A lthough Texas is reeling from a recent arctic blast, the icy grasp of winter is letting go. The harsh freeze broke branches and froze foliage, but our state flower – the Texas bluebonnet – is a survivor. Soon, the rolling Texas Hill Country will be painted in beautiful shades of blue as the bluebonnets bloom again! Now more than ever, Texans look to the great outdoors for fun family activities to get us out of the house, and the Texas Bluebonnet Trail is the perfect opportunity. With so many gorgeous towns on this bluebonnet tour, like Kingsland, Marble Falls, Burnet, Brenham, Ennis, and Austin, you can pick your favorite or plan a road trip to see them all! Kingsland Located just outside of Llano, the quaint town of Kingsland isn’t accustomed to a lot of visitors — making it a great choice for the bluebonnet tour. Explore Kingsland’s many bluebonnet hot spots, including abandoned machinery and railroad tracks that have been taken over by the bluebonnets. Burnet
town and watch as the brilliant bluebonnets grow and coat it. Plus, it’s right next to Kingsland and Burnet, which creates a great trio of places if you’re short on time. Ennis The Ennis Garden Club usually starts its pursuit of bluebonnets in April, sharing the flower growth information with the Ennis Convention Center. Consider making this one of your major stops as the entire town loves bluebonnets and celebrates their mapped, bluebonnet driving trails. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin) Named after the former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson, this wildflower park and research center is home to nearly 900 species of native Texas plants. With a variety of trails that gently loop through both meadows and gardens alike, you can spend an entire day casually exploring the scenery or even book guided tours. They host a number of educational programs for adults and children that teach the importance of conservation and cultivate an appreciation for the natural beauty Texas has to offer. It goes without saying that Texas’ state flower blooms in abundance here during the spring months, making it a perfect spot for a day full of bluebonnet gazing with the family. Big Bend National Park
The city of Burnet is officially recognized by the Texas legislature as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas.” Not only are the bluebonnets strewn across the hills and pastures, but Burnet also has a large bluebonnet festival during the second weekend of April. 300,000 people attend every year, making it a destination worth visiting. Brenham If you need a rest stop, Brenham is it. Brenham has a number of places to stay, places to eat and endless fields that are filled with bluebonnets. In addition to having photo opportunities, it also has several safe places to park. This isn’t always true when chasing photo ops, so definitely take advantage. Marble Falls Marble Falls has incredibly gorgeous scenery, including lakes, hills, and rivers. Visit Marble Falls to explore the
While our last destination is off the traditional Texas bluebonnet trail, it is well worth the trip if you’re looking for a unique and enchanting bluebonnet experience. In 2019, something spectacular happened amid the rocky landscape of Big Bend National Park. The previous October brought abnormal amounts of rain to the West Texas park,
which gave way to a rare bluebonnet “super bloom.” Across the 800,000-acre park, the barren fields sprang to life with these beautiful flowers, painting the red landscape a brilliant shade of blue. If you’re fond of camping, hiking, and breathtaking bluebonnet views, Big Bend is a must-see destination. Often reaching heights of up to 3 feet, the Big Bend Bluebonnet (Lupinus havardii) is thinner and taller than its cousins in the state’s interior. While we may not see another super bloom for some time, you can find these gorgeous flowers blooming throughout the spring.
Spring 2021 | 7
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online