Retirement Blog: March 2014

March 29, 2014

Bluebonnets

During a class break at US Army X-ray school at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, I was hanging out with the guys, several of whom were Texans. Somehow, state flowers drifted into the conversation. I innocently asked "What is the state flower of Texas?", thinking possibly "yellow rose" from the song or some such thing. Emphatically and in unison, three Texans shouted, "Bluebonnets !" It wasn't until this week that I fully understood their somewhat indignant answer.

Heading south out of Dallas, we meandered back and forth on farm to market roads in search of Texas wildflowers. Somewhere between Waco and Lake Buchanan we spotted the first Bluebonnets in a small planter. "They really are blue", we remarked, took a photo, and moved on south through the Texas Hill Country toward Fredericksburg. Within a few miles, we started seeing small clusters of the blue flowers along the roadsides, especially along fences next to the road. Further along, we began to spot a few clusters in the medians. We took a few more photos at places where it was safe to stop.

We spent the night in Fredericksburg, a small historic German town with lots of neat old buildings and German influence. (see our post on Fredericksburg.) The next morning we headed east to our to first stop of the day, Wild Seed Farms, where we were expecting to see wildflowers, and learn a little more about the Texas wildflower blooming season that we were already starting to enjoy.

Wild Seed Farms has numerous shops with unusual planters, outdoor whirligigs, home decor, garden sculptures, and the like in rustic, artful displays. There is even a Primrose room where you can buy fun clothing and jewelry. They also have a huge selection of wildflower seeds, zoned for planting in your garden or yard. (Unless of course, you live in an RV)

As I was walking from one shop to another, I spotted a sea of blue through an opening leading to the actual seed plots. Curious, I walked out to find an astonishing field of Bluebonnets in full bloom. I spent over an hour walking around and taking photos of this amazing sight.

This was my 'Bluebonnet Epiphany", where I finally understood the look on my classmates' faces so many years ago that said, "State flower of Texas ?

....How could you ask such a question" ?

If you find yourself near Fredericksburg, Texas in the spring time, make sure you stop at Wild Seed Farms. You won't be disappointed.

Other times of the year it will be worth the stop too. Pumpkins in the fall, for example and unique Christmas decor over the Christmas season, but spring time with it's wildflowers in bloom is special.

Heading south to New Braunfels, we had lunch at the Gristmill River Restaurant in Gruene historic district. Once a banking, cotton ginning, and shipping center, the restored Gruene is now supported by tourists. The Gristmill River Restaurant overlooks the river. It is a pleasant place to eat, and has good food.

Moving on east we drove the I-10 toward Columbus, Texas covering about 90 miles of interstate. We started to see a mix along the roadside of Indian Paint Brush, along with the Bluebonnets.

The sun was out and the flowers were beautiful. We spent our next night in Columbus before heading north towards College Station.

As we moved north we occasionally turned onto side roads around and through La Grange and Brenham and experienced an almost mind-blowing array of wildflowers along the way. We spent most of the morning hours winding back and forth, finding more and more fields of color.

At College Station we spent a pleasant couple of hours with our niece, Beth, who gave us a tour of Texas A&M campus. She even showed us the "Maroon Bonnets" being developed by the University. (school colors Maroon and White) I have to say though, Aggies, that the Maroon Bonnets might have a slight "orange" tint to them yet. You might want to keep working to remove all traces of "orange".