If you’re looking for a little adventure, take a walk on the wild side. Wild as in untamed, natural, one of the best times you will have anywhere! Texas has more than 70 guest and working ranches – complete with chuckwagons and cattle – and they just love to strut their stuff for “city slickers”.

Scenic Bandera, just northwest of San Antonio, is home to a number of ranches. Nearby Boerne features Western adventure and relaxation on the banks of the picturesque Guadalupe River.

These ranches offer you a wonderful opportunity to step back in time; while still able to enjoy most of the modern-day comforts we’ve come to love so well. And it’s not about sitting on a horse all day either (although I’m sure that’s an option if that’s your preference).

While you will certainly want to research all of the Dude Ranches, a great first experience can be found at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas. Just outside of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country, the daily trail rides offer some of the most spectacular views to be found in Texas. But those views are nothing compare to the dining treats you will experience. From the Cowboy Breakfast cook-out to the Texas-sized steak at Hicksville (their little western town), you might find yourself having to unbutton that top pant button after partaking!

You can’t go wrong with this true Texas past-time. If you find yourself overwhelmed by technology and stress, this trip might just be what the doctor ordered. Have you experienced any of Texas’ working ranches? Do you have a favorite? Let me know, I’m always planning my next trip!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

Are you suffering from “Spring Fever”? Ready for a little early taste of what summer has to bring? If you said yes, then it’s time to visit Lake Buchanan.

Whether you like to rough it or spend your leisure time in the lap of luxury, you can find it here with resorts, RV spaces, cabins for rent, campgrounds, and lake rental houses. All are available along the shore of Lake Buchanan. You can even rent houseboats, which we did and loved!

There is a nice granite gravel shore around some of Lake Buchanan, providing an ideal beach for swimming, wading, and sun bathing. If you prefer the water then there is plenty to do for boaters, fishermen, campers, and swimmers as well. Plus, Lake Buchanan is large enough that you can always find a quiet spot to escape to and you won’t feel crowded.

Fall Creek Winery is on the west side of the lake where you can stop in for a little wine tasting and buy a bottle or two of Texas wine. Lake Buchanan also offers a variety of dining choices from elegant to home-cooking. And before you leave, I recommend you try Big John’s Bar-B-Que & Steak Barn (Hwy 29 at the Buchanan Dam).

All in all Lake Buchanan is one of my favorite places in Texas. My friends from “up north” (which in Texas refers to . . . well, everybody who isn’t from Texas) love to come down in late March, early April. They’re suffering from spring fever and from being trapped indoors all winter and that magical first taste of warm weather they get from visiting Lake Buchanan is just enough to tide them over!

Have you ever visited Lake Buchanan? Do you have a different “winter escape” place in Texas that you’d like to mention? Let me know . . . I’m always looking for that next, best thing!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

I live in a flat, arid area of Texas so one of my joys is visiting the lush, hilly, historic section of Texas known as the Hill Country. One of my favorite places to visit is Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg combines a rich German heritage with a healthy dose of Texas hospitality and offers something for everyone in every age range.

For those of us who love to shop there are over 150 boutiques, along with some of the best antique shopping in the state at the antique emporiums. You won’t find chain or franchise stores here. The majority of the shops are locally owned. Do not pass up a chance to indulge your sweet tooth while you are here – take time to visit the Rather Sweet Bakery & Café, I promise you’ll thank me for it! With such a heavenly assortment of pastries, you are sure to be delighted. But don’t worry, you’ll walk off all of those calories while you’re window shopping!

If you’ve never been before you should definitely take the family to visit Enchanted Rock (AKA Crying Rock) located about 15 miles north of Fredericksburg. It looks like a giant pink pebble stretching up to the sky. It has a history going back 11,000 years and is the second largest batholith (an underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in North America. The kids will love the legend of the ghost fires flickering near the top and the ghostly groaning and creaking noises that occur during the day.

Another must-see with the family is the Butterfly Haus. The Butterfly Haus boasts 3,000 square feet inhabited by hundreds of butterflies native to Texas. I can’t even begin to describe how peaceful it is to sit down and have butterflies landing right on your hand (or head as the case may be). It took a while for my son to calm down enough to sit still but the reward was almost instantaneous and he was soon happily talking to the butterfly on his leg!

Fredericksburg is a place that you just have to visit at least once, and will likely find yourself wanting to see again. In addition to the few activities listed here you will find art galleries, herb and wildflower farms, museums, wineries, spas, golf, some of the best bed and breakfast places in Texas, and so much more.

Do you have a favorite spot, activity, or story about Fredericksburg? Feel free to share! I’ve been several times and still haven’t seen all there is to see or do in this tiny town.

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

If you’re not from Texas and you’re thinking about taking a little traveling vacation through West Texas, then I have a few tips for you. By the way, when I say travel I mean from one little town to another (or even city to town) but I’m predominantly talking about highway travel here.

For hard and fast state laws and regulations you can find a wealth of information at Findlaw or the Texas DPS website. But I’m going to tell you about a few things that aren’t official but will take the mystery out of your cross-country trip.

1. Friendliness: People really do drive friendly in Texas. If you are driving on a two-lane highway do not be surprised if as a car comes towards you and passes you the driver raises a finger (or even the whole hand) to wave at you. Please note that unless you are driving erratically or the gesture is accompanied by a honk and yell this is normally a very friendly gesture. Try it out for yourself (just make sure to use the correct finger – index versus middle) and you’ll be amazed at how many waves you get back!
2. Strange Passing Rituals: If you happen to be traveling along a two lane highway and find yourself quickly gaining on a car in front of you, please do not panic if you see that car suddenly veer off to the right and drive on the shoulder. Texans are very considerate for the most part and the person in front of you is giving you the opportunity to pass them so that your travel is not slowed and you are not inconvenienced. Granted this can be a bit disconcerting when you are driving at speeds in excess of 70. Your best bet is to get past them quickly before a curve appears or they veer just a tad bit too far and gravel begins flying up at your car. Is this legal? Who knows! But it is a fact of life on Texas two-lanes. Now you will also understand why that car that just flew up behind you is flashing their lights, tailgating, and honking. They are expecting you to pull over so that they can pass.
3. Do Not Run Out Of Gas: Pay very close attention to your map and know the distances your car can travel…even when sitting on empty. It is entirely possible to go hundreds of miles on country roads and not pass an open gas station. If you are driving late at night the odds double that the stores will be closed in the little towns that you are passing through.
4. Make Sure You Have In-Car Entertainment For The Kids: Do not count on the passing scenery to entice your little ones for very long. If you are in West Texas you will find miles and miles of flat country with little to no variety in the scenery. Texas has a wild and beautiful feel to it but it is also a wide and long state and it literally takes hours to get from one location to another.

Well those are all the tips I have for now, hopefully it will be enough to make you feel like a Texas native while you are traversing our rugged countryside. Have you ever driven across Texas on a trip? If so, do you have any additional tips you would like to see here? Or possibly something happened while driving that you did not understand at the time and still puzzles you? If so, just let me know and I will do my best to take the mystery out of driving across Texas!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas