Wimberley - A Hill Country Delight


Published by The La Vernia News on August 1, 2013

While Away a - Day 

or Two - In Wimberley   

At the confluence of Cypress Creek and the gently winding Blanco River, shaded by huge cypress trees, sits the town of Wimberley, Texas, known to most for its eclectic artists and craftsmen. It is just an 18-mile drive west from San Marcos and 52 miles from La Vernia.

                                 GET HISTORICAL

Cypress Creek-2 copy

Wimberley’s history dates back to the mid 1800s when the small band of pioneers called this place Glendale. Settlers were attracted to the area because of the many springs, trees, and cheap land. A veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, William Winters, settled in Glendale, built a sawmill and a gristmill and the town became known as Winters Mill. It changed names several more times, based on who owned the mills. Finally in 1880, Mr. Pleasant Wimberley from Blanco purchased the mills, moved his family and the town became known as Wimberley. It was said that Mr. Wimberley was a kind and generous man, who supported the community churches and schools and was beloved by all. His mills were passed down through the family until they ceased operations in 1925.

EveryDay Journeys

 Harry and Linda Kaye Perez

         

TO MARKET TO MARKET ….  

On the first Saturday of each month between March and December, Market Days draws folks from all over to come and find that special something, available no where else but here in Wimberley. The crowds are tremendous and if you are not a shopper, you might want to avoid these days. Parking, hotels and restaurants are filled to capacity in this unbelievable frenzy of shopping for antiques, jewelry, art, hand-made items, books, music and collectibles. It is the major fundraising project for the Wimberley Lions Club and is said to be one of the largest flea markets in Texas.

Wimberley Square copy

              STOP AND STROLL

WHILE IN WIMBERLEY: Stroll the main street of Wimberley lined with quaint shops such as The Busy Bee, Blue Willow, the Old Mill Store, or Indigo Cactus. Stop for a bite at Wimberley Café or the Wooden Spoon for its great frozen yogurt. For gourmet food and wine check out Taste Buds. Just around the corner from the Old Mill Store is Sip, where the aroma of fresh brewed coffee will knock your socks off.

Our favorite place to lunch or dinner is Ino’z. The entrance is just off the square and offers a spectacular view of Cypress Creek. If you aren’t ready to eat, or if there is a wait, grab a drink and walk down to the water’s edge. There are tables and chairs where you can sit and relax and watch the creek flow. This restaurant has changed names a few times since we first found it, but the food has remained consistently great; burgers and sandwiches, Mexican dishes, fish, and steaks. If the weather is nice, choose the patio dining.

VENTURE OUT TO NEARBY

Blue Hole Regional Park: Blue Hole has been ranked one of the “10 Best Swimming Holes in Texas.” The park is open year-around; the swimming season starts in May. This spring-fed swimming hole is surrounded by giant Cypress trees, great for rope swinging, and has a constant water temperature of 68 degrees. In addition to swimming, there are hiking trails, a soccer field, children’s playscape, volleyball and basketball courts, and picnic areas. There is also a concert series on Friday evenings beginning in April each year.

Wimberley Cafe copy

Jacob’s Well is a perpetual artesian spring and the main source of water for the Cypress Creek and the Blue Hole swimming area, and finally flowing into the Blanco River. Jacob’s Well Natural Area is open to the public and tours are offered every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Wimberley Zipline Adventures: Experience an adrenaline rush and the thrill of flying - flying on a series of ten zipline cables high above the Wimberley Valley, located on the Four Winns’ Ranch off County Road 1492, just south of Wimberley.

Ino'z Back Yard-2 copy

Drive Devil’s Backbone, an uplifted ridge that hooks around the Wimberley Valley. This scenic drive is a 54-mile loop that runs between Wimberley and Blanco. In the spring and early summer the wildflowers decorate the landscape. Watch for whitetail deer anytime of the year.

            Corral Theatre is an outdoor movie theatre under the stars, not a “drive-in” but a walk in; chairs are provided or you can bring your own.  First run movies are shown every Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Wimberley has something for everyone; you just have to come and see for yourself.

www.wimberley.org

www.wimberleyzipline.com

Gallery on the Square copy
Bocce Court at Ino'z copy
Busy Bee Gift Shop copy

 

 




   © Harry Perez 2012