We first visited Texas in March of last year with the expectation of seeing wild Bluebonnets growing in the hill country. In fact, it was the impetus for the trip. I lamented in this post, about not seeing a single one of those cherished blooms, but we had a wonderful time discovering Texas and vowed to return. We honored that vow  (with better timing) this year and the  bluebonnets greeted us in abundance.

If you have visited Texas Hill Country, generally defined as areas near Austin, San Antonio and Fredericksburg, in the spring, you may have witnessed this prolific display of color alone the roadways.  It only lasts for about six weeks, between March and April and attracts thousands of visitors and locals alike to enjoy their fragrance and beauty.

Driving the Willow City loop near Fredericksburg is a great way to experience this iconic wildflower up close. There are places to pull over and grab a quick shot, but it would not be wise to trespass on private property, or trample the flowers. Both are illegal.

 

You will find scenes like this one all along the thirteen mile drive and while some ranchers exhibit a bit more humor than others, everyone seems to participate.

 

Feeling satisfied, but a little sad that this treasure will be gone in less that two weeks, we moved on to something more permanent – Texas caves.

The Cave Without a Name

Last year we visited Natural Bridge Caverns near San Antonio, and were amazed that it actually existed. We have caves in Florida, but you need to be a skilled scuba diver to explore them. You can see some photos from Natural Bridge Caverns in the post that I referenced above. As it turns out, there are seven caves in Texas which are commercially operated and include daily tours. Natural Bridge is the largest in operation, and having seen that, we did not know what to expect when we selected “the cave without a name” for a visit.

Well… let’s go down and see what you think.

The descent into the cave is 126 steps and most are tiny, unlike these wide ones at the beginning.  There are handrails all along the route, and once you are at the bottom of the cave, the ground is level and paths are well marked with ambient lighting. The tour was about one hour in duration, the temperature is comfortable without a jacket, and the tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging, especially with the two young children in our group that included eight adults.

What You Will See

It was hard to get a wide angle shot without guests being included, but this is one example of what you will see inside the cave. One of the ‘rooms’ is aptly named the Throne Room.  When our guide turned the lights on inside, the group released an audible gasp. It really is that grand! Concerts are regularly hosted here and I can only imagine what the Pentatonics singing Hallelujah might sound like.

Most of my photos are close ups of formations that I found particularly fascinating. Once you get past the grandeur of it all, it’s the details that make this place truly extraordinary.

These stalactites look remarkably like bacon and some of them are razor thin. You will have to take the tour, or search Google for the science behind caves, stalactites and stalagmites to fully appreciate these centuries old formations because I was too busy seeing abstract shots like the one below to give my full attention to the lesson.

The formations are so intricately detailed, I could have spent hours studying them and letting my imagination go. It is the kind of place that compels a return visit.

This one sort of looks like a brain, don’t you think?

 Craters on the moon?

This little reflection pool was so inviting. I loved the color effect from the walls and white light. I did not use a filter, but I did enhance the reflection just a bit to highlight detail.

One thing I do remember from our ‘lesson’ was how to remember which is which when it comes to Stalactites and Stalagmites. Do you know the difference and how to remember? Hint C and G.

If You Go

Texas is so much more than bluebonnets and caves, but we highly recommend visiting during the spring.  Bluebonnet season is typically at its peak around the first or second week in April. We suggest that you base in Fredericksburg for a minimum of three days to fully enjoy everything the area has to offer. We stayed in Bee Cave, which is about a thirty minute drive from Austen, but Fredericksburg will get you closer to all the action.

Wineries, the LBJ ranch, Ladybird Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Enchanted Rock, lots of parks (Big Bend National Park is a favorite) for walking, hiking, swimming and canoeing, along with multiple bluebonnet trails and touring caves will keep you busy for days.

The towns of Burnett, Marble Falls and Ennis are well known for their fields of bluebonnets, so check them out before you go. There are numerous on-line resources to consult prior to your trip and we recommend beginning with this one.

Note: You may have noticed that I did not include FOOD in this post. That is because it’s TEXAS and we all know how that goes!!! Let’s just say I have about 10 pounds to loose before the next trip, which is just 6 days away. Wish me luck. 

Link to Cave Without A Name Website