THINGS TO DO
4 Fantastic Fall ‘Color Tours’ in the Texas Hill Country
Autumn colors, you hear those words and you probably think of Vermont. You probably do not think of Texas Hill Country, at least not first. Let’s see if we can change that. Vermont covers 9,623 square miles. The Hill Country covers 14,000 square miles. “But”, you say, “Vermont has more hardwood trees, more natural beauty.” Take one or more of these Hill Country Autumn color tours and see if you still say that afterward.

Timing is everything where fall colors are concerned. Each of these areas could be at full color at the same time, or they may come into color at separate times. The amount, vibrancy, and duration of the colors is dependent on multiple factors, such as: How much rain received in preceding months; how hot the summer was, or wasn’t; how fast and how many cold fronts come in; and other things we probably don’t know about. The Lost Maples State Natural Area has a website that includes a fall color watch that is updated frequently.


1. Lost Maples State Park
Lost Maples State Natural Area (near Vanderpool) is located a bit less than 90 miles northwest of San Antonio. It is an area of Bigtooth Maples that have grown there, alone and separate from all of the other maples in the world. It is an area that has such a grand beauty in the fall that it does draw significant crowds. Visiting during the color phase might best be done on a weekday because the area gets pretty crowded on weekends and parking is limited.
2. Guadalupe River
Ranch Road 1050 from a bit west of Utopia to US Hwy 83. This road curls back and forth through the Hill Country before it ends north of Concan. Along the way, it crosses the Frio River. Look for Sumacs (bright reds), Cottonwoods (blazing yellows), Chinaberries (pale yellows) and Sycamores (mixed oranges and yellows). Along the river you’ll find Cypress trees that turn a glowing orange.
3. Devil’s Backbone
A bit southwest of Austin is the Devil’s Backbone Scenic Drive. A prime part of this drive is from near Wimberley to near Blanco on Ranch Road 32. Start at Ranch Road 12 south of Wimberley, and follow it to near Blanco. This drive follows the ridge and offers up some of the best views in the Hill Country, especially in the fall.
4. Garner State Park
This scenic drive from Camp Wood to Leakey has often been called the “most scenic” drive in Texas and is an excellent trail for fall color. The road climbs to some of the highest elevations in the Hill Country, up to 2,300 feet, and roadside lookouts offer great vistas of reds, greens, yellows and golds.
Now you know of four excellent tours that, at the right time of year and in the right year, rival the best of Vermont, and are a whole lot closer to home. Give you and your family a real treat this fall, go check out the fall foliage in our own Texas Hill Country.
Fall, leaves, fall
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
LLANO COUNTY PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

OFFICE OF September 29, 2020 COUNTY JUDGE
Llano, TX- 3:00 PM-

On July 2, 2020 Governor Abbott issued Administrative Order GA-29 pertaining to the requirement of the wearing a face covering. On September 15, 2020, I filed for exemption of this order with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) due to only having 5 active cases. We received confirmation of our exemption on September 23, 2020 however, by that time, our number of active cases had increased to 15. Over the last six days, our numbers have slowly increased and at this time Llano County is once again over 20 active cases.

Today, I notified TDEM that Llano County is no longer exempt and is again required to abide by Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-29 which can be found at: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-29-use-of-face- coverings-during-COVID-19-IMAGE-07-02-2020.pdf

Additionally, on September 17, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-30, relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens and Executive Order GA-31, relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster. All citizens, visitors, businesses and civic organizations are encouraged to be familiar and comply with the executive orders issued by Governor Abbott’s office.

For additional information regarding Llano County’s preparation and response, please see www.co.llano.tx.us or contact Emergency Management Coordinator- Gilbert Bennett at 325-247-2039 or email at: [email protected]

DSHS has additional information on COVID-19 for the public, health care professionals, health departments and labs at
www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus
Temporary Assignment of Daily Activities

ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED WITH GROUP LEADERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING!

The following group has available space for attendance.

Functional Fitness with Friends - 9:30 AM
First & Fourth Tuesday- Lodge
Second & Third Tuesday- Lawn
Men and Women welcome to a one hour class focused on core strength, stretch and balance.
Bring your own mat and water.
(No fee)

Kathy Coffey 830-220-8027 
Barbara Rathwick 214-460-2832
Mayor Clinesmith signed a proclamation at the September 15, 2020 City Council meeting declaring the month of October 2020 as "Hill Country Night Sky Month" in Horseshoe Bay. The proclamation serves to educate citizens and encourage everyone to learn about light pollution and why it matters, night sky friendly lighting and lighting regulations, and to implement practices and lighting improvements that will reduce light pollution, thereby preserving our night skies. The City of Horseshoe Bay has been designated as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association since 2015. More information can be found on the City’s Dark Sky Community webpage here: http://www.horseshoe-bay-tx.gov/438/International-Dark-Sky-Community 

Monday, October 12th
 2pm – 4pm 
Ace Storage next to Ace Hardware
Horseshoe Bay
Donation of $10/ per bankers box
Sunday, October 18th
6:00 PM
Quail Point Lawn
Saturday, October 24th
6:00 PM
OUTDOOR CONCERT ON THE LAKESIDE GROUNDS OF QUAIL POINT, HORSESHOE BAY, TX
LOS TEXMANIACS

If you don’t want to dance, better put on your concrete boots, because you are about to experience a hyper-ventilating mix of Tex-Mex, Roots, Rock-n-Roll, Conjunto ("kan-hoon-toe") and Country Music up offered up by the Grammy Award- winning band, Los Tex-Maniacs on Saturday, October 24, 2020, 6:00 P.M. at Quail Point Lodge. Leader Max Baca plays the Bajo Sixto, a 12- string Mexican guitar on steroids, and nephew Josh Baca manipulates both buttons and keyboards on his accordions in the most versatile style on the planet. One critic (Thor Christensen) called the band’s music a “scorching gumbo of blues, bebop and Tex-Mex.” Come and be thrilled by artists who have performed with the best, including Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and Johnny Nicholas.

DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID CRISIS, WITH ITS SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, ONLY 225 TICKETS HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND CAN BE SOLD FOR THIS EVENT. ONCE SOLD, THAT’S IT. NO MORE.

Here’s the deal:
 
  • 1. Saturday, October 24, 2020, 6:00P.M., Quail Point Lakeside
  • 2. Bring your own chairs (we’ll have some available) 
  • 3. BYOB and a flashlight to assist you in getting around after dark    
  • 4. Wear a mask (we’ll have some available) when you enter and when moving around. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE HSB POA.
  • 5. Use sanitizer and social distance
  • 6. The building will NOT be open except for those with a disability
  • 7. Pre poured wine will be available
Monday, October 26th
7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Slick Rock Golf Course