A Short Trip Over The Willow City Loop

The bluebonnet, scientifically known as lupinus texensis, is the state flower of Texas.  It defines the great beauty of our state and blooms in the red rock canyons of the Palo Duro, to the sandy, humid coasts of Padre Island, to the green, fragrant pine forests of east Texas,and  all the way to the high deserts of the Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas.  Fortunately for us, some of the best viewing is in close-by central Texas.

For years we have been talking about driving the Willow City Loop between Llano and Fredericksburg where some of the best bluebonnets supposedly grow.  Following our Legacy Bridge excursion, we continued our trip to Llano.  Well, when in Llano one must eat at Cooper's Old Time Barbecue.  We had the ribs and chicken and they were tasty.

As you head south on Highway 16 toward Fredericksburg, you'll come to a sign on your left for the Willow City Loop.  This road basically meanders through ranches, across cattle guards and finally takes you to the town of Willow City.  Who knew there was a Willow City!  From there the road loops back and connects with the highway again.

We met lots of other people driving the loop but the bluebonnets and other wild flowers were a little disappointing.  A dry winter and spring isn't a good combination for wild flowers but the day still provided yet another adventure for the two of us, and at this point, that's all that matters!

I don't remember if I was looking at the flowers or if this was a pit stop!

Texas Bluebonnets, our state flower.

There's lots of ranch country in this part of the state.  There might be a rattlesnake

out there under one of those flowers, too!

I like this view from close to the ground and the little yellow flower in the foreground.