, there’s much more to
explore—so much that it might seem diffi cult to decide where to begin. The state’s heritage trail re- gions are a great resource to create an interesting road trip that high- lights authentic Texas history. In the northern part of the region, check out the Lakes Trail Region; and farther south, the Texas Independence Trail Region. Visit
texastimetravel.com to start your journey. ★
getting there
DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTL. AIRPORT
www.dfwairport.com
HOUSTON-GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT
www.fly2houston.com
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL. AIRPORT
www.austintexas.gov/airport
SAN ANTONIO INTL. AIRPORT
www.sanantonio.gov/SAT.aspx
MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION ON PAGE 7. 85
Washington -ON-THE-BRAZOS
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