Scenes from a Texas Hill Country Weekend

Happy, happy day everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. We had an
unexpected road trip, which means my belly is stuffed full of
truck-stop junk food, and my arm is sore from swatting at kids sitting in the back seat. Sadly, the trip was for a funeral, but since it was in the Texas Hill Country, we were treated to a beautiful Summer weekend.

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Bluebonnet season has passed, but the roads were still lined with vibrant wildflowers. The kids, of course, were more interested in the DVD player and snoozing. Don’t you love the good talks you have when stuck in the car together?

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We spent the night in Austin, definitely one of our favorite Texas towns, and headed straight to the Hula Hut for dinner. We may have slightly over-ordered.

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Sitting outside watching the sun set over Lake Austin was the perfect celebration for the last day of school.

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We try to infuse a little education when we travel with the kids, and they loved seeing the Capitol Building in real life.

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The next day we headed west to Fredericksburg, along a flower-lined, two-lane country road. Texas peaches are peaking, so the road-side stands were bursting with local fruits and vegetables.

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Mr. Sugarplum is a whiz at finding great spots, and Inks Lake State Park, just south of Lake Buchanan, was a gem. We found some beautiful rocks, wildlife, a swimming hole and natural water slides. I kept looking around for Huck Finn to appear!

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No Texas road trip would be complete without a BBQ feast, and the Burnet Feed Store didn’t disappoint.

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We drove home happy, tired, and grateful for life’s little moments.

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And I’m trying to hang on to that feeling since we arrived home to find our air conditioner kaput! Of course that didn’t keep me from recruiting Mr. Sugarplum to help me hang the Breakfast Room drapes…hopefully I’ll stop sweating long enough to show you tomorrow. Have you been to the Texas Hill Country? Do you have places near you that make for a perfect weekend road trip?

Leave a Comment

25 Comments

  1. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper wrote:

    SO jealous! hula hut was one of my fave places to go when we lived in austin. and i LOVED fredericksburg, too! so charming! looks like a beautiful weekend despite the reason for it. 🙂

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  2. Dana Frieling wrote:

    You were in my neck of the woods! Next time you're down we should grab a coffee. Glad you had a fun weekend and I'm sorry for your loss.

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  3. christine {bijouandboheme} wrote:

    Sorry to hear it was for a funeral but wow, what beautiful scenery/photos- glad you managed to squeeze in some fun:)

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  4. Niki wrote:

    Looks like you guys had a funtime! Are you on Instagram?

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  5. Amanda wrote:

    We love Austin! My Aunt & Uncle just bought a house overlooking Lake Austin and I cant wait to visit them. Did you have a chance to hit the San Marcos Outlets? My sisters & I have a major shopping weekend there once a year its so much fun!
    Hope your doing well!
    I *may* be making a fast visit to Dallas on Friday- (shopping for a client) I'll let you know if it happens-maybe we can grab a Starbucks while Im there.

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  6. Kelli @ Life at 818 wrote:

    Great pictures! love the one of the kids looking at the water~

    I have never been there, but have always wanted to go. I have a very romantic view of Texas – I think it must be the coolest place ever to live :o)

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  7. Simply LKJ wrote:

    Can't wait to spend more time in Austin over the next couple years. We are heading that way in just a couple weeks. Must check out the Hula Hut!!!

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  8. the undomesticated wife wrote:

    Just went down to Austin and Gruene/New Braunfels last weekend for the holiday. Love the hill country!

    That picture of the deer is great…would make a nice addition to an empty wall! 🙂

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  9. Jen Eaton wrote:

    Loved the pictures! But you already know which was my fav:):).
    Miss the beautiful Freeman family!

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  10. Courtney {a thoughtful place} wrote:

    Cassie! How fun. Your photography is amazing. I just love the shot of the one with the kiddos at the water. Looks like it was a great little getaway.

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  11. Leslie wrote:

    How amazing! What a great trip. I hope your AC unit gets fixed soon.

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  12. Lil Mama Stuart wrote:

    aw sweet pic of you and babygirl. and bambi. that creeper with the gun on the restaurant sign? not so much.

    love how you found a natural pool to dip in! we don't have beauties like that in the midwest {Chicago}

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  13. A Delightful Design wrote:

    Shoot! I'm sorry to hear about your loss but the picture of you and baby girl is stunning. Really! I hope you frame it.

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  14. Tara {The Silver Lining} wrote:

    My husband's family lives in Austin, so we go often, and I just love Fredericksburg!! Your pictures are beautiful, and the ones of the kids are too perfect. They could not get any cuter!

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  15. Beth @ Free Stylin' wrote:

    First, I'm sorry to hear you all had a loss. I hope that your family is doing well. I wanted to let you know that I am in love with this post!! Not only do I live in Austin, but I'm a 5th generation Austinite. I loved every picture you took! Fredericksburg peaches are the best, and the Longhorn bun? SO cool! I haven't been to Inks Lake, though. We'll have to make a trip this summer. Thanks so much…this post made me so happy!

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  16. sfitzg2 wrote:

    I've only been there once but I loved the Hill Country. Great pics!

    Posted 6.4.12 Reply
  17. Megan {Honey We're Home} wrote:

    I'm so sorry to hear about the funeral Cassie, I had no idea. That picture of you and Sloan is gorgeous. And I do see the resemblance between you two! I can't wait to see the new breakfast room, I love the rug you chose.

    Posted 6.5.12 Reply
  18. Andrea {blonde ambitions} wrote:

    We live just north of San Antonio in the Hill Country and love it 🙂 Despite the reason for your roadtrip it looks like you were able to have a good time traveling. Hula Hut is one of my favorites in Austin as well 🙂 Your pictures are all gorgeous!

    Posted 6.5.12 Reply
  19. emily wrote:

    What beautiful pictures! 3 things (1) I love me some Hula Hut; (2) love the Capitol and that's where Justin and I got engaged; and (3) is that a Longhorn bun I spy?

    Posted 6.5.12 Reply
  20. Kathy Olson wrote:

    Beautiful photos!

    Posted 6.5.12 Reply
  21. Hyphen Interiors wrote:

    Gorgeous photos and gorgeous family! It makes me feel lucky to have moved out to the Austin area hill country.

    Posted 6.5.12 Reply
  22. Becky {This Is Happiness} wrote:

    Hey Cassie,

    Loved all your pics – I went to school in Austin and grew up in Southeast Texas, so very familiar pictures! Love your blog!

    Posted 6.6.12 Reply
  23. Chris Wilson wrote:

    What a different world from Alberta but truly fantastic! It makes me want to add Texas to our trip list… Like your trip "reports"!

    Posted 6.10.12 Reply
  24. rachel wrote:

    Love Hula Hut! Texas Hill Country is my favorite place on earth. We have a ranch right outside of Fredericksburg and the hubs and I were married there. Check out Red (http://redinfred.com/) and Root (http://www.rootfashion.com/) for some fabulous shopping.

    Posted 6.16.12 Reply
  25. Kristen@fit2feelbetter wrote:

    The Texas HIll Country is our home away from home. We just got back from Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of Texas. They have several dude ranches around that you and your family might enjoy.

    Posted 6.16.12 Reply