Weekend in Wimberley, Texas
When we lived in College Station we made sure to take a few weekend trips to the “Hill Country”. One of the towns we chose to visit was Wimberley which is about 45 minutes southwest of Austin. It’s a quiet area that’s off the beaten path and it’s perfect for a relaxing and low-key getaway.
We ended-up staying at Cypress Creek Cottages which are not only pet-friendly but also super cute. They even had little Texas shaped stepping stones leading to the front door.
A few other amenities included a hot tub and a faux fireplace for Coco to curl up next to.
One of the main reasons I chose to go to Wimberley was because I was in major need of some hydrating relief from the hot Texas summer.
I discovered a natural swimming hole in Dripping Springs which was about a 20 minute drive from the cottage we were staying at. On the way we stopped at a little bakery for breakfast called Rolling in Thyme & Dough.
Outside of the bakery is a beautiful little nursery with all sorts of unique items and plants to purchase for your own garden. We were living in a shoebox one bedroom apartment at the time so I didn’t buy anything but I definitely would have if we had a house. They also had delicious and fresh croissants which I would love to go back for.
After a good breakfast, we headed out towards the swimming hole with our lunch packed in a cooler. We parked the car (there is a $10 entrance fee to the park) and hiked about a mile along Pederanales River to find Hamilton Pool.
We went on a Saturday and the small beach was already full by the time we got there. Next time, I would probably try to go during a weekday so that we could have a little more leg room on the beach. Regardless the view was absolutely gorgeous and the water was cold and refreshing!
After swimming for a while and enjoying our lunch, we hiked back and headed toward some nearby lavender fields. Unfortunately there was a drought that year so there weren’t very many lavender flowers in bloom but we still had fun searching for a few sprigs. :)
They also have a little store where you can buy a few handmade lavender products.
We picked-up a few soaps and body sprays and headed back for showers and dinner at a restaurant called Trattoria Lisina.
The restaurant is located right next to a winery and offers a great view of the surrounding vineyards.
At the time we were there, the vineyard was named Mandola Estate Winery as the restaurant and the vineyard were originally owned by the Mandola brothers who also own Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Brandon and I thought this was special since we met when we were waiting tables at Carrabba’s while we were both in college. However, the winery is now named Duchman Family Winery.
Either way, it was a great place to relax and enjoy a bottle of wine!
Where is your favorite weekend getaway?
It was fun to read your post. We’re planning to visit and explore Austin and area in the future. I love the place where you took a trip to. That swimming hole looks so cool. I like the name of the bakery. Would love to go there for breakfast. I had no idea there are vineyards in Texas…
I know, you wouldn’t think of vineyards in Texas but they have quite a bit in the hill country. It’s like a little piece of California. Austin is a great city- it is really fun to rent bicycles and ride around Lady Bird Lake. And Barton Springs is a fun place to go swimming and people watch. Austin is known for it’s “hippies”.
Loved this post! My husband and I just found out we are moving to Dallas in June. Makes me ready for Texas!!
Oh that is great! Dallas is a nice city with so much to do and SO many great restaurants. My favorite place to eat there is called Rise No.1. They have the most amazing soufflés. I hope you like it there!
I have never been out to Texas but that pool and the little cottages sound like gems out there :) So pretty! Wish we had something like that out here.
Sorry about the car. I’d bit the bullet and try going for a new one. :)
I love going to Santa Cruz or drive up to Arcata area. River rafting, kayaking, hiking and plenty of micro brews. And my little sister. Love going up there.
I think I am surely going to get a new one. I just can’t trust that one again. Thanks for sharing about Santa Cruz and Arcata! I am always interested in new places to explore out here! :)
My mom and stepdad lived in Texas one winter while he was working on a job down there. It was so fun to visit them there over thanksgiving rather than cold Minnesota. My stepdad always tells me in the long run it’s cheaper to get a new car than continue repairing one once it starts having issues. (when I say new I mean used new, I don’t think we have ever had a really new car)
Yeah, Texas is a very warm state. Although we actually got a little snow two out of the three years I lived there. I am trying to sell my car now so I can take the money and put it towards something new. It just isn’t worth it to me to fix it.
I love Hamilton Pool! I grew up going to Lake Travis in Austin as a kid and sometimes we would venture over to the pool. It’s so nice to have vineyards in TX!
I never got to go to Lake Travis but I always wanted to. I loved the Hill Country in Texas, it was such a pretty area! And a great place to grow up I’m sure. :)
I live in Fort Worth and I have heard great things about Dripping Springs. Our big vacation is to Disney World this year but we love to take little mini vacations and this would be the PERFECT spot!!!
While I love Fort Worth/Dallas, I secretly hope to move to the Hill Country someday. Austin is such a wonderful city.
You’re right, Austin is a great city and there is so much natural beauty surrounding it. I heard Lake Travis is beautiful too so that might be worth a weekend getaway. You are lucky to live in Dallas too though. They have so many great restaurants and shopping!
I love Texas! Are you from Texas? I have an Aunt that live in Richardson right outside of Dallas. She loves it there.
Wanted to ask you about your Theme. I use WordPress as well and noticed you have the Thesis Framework from DIYthemes. Did you have to pay for your theme? My theme is very boring and I would like to update it. It was a free one. Also, what kind of camera are you shooting with? Great photos!!!
PS: Sorry about your car! My car is 13 years old and still scooting along. It’s a Nissan, and I am going to drive it until it stops! Nothing like not having a car payment! :)
WP Admin
I am originally from Florida and lived in Texas for 3 years. Texas is great just really hot!
I blog through wordpress.org which is different than wordpress.com. You then have to purchase the Thesis theme (approx. $80) and install it. I had to Google all sorts of stuff to learn how to do it and it was kind of stressful. Depending on how computer literate you are, you may want to hire a web designer to help. I had my header designed by someone else but the rest I figured out on my own. The camera I used in this post was a Sony point and shoot that is at least 8 years old but my food pictures are shot with a Canon Rebel t3i and 1.8/50mm lens.
Good for your little Nissan hanging on for so long! I totally agree with driving a car until it dies! :)
I’ll have to look into that. So you have to back up your own site and virus protect or no? I bought the book “Food Blogging for Dummies” which is pretty good, but sooo much info. The author is a food blogger too. I wonder if there is much difference in WordPress.or v/s .com. Thanks for the camera info, I am in the market for upgrading my point and shoot. :)
Pingback: Friday Favorites – MakingThymeforHealth