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We took our daughter and son-in-law and our grandchildren and stayed in the Pioneer Cabin at Settler's Crossing. The weather was beautiful and the cabin was like stepping into a page of early Texas history. Staying at Settler's Crossing has become a habit for us and I highly recommend it for a magical family experience!
Brighty the donkey will be seen roaming the grounds with his constant companions, the sheep.
While in Fredericksburg, we ate at the Auslander Biergarten and Restaurant. The German food is excellent, especially the Jagerschnitzel.
As we reluctantly leave the friendly town of Fredericksburg, we always take 965 north which brings us past awesome Enchanted Rock. We've climbed the rock once, many years ago. Just to see it up close is a vision that lingers in the memory for a long time.
From there, we proceed on up 965 to where it tees into Hwy 16. Turn left on 16 and you'll soon find yourself in Llano, Texas. When we come to the red light at the intersection of Hwys 16 & 29, we turn left and find what we're looking for about 2 blocks from the intersection. Cooper's Old Fashion Barbecue. Cooper's is a must for carnivores of all ages. You step out of your car and the aroma envelopes you. If you try the pork ribs once, you'll be back.
After sampling the barbecued chicken, pork ribs, sausage, and brisket, beans, potato salad, we head east on Hwy 29. Roughly half way between Llano and Burnet, we see several cars on the side of the road and people out looking at something in a tree about 50 yards from the fence. We stopped to find out what they were looking at and discovered it was a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. See photos below. Serendipitous happenings like this are what make a trip anywhere in Texas so rewarding! We were told this pair of eagles had been returning to this same nest for the last 4 years. We could see the brown head of the fledgling just above the top of the huge nest. I don't think that the head of the eaglet is visible in the photos I took but you can see the parent birds keeping watch over their baby. No hawk would dare venture into the area of the nest.
Proverbs 1:20-22
Widom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the cities she makes her speech:
" How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"
James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Leviticus 19:35-36
" 'Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.' "
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:6&7
God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.
On July 5th, we pulled up to the Maner Hacienda on the beautiful Maner Ranch and we knew we'd found something special. The view is spectacular, the setting is perfectly peaceful. Situated on a hill, the panorama of the hill country spreads out before our eyes as we sit and rock and listen to the hummingbirds buzzing around a feeder hanging from a liveoak. Across the road, a flock of sheep are grazing and deer are everywhere.
Click for larger image
For the 2 days we were there, there was a cool breeze out of the north. Very un-july like, but so nice!
The Hacienda is 2 bedroom(sleeping accomodations for 6), 1 bath with a large den with a corner fireplace made of stone gathered from the ranch. One bedroom has a kingsize bed, the other, 2 twin beds and the couch in the den makes into a bed. Part of the amenities we really enjoyed was a refrigerator stocked with eggs, a large ham steak and everything we could ask for a perfect breakfast. Oh, and when we arrived there, we found a basket of hill country peaches and a plate filled with delicious cinnamon rolls.
Annette and Stormy have decorated the hacienda with a southwestern style that adds to the feeling of being on a ranch in the hill country.
The experience renewed our spirits and we're already planning a return trip with friends in need of spiritual renewal.
Thank you Annette and Stormy for providing this beautiful retreat for those of us lucky enough to find it. We will tell all our friends about Maner Hacienda and the other accomodations on the Maner Ranch.
For Private Bookings call: Annette Maner at 830-669-2434
