Hill Country - Blanco - photos of sightseeing in Hill Country on Worldisround

Hill Country - Blanco

This journal features Blanco, where Carol & Chuck live. Carol's gallery is just a few miles away in Johnson City.

Blanco, the Lavender Capital of Texas, is located along US Hwy 281 in scenic Hill Country about 45 miles (72 km) north of San Antonio and almost the same distance west of Austin. Blanco was settled in 1853 by pioneer stockmen, former Texas Rangers, & immigrants & their families who had to fortify their homes against hostile Indians. (Indians, including Comanches and Apaches, inhabited the region along ... (more)

Central Texas/Hill country map
Blanco is about 45 miles from both San Antonio to the south &...

The Old Blanco County Courthouse (1885)
is the centerpiece of the town square. The 1st courthouse, which was...

Hanging the Christmas lights
(Blanco is one of 11 towns in Hill Country's famous Christmas...

Historic buildings around the square
are occupied by antique stores, art galleries, flea markets,...

The old Blanco theater

Most shops are only open on weekends

You can sense the history here
when you walk along these old sidewalks.

That way to Wimberley
where Carol & Chuck used to live.

3rd Street shops, along one side
of the square.

The Real Foods Market & Brieger Pottery,
the two main shops on 3rd Street. The Real Foods market has a nice lunch...

The Blanco Blue Bike Project
Here's the deal - People donate unused/unwanted bikes which are...

Blanco is the Lavender Capital of Texas
Lavender blooms from May through July in Blanco County & is...

The Bowling Alley Cafe, also on 3rd St

Riley's Bar-B-Q on 4th Street
Almost every Texas town has a BBQ joint or two.

Their typical Texas BBQ menu

Rockin' R Steakhouse
adjacent to Riley's BBQ.

Ya'll better leave yur guns in the truck

and yur butts too........

also on the square
In Texas, seems you can be called a city if'n you just have a mayor :)

ye olde meetin' hall, with porch swing

Oso's Mexican Grill
on Pecan Street, also on the square.

The rustic metal mariachi duo
is hiding behind the greenery at Oso's. Rustic metal decorating is a big...

The osos (bears in Spanish)

The popular Sunset Restaurant & Bar

The modern post office

another angle

City Park
The town square is joined to the riverside Blanco State Park by this shady...

Dedicated to the victims & heroes
of Sept 11, 2001.

Creekside nature trail

4th street bridge over the Blanco River
(4th Street is also Hwy 163 that goes south to Wimberley.) The bridge in the...

Low-water dams
The river is generally shallow and is impounded by a series of low-water dams.

Blanco State Park
in the scenic Blanco River Valley, is just a short stroll away from downtown...

Old limestone house near the bridge
is quite impressive.

Chinese herbs & acupuncture
seems out of place in the middle of rural Texas? :)

Wild Texas bamboo aka damn-boo ;)
growing along the highway slope. According to the article below, it...

Biker stopover
Hill Country is a popular cruising area with city bikers, especially on...

Hwy 281 sign
Carol's gallery is in Johnson City.

The ever popular pampas grass

Unique fence

At the Benini Sculpture Ranch entrance
The ranch is located just off Hwy 281 north of Blanco. This awesome place is...

article published 12/6/2007

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Comments

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Thanks Rainy for introducing me to this charming town!
— Ben Hsu, December 8, 2007

I've got to hand it to you,
Rainy, once again you've taken a place that most people had never heard of, and have shown how interesting it really is once you take time to appreciate its special attributes. I had no idea that the famous Benini Sculpture Ranch is near there. And BTW, thanks for the map at the beginning.
— Fred Perry, December 7, 2007

Took me back to the " wild, wild west", Rainy. Sure enjoyed the photos and commentary.
— Beth Warkentin, December 7, 2007

Hi Rainy
Another one of your very interesting and very well informed articles. I like the idea of the blue bikes but I get the feeling that if they tried that in the UK they'd soon go amissing. I do get the feeling of The Alamo especially when looking at the Theatre!!! Tony from England.
— Tony Ethridge, December 7, 2007