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Bluebonnets,
Indian paintbrush, pink evening primrose, scarlet phlox, wild plum,
wine cups, rain lilies and other spectacular blooms carpet the fields
and roadsides throughout Central
Texas right now, making this the perfect time to set out to
see the sights. Whether your road trip has a destination or is an
end unto itself, whether you pack a picnic or stop at delightful
little cafes along the way, whether you make it a day trip or escape
for the weekend, the important thing is to do it! Off of the couch,
away from the TV, and out into fresh clean country air, warmed by
welcome sunlight, with gentle breezes wafting wildflower fragrances.
This year, it seems all the wildflowers are blooming at once, rather
than in waves of progressive wildflower patterns as in most years.
Recent rains have encouraged everything to blossom simultaneously.
Where to go?
Pick your personal favorite or try them all. The Blackland Prairie
and Post Oak Savannah lands east of I-35 have miles of rolling green
flatland with a profusion of early blooming bluebonnets and Indian
paintbrush, creating dazzling, long lasting displays. Get out as
soon as possible to Elgin,
Bastrop, Cedar Creek,
Red Rock,
Lockhart, Smithville,
Luling, Giddings,
Gonzales, Cuero,
Hallettsville,
LaGrange, Schulenburg,
Wharton and Washington
County. Highways 71 and 183
are memorable, get off on the side roads for even more beautiful
wildflower displays.
South
Central Texas has gone gold - huisache and huajia cover
the wide-open spaces and gentle slopes, often sprinkled with a splash
of bluebonnets or perky pink primroses.
The Hill
Country offers endless vistas of blossoming peach trees sparked
with vivid redbuds and bright yellow blooms. Take Hwy 290 west
of Austin to Johnson
City and Fredericksburg,
with a detour through the Willow
City Loop.
Hwy 281 is a personal favorite alternative to over-crowded
I-35 at any time, but an abundance of wildflowers this spring makes
it even more enjoyable. Marble
Falls already has bountiful bluebonnets, and Blanco
is absolutely beautiful right now. East of Blanco and west of Austin,
Wimberley
is another wildflower haven in the hills, and wildflower artists
will be opening their studios around the Highland Lakes throughout
April.
For up-to-the-minute wildflower viewing information, call
Texas
Department of Transportation - 800-452-9292
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First
pubished Spring 1999
Updated February 2000 |
