Road Trip to Fredericksburg

[tizzy]

HI guys!
My family and I are taking a road trip to Fredericksburg in July.
We live in Waxahachie and are taking the back way to get there.
I was just wondering if you guys know of any neat places to stop along the way.
They don't necessarily have to be photo spots, but that doesn't hurt.
Thanks in advance for any help!

[TxManx]

Last time I went to Fredricksburg, we got about 30 miles away and told the GPS app on my PDA to re-route using 'shortest distance' instead of 'fastest route'...

We took an awesome 2 hour detour on Ranch Roads.

Now, if you're not familiar with Ranch Roads, they are simply paved / unpaved roads that the state keeps semi-maintained. They run through private properties, through free-range cattle areas, etc...

We crossed two river-beds, and got to see some really neat scenery.

Now - given all the rain, we probably couldn't make it through the same way today - but it is a neat way to 'find' photo ops...

:)

Are you going to spend some time at Enchanted Rock State Park? It's a decent hike, and one HUGE pebble...:) Good stuff there.

Also - there are a couple of other state parks down that way.

One last thing....there are lavender farms and other wildflower farms down near Fredericksburg...with all this rain, they might be worth your time!

[jerrykr]

Last time we were at Enchanted Rock we almost didn't get in. They have limits to how many cars they can park and close the park when the lots are full. (unless someone knows the situation changed). It's a great place, and I'd go early.

Willow City Loop is a famous Ranch Road, and I agree, it's a beautiful drive. I'd love to take some of the other ones.

Inks Lake is very rocky and scenic.

I like Pedernales Falls State Park.

Cooper's BBQ in Llano is great!

Wish I were going!

[tizzy]

Thanks for info.
I had already planned a trip to Enchanted Rock and the wildflower farms.
Those ranch roads sound like a great idea - but I would worry with all the water.

[studiocygnet]

I was just out near there last weekend, going to a couple wineries. There are a few vineyards on your way, check out the website: http://www.wayoutwineries.org/Unlike the wineries right outside Fredericksburg, the tastings at a few of these are still free.
The ones in Meridian, Lampasas, and Bend are right on your way. I was at Alamosa Winery in Bend, and took Hwy 501 over to Cherokee on Hwy 16, which then goes south to Fredburg. No water crossing problems, and a beautiful drive.

If you're not into wine, keep going down Hwy 281 thru Lampasas, past Burnet, and turn on Park Rd. 4 over to Longhorn Caverns and Inks Lake.

Go to Enchanted Rock on a weekday.

In Fredburg, look for The Fredericksburg Herb Farm. The have wonderful flower and herb gardens, a pond with trails, a small restaurant, and no crowds like Wildseed Farms.