We're gettin' itchy

"Spring has sprung,

The grass has riz.

I wonder where dem flowers is!"

Ogden Nash                                            

The Leos know where dem flowers is! They're in the Hill Country of Texas and in full display.

It's our favorite time of the year here, Bluebonnet Spring. It has been a funky winter here in the Hill Country. It seemed like every time the weather began to improve, someone shacked a ground hog up the side of the head, made him mad and he slapped us back with more winter. But with the northward bound arrival of the Bluebonnets, we know for sure Spring has come.

One of the guiding principals of the Leos' wanderings is to do our best to stay in a temperate climate. To achieve this we rely upon nature, not the weatherman. In the Spring, the bluebonnets begin to bloom in the Rio Grande Valley and spread north as the weather warms. When they hit the Hill Country we know it is our signal to get moving north as well.

The key to staying out of the heat is to follow the blooming of wildflowers north and up. So we will soon be packing up for our Summer migration into the Rocky Mountains.

As Summer turns to Fall we'll reverse the process and follow the changing color of the tree leaves south and down.

Along with the itch to travel, we also get the urge to spend our days outdoors. Our Winter camp in New Braunfels, Texas, offers us plenty of opportunity to do so. In addition to rambling along River Road, New Braunfels and Gruene (pronounced "green"...that's speaking Texan) offer plenty of places to wander, listen to live music and enjoy good eats and drinks (pronounced Loan Star Beer).

Landa Park in New Braunfels is a cool place to spend time, even in the hot Texas Summer. This is due to the flow of the Comal River.

Comal Main Spring

 

Comal River in Landa Park

The Comal River arises entirely, except after major rains, from springs in this vicinity and flows for just over two miles through Landa Park and New Braunfels before confluencing with the Guadalupe River.  It is said to be the shortest river in the United States.

Just a few feet from the Main Spring is the 300 year old Founder's Oak Tree.

Founder's Oak

Downtown New Braunfels, like many Texas towns is anchored by a County Courthouse and Square.

Comal County Courthouse

New Braunfels Town Square

Like most Texas towns, the Town Square features monuments honoring local citizens lost in the World Wars, as well as the Confederate Soldiers lost in the War of Northern Aggression.

Just outside of New Braunfels is the famous Texas town of Gruene. This historic district is Honky Tonkin' Central, featuring Gruene Hall.

Gruene Hall

Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is Texas' oldest continuously operated and most famous dance hall. By design, not much has physically changed since the Hall was first built. The 6,000 square foot dance hall with a high pitched tin roof still has the original layout with side flaps for open air dancing, a bar in the front, a small lighted stage in the back and a huge outdoor garden. Advertisement signs from the 1930s and 40s still hang in the old hall and around the stage.

Just around the corner from the Hall is my favorite store in Gruene, the Fly Shop...

Gruene Outfitters

 And, when visiting Gruene, a stop at the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar is required.

Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar

The Gristmill has been voted as serving the best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas. It's a perfect accompaniment with that Loan Star Beer.

While the Hill Country has much to recommend it, the wildflowers are spreading north and the Leos are getting the Wanderer's itch. We're making our plans and will be hitting the road soon. Next week is the Old Settlers' Music Festival in Austin. After that it will be getting too hot to hang here much longer, so North and Up we go chasing the wildflowers.