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Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Dripping Springs is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts, offering many hiking opportunities that showcase the region's natural beauty. From winding trails to serene landscapes, this charming town provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable hiking experience. Hill Country Casitas is the ultimate lodging for all your hiking adventures! Join us as we embark on a journey through the scenic trails in and around Dripping Springs, discovering the diverse environment and breathtaking vistas that await experienced hikers. 1.   Hamilton Pool Preserve: A Natural Wonder Photo credit: Darrell Miller The Hamilton Pool Preserve is a collapsed grotto that forms a stunning natural pool. The trail leading to the pool is a relatively easy hike, allowing hikers to witness the breathtaking beauty of the turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. It's a perfect spot for a dip or simply to bask in the serenity of this unique natural formation. Reservations are required to visit. Learn more about the Hamilton Pool Preserve. 2.   Pedernales Falls State Park: Where Water Meets Wilderness Just a short drive from Dripping Springs, Pedernales Falls State Park offers a variety of trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels. The Pedernales Falls Trail provides panoramic views of the river and the cascading waterfalls, while the Wolf Mountain Trail offers a more challenging terrain, rewarding hikers with glimpses of the diverse flora and fauna that call this park home. You will likely spot ancient marine fossils in the rock formations around the falls and pools.  Reservations and permits are required for entry into the park and trails. Learn more about Pedernales Falls State Park here. 3. Reimers Ranch Park: Climbers' Paradise If you're up for a bit of rock-climbing adventure, Reimers Ranch Park is the place to be. With over 200 routes for climbers of all levels, this park also boasts hiking trails that wind through canyons and along the Pedernales River. The river views and limestone formations make Reimers Ranch a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts seeking a mix of hiking and climbing. For a comprehensive hiking experience, the Milton Reimers Ranch Loop offers a well-maintained trail that spans over 18 miles, taking hikers through woodlands, prairies, and riverbanks. This loop showcases the diverse landscapes of the Texas Hill Country, making it a must-do for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural wonders of the region. Read more about Milton Ranch Park here. 4.   Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center: A Hidden Oasis Photo credit: Tom L. Hausler Tucked away to the north of town, the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is a beautiful 76-acre nature preserve featuring guided canyon tours that lead hikers through lush greenery, limestone cliffs, and culminates in the breathtaking Westcave Grotto. The tours ensure a unique and educational experience, making this an ideal destination for those looking to connect with nature on a deeper level. Learn more about the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center here. Stay at Hill Country Casitas in Dripping Springs, Texas Dripping Springs, Texas, is a haven for hikers seeking a diverse range of trails and natural wonders. From the serene Hamilton Pool Preserve to the adventurous Reimers Ranch, the hiking options in and around Dripping Springs offer something for everyone. So, book your Casita Time, lace up your hiking boots, grab a water bottle, and embark on a journey to discover the beauty of the Texas Hill Country— one trail at a time. Don’t forget to earn rewards when you stay with the Stash Rewards Program.

Prepare to be awed by the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 in Dripping Springs, TX, set to last an impressive 3 minutes and 11 seconds. As the Moon gradually positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, daylight will give way to an almost surreal darkness. As this happens, onlookers will be able to witness the Sun's radiant Corona on display around the Moon's silhouette. This rare event is guaranteed to attract both seasoned stargazers (sungazers? ha!) and curious observers alike, who will gather and witness this fleeting spectacle in the sky. It's a moment in history that will create lasting memories for those fortunate enough to witness this harmonious alignment in the sky, with the scenic beauty of the Texas Hill Country as a backdrop. What is a Total Solar Eclipse? A Total Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the Sun's light from our view here on Earth. This phenomenon happens because the apparent size of the Moon and the Sun in the sky are similar, allowing the Moon to perfectly cover the Sun. As a result, the area directly under the Moon's shadow on Earth experiences complete darkness for a brief period of time, typically lasting several minutes in the Path of Totality. This provides a unique opportunity to observe the Sun's Corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere, which is usually hidden by the Sun's intense glare. Total Solar Eclipses are rare, often a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event that draws the attention of people worldwide. Read NASA’s overview about the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse here. Make Your Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Memorable For a memorable experience during a Total Solar Eclipse, there are a few items to consider: If traveling to see the Eclipse, book your lodging NOW, as most properties are booked or close to capacity. Patience and Excitement! Our roads and restaurants will be congested, so plan ahead, come prepared, and have a blast experiencing this phenomenon in Dripping Springs, Texas! Certified protective eyewear is crucial to have in order to safely view the Eclipse without harming your eyes. Protective eyewear can be purchased on-line (for ex. Amazon). These specialty glasses do have a shelf-life, so don't buy yours too early. Camera (with proper filter) and Tripod to capture the Eclipse's phases Binoculars or Telescope with proper solar filters to enhance your viewing experience Eclipse apps and resources for information on the Eclipse and to track the Eclipse's progress: City of Dripping Springs Eclipse Map - Time and Date Texas Hill Country Eclipse Info All about Eclipses- Eclipse.org - can purchase glasses too Stay at Hill Country Casitas for an EXCLUSIVE Total Solar Eclipse package! Hill Country Casitas is offering a 4-night package for an adventurous group – DETAILS HERE. Wide Open Texas Hill Country Sky with 13 acres all to yourself. This is only available for a limited time, and the Total Solar Eclipse is a rare occurrence - so gather family and friends today. Individual Reservations will be offered late Fall 2023, if available. For More Information and Reservations, Click here Mary McRoberts hillcountrycasitas.com 512.829.1558

Many people see a getaway to the Texas Hill Country as a perfect option for couples and romance or adult friends and good times. YES! They are correct. Dripping Springs is also known as Drinking Springs! Dozens of wineries, breweries and distilleries. We could write books about all those good times. But what about families with younger children? When we opened The Casitas, we did have some anxiety wondering what kids were going to do all weekend at our new property. Well, I can honestly say that Hill Country Casitas is FUN for kids. When we developed The Casitas in 2016, I have to admit that catering to kids was not at the top of our minds. However, guests with children changed our total outlook. Our Casitas do not have television. Why? It was a philosophical decision based on….take a break from the idiot box! Enjoy the hill country. Reconnect. Talk to each other. Play a game together. Go hiking. And families did just that on their hill country getaway. Our families, time and time again, said, “Thank you for not putting TVs in the Casitas!”. It worked. Families who rarely have time, dedicate time, to one another, found that the Casitas provided the perfect environment to do just that. Kids have 13 acres to safely explore and do many outdoor activities, such as: · They find cool rocks, maybe a fossil · They play volleyball or soccer · They cook s/mores by the fire · They splash their way down the wet weather creek. They swim in the pool and swing at the playscape. · They hike up to Bella Vista and try to find THEIR Casita in the hills looking back · They seek out colorful birds. Read all about bird watching here. · They breathe fresh country air! · They use their smart phones (yes, the dreaded device) and a free stargazing app and identify constellations at night - stars they’ve only heard about in school. Close-by, families also enjoy ziplining in Wimberley, hitting a local swimming hole or state park and playing putt-putt or pickleball at Dreamland in Dripping Springs. Back to smart phones. Some tech you just have to have. Our amenities include High-speed Wi-Fi allowing guests to do work that needs to be done, catch up with family and friends, and even the kids get some sacred screen time. As we wind up Spring Break in Texas (a quasi-state holiday), our families are letting us know how much fun they had and their gratefulness. We are grateful for them, and their kiddos! Bring on summer vacations! And don’t forget that much needed and celebrated family reunion. Kids of all ages have a blast at The Casitas! hillcountrycasitas.com 512.829.1558

After years of diligent work to help people protect birds and their habitat, Dripping Springs has been certified as an official “Bird City” by the Texas Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). With only seven other designations throughout the state, this is an honor for our city and its partnering organizations! This designation is exciting news for the nearly 2.2 million Texas enthusiasts looking for their next bird watching destination. At Hill Country Casitas, we are birding people! And birds love us in return. Located on 13 wooded acres, in the Pedernales River Valley, Hill Country Casitas is an attractive home for many of our feathered friends. This Spring, we installed 10 bird feeding stations around the property, at almost every Casita, the pool, and the Pavilion. Plans are in the works to build a bird blind viewing area. The Casitas are great for birding for MANY reasons. Located on a migratory flight path, millions of birds fly over every night during peak migration. A wide range of visiting birds hang out at the Casitas in Spring and Fall. We have seen several different types of Hummingbirds, colorful Tanagers, Painted Buntings, and even the Endangered Golden-Cheeked Warblers. A recent bird survey conducted at Hill Country Casitas by Chance Boatright, a local Wildlife Biologist, discovered 28 different species in a four-hour timespan, including 2 sets of the famous, and endangered, Golden-Cheeked Warbler. This picture is of one our very own Golden-Cheeked Warblers caught enjoying the bugs and berries on our woodedacreage. While Spring is the ultimate season for birding due to the massive quantity of migratory birds, the Casitas are home to dozens of species year around. Birding helps people connect with nature. It's a fun, affordable hobby for people of all ages and skill levels. No experience necessary! How does one enjoy “birding”? Just watch them. Take note of their different colors, different bird calls, and how they communicate and interact with other birds. The Merlin Bird ID app is an excellent tool for identifying birds by sound or picture. Birds are out all day and night. During peak migration, millions of birds fly by night. At night, you may hear an owl, or a Whip-Poor-Will. During the day, birds will flock to feeders or the nearest water source. Just sit on your Casita porch and wait. It won’t be long before you see true beauty! Throughout the year, Dripping Springs holds a variety of events, activities and initiatives to help protect birds and their habitats, including its bi-annual Lights Out Dripping Springs campaign and the Festival of Flight event that celebrates World Migratory Bird Day.

Whew! It's been a while. This Blog platform has been yelling at me for some time since my last post was....ummm...a really long time ago. So here we go! I wanted to write about our experience with the Pandemic, but that's for another day. I'm so over it. I'd rather talk about Texas Country Music! ;) Sing it with me.... "And the road goes on forever, AND THE PARTY NEVER ENDS!" Don't know it? Google it. As you may know, back in 2019, we named our Casitas. Some were named in honor of our friends, and some were named for a few of our favorite Texas Country artists. Outside of Texas, yall might call the music genre, "Americana". Some call it Outlaw Music. In any case, for Ron and me, it is our go-to, we know we are home, music. I'm sure everyone has heard of the legendary Willie Nelson. He is beloved by millions of Texans, not to mention, millions more people around the world. This is true, but for us he is not only loved, he is family. We know his stories. We know his voice with only one word spoken or sung. We know of his real family - his sister, his kids. He is just plain special to us. His songs play in our heart. At 89 years young, he is still touring. Pre-pandemic, we would see him play one or two times a year. He still has a home not far from the Casitas, and his family, for the most part, still resides in our part of the world. He is one of us. So, one of our Premium Studio Casitas, #4, is called The Willie. We picked this one for him because it is a high quality yet humble structure, but amazing and warm, like Willie. Not many people, outside of die-hard American and Outlaw music fans, have even heard of Townes Van Zandt. Townes was a gifted and talented songwriter, yet troubled man, that died way too young. He wrote many songs you know by heart, like "Pancho and Lefty" that Merle Haggard recorded as well as Willie and many others. There is a wonderful documentary out there on the life and work of Townes that a friend showed me when I moved back to Texas in 2005. I became a Townes fan that night. I chose Casita #5 to be The Townes, because it is in the middle of The Row, where his friends will always surround him. Our last Casita on The Texas Music Row is #6, The Robert Earl. Named after singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen, #6 stands front and center facing the volleyball court and pool, reminding me of Robert Earl on the stage. His songs take us to happy places, like the gulf coast, the hill country or our favorite dance hall. Robert Earl is typically our cocktail hour and/or cooking dinner soundtrack. We love Robert Earl and see him play several times a year at local spots. He may be the only artist, ever, that plays a Christmas song in July to a standing ovation with thousands of people that know and sing every word: "Merry Christmas from the Family". Not familiar? Check it out! Enjoy and laugh a little. There are many more Texas artists that we LOVE. Jerry Jeff Walker (RIP), Lyle Lovett, Cory Morrow and so many more. One day, we will find a place to honor and keep them close to us too. Because with Texas Country Music....the road goes on forever... AND....the party never ends! Question: Do people, outside of Texas, call their favorite musical artists by their first name? Willie has always been "Willie" to me, never Willie Nelson. And the same with all the others. I'm curious.... NOTE: Compliments to our favorite metal artist and good friend, Robert McKay and MAC Design-Build, for the beautiful metal work on our Casita names and numbers.

So, here we are in the midst of a most brutal pandemic – Covid 19. Like you, I watched it abuse China, then my beloved Italy, and so on. It’s scary and has blown up our First World way of life. We can’t be with our friends, except virtually or from a distance. We are afraid to touch ANYTHING at the store. We look at each other, while running essential errands, and wonder, “do you have the corona?” One of the greatest impacts of the virus on our community in Dripping Springs, Texas, was the ban on gatherings. Hundreds of weddings this spring were cancelled or postponed. Dripping Springs is The Wedding Capital of Texas, hosting more weddings each year than anywhere else in the State. So our wedding venues and lodging properties took a huge hit. It pained us to console our couples through this inevitable, and heartbreaking, process of cancelling and rescheduling. Most couples rescheduled for the fall, but some could not. One of our couples had planned for more than a year and a half to be married at Hill Country Casitas in March and spend that weekend with family and friends from out of state. When they were forced to cancel their wedding, they grieved. And we grieved with them. All those dreams of their wedding weekend gone. After a week or so, our couple considered an elopement, just the two of them, their two dogs, and two friends. We found an officiant, got a cake and made it happen. It was bittersweet, but love cannot be quarantined. Since then, we have received lots of requests for elopements – just the two of them! We are excited to play a small role in the union of two people during this horrific time. Our next elopement is tomorrow, and I will be officiating as an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. I never thought I would ever officiate a wedding, but so many of these couples are struggling financially, and I am cheap. So, now we are ELOPEMENT CENTRAL. We are working with our friends, local experts and professionals in cake artistry, photography, and more! Special packages for couples determined to start their lives together during a time when the future is so unclear, one thing is clear. Love cannot be quarantined. Hill Country Casitas hillcountrycasitas.com

Before I became the Virgin Innkeeper, I was Executive Director/CEO for a few non-profit organizations. In that role, I planned many, many corporate planning retreats for my volunteer board of directors. On such a tight budget, it was difficult to find unique, inspiring and comfortably rewarding meeting space with lodging and food/beverage that we could afford. We often had to settle for a windowless, recirculated air meeting rooms in a Marriott. Food was overpriced along with a 22% service fee. Fast forward to 2016, and my husband, Ron, and I built a “resort” or lodging property with 10 Casitas, or small houses – not tiny houses, please. We built the Pavilion based on my experiences of travel to my Italian “hometown” of Pienza and the Moricciani Family farmhouse, Cretaiole. The Pavilion was built for travelers to gather and share stories of their days in the Hill Country and share meals, similar to the sun room at Cretaiole. The fire pit was added because…we love fire! We hosted many “Hill Country Trippers” and wedding guests those first couple years; and we still do! Then we started getting requests for corporate meeting space. Our first group was our friends at YETI! We would use the Pavilion when the weather was nice and the living rooms of the bigger Casitas when the weather was not so nice. We would move the HEAVY sofa bed on to the porch to set up a conference table for 12 or more. During this time, I thought often of my woes as meeting planner/coordinator for the volunteer boards I served, and that was it. We knew we needed to build a conference center. And we did! The Retreat, as we call it, was built and opened in February of 2019. It’s built in Casita style with the stained concrete floors, 12 foot walls, vaulted ceiling with pine wood, a big covered porch, and of course our amazing Hill Country view of the Pedernales River Valley. Since opening The Retreat, we have hosted more than a dozen corporate groups from IT companies to those provided veterinary medical equipment, to church leadership and community based organizations and corporate travel. One recent group was the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association – what fun! And they have all loved it! The meeting space is comfortable and bright. It’s so much fun to watch these groups burst with creativity and have fun! They work hard, and then play hard too! From sticky notes, both small and big covering the walls, to fun team building exercise with straws and cups, to high tech presentations on the 70 inch SMART TV – our groups have been productive and met their meeting goals. After meeting all day, our groups either cook at the Pavilion or have their meal catered. Or maybe they run over to Salt Lick and a winery or two! Then there is the evening entertainment – some bring in live music, some enjoy s’mores and adult beverages by the fire pit. At the end of the night, all enjoy our amazingly comfortable beds, and maybe their own private fire on their covered porch. Relaxation + Productivity = Success! Comments from a few of our corporate guests: We had a fantastic time! Team WFTDA Everything was perfect and you guys left no stone unturned as everything we thought we needed was already there! Everything was perfect from the Casitas, to the views! You provided us a space that we could be open, free, and most of all be ourselves without boundaries. Team Oaks Church We stayed at Hill Country Casitas for a two-day work retreat. The newly completed Retreat space was perfect for our team to hunker down for strategic planning. We had everything thing we needed and more. The casitas were impeccably clean and well-appointed. The overall environment is spectacular for a work retreat. My only regret is that we didn’t stay longer! Team Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio That Retreat space was fantastic. Team Rinnai Thank you for the hospitality. We had a memorable time and truly enjoyed the casitas. Team Idexx Here for a company retreat and I could not have picked a better place! The Casitas are adorable and cozy and have everything you need. Highly suggest stopping at a grocery store on the way in as the Casitas have small double stovetops, microwaves, and a fridge. The beds are king size in the studios and they are comfy! Best sleep I've gotten in a while! Team Access While I have guessed at a lot of things and “winged it” being an innkeeper, corporate meeting planning is second nature. And I love it! My more than a decade of service at Boys & Girls Clubs of America taught me many things, but one I carry with me daily is: WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD..... And The Casitas make that easy! The Retreat at Hill Country Casitas Dripping Springs, TX hillcountrycasitas.com

WEDDING SHOWCASE AND TOURS - Sunday, January 26, 2020 It's Wedding Central here in Dripping Springs, and has been for years! So much so, that the Texas Legislature resolved to name Dripping Springs, The Wedding Capital of Texas years ago. No wonder couples come from all over the nation and the world, to get married in our picturesque town. We not only have amazing venues (more than 40!), from casual to fancy, but we are loaded with wedding experts from planning to floral to cakes to catering to rentals, and more. Photography by G. Blair, photoshoot at Hill Country Casitas, lodging and venue If you or someone you know is considering getting married in Dripping Springs and the Hill Country, you don't want to miss this opportunity to meet all the pros in our "Wedding Capital of Texas" at the Showcase AND get to visit all those that intrigue you THAT day, no appointment! And the fabulous nearby lodging properties, like the Casitas, as well! Details below. Tix on EventBrite now! Use Promo Code Showcase for a FREE ticket! Sunday, January 26, 2020 Showcase 10-2pm, Venues and Lodging OPEN for tours 12-4pm https://www.drippingspringsnews.com/news/wedding-showcase-dripping-springs

While I am the Virgin Innkeeper, i.e. I’ve never kept an inn…, I am an experienced traveler. I’ve been lucky to travel a lot by some folks’ standards, minimally by my standards. My favorite destination is Italy and my adopted hometown of Pienza. In previous blogs, I have mentioned my friend and fellow Innkeeper, Isabella Moricciani, who is a successful Innkeeper/entrepreneur in southern Tuscany. Her farmhouse, Cretaiole, was my inspiration for the Casitas. Anyway, I digress…. When I am planning a getaway, domestic or international, I do my research. That includes Trip Advisor Travel Forums and the OTAs (On-line Travel Agencies). Some popular OTAs include Booking.com, VRBO, AirBnB, Expedia, and there are 100s more, most owned by or affiliated with Expedia or Booking.com. They are great for research as you can compare many hotels, for example, and their rates, amenities and reviews. All extremely helpful. What you may not know, especially if you are not in the business, is that these OTAs charge the property a commission, roughly 20%. Some charge the guest a service fee too! Some OTAs are now offering loyalty programs which is a nice perk. Hill Country Casitas will be launching our loyalty program soon –stay tuned. I refer to the OTAs as the Big Box Store of Travel….as the big box stores often push Ma & Pa business out of the market. Living in a small Texas town, we are quite familiar with how that works. It’s a little different with travel, because the OTAs do bring us small hoteliers business, but the OTAs definitely can impact a Ma & Pa hospitality business' bottom line. We can adjust for that much of the time and can write it off as the cost of doing business. But I would say the majority of the time, the guest will find a better deal when booking directly with the Ma & Pa hotel. What is your experience with OTAs? Here's my advice: compare and consider booking directly through a hotel’s website. Google is our friend! If you see a lower price on an OTA, the hotel will more than likely beat it. But I bet the hotel will have a lower rate on their website or some great special they are running. Also booking directly with the hotel will typically provide you with more direct and effective customer service. As my buddy Rick Steves says….”Keep Traveling!”

I just returned from a 2 week girls’ trip to Europe. Yes, I am a lucky, and grateful, girl! While staying near my beloved Pienza (my chosen Italian hometown), we made gnocchi and enjoyed a 7 course meal at the Andreucci Winery just outside of Pienza in southern Tuscany. We were with a big group and had so much fun! The winemaker, Flavio, and his family have been making wine for more than 300 years on that particular land. His wife Laura is a gem and was a gracious host. Towards the end of the evening, Flavio learned that I was from Texas, specifically Dripping Springs. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. He, this Tuscan man, knew Dripping Springs, TX. So I asked him how he knew the Drip, and get this – his winery, Andreucci Wines, recently opened a tasting room, with his amazing Italian wines, just down the road in Fredericksburg. WOW! Small world? And he loves his Stetson he bought on his last trip. As we talked, I learned that he is also opening a winery on Hwy 290 at the corner of the Becker Winery road. Again, wow! I asked if it would be a true winery, making wine, and of course, no. He will import his Italian made wines and sell them at the “winery”. Fine by me, they are amazing – Chianti, Rosso di Montalcino, the famous Brunello and Nobile di Montepulciano…oh and a wonderful Prosecco to name a few. My friends and I had a great, and silly, time at the group dinner. What hit me and left me in awe, is that our little wine country region of the Texas Hill Country is ON THE MAP. Flavio chose the Hwy 290 Wine Trail because of its impressive presence in America’s wine country and its current and future growth potential. Just last year, I heard there were 28 winery permits filed each month for the Hwy 290 wine trail. Each time we drive down that way, which is often, we see new wineries popping up. Breweries too! We would appreciate some restaurants, hint, hint…. Obviously, an Italian family making wine for over 300 years is substantial and noteworthy. For that family to invest so substantially in our area just down the road from Dripping Springs, Texas, is amazing to me. Everyone knows I love my Texas wineries, especially Hawk’s Shadow across the street from the Casitas. Now there will be so much more to love as our wine region becomes truly international. We are ON THE MAP! Congrats Texas Wine! #texaswine #Andreucci

My husband, Ron, and I just returned from our 10th Wedding Anniversary trip to the Florida Keys. We love the Keys. I first discovered them back in March 1991. I was almost 24 years old and was on a trip with an old college buddy and his friends. I fit in there and the laid back easy way of life. Flip flops and a cold beer. It’s like the Keys are on an eternal vacation. I loved the water…on both sides of the land! And I found the Keys, its reef, its sunsets, its little towns, its tiki bars – all beautiful. Over the past 27 years, I’ve gone there quite a bit, and BOY, has it changed. It’s grown, of course. There are more buildings everywhere. The quiet towns I once knew are now tourist stops. For our anniversary trip, I tried to find, quite literally, a one bedroom Casita (think big, clean, kitchen, porch, grill, the most comfortable king bed ever...) on a quiet Key somewhere – preferably the middle Keys. Well, the search was quite frustrating. Long story short, I found an oceanfront hotel that had a one bedroom unit with kitchen. So off we went. As an inn keeping professional (still virgin in many ways!), I notice lots of detail when I stay in a hotel or rental – good and bad. This uncontrollable vigilance of mine can make relaxing difficult. But I digress. We arrive, and I’m pleasantly surprised with the cleanliness and layout of the unit. And out the back patio door is the ocean…about 20 yards away! I’m thinking...this is great. And it was for a while. Then we realized there were another 100 people enjoying that view within a very small space. The hotel was 4 stories high and had a big ugly staircase on the Oceanside. Anyway, it was just fine. We were in the Keys! The next day we met a couple from New York. They’ve been coming to this hotel for their summer vacation for 15+ years. They get the same oceanfront unit each time, and they love it there. He said, “it is so beautiful here!” with a huge grateful smile on his face. His genuine remark made me think. Is it really beautiful here, on this beach, at this hotel in the Keys? My answer: it was nice. I save the word “beautiful” for spaces and places where I am in in awe. The beach on this crowded Key in a four story hotel that blocked the light of the sun on the beach after 4:00 was not necessarily beautiful to me. That guy probably doesn’t listen to Texas Country music and drank Brunello either. And that’s ok. :) What is beautiful to me? I’ve seen a lot of what I believe to be beautiful places. Lately, we were in Ohio visiting Ron’s friends and family. The trees (HUGE trees!) and the corn fields were beautiful. The sun glistening on a big lake while Herons fish in August while floating on a boat is beautiful. New Zealand? Beautiful. The BVIs? Beautiful. A vineyard in the Texas Hill Country (or most anywhere) is beautiful. The hills and mountains of Virginia – beautiful! A stain glassed window in the Catholic Church in Moneta, VA – beautiful. A horse, almost any horse. Wow. Even the Gulf of Mexico, laden with oil rigs off the shore at Port Aransas, TX, is beautiful. My beloved Italia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. To me. There’s one thing in common among my beautiful places. Memories. Wonderful things happened in these places such as authentic experiences of joy, love and peace. What comes first, the beautiful place that helps create the memory, or the memory that took place there that makes a place beautiful? Not sure. I can go round and round on the chicken and the egg. Let’s just say, beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder. So cliché… When the man at the Keys hotel told me “this place is beautiful”, I instantly thought of home and Dripping Springs and our Casitas. This place and its rolling hills and "short, crooked trees" and desert flowers are beautiful to me. And I am grateful. I know what is beautiful to me. What is beautiful to you?

FAMILY fam·i·ly (fam(ə)lē) noun a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. all the descendants of a common ancestor. That’s all Mr. Webster? I’d like to add #3. 3. a group of friends who choose to behave in positive, familial ways of unconditional love and support (often lifesaving) I’ve often written and spoken about our friends. They are the best. Time and time again, they choose to be there for us. My father died last week. He was a huge man, despite his 85 year old frail body. He was huge in personality through his light-hearted humor, classic one-liners and abundant kindness. He lived with us for more than 8 years, right across the driveway, in his very own Casita. My mother was with him the first year and a half. We had so much fun and made tons of memories on their Casita porch. These memories will stay in our hearts forever. He invented, in my mind, “porch sitting”, the #1 amenity at Hill Country Casitas. Dad would sit on his porch and do crossword puzzles, play solitaire, enjoy a cocktail at 5:00pm, and watch Ron and me run in and run out with our busy, overloaded schedules, shaking his head. I’m sure we exhausted him with the pace of our lives. He would also thoroughly enjoy our many friends coming and going. These friends would stop in and see my Dad, “Dickie”, before coming in to our house. I’m not sure what all they talked about most of the time, but since many are nurses, I bet it was often medical related. And there is weather which is always fun to talk about, and how many days left in the month, and his beloved Miata, or how Dripping is growing…. As my father was on his way to a new life last week, these friends sat with us and held his hand and spoke “sweet nothings” to him and reminisced of the good times. These friends are our chosen family, an undeserving complement to our great, and growing, family. We are eternally grateful for them and so many others who love us and loved Dickie. Dad loved Broadway musicals. A line from one of my favorite tunes in Les Miserables: “…to love another person is to see the face of God.” Well, we have seen God. We have seen Him in our friends’ love of my father, us and our Casitas, and in Dad’s love for them. RIP Dad – we love you forever! Now, where’s that porch? We’ve got some sittin’ to do!