Biker Living
March - April 2013


There are two things growing that a Texan will accept as a sign of spring, Redbuds, and the state flower of Texas, the Bluebonnet.

Each year, Texans look forward to their first sighting of bluebonnets. The farther south one lives the earlier you will see the blooms.

The question is, "Where are the best fields and when is the best time to see them?"

This, my loyal reader, is the question we'd all like to know the answer to. There is no consistent answer that will stand year to year. If you know someone in a particular area known for blooms, contact your friend and ask them. It is something a Texan looks forward to every year.

There is one element to a great wildflower season, especially Bluebonnets, that overwhelmingly has the greatest effect ... rain. Not just a rain. Bluebonnets germinate in the fall, so rain in October and November have a tremendous influence. Also rain in late winter and early spring will encourage vigorous and vibrant growth. As luck would have it, we’ve had both this year.

There are several touring options that have a high probability of success. I will list a few places around the state and we’ll see how it turns out. Let me know.

Even though rainfall was once again sparse in the Big Bend area, I have already heard that Bluebonnets have been sighted there … as early as February.

Living in North Texas, I have found Ennis to consistently provide fields of wildflowers. If you do a Bing, Google or Yahoo search on Ennis Bluebonnets, you'll be directed to several URL's that will guide you through the many roads that will take you to several fields covered in blooms.

If you're living towards the southern end of the state, the Willow City Loop can be spectacular on a good year. The Loop is a very nice ride any time of the year. Warning, it can get a little crowded during the Bluebonnet season, so if you’re there for just the ride, you might want to pick another time of year. You'll find it just 20 miles NE of Fredericksburg; enter the Loop off of FM-1323. From the north entrance to the Loop, it is off of TX-16; a hop, skip and jump from the Enchanted Rock State Park, which is on RM-965 (a great opportunity for a twofer).

Austin, thanks to the efforts of Lady Bird Johnson's Highway Beautification Program, is the center of the mid-Texas Bluebonnet Trail. From Austin, take Highway US-183 to FM-1431. You’ll find yourself between the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge on your right and the windings of the Colorado River on your left. This route will take you to Marble Falls.

From there, your next stop will be Kingsland, the site of the last Indian battle in that area. From there, stay on FM-1431 until you reach TX-29 which takes you into Llano, one of my favorite little stops and home of the ACME dry goods store.

A little north of Llano is Lake Buchanan, the first and largest lake in the Highland chain. Buchanan Dam is home to the oldest artists’ cooperative in the U.S. During the festival they sell inexpensive bluebonnet paintings. The fields along the lake have huge fields of bluebonnets on each side of the road.

Wherever you live in Texas or whatever path you plan to take. It is spring. It is time to ride. See Texas transform from a bare-tree winter into a lush green paradise is one of the great pleasures in life. Don’t let the opportunity to see this miracle without at least one ride to smell the Bluebonnets.

Ride safe - Cappy out.