Nature and Adventure Spring Wildflower in Central Texas | Scenic Loop Drive Austin - Marble Falls - Longhorn Cavern
 

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Spring Wildflower in Central Texas | Scenic Loop Drive Austin - Marble Falls - Longhorn Cavern
Written by Shirley T   
Friday, 21 May 2010 00:00
I was made aware about the wonderful wild flowers viewing when I received an email from MD. From her suggested drive for the best sightseeing, I twisted our journey to include fruit picking, visiting Longhorn Cavern State Park and food hunting in Marble Falls.
The country farm near Sweet Berry Farm at Marble Falls, TXHuge patch of Texas paintbrushes (red) domininating the meadow
Started from Austin we traveled south, then headed west via Hwy 71 passing Bee Cave and Spicewood before taking a turn into Hwy 281 North and continued our journey to Marble Falls. Next, we drove on RM 1431 for 1.5 miles before turning right into FM 1980. Traveling another 1.2 miles brought us to Sweet Berry Farm to experience pick-your-own fruit. Spring is the season to harvest strawberries. Oh! Perfect for us to pick as much as we wish!
Texas wildflower - captured at Longhorn Cavern State Park
Back to wild flowers viewing, the stretch of FM1980 road before Sweet Berry Farm offers fantastic view of Texas bluebonnets, red bonnets and yellow wild flowers over the sight of country farm. Most folks couldn't help but to stop for photography session.  
Blue carpets on both sides of the Park Road 4 heading to Longhorn Cavern
After spending about 2 hours at Sweet Berry Farm, we returned to RM1431 heading to Longhorn Cavern via FM2342. Prior to reaching the junction of FM2342, there is a signpost for scenic area - Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. Pull aside if you wish.
Lake Lyndon B Johnson - viewed from FM2342, Marble Falls, TX
The incredible view of wild flowers was prominent as we entered Park Road 4. The colors of wild flowers were filling up our windscreen. Here, bluebonnets are the dominance species although we saw patches of Indian paint-brushes and other wild flowers too. The blue strips colors both edges of Park Road 4 and greeted us all the way until Longhorn Cavern's Visitor Center. It was indeed a fantastic drive!

If you're looking for more of bluebonnets, go near to Longhorn Cavern's Viewing Tower. After touring the CCC Exhibit Area and cavern's entrance, we continued back on Park Road 4. It took us to join Hwy 281 and we traveled south to River City Grille for dinner before bidding farewell to Marble Falls.
State flower of Texas - bluebonnets
Returning to Austin, we opted for a country road RM1431 East. This stretch of ranch to market road was a pleasant drive that offered us spectacular view of meadows, ranches, a few up-down ribbon terrain like roller coaster (though we wish to have more!) and of course, the fabulous and abundance of colorful wild flowers!
Texas wildflower scenic loop - courtesy of Google Map
Our route:
Austin (A) - via Hwy 71 West & Hwy 281 North -> Marble Falls (B or E) -> via RM1431 West & FM1980 -> Sweet Berry Farm (C) -> via FM1980 & RM1431 West & FM2342 & Park Road 4 -> Longhorn Cavern (D) -> via Park Road 4 & Hwy 281 South -> River City Grille (B or E) -> via RM1431 East & Hwy 183 -> Austin (A or F)


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