I'd like some suggestions for short scenic round-trip drives from College Station to see bluebonnets. I've heard the town of Independence is pretty - what would be the most scenic way to get there and back? I live in South CS off Hwy 40, if that helps.
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Scenic drive from BCS to see bluebonnets?
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Last: 13 yr ago by starbuck128
A year ago, I'd asked about the best way to get to Fredericksburg and a few people on this forum had suggested a route through country roads (that was certainly not the one Google Maps suggested). It was a beautiful drive (one of the highlights of our trip) and we were very grateful for the suggestion. It's helpful tips like those that keep me coming back to this forum, inspite of the negativity I often see here.
When you get to Independence, take 390 to Burton. It's a state scenic highway. Worth the trip.
40 to 2154 to 159 to 105 to Wm. Penn to 390 will get you to Independence. Continuing on 390 is nice, depending how long you want to drive. Maybe 36 to somerville then back on 60.
Keep going on 390 just a bit west of 36, too...the Gay Hill area is very pretty! Overlooks Lake Somerville and there are lots of pretty ranches. Can't say for sure the wildflowers are there this year, but they usually are. Antique Rose Emporium and the 50's style diner at the Brenham airport are always fun, too.
LaBahia Hwy is what most are talking about when talking about Hwy 390 thru Independence, highly recommend it along with Old Baylor Park and the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence. Google La Bahia Highway, you will learn about it and it will map it for you.
[This message has been edited by Ag2Max (edited 3/23/2012 5:49p).]
[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 3/24/2012 6:15a).]
[This message has been edited by Ag2Max (edited 3/23/2012 5:49p).]
[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 3/24/2012 6:15a).]
quote:
Bigpete, for someone that grew up in and around Midland....Central/East Texas and Scenic do compute!!
Agreed, Ag2Max. Here's a link for those wanting to get out of Dodge (or BCS) this weekend:
http://www.texasescapes.com/Texas-Drives.htm
Click down to Central and East to see some nice driving suggestions near us.
crcs Independence is a good choice, was there a couple days ago.
Independence is still a good area... I live here and the wildflowers still look great. This actually might be the peak weekend.
Take 6 south to Navasota, take 105 east to FM362, go south thru Whitehall to FM2, turn right and it'll take you back to 6. Went thru there yesterday and it was pretty...
Techno is correct about taking 390 to Burton.
I just did that on Saturday (since I was in nashyei Rodina for business anyway).
I took 60 west to 36 and turned on 1945 to go around the south side of the lake. What i should have done is gone 21 to Dimebox and taken 141 south to 1697. This is all generally scenic. Watch as you cross the various Yegua Creeks for hill sides and fencelines awash in color.
1697 will take you to Burton, and that's handy for making a pit stop. You can then take 390 to the east to good effect.
The verges and fields along 390 are good, but will likely be better next week. Gay Hill is very pretty.
If you don't mind a rough gravel road, take Old Gay Hill Road and stop by St Peter's Lutheran. The church has two historic markers, if that is of any interest. But, mostly, you want to go there to be at the best part of Waulk's Legion Road, which is deep in bluebonnets all the way to 36.
Hook back up 36 to 390 and turn east again.
Lots of beautiful vistas--if few with good spots to stop and photograph them.
You'll roll past Old Baylor on 390. Yesterday, it was full up with folk in knees-bent-advancing-behaviour. Such is life.
Independence is just over 50, and a handy place to stop and pit.
Heading east on 390 there's still more beautiful color. When you get to William Penn, there's more to discover taking the smaller roads, but, I turned on 390 and headed to 105.
105 is pretty, keep an eye out for the Golden Hoof, which is pretty with colors (and has a good shoulder for stopping). Watch at the 912 intersection, good color.
I took 915 to 1155 and in to Washington on the Brazos. Good color in the main park, if in tall grass. I was time-short, and I did not loop the Nature trail. The River is scary high.
Out of WotB I took 1155 down to Chappell Hill. It's gorgeous the whole way (watch for donkey-clowns who do not understand what a safe place to park is).
I took 290 across to Hempstead--saw all sorts of people all parking where "everyone else did; it must be good." I should have cut the corner and gone around on 1736. I didn't.
Had I been on 1736, I would have crossed 6 over to 362 and taken that the whole way. Instead, I took 6 north to FM 2. Which is a good choice this year, lots of color; good places to stop. Go all the way to 362, and take that north. Next week, White Hall will likely be as blue as the sky; as is there are lots of fields of blue to see.
Not much on 105, but, I was in a "2-lane train" of cars doing 50-70, and had to concentrate on the driving.
I turned at six and went to Mallet Bros for an excellent supper.
That loop was long, 184 miles (probably my only Washington Co loop this year) but good.
Heading north, the center median of 6 north of Boonvile is pretty. There is an excellent slope of blue on the east side of the bypass right there at Cotton Patch (probably have to park in the lot, and dash over the access road. or park on the shoulder under the overpass).
Some pretty color north of Hearne; but much better north of Calvert. Really pretty over along the now-established verges there at Reagan. Also very pretty there in West, too. Hillsboro is nice, especially around the big masonry sign there. It gets lean about that far north, just has not been enough sunlight or warmth for long enough--ought to get very pretty in 2, maybe 3 weeks.
That's what I saw at least. Only 315 exposures digital, and the one roll of analog film--and those mostly in my I'm-not-telling-you locations.
I took 60 west to 36 and turned on 1945 to go around the south side of the lake. What i should have done is gone 21 to Dimebox and taken 141 south to 1697. This is all generally scenic. Watch as you cross the various Yegua Creeks for hill sides and fencelines awash in color.
1697 will take you to Burton, and that's handy for making a pit stop. You can then take 390 to the east to good effect.
The verges and fields along 390 are good, but will likely be better next week. Gay Hill is very pretty.
If you don't mind a rough gravel road, take Old Gay Hill Road and stop by St Peter's Lutheran. The church has two historic markers, if that is of any interest. But, mostly, you want to go there to be at the best part of Waulk's Legion Road, which is deep in bluebonnets all the way to 36.
Hook back up 36 to 390 and turn east again.
Lots of beautiful vistas--if few with good spots to stop and photograph them.
You'll roll past Old Baylor on 390. Yesterday, it was full up with folk in knees-bent-advancing-behaviour. Such is life.
Independence is just over 50, and a handy place to stop and pit.
Heading east on 390 there's still more beautiful color. When you get to William Penn, there's more to discover taking the smaller roads, but, I turned on 390 and headed to 105.
105 is pretty, keep an eye out for the Golden Hoof, which is pretty with colors (and has a good shoulder for stopping). Watch at the 912 intersection, good color.
I took 915 to 1155 and in to Washington on the Brazos. Good color in the main park, if in tall grass. I was time-short, and I did not loop the Nature trail. The River is scary high.
Out of WotB I took 1155 down to Chappell Hill. It's gorgeous the whole way (watch for donkey-clowns who do not understand what a safe place to park is).
I took 290 across to Hempstead--saw all sorts of people all parking where "everyone else did; it must be good." I should have cut the corner and gone around on 1736. I didn't.
Had I been on 1736, I would have crossed 6 over to 362 and taken that the whole way. Instead, I took 6 north to FM 2. Which is a good choice this year, lots of color; good places to stop. Go all the way to 362, and take that north. Next week, White Hall will likely be as blue as the sky; as is there are lots of fields of blue to see.
Not much on 105, but, I was in a "2-lane train" of cars doing 50-70, and had to concentrate on the driving.
I turned at six and went to Mallet Bros for an excellent supper.
That loop was long, 184 miles (probably my only Washington Co loop this year) but good.
Heading north, the center median of 6 north of Boonvile is pretty. There is an excellent slope of blue on the east side of the bypass right there at Cotton Patch (probably have to park in the lot, and dash over the access road. or park on the shoulder under the overpass).
Some pretty color north of Hearne; but much better north of Calvert. Really pretty over along the now-established verges there at Reagan. Also very pretty there in West, too. Hillsboro is nice, especially around the big masonry sign there. It gets lean about that far north, just has not been enough sunlight or warmth for long enough--ought to get very pretty in 2, maybe 3 weeks.
That's what I saw at least. Only 315 exposures digital, and the one roll of analog film--and those mostly in my I'm-not-telling-you locations.
Visting BCS and took a grand tour yesterday. Independence was great as always, but the very best spot was a patch of highway (to the right if you're going south) just south of Navasota on 6. A couple old buildings on the grounds and photo delights in a field shrouded with bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes against the backdrop of an old barn.
Sigh.
Second best spot was coming up to Washington on the Brazos, can't remember the number, but it's about 8 miles southeast maybe, along the highway. If someone really wanted to know I could find out but I'd go for the field off 6 if you want a quick drive.
Sigh.
Second best spot was coming up to Washington on the Brazos, can't remember the number, but it's about 8 miles southeast maybe, along the highway. If someone really wanted to know I could find out but I'd go for the field off 6 if you want a quick drive.
A friend told me about this route: Go to Indepedance and turn on the road at Old Baylor. Then about one mile or so to the left is Old Independance rd. turn there and there is a field of flowers as far as you can see at the top of a hill. Absolutely breathtaking. Continue south and the rd leads to the Brenham airport where you can stop for a bite at the diner.
I took a quick trip down to Navasota yesterday and decided to check out the bluebonnets in the area. I found the field with the old barn, and it is definitely one of the best spots I've seen for bluebonnet photos. If you are heading north back up to Navasota, it is on the right. It's by the road to Whitehall.
As you walk into the field, look down by the dirt path. There are a few all white bluebonnets on the left.
As someone else also mentioned, the roads around Whitehall are also a beautiful area. There are lots of rolling, open pastures with lots of bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes.
[This message has been edited by starbuck128 (edited 3/31/2012 9:29a).]
As you walk into the field, look down by the dirt path. There are a few all white bluebonnets on the left.
As someone else also mentioned, the roads around Whitehall are also a beautiful area. There are lots of rolling, open pastures with lots of bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes.
[This message has been edited by starbuck128 (edited 3/31/2012 9:29a).]