Seniors Search Out Blanco

Blanco (pop. 2,200+) is located in the Texas Hill Country on the Blanco River and is famed as the Lavender Capital of Texas. Senior travelers will find Blanco 50 miles (80 km) north of downtown San Antonio and about the same distance west of Austin. The Jewel of the city is the gorgeous Blanco River with its blue-green water.

On the historic Blanco Town Square seniors will enjoy shopping the antique and gift stores and touring the 1885 Historic County Courthouse. Lovingly restored by the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society, the building now operates as a visitor center, gift shop and community center. The town square is joined to the state park by a two-block City Park, with a nature trail and Xeriscape garden.

Senior Enjoy The Vineyards And The Lavender Fields

I would want to check out the Texas Hills Vineyard located in the gentle hills of the picturesque Pedernales River Valley in the Texas Hill Country near Johnson City. They are the producer of the only Pinot Grigio in Texas, and for you oenophiles, there is a tasting room on site.

TripAdvisor discovered that the Real Ale Brewing Company is a fun place for a visit as is the Buggy Barn Museum Complex. Senior golfers, toss your clubs in the trunk and play a round or two at the Vaaler Creek Golf Club and bring along your favorite fishing rod, as Blanco’s Trout season is extremely popular.

Hill Country Lavender Farm,  Texas’ first lavender farm is truly a treat for the senses with panoramic views, live oak trees, and more than 2500 lavender plants. Oh, that aroma, I can smell it already.

Lavender thrives in Texas Hill Country with over twenty lavender farms in Blanco County. The countryside will be bathed in lavender during the Lavender Festival with the whole county participating in the celebration.

Merchants will offer lavender merchandise and restaurants will serve lavender-flavored dishes and selected vendors and artists from across the Hill Country will offer lavender-related pleasures and treasures from the finest craftsmen.

Seniors Enjoy Texas Hill Country

Blanco was settled 1853 by pioneer stockmen who had to fortify homes against hostile Indians. It was named Blanco (Spanish word meaning white) for the Blanco River.

The town was the Blanco County seat from 1858 to 1891, when the county seat was moved to centrally located Johnson City, Texas. Blanco is now a popular tourist and resort area in the Hill Country.

With our last name being Becker, we just had to include the Becker Vineyards in Hill Country.  We have been there and enjoyed every moment.

Antique stores, art galleries, flea markets, restaurants, and artisans occupy the historic buildings around the old Blanco, Texas courthouse. And get this…the courthouse and 37 other Blanco buildings on or near the square are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  -jeb