Tejas Chapter
Annual Bluebonnet Drive

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Planned by John Hughan
Mark your calendars for our annual Texas Bluebonnet Drive! This cruise will take us through the famous Willow City Loop, home to the lovely Texas Bluebonnet flower. Last year the weather was too hot and dry for any bluebonnets, so cross your fingers this year! But either way, the Willow City Loop also features fantastic vistas thanks to its unique geology. Nearby Fredericksburg, where we will have lunch, is a step into Texas' German history. This is one of our most popular events, don't miss out!
9:00am - Meet at the "Y" in Oakhill (US 290 and SH 71), in the parking lot in front of Gatti's;
(get directions)

Driver meeting at 9:15am;

Take off driving at 9:30am.

Coffee and bathrooms are available at several locations nearby.

Then take a nice drive on 290 and hill country back roads to Johnson City for a coffee/bathroom break.

Starting from south Austin we will head west through miles of scenic, winding back roads on our way to Johnson City, hometown of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. We should arrive around 10:30, and we will stop in the town square for a quick stretch and wander. The Visitors Center, City Hall, LBJ’s elementary school, and several shops and galleries are all within blocks of our stopping point.
From there we will turn northwest, bound for the Willow City Loop.

Willow City Loop is 13 miles of country road winding its way through some of the oldest and most unique geology in central Texas. This spectacular, rugged terrain is awe-inspiring any time of the year and gorgeous during wildflower season. The two-lane road winds through canyons carved by picturesque Coal Creek, and over hill tops where the views are stunning. In wildflower season, March - April, the hillsides and low lying meadows are ablaze with the colors of a multitude of wildflower varieties. Mesquite, pecan, and live oak trees thrive, and there is an abundance of wildlife. All land along the Loop is privately owned.
After the Loop we'll make our way to the historic city of Fredericksburg, arriving around 12:15, where lunch will await us at Hondo's. Best known for their Donut Burgers (a burger shaped like a donut, not a donut in a bun!), Hondo's will have a menu just for us featuring some of their most popular specialties. Weather-permitting we will even be able to dine in their outdoor area, which has both open and covered seating available. The cost for lunch will be $15. All orders are placed inside at the counter. To ensure the most efficient service, please order together with your table and mention that you are with BMW CCA Tejas.
The event will conclude with lunch, leaving you free to walk along historic Main St and browse its wide variety of shops. Just 2 miles east on 290 from Hondo's there's also the Texas Rock Art Company, which features all manner of custom engraved rocks. Or finally, 8 miles east on 290 from Hondo's you will find the Texas Wildseed Farms, which will be celebrating final day of their 2012 Wildflower Celebration, offering Chuckwagon-style dutch oven biscuits for sampling their jams and jellies all day.
If you have a two-way radio, bring it. They enhance the enjoyment of the drive!

Who attended

Name
 Year Model People
Name
 Year Model People
Jon Barag 2007 335i 2 Herb Looney 2006 M3 1
Don & Esther Bishop 2007 Z4 Cpe 2 David & Marjorie Mann 1998 Z3 2
Scott & Helen Bowman 2011 1M 2 Hiran & Susanna Marin 1995 325i 2
Fred & Debra Brinkley 2009 M3 3 Sharon May & Karen Saucier 1993 325i 2
Thomas Brown 1995 325 3 Glenn & Sandy McConnell 2001 Z3 2
Ron & Brenya Buchalski 2003 525i 2 Brian McKinney 2002 M3 2
J P Burd 2008 328i 2 Johnny & Shearon Mitchell 1999 M Cpe 2
Josh & Kathryn Butts 2006 M Rdstr 2 Lisa & Jeff Moore 2007 Z4 2
Ken Carson & Connie Stried 1999 M Rdstr 2 William Muldoon 2006 650i 2
Linda Cavazos 2011 135i 1 Jon Nolting 2006 X3 2
Tim & Linda Cook 2006 M Rdstr 2 Carl Nybro 2010 328i 4
Marco Cordon 2007 Z4 1 Philip Nybro 2007 328i 3
Jonna Clark 2008 M Cpe 1 Marcus & Flavia Paulino 2006 325i 4
Scott Davis 2006 330ci 2 Jonathan Pearson 2003 Z4 2
Tom & Gay Dawson 2010 Z4 2 Al & Angel Ridgley 1987 325i 2
Ben Eckermann 2008 128iC 2 Charlie Sachs & Jackie Purdy 1994 840ci 2
Fred Egloff (lunch only) - - 2 Knostantin Samsonov 1997 Z3 1
Richard Ganem 2003 Z4 2 Hector Sanchez 2008 M3 2
Chris Gant 2012 328i 2 Mike & Jean Sevel 2003 Z4 2
Paul Goldfine 2011 128i 2 Cathy St Martin 2006 530i 2
Charley Gray 2011 335i 2 Roger Williams 2000 M Rdstr 1
Alan & Jan Greene 2011 335i 2 Don Yule 2008 335iCv 2
Ted & Vanessa Haschke 2007 328i 2 Trent Zou 2010 335i 1
John Hughan 2011 M3 2 Total 46 93