Enjoy Amazing Views from Texas Hill Country! Texas Hill Country is beautiful. I have made it my duty to explore all of it and report back to you! Enjoy these views from Texas Hill Country.
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The last Grape Stomp Event at Fall Creek Vineyards is on Saturday, August 26! Make plans and go!
I grew up with one image in my mind when it came to Grape Stomps at Winery Harvests: I Love Lucy, going deeper and deeper into her barrel of grapes! Also, there is a video out there of a woman in a super small barrel/bowl who fell off of a platform while stomping, and you don’t want to do that, do you? Don’t worry, there is a perfectly safe way to do a grape stomp…go to the Hill Country of Texas and enjoy the Grape Stomp at Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow, Texas, west of Austin! I was thrilled to be invited to the Grape Stomp Events at Fall Creek Vineyards. First, luncheon with celebrity chef, Jay Hunter, from the Horseshoe Bay Resort, then stomping grapes, followed by a fabulous wine tasting with Sergio Cuadra, the Director of Winemaking!
Driving to Fall Creek Vineyards from Dallas, I decided to take the scenic route instead of the horrible rush of I-35. From Dallas I took 67 to 281, and drove down to Johnson City (hometown of President Lyndon Baines Johnson), then to Driftwood, Texas, where Fall Creek Vineyards has a lovely, small vineyard of young grapes with a beautiful tasting room and a bed and breakfast. The vineyard is directly across from the entrance to the famous Salt Lick BBQ! I enjoyed exploring the vineyard, and spending a comfortable and quiet night. The next morning I drove to Tow, Texas, to the main Vineyard of Fall Creek. Tow is northwest of Marble Falls, and is in the real Texas Hill Country! I loved the drive, it was so beautiful.
At the luncheon, I met Susan Auler, one of the owners of Fall Creek, and she was absolutely delightful. Her warmth toward every visitor is a perfect example of Texas Hill Country hospitality! I was seated with fellow journalists, Ed and Glynnis, and we spent a lovely hour being treated to a two course luncheon. First, a beautiful salad, followed by the tastiest salmon dish I have ever had. Both dishes were beautifully plated. We enjoyed a lovely Fall Creek Vineyards Rose and a Merlot with lunch.
As wonderful as lunch was, I couldn’t wait to go and stomp on some grapes! Now, don’t worry, the grapes you stomp on do not go into the wine making. Two barrels were on a platform, full of grapes, and children and adults were thoroughly enjoying stomping! You can even buy a t-shirt to make your purple footprints on, showing that you stomped grapes at Fall Creek Vineyards.
Everyone was enjoying the events!
As fun as stomping was, I did have to hose off and head for the wine tasting with the Director of Winemaking, Sergio Cuadra. He showed us the vats where they “make” the wine, and we tasted out of the vats. The unfinished wines were almost creamy in color and consistency. The bouquet wasn’t yet strong, and the taste was a bit weak, but I actually enjoyed the unfinished product.
Next, we saw grapes that needed to be “pressed”. They are pressed three times a day, and I tried it, it is a little difficult!
What a day! I had so much fun, and met many people from all over Texas at the different events I attended. The luncheon and wine tasting require tickets, so be sure and get them here. I had no idea how much fun events at Fall Creek Vineyards could be! A band played, people had food, sodas, and seating available and brought their children, grandparents and dogs to the event. There are goodies for sale, especially fabulous Texas wine. I had a wonderful adventure and I urge you to head down to Tow on August 26! Enjoy!
My thanks to Fall Creek Vineyards for hosting me, you can be sure I will be back!
My lovely daughter, Alexandra, is a sweetheart. Last week she called me and told me to be ready at 745a on Saturday for a surprise excursion!
I tend to be overly enthusiastic…well, I get very excited at certain things, events, animals, etc. My family loves to surprise me, or be with me on these occasions. Apparently I make sounds they find hilarious. The best examples I can think of are roasted corn, ostriches and giraffes. And deer. And Elk. If I saw a moose I would have trouble containing myself! Something else I get excited about and love? Peaches. Fresh, juicy, lovely peaches.
My daughter surprised me with a visit to Ham Orchard‘s in Terrell, Texas on their last day of the season. Yes, I squealed! Anything peach you can possibly imagine was at this peach farm! Peach salsa, peaches, preserved peaches, bottled peaches, peach jam, peach spread, peach pulled pork, peach cobbler, peach pie….I sound like Bubba in Forrest Gump about shrimp, don’t I? But they had as much available in peaches as Bubba could name about shrimp. By the way, the blackberries were huge and they are delicious!
The building is very small, and people were lined up to get in before opening! The cute little white building reminded me of a fruit farm we visited when I was growing up…Mumma’s Fruit Farm in Dayton, Ohio. The smell of fresh fruits and vegetables took me back! My daughter and I had to have peach ice cream. What is better than ice cream with peaches? Or peach soft serve? Not much. So we bought a cone and a cup, and Alexandra photographed the sweets, peaches, bottles and buildings. I am very proud of my little girl, she is a professional photographer at Alexandra Minton Photography. She shoots weddings, engagements, portraits, families, newborns, and food. She just started an Instagram account called Sweet, Sweet Dallas, and has been chosen for one of D Magazines food photos of the week! Sweet, Sweet Dallas is purely an account for desserts around and in Dallas, Tx. If you like food, you need to like Sweet Sweet Dallas on Instagram! All foodies, click that link! 
Ham’s Orchard will reopen on May 12, 2018! I know I will be there!
written by Alan James
There are great Dallas Cocktail destinations! Becoming an empty nester opens up a whole new outlook on life. You have to admit that taking care of a family for years takes up a lot of your identity, regardless of the size of the clan. It can be pretty scary to embark on this new journey, but it’s also super empowering, especially when you get to try old activities you used to enjoy with a lot more freedom this time around.
For example, enjoying a night out with your group of friends is a lot different when you’ve become a bit older. Where weekends and evenings used to be filled with school activities or other commitments, you now have some extra free time. A night out in the Dallas area offers a ton of opportunity for relaxation, especially with the diversity of the night life scene and other local attractions.
It’s easy to find a great cocktail in the city or one of the surrounding areas! It’s a great idea to secure professional transportation for this type of adventure, especially since alcohol will most likely be involved. Plus, you wont be limited to one or two destinations when you reserve a party bus or limousine.
Consider going on a tour of quiet, intimate destinations like local wineries and breweries. You’ll be able to go on an informative adventure through the process while enjoying some of the product firsthand. It’s always an enlightening experience! Times Ten Cellars is an excellent spot to check out if you’re simply looking for a lounge atmosphere with a gorgeous patio and tasting room.
Another great option to consider is a paint and wine destination such as Painting with a Twist. You bring your beverage of choice and paint step by step along with an instructor and your friends. At the end, you get to take your creation home. It’s an option that creates lasting memories.
The atmosphere of jazz and blues clubs makes for the perfect night out. It’s dark, moody, yet relaxing! Not to mention, there are often great drink specials at spots like this, and the crowd is very laid back. You can’t go wrong with a trip over to the Balcony Club.
It’s easier to enjoy a night out when you aren’t trying to find a designated driver, directions to your destinations, or parking spots. It adds an air of luxury that would have otherwise been missing if you decided to drive yourself or call for an Uber. If you’re looking for Limos in Dallas, there are some superior choices to consider.
This is a sponsored post.
Texas Hill Country is for Empty Nesters!
Taking a hike around Hamilton Pool in the Hill Country is fun, and easy! Hamilton Pool is an historic swimming hole, about an hour outside of Austin. Hamilton Creek empties into the Pedernales River, spilling over limestone outcroppings to create a 50 foot waterfall. In Mexico, this would be known as a cenote. I thought it would be worth a look, and I was absolutely correct.
The pool is about a mile from the entrance to the trail. It is the Hill Country, so it is up and down, up and down. The path is rocky and uneven with plenty of gnarly roots. I had no trouble on it, actually, I love nature and I love paths like this. I am quite surefooted on uneven surfaces, it is only on smooth flat ground that I fall…or smooth steps. Hamilton Pool is one of those places where generations of people have enjoyed the “swimming hole”. The water is cool and green, and looks inviting, but unfortunately, there are times when one cannot swim because of high bacteria levels. Today was one of those days. There are signs that will tell you yay or nay!
After the hike, I could see why you would want a swim. Whew. So I checked out the caverns and the pool, and enjoyed some time just watching and listening to the waterfall. It is nice and cool under the roof of the outcropping. It was nice to actually sit behind the falls as well.
I headed back after 20 minutes at the pool (since there was no swimming I didn’t stay for a long time) and somehow, I missed the turn off to the main path back to the parking lot. Instead, I hiked an additional mile along the Pedernales River. I have no idea how I could have missed the main path….but I was in unfamiliar territory, and I thought, great, I can see myself lost, wandering along the river to the pool and back again for hours. I can hear Randy and the kids already, another “kooky” mom story! Fortunately, I managed to find the path again and headed up. And I mean UP. The Hill Country is very hilly indeed! So I did over 3 miles of up and down terrain. I can hear some snickering that 3 miles is not much distance. But hey, I am over 50 and I have a few health issues like having an erector set in my spine, 8 pedicle screws and rods holding it all together, so I am pretty happy with my hike this morning. I need action! Anyway, if you are near Austin, Tx or in the Hill Country, take a hike to Hamilton Pool. It is a beautiful place to relax.
Last summer my husband and I ventured to Austin, Texas to see the bats…and our son, who lives there. Sadly, the bats didn’t make an appearance, but our stay at the Hyatt Regency Austin was so fabulous we decided to stay there again, and this time, we saw the bats! Any trip to Austin during the summer should include a trip to Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (Ann Richards was Governor of Texas 1990-1994). Beneath the bridge sleep 1.5 million Mexican Free Tail Bats. At dusk on summer nights, the bats begin to emerge, and what an incredible sight! Just two weeks ago we sat at our hotel room window and watched the bats emerge. Fantastic!
The Hyatt Regency Austin has the best location in the city. Yes, you heard me, the best location in the city for awesome views! At night the city of Austin is lit up across Town Lake (aka Colorado River), at dusk bats fly, and during the day you will find kayakers and paddle boarders happily paddling the lake. I was one of them!
Austin is a fun city to visit. It is rare to find so much outdoor activity in the heart of a city, and it makes Austin unique. It is the state capitol, and home to the University of Texas Austin’s forty thousand plus students! There is never a dull moment! And since Austin is such a great destination, I recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency Austin in order to fully appreciate the city and the glorious views! Be sure and check out Trip Advisor, and read my review!
Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor
These opinions are my own.
