wanderlust travel lubbock tx

Andy Rhodes | 30 October 2019

Texas trip planner: 7 wild routes through the lone star state.

From cacti-speckled badlands to the best barbecue joints in town – earn your spurs in the Lone Star State and plot the perfect wild escape with our handy guide...

A Texas Longhorn Steer (Shutterstock)

After nearly 45 minutes of gently ascending the Lost Mine Trail, I turned the corner to be greeted by the topographical glory of Juniper Canyon. This rocky wonder, set deep in Big Bend National Park, soon became one of my favourite views in the whole of Texas.

Layers of mountains – each a slightly different shade of pastel colour – stretched across the landscape as far as the eye could see. Spiky desert cacti punctured the scene to set the mood and, best of all, the rock formation beside me happened to be shaped like a chiselled armchair. I quickly settled into my throne of nature and soaked up the astounding scenery for nearly an hour.

What struck me – beyond the magnificent visual canvas – was the utter lack of any human interference. There were no motor sounds; there weren’t any telephone lines, planes or scraps of paper.

Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park (Shutterstock)

Cactus Flowers and Indian Blanket Wildflowers, Texas (Shutterstock)

It was highly possible that little had changed here since my spot had been similarly occupied by the region’s indigenous inhabitants thousands of years ago.

For that blissful hour, I let my eyes and thoughts wander and disperse across the colossal untouched Texas landscape.

I spent the next few days exploring Big Bend’s other natural wonders, from traversing the mighty Rio Grande River and relaxing in its hot springs, to marvelling at sheer vertical canyon walls, to savouring the delicacies of West Texas at  the park’s dining lodge.

Occasionally, I’d see a Texan basking in Big Bend’s rugged beauty. True to form, they’d politely smile and offer a friendly “Howdy” while acknowledging that we were fortunate to be sharing such an experience. But there was no denying that the glory of Big Bend offers the perfect gateway to explore this wild state, yet it is far from the only wonder to be found here, as visitors soon discover. 

Here are the best routes for exploring the US state of Texas...

1. big bend region.

Big Bend National Park, Texas (Shutterstock)

Best for adventure, nature and solace

Duration:  Three to seven days

Route: Big Bend National Park • Terlingua Ghost Town • Marfa

Why go? To experience the majesty of Texas’ mountains and deserts, either as an outdoor adventurer or in the comfort of a lodge and vehicle.

Travel considerations: The most convenient airports are Midland and El Paso, which are, respectively, three and five hours’ drive from Big Bend NP. Hire a car at the airport. 

The immense appeal of this region’s wide-open spaces draws many people, and its dark skies are quite a sight. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in Big Bend National Park, which lies on the Mexico border.

The park features nearly 250km of trails, from short loops to rugged backcountry treks with major elevation increases. Some of the highlights are the dramatic 450m-high cliff walls of Santa Elena Canyon and the massive Casa Grande formation, a mesmerising beacon of the Chisos Basin area. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail (almost three km) is a manageable starting point, while the South Rim Trail (up to 23km) is a wild epic. 

Balanced Rock, Big Bend National Park (Shutterstock)

Terlingua Church, Texas (Shutterstock)

Another great way to see it is by paddling the Rio Grande, with options ranging from quiet canoe rides to whitewater rafting via guided trips at Big Bend River Tours . Camping is also available at three sites: the mountainous Chisos Basin, the lower-level Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood.

Just a short drive away is the dusty-yet-charming Terlingua Ghost Town, a small desert village with surprisingly modern lodging and a historic cemetery.

About 175km north also lies the community of Marfa. Artists and art lovers flock here for the quirky gallery scene, restaurants and historic architecture. Lucky travellers will see the mysterious Marfa Lights – ethereal bouncing orange orbs with no apparent source, aside from theories claiming that they’re UFOs or Native American spirits. 

2. Fort Worth

A cowboy steers longhorn bulls into their pens at the Stockyards (Shutterstock)

Best for cowboy culture, museums and architecture

Duration:  Three to four days

Route: Fort Worth

Why go? To experience the sights, sounds and smells of Texas’ legendary cowboy era, as well as world-class museums.

Travel considerations: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the nation’s largest, offering rental cars and public transportation to the city. 

A cowpoke never forgets their boots (Shutterstock)

Fort Worth is the quintessential Texas city. Cowboy history? Yup. Cultural gems? Check. True grit? Hell yeah.

With a nickname like Cowtown, you know what you’re gonna get. In the 1860s, this town was the main destination for cattle drives along legendary routes such as the Chisholm Trail.

Even today, the Stockyards National Historic District now serves a hub for visitors to witness honest-to-goodness cowboy- related activity.

Experience weekly livestock auctions at the Exchange Building as weekend rodeos at the legendary Cowtown Coliseum and the twice-daily clip- clopping of longhorn cattle on the cobblestone streets.

Enjoy history of a different kind just a few kilometres  away in the Fort Worth Cultural District. The world-class Kimbell Art Museum contains artwork by Monet, Cézanne, Picasso and Matisse, all bathed in natural light radiating from barrel- vaulted ceilings.

Head next door for another unusual structure, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which appears to float on a placid pond.

Impressive views await inside, too, including colourful Andy Warhol silk screens.

Finally, explore an oft-forgotten history at the nearby National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, which highlights the significant role of women in the American West. 

3. Spanish Colonial San Antonio

The Alamo, San Antonio (Dreamstime)

Best for UNESCO heritage, architecture and cycling

Duration:  Two to three days

Route: San Antonio

Why go? To experience a bygone era of world history, when the Spanish Crown was making its first tentative moves in the New World.

Travel considerations: San Antonio and Austin have major airports; consider renting a car at either location and combining both cities into a one-week visit. 

In the US, a site is in contention for being classified as ‘historic’ at 50 years old, according to the National Parks Service. Although this is pretty recent by European standards, it renders San Antonio’s 300-year-old history downright ancient.

One of the most historically significant sites is the iconic Alamo (founded in 1718) and the four other mission churches – recently named a collective UNESCO World Heritage Site. They represent a bygone era of Spanish colonialism, and  a visit to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park takes you back to a time when the Spanish Crown was attempting to spread Catholicism to the indigenous Coahuiltecan people.

The best-known mission – San Antonio de Valero, now called The Alamo – later gained fame as a fort that was attacked a century later during Texas’ 1836 War for Independence from Mexico. Its Texan defenders were vastly outnumbered and eventually  overrun, but their defiance has become a symbol of resistance. 

The San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio (Shutterstock)

The San Jose Mission, San Antonio (Shutterstock)

The other four missions – Concepcion, Espada, San José and San Juan – highlight different aspects of 18th century life in San Antonio, from harvesting crops to observing religious rituals. Consider exploring them by bike; these are available for rent at each site.

Just a few miles away are other vestiges of New Spain’s influence in the 1700s. The stately Gothic-revival San Fernando Cathedral was founded by a group of 15 families from the Canary Islands in 1731, and the adjacent 1749 Spanish Governor’s Palace features dazzlingly white  stucco stone walls and a lush tropical courtyard. 

4. The Panhandle

Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas (Shutterstock)

Best for natural getaways, Americana and Texas culture

Duration:   Four to five  days  

Route:  Amarillo • Lubbock  

Why go ?   To experience an underappreciated region of Texas that’s home to canyons, the ‘Mother Road’ of Route 66 and the state’s official American bison herd.

Travel considerations: Lubbock and Amarillo have major airports; a rental car from either will provide the freedom to explore the entire region.

Vast rock structures. Iconic wildlife. A cool art heritage. The Panhandle region of north-west Texas has everything that’s great about the Lone Star State, but with out the crowds.

First up is the Panhandle’s most fascinating attraction, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, near Amarillo. The main features of the USA’s second-largest canyon consist of impressive rock towers and huge walls of muted yellow, orange and red hues. A number of hiking and biking trails explore its jagged hoodoos, with the eight km round-trip walk to its famed Lighthouse rock found halfway down the park.

Route 66 passed through Amarillo in the mid-1900s and catered to a new demographic: vehicular travellers. Be sure to experience (and graffiti – it’s encouraged) the iconic Cadillac Ranch, ten classic cars from  the golden age of American automobiles that have been buried hood-first in a corn field.

Texas' official roaming bison herd (Shutterstock)

Lighthouse Formation Palo Duro Canyon, Texas (Shutterstock)

About 190km south is Lubbock, the Panhandle’s largest city (population circa 250,000). Known locally as the home of the huge Texas Tech University, Lubbock’s also noteworthy for its native son Buddy Holly, who helped revolutionise rock music; memorabilia, including his famous spectacles, are on display at the Buddy Holly Centre and Museum.

About 90 minutes’ drive north- east is Caprock Canyons State Park, home to the official State of  Texas Bison Herd. They are the descendants of a herd created in 1878, to prevent these hunted animals’ extinction.

Here they roam freely, resulting in the odd buffalo jam on the park roads. Gaze into their chestnut-brown eyes from the safety of your car while soaking up the red hue of the surrounding canyonlands. 

The 65m Texas Star, Dallas (Dreamstime)

Best for history, state fairs and football

Route: Dallas

Why go?  To explore a city that could fill more than one chapter in Texas’ history book.

Travel considerations: Dallas is located 32km from Dallas-Fort Worth International, which offers rental cars and public transportation to the city.

Dallas is the stuff of legends. The ‘Big D’, as its affectionately known, is famous for its contributions to popular culture – both through the iconic 1970s Dallas TV show, which American’s still gush over today, and the Dallas Cowboys American football team, whose cheerleaders are among the most celebrated in the NFL.

But Dallas holds a deeper place in the American psyche, as the location of President John F Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, as he was riding in a motorcade through downtown Dallas’ Dealey Plaza.

Investigations concluded the fatal shots were fired from the sixth floor of the nearby Texas School Book Depository, which has been turned into a museum dedicated to Kennedy’s legacy. Its highlight is a glass-encased exhibit preserving the spot by the window where officials found three spent rifle shells, a sniper’s nest and a gun

The Dallas Book Depository (Shutterstock)

The Dallas Cowboys (Shutterstock)

On a happier historical note, Dallas is also home to the annual State Fair of Texas, held every September and October in Fair Park.

Where else can you eat a corndog in the shadow of a 17m ‘Big Tex’ cowboy statue before heading off to the stands to watch an American football game? Add a few fried Twinkies, some fried beer and one of the USA’s tallest ferris wheels (65m), and Dallas’ legacy really starts to loom large.

The Texas State Capitol Building, Austin (Shutterstock)

Best for trendy urbanism, exquisite BBQ and Texas culture

Duration : Three to five days

Route : Austin

Why go? To experience progressive Texas via the city’s traditional museums and its entrepreneurial energy.

Travel destinations: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport does not have access  to a public rail service, so you will have to hire a rental car or use a ride-share service.

It’s been referred to as the ‘blueberry in Texas’ vast red sea’ and as ‘the People’s Republic of Austin’. In many ways it’s another planet, and Austinites wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re proud about their progressive city – and for good reason. Austin has an energy and entrepreneurial spirit unmatched in many US cities.

Texas’ capital grows daily  by more than 100 residents, drawn to the hip, laid-back vibe and creative atmosphere. Begin with a visit to the University of Texas’ Blanton Museum of Art, with its impressive collection  of Latin American, baroque and American paintings.

The adjacent Ransom Center also displays remarkable artefacts, including the earliest known surviving photograph and a 1450 edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

An assorted Texas style BBQ pit (Shutterstock)

Austin City Limits Festival (Shutterstock)

A few blocks away is Austin’s crown jewel and its most-visited site, the Texas State Capitol. This pink granite edifice,  dating to 1888, presides over bustling downtown Austin atop Texas’ version of Washington’s Capitol Hill. In true Texas style, its majestic dome was designed to be four and a half metres taller than that of the US Capitol.

While in Austin, make it  a priority to sample the city’s legendary barbecue,  a traditional slow-smoked culinary treasure. Barbecued beef brisket is a speciality of Texas, and the best place to experience it is at Franklin Barbecue (900 East 11th Street) – it’s worth the several hours’ wait.

For savoury pork ribs and sausage, go to La Barbecue (East Cesar Chavez Street) or Micklethwait Craft Meats, a trailer with outdoor tables on Rosewood Avenue. 

7. Houston's Unique Museums

Houston, Texas (Shutterstock)

Best for Texas culture, art museums and cosmopolitan cool

Duration: Three to five days

Route: Houston

Why go?  To experience Texas’ largest city, the history  of the moon landings and a wealth of natural history and art.

Travel considerations: Houston has two airports, but George Bush Intercontinental offers the best flight options and trusty public transportation.

Befitting Texas’ largest city (six million people and growing), Houston is known for its huge skyscrapers, humidity, oil money and, more importantly, its culinary scene.

It also has world-class travel attractions, and its immense international populace carries a cosmopolitan swagger reflecting its status as the new capital of ‘Southern cool’.

Houston’s museums set it apart from other US cities, so be sure to experience NASA’s Mission Control Room, the headquarters for the iconic July 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Its recent restoration – including period details like aquamarine- coloured instrument panels and textured wallpaper – offers a look at the room where the words ‘That’s one small step  for man...’ were first heard. 

Space Shuttle Independence, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre, Houston (Shutterstock)

Centennial Gardens, Houston (Shutterstock)

Space Center Houston also provides tram tours of other historic buildings and an out-of-this-world museum that showcases the space program’s many missions and all the celestial stories it has seen.

Across town, the Museum District features 19 different aspects of Houston’s cultural legacy. Spanning several kilometres, and with lush tree-lined canopies, the district covers the spectrum from the dinosaurs of the massive Museum of Natural Science to the unassuming Buffalo Soldiers Museum, dedicated to African-American history.

The nearby Museum of Fine Arts Houston contains artwork from all major continents, representing eras from antiquity to the postmodern. Meanwhile, the stainless-steel-encased contemporary Arts Museum of Houston contains provocative art with an avant-garde vibe.

Read more about Texas:

Discover texas with the  wanderlust guide, 8 reasons to visit austin, texas: the live music capital of the world, from honky-tonk to rodeo: why you need to visit fort worth, texas, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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Take the Scenic Route Toward the 806

Written by mckenna dowdle, may 15, 2020.

While plans of exploration and new adventure start to become a reality, hop in the car and head west toward Lubbock, Texas! A five-hour drive from Dallas or a six-hour drive from Austin, travelers are able to watch the sunrise over the metro area in their rearview mirror while later experiencing a West Texas sunset so beautiful it could have only been created by the master painter, Himself. This summer, take the scenic route across the Lone Star State to experience the charm and grandeur that is the wild west.  

The panorama of Texas Landscape features picturesque scenes filled with green rolling hills complemented by the rich color of native flowers in the east, as well as the beauty of the high plains coupled with miles of crops in the west. By traveling across the state and around the region, those making their way to the 806 catch a glimpse of Texas’ diverse landscapes.

For those coming across from Dallas or up through Austin, Houston and San Antonio, a full itinerary through the beautiful back roads seem less daunting at first glance. Whether it be a nationally acclaimed ranch or a must-try BBQ joint, each pitstop is full of history and wonder. 

Coming from the southeast

Driven by wanderlust, head north on U.S. 283 toward the “Hub City.” Road trippers will begin their travels with views of the lush, green landscape that is the northern part of Texas Hill Country. With summer in full bloom, Texas Bluebonnets season is upon us. A sea of blue fields runs as far as the eye can see along the southern part of the drive. 

Continue northward through Llano to taste some of the finest Texas barbecue on the east side of the state at Cooper’s BBQ. This much-needed rest stop is the perfect refuel to aid in the continuation of the journey. For the Texas country music lovers, the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum located just over 50 miles from Llano in Brady showcases memorabilia from the likes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and even Elvis Presley! 

As Lubbock nears, check out West Texas’ best-kept secret, the historic Slaton Bakery for a final stop before arriving into the “Hub City.” The donuts are a must-have!

Coming from the northeast

Take the back road and head west on TX 114 for a look into the quaint, small-town Texas culture. This 70 miles-per-hour backroad boasts a quick trip toward the panhandle with a few sights along the way.

Outside of the metro area, travelers will drive along Lake Bridgeport. No matter what time of day it is, the view driving over the bridge is as gorgeous as the sparkling water beneath it.  

Popular attractions we deem as “can’t-miss” include The Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie. This family-owned ranch is part of the infamous Burnett Ranches in Texas history. Take in the land, barn and cattle right from the car window! 

The ascension onto the West Texas caprock, whether it be near Crosbyton or Post, brings forth visions of rolling plains toward the horizon. As we begin to venture out into the world of travel, become a tourist in the most unlikely of places safe from the hustle and bustle of the greater metro area. While here, make a day trip of exploration north to any of Lubbock’s nearby canyons! Take it from us, there is no better place to escape and refresh than out here in the wide-open spaces.

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9 Lovely Lavender Farms in Texas (+ Festivals!)

You don’t have to go all the way to France to enjoy the beauty of blooming lavender! There are several lavender farms in Texas that are worth visiting this spring and summer, plus a couple of lavender festivals to go along with them.

The scent of lavender is calming, and walking through these beautiful fields will definitely soothe your soul and remind you of the beauty of nature.

Hoping to enjoy beautiful lavender fields in Texas this summer? Here’s everything you need to know about Texas lavender farms, festivals, and growing seasons!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

When Does Lavender Bloom in Texas?

Most varieties of lavender in Texas are planted around November. Lavender loves the sun and Texas summers provide plenty of sunlight and dry ground for this lovely plant. 

The French varieties of lavender are tolerant of the climate in Texas and can be grown in several parts of the state.

The Grosso hybrid’s peak blooming season is April to June. Provence is one of the most commonly grown types of lavender in Texas, and its season starts in mid-July and will bloom through September.

The Spanish lavenders can be found more in the south and west Texas and have a short blooming season of April to May.

North Texas grows more of the English and English hybrid style due to its colder climates and large amounts of clay in the soil.

Texas Lavender Farms in the Hill Country

Lavender favors a drier, more alkaline soil which is why the Texas Hill Country is becoming one of the fastest-growing lavender regions in the country.

The dry climate with plenty of runoff so the water doesn’t puddle creates an ideal environment for growing several varieties of lavender. 

Hill Country Lavender

Blanco, Texas is a wonderful small town with an enthusiasm for lavender–so much so that it is the Lavender Capital of Texas!

The blooming season here starts in late May and can bloom into early July, depending on the weather.

This delightful farm grows approximately two thousand plants in two fields. Visitors to the farm can walk through the fields, bring a picnic,  and pick some lavender during the blooming season (get some scissors and picking instructions from the store).

The store has a large variety of unique lavender products and recipes, including their delicious lavender sugar and tea.  Make a reservation for Lavender Talks and Lunch when you visit this delightful area and gain insight from the owner about this fragrant plant.

Purple Cactus Lavender Farm

The Purple Cactus in Weimar, Texas is perfectly located in the middle of a three-city trifecta on Interstate 10 – 1.5 hours west of Houston, 1.5 hours east of San Antonio, or 1.5 hours southeast of Austin.

While walking the Texas lavender fields and taking pictures is free, the $5 tour of these beautiful fields includes a refreshing drink.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy the ‘Cooking with Lavender’ and ‘Lavender Drinkology’ program.

Picking some lavender and learning how to use it in the kitchen makes for a great family activity.

The Purple Cactus has lavender s’more pits and “The Deck” for drinks and snacks.

The on-site store has a large selection of lavender-scented and themed merchandise for all ages.

Chappell Hill Lavender Farm

This lovely farm is a perfect day trip from Houston, located about an hour’s drive northwest on Highway 290.

Chappell Hill grows two varieties of lavender, Sweet and Provence, giving visitors a wider range of time to visit the lovely blooms. The Sweet Lavender is at peak bloom in April and May, while the Provence lavender can start blooming in late July and possibly last through September.

The wide lanes of this farm are perfect for strolling as a group. A gazebo and picnic tables are available for visitors to eat a snack or have a picnic.

Their on-site store, The Lavender Patch, has a great selection of lavender products like aromatherapy, home fragrance, and bridal sets, as well as recipes and culinary sets.

Lacey Farms

Located just fifteen minutes northwest of Brenham, Texas , Lacy Farms has given lavender its own romantic spin. Fields of beautiful lavender surround the scenic wedding venue that has been built by the Lacey family.

The fields are open for touring during the week, but it is always best to call first on the weekends. The lavender makes a stunning backdrop for bridal portraits or wedding photos.

Lacey Farms also produces five different lavender scents and combinations of products which they sell in stores and online. 

Becker Vineyards and Lavender Farm

Becker Vineyards is located in Stonewall, just 15 minutes east of Fredericksburg on Highway 90. Over 2,000 Spanish lavender plants, lavandula stoechas, have been cultivated on the grounds.

The peak blooming season is from mid-April to June, and the weather is perfect for a walk through these beautiful fields. The Beckers have interspersed their lavender with a variety of poppies, sunflowers, and zinnias to help enhance the visual experience for guests.

The Lavender Shop has a large variety of products available, including such unique items are their Culinary Lavender and  Confit of Lavender Flower. 

Rough Creek Ranch and Lavender Fields

Stroll through the beautiful lavender fields in Wimberley, Texas just 45 minutes southwest of Austin near Canyon Lake . Rough Creek is one of the oldest lavender farms in Texas and has thousands of lavender plants in its fields.

Rolling hills are the perfect backdrop for these lovely plants, giving the visitor a sense of calm and peace.

The best bloom for these fields is in June, at the height of their season. Rough Creek has an online and on-site store to purchase a variety of lavender products for yourself or as a gift.  

North Texas Lavender Fields

Lavender ridge farms.

Located in Gainesville, Lavender Ridge is just thirty minutes north of Denton or an hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The height of the blooming season for this lavender is May to July.

Lavender Ridge is also a wonderful horticultural experience. They have over two acres of lavender planted, along with growing a variety of herbs, wildflowers, vegetables, and native plants.

Lavender Ridge is a cut farm, meaning during season visitors can pick the lavender, herbs, or flowers which adds more fun to the experience as you walk the fields.

The Lavender Cafe serves food and beverages, allowing the visitor to sip some lavender lemonade and have snacks while gazing at the lavender fields, providing a wonderful scenic view.

The Gift Shop provides a variety of lavender-infused or scented products as well as nature-inspired crafts and wreaths.

West Texas Lavender Farms

Rockin’ h lavender farm.

This lovely family-owned farm is located about an hour south of Abilene or two hours northwest of Killeen.

The dynamic Heard duo runs the farm and grows two types of lavender, Spanish and the French Grosso.

Due to the drier climate in west Texas, the peak blooming season at the Rockin’ H is April to June.

The farm recently branched out into the Rockin’ H Casitas, providing small lodging homes for overnight guests yet keeping a traditional bed and breakfast style service.

The lavender plants are spread out to keep the roots dry, which gives families perfect space for a picnic or just to let the kids run around.

Thistle Dew Lavender Farm

Located an hour east of Lubbock, Texas, in the small town of Dickens, the Thistle Dew is a lovely farm to visit if you are in the area with over 2,500 lavender plants.

The blooming season for the Edelweiss and Grosso lavender is generally mid-May through June.

One of the unique aspects of this multi-generation family business is the store and lavender products they have created. Their culinary spices include the unique Tuscan Taste, which is a delicious blend of lavender and more traditional Italian spices. They have several varieties of lavender inspired teas and a huge selection of bed and body products.

Lavender Festivals in Texas

Want to see the lavender season at its best? Check out one of these fun lavender festivals in Texas!

Blanco Lavender Festival

The Blanco Lavender Festival is usually held in mid-June in the lovely small town of Blanco, Texas.

Blanco has become known as the lavender capital of Texas in the last decade, thanks to the original cultivation of lavender by Hill Country Lavender. Since then other lavender farms have opened in the area due to the ideal climate for growing around Blanco.

Lavender products of every kind imaginable are available for sale in the Lavender Market located around the Old Historic Blanco County Courthouse. Learn how to use lavender-infused oils in your cooking to enhance the flavors or health benefits of your food.

The Speaker Pavilion is a great place to learn best practices for growing lavender and get tips on a variety of ways lavender can be used. Listen to live music at Bindseil Park while munching on a lavender cookie or sipping lavender tea.

Becker Vineyards Lavender Festival

Taking place the first weekend in May, the Becker Vineyards Lavender Festival could be a wonderful day trip or a delightful weekend away, located just outside of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Visitors can stroll through the blooming fields of lavender while sipping a beverage or snacking on lavender inspired treats.

One of the neat things about this Texas lavender festival is all the information available and the variety of the vendors.

Educational speakers can keep you informed on the best practices for growing lavender or the current information on the benefits of lavender. The cooking demonstrations are fun, informative, and tasty. Save room for the Lavender Luncheon along with the Wine Small Bites Pairing.

The arts are not forgotten either as live music is being played on the grounds, a variety of craft vendors, and the Art & Lavender section has lovely works by regional artists for sale.  

3 thoughts on “9 Lovely Lavender Farms in Texas (+ Festivals!)”

Understand that the freeze affected the lavender production this year. Where can I go to enjoy the lavender now. Want to get out of town and was sorry could not go earlier this year. Willing to travel from Houston.

That depends so much on specific varieties, farms, etc, that it’s hard to say. Your best bet will be to contact individual farms. I know that Becker (near Fredericksburg) has re-scheduled their lavender festival from May to October this year, so you might have better luck with somewhere outside the Hill Country.

Man all of these are so far from El Paso…an hour or 2 drive would be much better than 8 hours to San Antonio…

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For Sale: 518 Ave. V Shallowater, TX Offered at $380,000 3/2/2 Custom Home 1,981sqft.

J Rister Custom Homes is owned and operated by Jerod Rister of Lubbock, TX. He began a woodworking apprenticeship in high school.  He graduated from Texas Tech in 2007 with a business degree and continued in the trade of woodworking, home building and the creative artistry side of the business.

Jerod's cabinet and trim shop, Stellar Woodworks, is still in operation and provides the unique design elements and solid construction you see in all his homes.

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Jase and Jerod Rister are brothers and custom home builders.  

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Jase has been in the construction business for over a decade and was trained in cabinet and trim woodwork.

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Jase is married to his wife, Kate, Owner and Travel Agent at Wanderlust Vacation Company, and they have one daughter. ​

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Terra has impeccable style, with a keen sense of simplicity, and loves beautiful, functional homes. She works closely with local flooring & lighting companies to put all the finishing touches on your home.

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Self-driving 18-wheelers are coming to Texas highways soon. Here's what we know

Picture this: You're driving along a highway near an 18-wheeler, and you happen to peer into the cab. But you see no driver and no one even inside the vehicle.

It could become a reality as soon as this year.

Here's what we know:

Self-driving semis coming to Texas

Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation Inc. plans to begin rolling out its self-driving semis later in the year. The vehicles are equipped with 25 laser, radar and camera sensors.

The company will haul freight along Interstate 45 between the Dallas and Houston areas. Texas highways are typically free of snow and ice, making them desirable for initial use of the self-driving technology.

The vehicles will carry loads between terminals for FedEx, Uber Freight, Werner and others, according to CBS News Texas .

In a few more years, these self-driving 18-wheelers might number in the thousands as Aurora and similar companies put more on public highways.

More on self-driving vehicles: Driverless startup Waymo to test self-driving vehicles with no human driver in Austin

Benefits of self-driving semis

The successful implementation of self-driving tractor-trailers stands to make the transportation of goods more efficient. Such vehicles eliminate the need for breaks and can therefore travel for longer periods of time, cutting down delivery times. According to Aurora's site , they are only required to stop for fueling, loading and maintenance.

Aurora says its products can bring loads from Los Angeles to Dallas in under 24 hours.

The company also claims its self-driving 18-wheelers are safer than human drivers, who might get tired, distracted or otherwise impaired. The vehicles' sensors can also pick up visuals farther than the human eye can see − more than a quarter-mile away.

"We want to be out there with thousands or tens of thousands of trucks on the road," Aurora CEO Chris Urmson said. "And to do that, we have to be safe. It's the only way that the public will accept it. Frankly, it's the only way our customers will accept it."

Risks of self-driving semis

An AAA survey conducted in March revealed most U.S. drivers had negative emotions regarding autonomous vehicles: 66% expressed fear, and 25% were concerned.

Safety advocates are wary of the largely unregulated industry of autonomous vehicles. Companies like Aurora determine if their vehicles are safe to travel on public roads.

On test tracks, Aurora's self-driving semis were able to avoid road obstacles such as people, a blown tire and a horse. However, the vehicles in such tests only traveled 35 miles per hour in a controlled environment, raising concerns about how speed and unexpected elements might affect them.

The severity of accidents involving tractor-trailers driven by humans is already a cause for concern. Trucks carrying hundreds of thousands of pounds in freight, combined with high speeds, can easily prove fatal in crashes.

People are also reading: 2 dead, 1 hurt after 350,000-pound load detaches from 18-wheeler and pins vehicle in Texas

While self-driving semis might address the current truck driver shortage, some in the industry fear they will eliminate the need for truck drivers. This is part of a larger trend of concern that technology is taking jobs away from human workers.