Superdave
04-23-2010, 02:09 AM
For Summer, Fall, and Winter our family has traditions of loading up to go Oooo-Ahhhhing over Fireworks, Harvest Festivals, and Christmas Lights. Little did I know that one rugged little 13 mile loop in the Texas Hill Country's Parade of Flowers known as the "Willow City Loop" would soon become our new "Spring" tradition. This year was the first time that one of my kids wanted to go on one of my adventures. Treasure them wanting to be with you while you can. This was her first real bike ride, and her first overnight camping trip. She took some pretty good pictures of it too.
During my planning for the BMW Texas National Rally, I relied heavily on Ride Texas Magazine's "BEST IN TEXAS" Readers' Choice Polls from 2006 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2006.html) - 2007 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2007.html) - 2008 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2008.html). Half of the top ten roads were near our destination and the Willow City Loop ranked high on their list. Plus it was close to Enchanted Rock so it was a No Brainer... or at least that's what I thought.
A buddy of mine rode it the week before and reported that the Bluebonnets were growing like crazy but that the loop was a bumper to bumper parking lot so we would need to go early. He also told us that if we're going to Enchanted Rock that we better get there early too because when their lots are full, they shut the gates. Bummed by the news, and setting our priorities, we headed to Enchanted Rock and figured that we would go tool around in Fredericksburg afterwards.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Texas%20National%20Rally/Picture02.jpg
While heading to Fredericksburg down Hwy16, I saw the sign for the Loop. I have read that the best route to go was counter clockwise and indeed saw what seemed to be an endless line of cars waiting to get out. There was no line waiting to go in "Clockwise" though, so while glancing at the Port-o-Lets on the side of the entrance, and the circling buzzards overhead, I made a command decision. And what a fine decision it was.
The reason everyone was going so slow was because the road was more like a lane and a half wide. The one lane Cattle Guards and the cars parked on the side taking pictures is what added to this. For bikes though, it's perfect!
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture01.jpg
After she took a few pictures she asked me in a puzzled voice.... "Is THIS the way to Fredericksburg???" in a classic "Are we there yet" type question. I laughed, and said "Yes... Yes it is".
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture06.jpg
There was a few spots that I stopped so she could take some pictures. We found out at that point that Cattle Guards worked on her little feet too. The area is very rugged. Lots of Cactus, Mesquite & Cedar trees, and rocky bluffs, valleys & hills. The land along the Loop is privately owned so you shouldn't wander out on their properties. It might be why they have the buzzards to begin with.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture07.jpg
As we came out on the South end, I came away with the thought that this was just like driving around to look at Christmas lights. The cars, the lines, the Port-o-Lets stacked at both ends (hmm, maybe not that part), and the awe inspiring views that still dwell in my heart.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture13.jpg
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture14.jpg
So, if you want to check it out,
just point your GPS to.......
North End = 30.4847, -98.7041
South End = 30.40068, -98.70156
The name of the road is "Willow City Loop".
For you 1D navigation types.......
It's off Hwy16 & RR 1323
NE of Fredericksburg
South of Llano
3 mi East of Eckert
During my planning for the BMW Texas National Rally, I relied heavily on Ride Texas Magazine's "BEST IN TEXAS" Readers' Choice Polls from 2006 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2006.html) - 2007 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2007.html) - 2008 (http://www.ridetexas.com/html/BestinTexas2008.html). Half of the top ten roads were near our destination and the Willow City Loop ranked high on their list. Plus it was close to Enchanted Rock so it was a No Brainer... or at least that's what I thought.
A buddy of mine rode it the week before and reported that the Bluebonnets were growing like crazy but that the loop was a bumper to bumper parking lot so we would need to go early. He also told us that if we're going to Enchanted Rock that we better get there early too because when their lots are full, they shut the gates. Bummed by the news, and setting our priorities, we headed to Enchanted Rock and figured that we would go tool around in Fredericksburg afterwards.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Texas%20National%20Rally/Picture02.jpg
While heading to Fredericksburg down Hwy16, I saw the sign for the Loop. I have read that the best route to go was counter clockwise and indeed saw what seemed to be an endless line of cars waiting to get out. There was no line waiting to go in "Clockwise" though, so while glancing at the Port-o-Lets on the side of the entrance, and the circling buzzards overhead, I made a command decision. And what a fine decision it was.
The reason everyone was going so slow was because the road was more like a lane and a half wide. The one lane Cattle Guards and the cars parked on the side taking pictures is what added to this. For bikes though, it's perfect!
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture01.jpg
After she took a few pictures she asked me in a puzzled voice.... "Is THIS the way to Fredericksburg???" in a classic "Are we there yet" type question. I laughed, and said "Yes... Yes it is".
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture06.jpg
There was a few spots that I stopped so she could take some pictures. We found out at that point that Cattle Guards worked on her little feet too. The area is very rugged. Lots of Cactus, Mesquite & Cedar trees, and rocky bluffs, valleys & hills. The land along the Loop is privately owned so you shouldn't wander out on their properties. It might be why they have the buzzards to begin with.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture07.jpg
As we came out on the South end, I came away with the thought that this was just like driving around to look at Christmas lights. The cars, the lines, the Port-o-Lets stacked at both ends (hmm, maybe not that part), and the awe inspiring views that still dwell in my heart.
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture13.jpg
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/SuperDave_J/2010%20Willow%20City%20Loop/Picture14.jpg
So, if you want to check it out,
just point your GPS to.......
North End = 30.4847, -98.7041
South End = 30.40068, -98.70156
The name of the road is "Willow City Loop".
For you 1D navigation types.......
It's off Hwy16 & RR 1323
NE of Fredericksburg
South of Llano
3 mi East of Eckert