Trying Texan Wine

When people say that everything is bigger in Texas, does "everything" include glasses of wine? I was pondering this all-important question when I arrived at Pedernales Cellars, a convenient stop in the Texas Hill Country on my way back to Austin from the adorable town of Fredericksburg. Before this trip, I had no clue that Texas produced any wines at all. It was happy news, particularly since the wines were better than I expected. After my wine tasting, I enjoyed some quiet time on the back terrace overlooking the field and feeling very Little House on the Prairie.

Fredericksburg: An All-American German Town

During my recent visit to Austin, Texas, I took a day trip to the charming town of Fredericksburg. When I arrived, all the Main Street-esque quaintness made me feel as though I were in a Disney version of small-town America. Thing is, Fredericksburg is actually quite German. It is called Fredericksburg, after all.

After my trip, I looked into the history behind this German settlement and found it fascinating. The Atlantic Times, an English-language German newspaper,  explains:

The Sun Sets on Lake Travis

Part bar, part restaurant, part shopping strip, and part lookout, the 30,000-square-foot The Oasis on Lake Travis is one busy complex. Getting a table with a view of Lake Travis (really, a reservoir of the Colorado River, but let's not parse words here) may take some patience, but it's worth the effort. The Oasis calls itself the "sunset capital of Texas," and the views don't disappoint. See for yourself:

In Austin, Ain't Nothin' Wrong with Weird

"Keep Austin Weird" is more than just a city slogan; it's an invitation to embrace difference. Austinites adopted the slogan in 2000 in a effort to promote small, independent businesses, but the phrase has come to reflect the spirit of Austin, Texas, a city that encourages individuality and artistic expression. On my first visit, I was charmed by Austin's laid-back, quirky character. Below are a few photos that capture some of that quirk.