The Wildflowers of DeWitt County

It is that time of the year again. I call it the Wildflower Stampede! Thousands of people load up the car, the kids, and family pet to make the pilgrimage. No child of Texas is really a true Texan without the picture in the bonnets. They are sticky; there are usually ants in the mix, and when done, one itches in places no one should itch. As a Houstonian, I, like many, would head east and north towards Brenham, Washington County, Bellville, Industry, etc. When the bluebonnets are out in force, there is no place more beautiful. There is ONE problem....people! By the second week of the flowering, there are trample marks everywhere, the patience of the natives in that area begins to wear a bit thin, and people are trying to find a place for that perfect photo regardless of danger to life and limb. In doing research, I found the Dewitt County Wildflower page. Who knew? I took the bait and made the very easy trip down to Cuero, Texas, the county seat of DeWitt County.

All I can say is "Oh My!" Why did I wait so long to find this piece of heaven? The by-ways of Highways 90, 77, and 183 run between Schulenberg to Cuero and all points in-between were filled with scenes like this. You don't even have to get off the beaten path. The roads are wide with nice shoulders and there was not the traffic nightmare that is 290 even in the best of days. The folks who run the Wildflower Center were incredibly helpful. Do yourself a huge favor and make plans to visit there next Spring. You will not regret one moment of it.

New Life Amid the Old

Outside of Cuero, Texas on State Highway 246 is the small area of Arneckeville, Texas. There is a Lutheran church found by watching for an historical marker sign. Behind the church is an old cemetery with graves of Civil War veterans and many German immigrants who died long before the turn of the 20th century. Amid all of the old darkened gravestones are the gentle wildflowers of spring. I spend about an hour just looking at how the flowers were everywhere adding a sense of peace to this place. The birds were singing, the breeze was very gentle, and I felt like this was one of the best places I saw on this day.

Mission La Bahia in Goliad

What a combination! Historical Spanish Mission La Bahia filled with Texas history , heroes and wildflowers. For those of you who did not have to take Texas history in seventh grade, this is the site of one of the most famous and infamous events in the war for independence from Mexico. This area is filled with events from that time period and historical markers are lined up all the major roads. Goliad is a quaint little town that also has a wonderful restored Mission in a state park area. The historic downtown is quaint and has one of those marvelous courthouses that have been restored.

Come On! How Awesome is This?

On the road to Goliad, I came upon a scene that could be in France. These beautiful purple flowers and milk goats. Can you say "Le Cheese du Goat?" My apologies to the Francophiles, but this just made me smile. I think the word bucolic was invented for things that look like this.

Paintbrushes Abound Near Schulenberg

Rarely have I seen such wide open fields of Indian paintbrushes. Usually, like many in the Houston area, I tend to run to the Washington County area for the area wildflower stampede. This year, however, I took another turn and headed south and east to see other wildflower areas not so heavily dependent on the ubiquitous bluebonnet. I came across a field of about three acres in the small community of Ammansville, Texas filled with solid Indian paintbrushes. It was almost too much to take in all at once. And, all along my six hour drive I found field after field of paintbrushes. Ammansville is located off Highway 77 headed towards LaGrange, Texas. It is also the home of one of the famous Painted Churches of Texas. Hope you get to see it sometime.

Dogwoods Say "Spring is Coming!"

Having grown up in East Texas the coming of the Dogwoods means that Spring is fast approaching. The ugly little trees scattered throughout the hardwoods and pines of that region hide all year waiting for a few weeks of glorious arrival. The dogwoods are the first sign of life in the midst of the bare limbs, brown grasses, and somber remnants of a winter in East Texas. From Palestine, Texas to my hometown of Woodville, Texas, the dogwood's blooms are the reason for festival madness. The next time March rolls around pay attention to those brilliant white glimpses through the woods as you whiz by on the road. Spring is Coming!