Wandering along the backroads of Texas in search of the perfect field of bluebonnets is a beloved pastime during the spring
By Tina Auten, Staff Writer
This is the onlybrplace on earth bluebonnets grow
Once a year theybrcome and go
At this old housebrhere by the road...
Gulf CoastbrHighway, Nanci Griffith
Texas singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith immortalized the ephemeralbrquality of the beloved state flower, the Texas bluebonnet in her classic ballad,brGulf Coast Highway. These perennial beauties stretch across thebrstate along highways and in open fields during the early weeks of spring andbrdepending on variables such as location, seasonal temperatures, and rainfallbrduring the winter months, can be seen until early May.
Traditionally, people loaded up in cars and trekked around the backbrroads of Texas in search of bluebonnet fields. brOver the years, it became a major event in Central Texas with bus tours,brphotographers, and vacationers all looking for the perfect bluebonnetbrfield. Websites, such as TexasbrBluebonnet Sightings, have sprung up in recent years with reports to guide spectatorsbrin finding these glorious flowers across the state.
Today, the Bluebonnet Trails are self-guided tours on lesser-travelledbrhighways in and around various counties of Central Texas. Some trails can be driven in a few shortbrhours while others are longer and better suited for an entire weekend. Local attractions, historical sites,brfestivals, and shopping are but a few of the enticements for those on thebrtrail.
The BluebonnetbrTrail – Austin
Starting in Austin, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center andbrbrush up on the native plants of Texas. brTo get on the Bluebonnet Trail, take Highway 183 North to FM 1431 Westbrand enjoy the scenic rocky hill country. brThe town of Marble Falls is the first stop on the trail and its claim tobrfame is Granite Mountain, one of the largest granite quarries in thebrworld. From Marble Falls, continue on FMbr1431 to Kingsland, the site of the last Indian battle in the region. Continuingbron FM 1431 to Highway 29 west, the town of Llano is the westernmost stop on thebrdrive and features a festival during Bluebonnet Trail weekends. From Llano head east on Highway 29 to LakebrBuchanan and enjoy the miles of undeveloped shoreline, which boasts anbrabundance of color. Near Lake Buchananbris the town of Burnet, which also hosts several Bluebonnet Trail eventsbrincluding 5K and 10K marathons for the energetic. After Burnet, stay on Highway 29 throughbrLeander and you’ll have made the circle back to Austin. Without stops, the drive takes approximatelybrthree and a half hours.
The BluebonnetbrTrail - Brenham
Approximately 90 miles east of Austin is Washington County. Considered by many to be the birthplace ofbrTexas, Washington County is also home to the city of Brenham, famous for itsbrBlue Bell Ice Cream. With a smaller bluebonnetbrtrail of roughly 80 miles, this family-friendly destination offers self-guidedbrtours to significant historical sites along with spectacular bluebonnetbrviews. And if the kids are good, there’sbralways a stop off at Blue Bell Creameries to see how Blue Bell ice cream isbrmade. Tours are 45 minutes in length andbrinclude a serving of delicious Blue Bell Ice Cream.
Bluebonnet TrailsbrCloser to Home
For those who are short on time but still want to enjoy the azure fields, checkbrout the festival and trails in Ennis, which is just over an hour’s drive frombrSouthlake and southeast of Dallas. InbrParker County, the Shaw-Kemp Ranch south of Weatherford has hosted an annualbropen house on one April Saturday since 1960. brThis year’s open house is scheduled for April 13 and welcomes familiesbrfor picture taking and to enjoy the historic buildings on the property.