TRAVEL TEXAS (Christmas Edition: Hill Country)

Posted on: By Amy

This was our fourth Christmas without gifts, our fourth Christmas to celebrate experiences and our family.

Three years ago was Galveston and Moody Gardens.  Two years ago was Waco, Cameron Park Zoo, and the Magnolia Silos.  Last year was Ox Ranch and Drive Tanks in Uvalde.

This year was a little limited… to a handful of things that I could squeeze into my tight budget… thanks to our sad camper situation.  We couldn’t stay at an RV site (thanks to the camper’s disappearance), I couldn’t afford an airbnb, and I couldn’t tackle far travels or the best of the best outings.  But, boy, did we make the best of it!

 

So, after we had a really fun and delicious Christmas Day with my parents…

We loaded everyone up to visit Stonehenge II in Ingram.  It was a beautiful day for a drive and to be outside.  So we spent plenty of time there.  We explored the structure, took lots of pictures.  The boys brought their Lego models and camera, so they could work on their photography.  And we played around with our new drone.

Stonehenge II

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way back to Boerne, we made a pit stop for dinner.  At a place that a friend recommended at least two years ago, a screenshot that I’ve had saved for that long.  We finally made it there!  Toucan Jim’s in Center Point.  Where you are sailed away onto a tropical island the minute you step out of your car!  Loved the atmosphere; loved the large outdoor space.  And we enjoyed the food (two of us had their fish tacos; three had hamburgers).  I really wish we could have lounged at an outdoor table.  But the minute the sun went down, it was too cold to be outside.  So we’ll just have to go back when the temps warm back up.

Toucan Jim’s
Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

Then, I just happened to have won a five-pack of tickets and s’mores kits off of instagram… for the lights fest at Enchanted Springs Ranch.  So we drove through the beautiful lights display, explored the ranch, and roasted marshmallows all evening.

(Now, a little backstory… The boys and I had already been to the lights fest a few weeks prior.  It was freezing cold and windy.  But because there was so much to do, and because we went with friends, the kids had a wonderful time!  They did the scavenger hunt, wrote to Santa, decorated cookies, enjoyed the band, played checkers, and more.  And a couple of friends were brave enough to ride the mechanical bull!  So fun!!!)

Enchanted Springs Ranch
Facebook
Instagram

Christmas Lights Fest
Facebook
Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day two was a day trip to Austin.  And our first stop was the Hope Outdoor Gallery.  This, I’ve known about for years too.  And I’ve been watching the graffiti on the walls change and morph through the years, through instagram posts.  Today was our day to finally see it.  And it was everyone else’s too!  It was busy!  Everyone seemed to have their camera out… or their spray paint going.  It was a sight to see.  But the real gem was on the top level.  The view of downtown and the Capitol was perfect!

Hope Outdoor Gallery
Facebook
Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

Then, to travel around downtown, the boys wanted to rent scooters.  How cool and convenient, right?!  Well… I was able to rent a Bird for Evan really easily.  But the app wouldn’t let me rent another one from my phone.  I couldn’t figure out the second scooter brand’s app.  Lime’s app was easy, but I couldn’t find a working scooter along our route.  And the fourth brand?  Couldn’t get that app to work right either.  So Ben ended up renting a Bird from his phone.  And I walked.  Whew!  So that meant we were slow.  And we ended up missing the third fourth spot I wanted to visit.  But we did make it to two of the most instagrammable murals in Austin!

(To find the exact spot of the three murals I wanted to photograph, I found this awesome mural guide on Carrie Colbert’s blog!!!)

Austin Mural Guide

 

 

 

 

 

And on the way back to Boerne, we made a pit stop in Johnson City for their Lights Spectacular!  With part of the town almost completely wrapped in lights, you could see the glow as we were turning off 281!  And it was beautiful to see.  Met up with some good friends, took some pics, and headed home to bed.  Exhausted!  And happy!

Johnson City Lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So… if you’re looking for things to do in the Texas hill country (on a budget), some of these outings might be right up your alley!  We really did enjoy them all!

Now… what should we do next year?

21 thoughts on “TRAVEL TEXAS (Christmas Edition: Hill Country)”

  1. Pingback: TRAVEL TEXAS (Christmas Edition: The Panhandle) -

  2. We absolutely love your blog and find the majority oof yoir post’s to be just what I’m
    looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content foor yourself?
    I wouldn’t mind composing a post orr elaborating on many of the subjects you write about here.
    Again, awesome website!

  3. Pingback: Google

  4. We absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s
    to be what precisely I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write
    content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a few of
    the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome web site!

  6. I do not even understand how I stopped up here, but I thought this publish was once good.
    I don’t know who you might be but certainly you are going to a famous blogger
    in case you aren’t already. Cheers!

  9. I was extremely pleased to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!!
    I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have
    you saved to fav to see new information in your website.

  11. Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I
    guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly
    enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  13. Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good site!

  15. Looks like y’all had so much fun! I love that there’s so much to do in our state. Thanks for all the details! Can’t wait to plan our next Texas adventure! It’s so much fun being a tourist in your own state.

    1. So much fun! Was a great trip! On a dime! Woo hoo!!!
      And you’re so welcome. Hoping our travels and playing “tourist” encourage people to get out and see this great state of ours!
      🙂

    2. So much fun!!!!!!
      And when I was doing some google searches for those favorite murals, your guide popped right up! Such a great resource!
      And since your ig page was so happy and colorful, I couldn’t help but follow you too.
      Love what you’re doing!
      🙂
      Amy

Comments are closed.