I'm now 6 months into my "Travel More" New Year's Resolution. It's honestly the best resolution I've ever chosen. Traveling brings me so much joy. It makes it much easier to stick to unlike those 'workout 5 times a week' or 'lose 10 pounds' goals. I believe that the key to happiness is to have something to look forward to. It gives you something to strive for at all times. My resolution motivates me and gives me so much to look forward to each and every month! I love being continuously excited for my next adventure!
For the month of June, I traveled back to Brad's (my boyfriend) hometown of Boerne, Texas. This trip was dedicated to spending more time with his mom and her immediate family.
However, we flew into Austin, TX because the plane tickets were more affordable. Brad's dad picked us up in his big fancy (very Texas) truck and immediately took us to dinner at their favorite local Tex-Mex food spot:
Matt's Famous El Rancho.
This is my third timing inhaling delicious Tex-Mex food at
Matt's. They have queso in bowls as big as MY HEAD. It's amazing. This family-owned restaurant opened in 1952 by Matt Martinez and is still run by his daughter's today. They pride themselves on their made-from-scratch menu and use non-GMO corn to make fresh tortillas and chips! Even their margarita's are made with fresh squeezed lime juice.
I highly recommend this place! Try not too inhale too many chips with salsa and queso + Margs before your food arrives. Thats my issue. Every. single. time. Sit outside if the Texas heat allows it!
With our tummies full of Tex-Mex (and margaritas) I hopped in the big ol' truck and drove 1 hour and 30 minutes towards Brad's hometown. His mother, Yvonne, designed her own gorgeous Texas ranch-style home outside of Boerne. She's a CPA but honestly, I think she should quit her day job and become a home designer.
Her property has water access to the Guadalupe River. They frequently take out the kayaks when the water levels are high enough. We did it last year and it was absolutely gorgeous!
Enchanted Rock
On a Friday morning, Yvonne and her husband Kevin drove Brad and I deeper into the Texas Hill Country towards Fredericksburg. Eighteen miles north of the town is the Enchanted Rock Natural Area.
They insisted we visit the park and Fredricksburg on a Friday because the weekends are packed with visitors. The Enchanted Rock Park closes frequently due to maximum capacity. I highly recommend arriving when the park opens at 8am to guarantee entry or visit during the week! The park entrance fee is $7 per person // children 12 & under are free.
The park features 11 miles of hiking trails. Choose from 8 different paths all varying in difficulty - there is something for everyone (including grandpa)! We chose the Summit Trail (.67 miles) which is considered challenging, but it was very enjoyable. It's just a steep climb but on flat dome surface. Take breaks. Bring water and admire the view!
As you drive along a hilly road, the view opens to reveal a massive dome rock. It was unlike anything I've ever seen! Enchanted Rock is made of pink granite and was considered sacred by the local Native Indian tribes (Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche). They believed the rock was enchanted due to the creaking and groaning sounds coming from the dome. Geologists say that it creaks and groans as the granite's temperature changes.
Enchanted Rock is an exfoliation dome, which means it has layers like an onion. As the outer layer of rock breaks into smaller pieces and slides off, the next layer begins to peel away from the dome. Due to the constant erosion, there are lots of caves and crevasse to explore and huge boulders to climb.
While adventuring into a cave we found a rock squirrel pressed against a rock trying to cool himself. He looks dead in the photo, but trust me we saw him scurrying around. Be careful when exploring the caves and crevasse - they are home to lots of animals too!
Fredericksburg, TX
After hiking Enchanted Rock we were starving so we drove back into Fredericksburg for lunch and more exploring! A handful of towns in Central Texas were established by German immigrants. Fredericksburg was established in 1846 and named in honor of the Prince Frederick of Prussia.
Downtown Fredericksburg is home to over 150 shops! You'll find everything from antiques, clothing, jewelry, art, and chocolate/candy, gifts, and MORE! We only explored 1 block and it took several hours.
I don't know what it is, but shopping always makes my blood sugar low. I found a cute ice cream parlor and ate a few scoops as a special treat. It was delish. Makes sense, because they were Voted the Third best ice cream in Texas on Texas Country Reporter!
I was surprised by how much MORE Clear River Ice Cream offered. Their menu was HUGE. Besides their 35 flavors of homemade ice cream, they also have deli sandwiches, salads, spuds, soup, and TONS of baked goods!
I absolutely LOVE Texas and fall in love with it more every time I visit. I hope to move there in the near future!
Your pictures are always FLAWLESS! I love following you on your adventures! Always so inspiring! xo -t1dchick
ReplyDeleteI have read lots of your articles and really can state that you are so lucky! If only I could travel around the world without any problems. This destination is one of few places I've visited in my life. I have good memories concerning it!
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