Texas Wildflower Season
Although we didn’t see any yellow roses in Texas, we did see what looks like a yellow rose - growing on a prickly pear cactus (above)! During the month of April, in Texas, the wildflowers really emerge. Remarkably so. As we traveled the state, we encountered beauty at every turn and roadside. Among the areas we enjoyed most were:
Along The Bluebonnet Trail based in Ennis, TX
Around the Enchanted Rock north of Fredericksburg, TX
On the grounds of the LBJ National Historic Park
Far southwest Texas hear Ozona, TX
When we visited the LBJ National Historic Park, one thing we learned was that Lady Bird Johnson spearheaded a campaign to seed roadways throughout Texas with wildflowers. Her initiative has definitely paid off! If you enjoy the wildflowers along the highways in your state, you have Lady Bird to thank.
We also have people like this man, Sylvester Holy. Yes, that’s his real name. Mr. Holy is a farmer whose family has owned the farmland for generations. Over the past number of years, he has gradually expanded the amount of bluebonnets that grow in his fields. He takes great pride in opening his land to tourists to walk through and enjoy the bluebonnets growing on his land. On his farm, he has chosen to grow hay with his land and, although cows don’t particularly like the taste of bluebonnets, he feels that the other grasses overcome the distaste the cows have for it.
Mr. Holy recently celebrated his 81st birthday. He is concerned for the future of his farm. Although the farm has been in his family for generations, none of his children or grandchildren want anything to do with farming. We enjoyed talking with him. He melancholic about the possibility that his farm might be sold off by the next generation. We couldn’t help wondering what comes next for farmers like Sylvester.
We enjoyed seeing the wildflowers - hope you will too. Check out a few of our photos:
Naturally, we also made sure there was plenty of time to enjoy the wineries, restaurants, and honky tonks along the way (we’re talking about you Luckenbach, TX)…
