COME ON OUT! THE WEATHER'S FINE!

Our guests are constantly amazed at how beautiful our Summer and early Fall weather is. We always tell them to tell all their friends! We're not like Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio weather. A higher elevation, low humidity, a steady southeasterly breeze, and a refreshing lack of concrete and pavement make our Summer temperatures 10 or more degrees cooler than in any of the major Texas cities. For instance, our high today, August 1st, will be below 90 degrees F. So there's plenty of comfortable time for horseback riding, hiking, biking, and the like. And don't forget, tubing in the cool, clear Medina River is a great way to spend the mid-afternoon. (The river is shaded by giant Cypress trees and is spring-fed.) So get out here! The weather's fine!

Join us in celebrating Bandera's western, pioneer, and cowboy heritage during Celebrate Bandera, September 2nd and 3rd. The slate of activities includes a parade and cattle drive Saturday morning, and Inter Tribal Pow Wow, Buffalo Soldiers encampment, reenactments, arts and crafts, living history exhibits, cowboy storytellers, the best in Western Swing music, Professional Bull Riding, and much more. Events take place in the beautiful City Park on the lovely, cool Medina River, on the Courthouse Lawn, at Mansfield Park, and at various music clubs and venues in Bandera. Many of the exhibits are free. This entertainment-packed weekend is a great way to experience the best of what makes Bandera special!

FALL, YES FALL WILDFLOWERS!
The Texas Hill Country has long been famous for its Spring wildflowers, but actually, there are many varieties that bloom at other times of the year. Right now, Maximillian Sunflower, (also called October Daisies), Gay-Feather, tiny wild asters, goldenrod, and broomweed color the countryside.

AUTUMN COLOR RIGHT HERE IN THE HILLS
Some people think you have to travel north to see fall color. But we have our own palette of auburns, oranges, yellows, and reds right here in the Hill Country. In fact, it’s a great time of year to plan a Fall week-end get-away. Enjoy the Fall colors here at our ranch and the adjoining natural area, then take a leisurely afternoon drive to see the famous Big-Tooth Maples of nearby Lost Maples State Park.

When to come- Nature’s timing is not totally predictable. However, in recent years, the Spanish Oaks and Wild Cherries on Peter’s Peak, (the hill North of our barn), and on Twin Peaks in the park (visible from our cabins), began to change colors in mid to late October. Color lasted through late November/ early December. In the coming weeks, we will let you know when the leaves start to turn, and even add some photos here for you to see!

FALL MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION
In recent years, substantial numbers of the Monarch Butterflies migrating from Canada and the Great Lakes area to the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico have passed through the Hills of our ranch and the natural area next door. The greatest number of these amazing butterflies can be observed in the 3rd to 4th weeks of October, feeding on Ice Weed and milkweed blooms, and often almost covering the limbs of nearly trees. If it is something you have never witnessed, it is worth a trip for the chance to experience it. It’s one of those things you will never forget. We’ll post photos as soon as the first monarch “scouts” arrive, but don’t wait too long to make your plans to come see them.