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The Hill Country Community
Besides its own natural beauty, The Ranches at Hamilton Pool properties are surrounded by the wonders of the Texas Hill Country, a "whole 'nother country" panorama of events, attractions, activities, resorts and culinary delights the like of which you're unlikely to find anyplace else on the globe.
There's Austin. For culture — or a healthy dose of counter-culture — you'll find touring broadway shows and Conspirare's world-renowned choral music as well as an annual Spam Festival or an informal drum concerto honoring Eeyore and his Pooh buddies.
There's San Antonio. Mark Twain called it one of only four unique cities in the U.S. It is. From the historic lustre of the Spanish Mission Trail to modern melange of the River Walk it provides a looking glass into life in the southwest before it became the southwest. For kids, this is theme park heaven with Sea World, Six Flags and Schlitterbahn, the No.1 water park in the world according to Travel Channel.
There's music — almost everywhere you turn. Kerrville hosts a Folk Festival with a competition among 32 of the world's best singer/songwriters. There's legendary Luckenbach, made famous by Waylon and Willie and the boys. Or Gruene Hall where you can Two-Step or Cotton Eyed Joe at the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas.
There's the hunt. In and around Hunt, Texas, where leases boast a bevvy of whitetails, wild hogs, quail and exotic imports from Addax to Zebra. Fish — and fishing — are plentiful in the surrounding rivers and streams, regardless of whether you use lures and bait or prefer to tie your own.
There's the cowboy — still alive and well in Bandera, which calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World, where you can still find horses tethered to hitching posts in the center of town. Dozens of dude ranches in the surrounding hills bring the Old West experience to life with overnight horseback riding and meals cooked over an open campfire.
There's food. Every kind you can imagine. You are literally less than 60 minutes away from some of the best sushi in America, a wild-game menu that offers Elk Wellington and chicken-fried antelope, a New York style clam pie pizza, a magnificent "Big Ass Burger," a knock-out German knockwurst, insanely delicious Northern and Southern Italian, a vegan oasis and a greek/cajun fusion that's served to perfection in a reconstituted gas station. Great barbecue is everywhere, from a tiny dive tucked away behind a strip shopping center to the celebrated Salt Lick. And there's pie, lord, there is pie to die for.
There's drink. More than two dozen wineries dot the nearby countryside, helping to make Texas the No.5 grape and wine producer in the country and, some say, the No.2 wine-tasting destination in the U.S. after California. Fall tours provide a taste of less-recognized varietals that are particularly well-suited to the growing conditions, such as sangiovese or voignier or tempranillo. And bottles with names like Kick Butt Cab and Super Texan are garnering an international reputation. There's beer, for sure ... even a home brew from Blanco called Devil's Backbone. And if your taste runs to stronger spirits you'll find dozens of locally infused vodkas and tequilas to your liking.
There's water. Sailing, motoring, jet skiing, houseboating and sunbathing on nearby lakes Travis and Canyon. Great swimming holes abound. Hamilton Pool, with its 45-foot waterfall is just down the road. Blue Hole and Jacob's Well aren't too much farther. Tubing, canoeing and kayaking on the Comal, the Gruene and the Guadalupe have come to be a Texas right of passage.
There's more. Fredericksburg grows the most succulent peaches in the state and keeps Texas' German heritage alive and well-fed. Rock-climbing ranges from touristy (Enchanted Rock) to technical (Reimer's Ranch). Lost Maples State Natural Area puts on one of the best fall foliage shows in the South. Rolling, curvaceous blacktops beckon fans of blue highways. It's some of the best biking, cycling, sports car country anywhere.
And it's all right outside your back door.
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