Sisterdale is a unique community near Luckenbach, on the back way from Fredericksburg to Boerne. Part of its charm stems from the fact that it is one of the oldest Hill Country communities (founded in 1847, it had a post office by 1851), but much is due to the nature of its founders and the fact that growth and progress have largely bypassed the picturesque little town.

No one person could completely embody the Texas Hill Country experience. But of the thousands living here today, it’s hard to imagine one who comes closer to that ideal than Bob Ramsey, who lives on a beautiful ranch near the boundary of Kerr and Real counties.

The name Bear Creek would indicate that bears once roamed along its banks. When we were growing up, my brother and I also roamed there but never saw a bear. There are several communities scattered along its banks. Many farms and ranches have given way to subdivisions, each with a different name. All of these people have come to live where we once raised sheep and grew sugar cane, grain and cotton.

Attracted by the spectacular views of Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake from Hoover Valley Road, Houstonian Carol Langford purchased a piece of property without realizing that she had become the owner of an historical treasure -- the original log cabin of Isaac Hoover, a Methodist preacher who founded “Hoover’s Valley.”

Paradise is a good word to describe Lake Travis — all 18,930 acres. In its 65-mile length you can find almost everything you could want. Open water for sailing. Spectacular, serpentine canyons with sheer bluffs. Clear water for swimming, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving. Hundreds of miles of shoreline.

The music of stringed instruments fills the air and greets each guest upon entrance at the Harmony School of Arts. As you approach the former church building, you might think there are angels inside practicing on their harps.

James Haley’s interest in writing began when he was a 5-year-old boy in Tulsa, Oklahoma; he began submitting his work to publishers while he was going to high school in Fort Worth. He experienced some early rejections, but persisted. In the intervening years, he has written a dozen highly-regarded books.

There probably aren’t more than a handful of people in the world who qualify for the position, but Moody Anderson just needs to find one. He’s looking for someone to take his place as owner and proprietor of his amazing Country Life Museum in The Grove, Texas. Someone who truly loves Texas history.

Jack Pardee is the most famous name to emerge from six-man football in Texas. He played at Christoval, 1949-52, and then continued his linebacker duties for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M; the National Football League would follow for a 14-year career. Tyler Ethridge is a long way from matching Pardee's accomplishments, but no one has matched what Ethridge did in his four remarkable years at Richland Springs, a community of 350, not-too-many, 80-yard football fields west of San Saba.

When directors of the Menard Chamber of Commerce wanted to have a really special banquet and awards ceremony in their beautiful new multi-purpose center, they knew they’d need a really special keynote speaker. They invited Bob Lewis, a.k.a. Tumbleweed Smith, and the event was a huge success.

Nestled in the shadow of Enchanted Rock, The Trois Estate is a magical European style village less than twenty miles from Fredericksburg. This architectural wonder was imagined, designed and created by owners Rebecca and Charles Trois. Rebecca is a gourmet cook, gracious hostess and event coordinator. Charles is an avid historian, artist, imaginative architect, musician and collector.