Bluebonnets in Texas Hill Country

[leo3wheel]

After a long winter, will be ready for nice ride in early April. Planning to go to Texas Hill Country northwest of Austin, TX to look for bluebonnets. There are other sights in the area, so will decide which are most interesting. I'm ready now... http://www.triketalk.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

UPDATE: Talked with Jonesy, and we will make this trip together.

 

Hill Country Cruising

http://www.hillcountrycruising.com/willowcity.html

Burnet Bluebonnet Festival

http://bluebonnetfestival.org/

Fredericksburg Scenic Drives

http://www.fredericksburgtexas-online.com/ScenicDrives

MotorcycleRoads.US - Hill Country, Texas

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/tx_hill.html

Texas Bluebonnet Sightings

https://www.facebook.com/texasbluebonnetsightings

Edited December 12, 2013 by leo3wheel
More info

[Squidley]

When y'all get ready to head down here let us know. There is a good crew here in Texas and we'd love to hook up with you folks and ride around. You'll see lots of Bluebonnets and I'm certain you'll enjoy your time down here.

[leo3wheel]

Will let you know when we head down. Hooking up with you folks sounds great! Getting more excited all the time! Come on spring!

[Venturous Randy]

Looks like you will be coming right thru our area in NE TN down I81. If you can keep us posted on when you will be coming thru here, maybe we can get some locals together and do a meal or whatever. This would be in the area of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City.

RandyA

[leo3wheel]

Randy, I would like that, but Jonesy and I envision different routes. The route I posted was my vision of taking I-81. Jonesy envisions a more coastal route and traveling I-95. He has concerns about storms in the mountains. I don't feel strongly about either route. Whatever gets us there. Will let Jonesy make this call.

 

p.s. The roads may be salted in the mountains.

[aharbi]

It all depends on the amount of rain we get over the winter. More rain=more flowers. Might you consider the historic Natchez Trace from TN to MS. Look like you have all the high points on the links posted. You camping or hotels and if major chains or Mom/Pop motels? I know several in the hill country for $28-$35/nite.

[leo3wheel]

Need to do a rain dance this winter. Riding the Natchez Trace is a great idea. Maybe we can work this into our plans for trip home, when weather gets milder. See services on Trace are impacted by recent budget problems. Jonesy and I will be sharing accommodations. We will not be camping. Jonesy prefers to book rooms as we go without reservations, which is the way I usually travel. We are both retired, so we don't need to impose any schedule on our travels. $28-$35/nite sounds great! Need to talk more with Jonesy. Thanks!

 

http://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/parkway-maps.htm

[Gary N.]

I've spent the last few winters in Hill country and we should still be there in April. I know a lot of the back roads and would be more than happy to be your tour guide.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=willow+city+loop&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gFB-UoD8A8qFyQHSqYD4CA&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=651

In Llano check out Cooper's BBQ

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSDdCZuA-nY]Cooper's BBQ Llano, Texas - YouTube[/ame]

[bongobobny]

Hey Gary! Now THERE'S a good reason to go to Texas!!!

[leo3wheel]

Gary, What you are doing to my senses. I'm ready to ride right now!! Would love to have you show us around some of the back roads. This is going to be a great vacation!

[leo3wheel]

In a survey of ten best US suburbs, three of the ten towns are suburbs of Austin. They are Georgetown, Cedar Park and Round Rock. Sounds like a great area to live/visit!

 

http://realestate.msn.com/10-best-suburbs-2013

[leo3wheel]

Trying to connect areas of interest with a purple highlighter. Thinking the bluebonnet areas may be north and east of Austin. Guess we can make adjustments when we get there and monitor the Bluebonnet Sightings site.

[leo3wheel]

Okay, looks like Burnet, which is northwest of Austin, should be good. So riding plans are in the ballpark.

 

"Northwest of Austin, Burnet, known as the capital of the bluebonnets, has some of the best trails in the state and also holds an annual Bluebonnet Festival."

 

http://ww3.aaa.com/travelviews/2013/04/10/following-the-bluebonnet-trails-in-texas/

[Gary N.]

If they get the rain they need this winter there should be lots of blue bonnets in the spring. The Willow City Loop is a popular area where a lot of the locals go to see them. It's really busy on the weekends (bumper to bumper on a narrow road) so We try to go only on week days. We are heading down the first week of Jan. to Buckhorn Lake RV Resort in Kerrville. Hope to be there until the end of April.

[KICKSHOT]

Second that Willow City Loop ride. If the Bluebonnets make they will be out in force on the loop. And on the way too and from also. Rode it many times.

 

Kickshot

[leo3wheel]

Hi Gary, Highlighted the Willow City Loop. Hope we get to hook up in April. Will stay in touch. Thanks!

[leo3wheel]

Thanks Kickshot!

[aharbi]

Yep Burnet has bluebonnets

 

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/P4062749.jpg

[leo3wheel]

Beautiful Art! The more I read, the more excited I get!

[Drkngas]

I'm ready for a bluebonnet ride!!!

 

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/2uscxdv.jpg

[leo3wheel]

Very nice David! Dreaming of riding Texas Hill Country certainly helps pass winter.

[jakester]

You will be right by the twisted sisters, Luckenbach is nice also, they should boast a few bluebonnets too. Looks like a great ride.

Yes a nice time of year to visit.

Bill

[leo3wheel]

Thanks Bill! Have been refining ride routes and stops. The twisted sisters and Luckenbach are certainly included. Big concern is what kind of traffic to expect this time of year. Sounds like it may be very busy. Will have to take it easy and stay alert.

[Gary N.]

Big concern is what kind of traffic to expect this time of year. Sounds like it may be very busy. Will have to take it easy and stay alert.

 

The Willow City Loop is the only busy spot, on weekends during Blue Bonnet season. All the other "back roads" are always good. The Three Sisters might be a little busier on weekends too, but not bad. Nothing like Deals Gap. Fredericksburg is always busy with tourists on the weekends too. Luckenbach is busier on weekends and during special events like Texas Independence Day in March. It's kind of neat to go to that celebration though.

[leo3wheel]

Gary, Will see if we can time it so we visit these areas during the week. We may hit some of the celebration. Curious, folks say the roads are good, but the asphalt appears to be coarse and speckled. Should we be concerned about a lot of debris kicking up on our trikes? Thanks!