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An old Cotton
Gin, the only Railroad Tunnel in Texas, 100 year old
German Homestead, Ghost Town, the most beautiful
scenery....
Photos
& Content by Your Guide
Ronald E. Boutelle
Before starting out on this trip, please understand that this
route takes you on many back roads. Of course there are
more direct ways of reaching Luckenbach where road conditions
are not as much of a concern. But portions of this route must be
driven with care. Here are just a few of the road signs you
will see on this trip. Especially if there has been heavy
rains in the area, roads can be flooded. There are low bridge
crossings (on Grapetown Rd. to mention just one). In times of
heavy rains, you can always take 281 north to Johnson City,
take Highway 290 toward Fredericksburg,
and when you see the big yellow Shell gas station on your
left, turn there and Luckenbach is only 5 miles south.
Besides concern about flooding, you will also experience sharp
turns and narrow roads. |
| But since the sky is mostly sunny in Texas and the weather
great, taking the back roads is best way to get to Luckenbach,
Texas! This outing is a Summit
favorite. Often our guest say that this trip alone
made their entire vacation the best ever! |
Beginning....
| Starting at The Summit
Vacation Resort, the first leg of the Luckenbach Road Trip
takes you over to highway 306. The gorge was created in 2002
when Canyon Lake overflowed. |
| They said it could never
overflow yet in 2002 Canyon Lake did just that, sending
millions of gallons of water over the spillway, tearing out
the now famous gorge and causing catastrophic damage below. |
| Here is how it looked in
the spring of 2002 when Canyon Lake came rushing over the
spillway. |
| The dam itself is a
short distance from the gorge. If you want to drive up to where
you can see a great view of the lake or even walk across the
dam, there is a parking area provided (see map above).
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| For those who want to walk
down to the Power House, there is parking provided.
This is where water is released into the
Guadalupe River. |
| First part of the journey
complete! Just up the road from the dam is this
intersection where you turn left onto 306 toward highway
281, about a 20 mile drive. |
~ 306 to Kendalia, Texas
~
| This is the second leg of the
Luckenbach Road Trip where you want to end up in the
small village of Kendalia. Don’t miss the left turn on 281 onto Farm Road 473. There are two gas stations at
the 306/281 intersection. Be sure you have adequate
gasoline as there are no other stations after this. |
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Highway 306
dead-ends into Highway 281. Fill up and turn right. 3 miles
up the road you will be taking a left turn onto Farm
Road 473. |
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These two road
signs are what you will see on Highway 281. |
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When you enter Kendalia,
Farm Road 473 clearly makes a right turn in front of the
Kendalia General Store and Post Office.
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The last time I
was in The Kendalia Store they had a small cafe in the
back. Also restrooms. Even
as late as 1995 they sold gasoline but the pumps were
removed several years ago. From here begins the
next part of the trip to Sisterdale, Texas |
~
Kendalia to Sisterdale
~
|
This map shows the how 473
meets Farm Road 1376 at Sisterdale. The drive from
Kendalia to Sisterdale is under 20 miles. |
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After a scenic
drive on 473, here is where you turn right onto 1376
into the small village of Sisterdale, Texas. From
this point, to where you turn OFF 1376, is less than a
mile. However, there is a lot to see in this short
distance! |
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On your left, you
will not be disappointed taking the time to visit this
old Cotton Gin converted into the Sister Creek Winery.
This is another great camera stop. |
|
The slide show
will show you more of Sisterdale. This picture was
taken at the end of "Main Street" where again 473
takes us down the back roads to Luckenbach, Texas.
Please note that not taking this turn, but going straight,
will also take you to Luckenbach. But if you
want to see the only railroad tunnel in Texas, turn left
here. |
~ Sisterdale to
the Rail Road Tunnel ~
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Just past the historical building at the far end of Sisterdale is
where you travel down the last 5-mile stretch of 473,
finally reaching
Old Highway #9. |
| This map shows
how you arrive at Old #9 Highway.
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| From this point it is
eight miles to the railroad tunnel where a large
parking area is provided. You can walk down the stairs
for a great view. Although I have never
seen them fly, in the evening all the bats leave the tunnel,
attracting many sightseers. There are bathrooms located
near the observation deck. |
Visitor Parking
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Here is the old
railroad tunnel!
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~ Tunnel to
Luckenbach ~
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Back at the parking lot, there
is a single road that services a homes located to the
right. If you are hungry, take this road to the
Alamo Springs Cafe - about 1/8 of a mile away.
Restrooms are provided. I often tell my friends
that this is the most remote restaurant in Texas. Well, not exactly true but it is certainly off the
beaten path. Prices are reasonable and their food
good. |
| Parking is provided to the
right. There is a recently poured concrete
slab just for motorcycles which will come in handy the
next time I visit. After dining you will continue
on Old Highway #9 for about 2 miles until you reach Grapetown Rd.
However, in this short distance there is still much to
see. |
| Just after leaving the Railroad Tunnel, look to your left and try to see signs
where the old railroad track bed used to be.
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| Only a mile past the tunnel on
your left, you will see this old German homestead. Park
your car and get out your camera!! |
| A mile past the German
homestead, on your right, you can turn onto this old
school road and take lots of pictures.
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This picture was
taken back toward the railroad tunnel.
Everything seems
to be a mile apart (or less) and this holds true for your
next destination: Grapetown Rd. There you turn
right and travel about 4 miles to the main road that
will take you to Luckenbach, Texas. Keep an eye out for
the Grapetown Rd. street sign.
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| There are many exciting things
to see on Grapetown Rd. Watch the slideshow for
more pictures. |
|
This stone fence must be over
100 years old. The building next to it certainly
is. At this point Luckenbach, Texas is just down
the road.
Grapetown Rd. comes to a "T" at
Highway 1376. This is the same road that runs thru
Sisterdale. You want to turn right to Luckenbach.
***
Turning left takes you to the big yellow Shell gas
station on Highway 290, five miles away. At 290,
turn right to visit the Wildseed Farm. Turn left
to visit Fredericksburg. |
| Because you turned right to
Luckenbach, Texas this is what you will see about 1/8 of
a mile up the road (on your right). Only on
busy weekends do you need to use the parking lot.
Except for special events, Monday - Friday you can drive
up to the old post office where you will find more convenient
parking. |
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Welcome to
Luckenbach, Texas! |
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