January-March 2017 Issue

Llano County packs a lot of diversity into its 941 square miles, offering something for each of its nearly 20,000 residents. From the gorgeous granite and llanite rock hills, to the flowing Llano Ri ...

The old-timers thought Glenda and Tom Slaughter were making a massive mistake, but the pioneering pair pressed on to successfully establish the first commercial winemaking operation in Bandera County. Cradled in a picturesque canyon alongside the clear-flowing Sabinal River, the Lost Maples Winery at Polvadeau Vineyards attracts growing numbers of wine enthusiasts as well as tourists to the Vanderpool area including v ...

The old oak survived. No one knows for certain how old this stately tree on the bank of the Blanco River near Wimberley is—estimates range from 300 to 700 years—but it survived the devastating Memorial Day Flood of 2015. And so did the most unique wedding and special events venue in this neck of the woods: Old Glory Ranch. Old Glory had about $700,000 in damages from that flood.

Welcome to utopia. This is Indian Blanket Ranch and if you love the great outdoors, birds, peace and quiet you will quickly agree. Add in the fact that Garner State Park—one of the most popular in the state—is just down the road and gorgeous Lost Maples State Natural Area is nearby and the town of Utopia is just up the road.

 Aggieland, the Brazos Valley, Bryan College Station—no matter what you call it, you can’t be bored here. Heck, even a former president of the United States will entertain you. Well, his library and museum will. Most Texans know College Station as home to Texas A&M University and that is a huge part of this community—you can even get guided tours—but there’s more. “We have a little bit of something for everybody,” says Elizabeth Webb, communicati ...

Randy Ersch takes wood and makes miracles for people with special needs. His Fredericksburg workshop – Ingrained in Wood Design Specialties – hums with activity when he opens it up to special-needs clients of Advantage Care Services (ACS) for a “shop day.”  Under his watchful eyes and with his non-stop encouragement, young adults with cognitive issues enthusiastically sand, drill and hammer on simple projects like bird houses that to them become works of woodworking ar ...

Rio Concho Drive winds alongside the Concho River in downtown San Angelo and just west of the Bell Street crossing bridge, a limestone monument commemorates the founding of the first mission in this part of Texas.  Other markers recognize a young nun in Spain, said to have taught the native Indian tribes, resulting in the founding of the mission.   In 1632, Franciscan priests traveled here from ...

For Hill Country wine lovers, you can’t beat a sunny Texas day spent touring the many wineries in our part of the state.  Along some stretches of highways they’re lined up one after the other, inviting you into their tasting rooms and for tours of their vineyards.  Where to even begin .

It’s easy to recognize talent. Visually and/or audibly, some folks, through an innate ability, seem to be able to “strike a chord” in the rest of us that we respond to physically and, to a greater extent, emotionally. It’s just an instinctive thing that, when coupled with hard work and a dedicated passion, allows these blessed individuals to make a positive difference in our everyday lives and, that’s pretty nea ...

Do you like to catch lots of bass?  Do you enjoy fishing in a semi-urban environment? If you’re looking for a cool place to fish and still be close to a city, you should take a look at Lake Nasworthy.   This 1400-acre Concho-River reservoir sits like an aquatic jewel on the southwest outskirts of San Angelo.