If you follow the Colorado River into the heart of Texas Hill Country, you’ll find yourself among the largest chain of lakes in Texas. We are at one of those lakes (Inks Lake State Park) for the week. We’ve settled in and are excited about doing all the things we enjoy doing in a new area; exploring , eating, hiking, biking and playing disc golf.
A mere nine miles from Inks Lake is another state park called Longhorn Caverns State Park. It’s a day use only park but the caverns, as well as a classic CCC administrative building and observation tower, built in the 1930’s, are well worth a visit. The cavern itself has a colorful history. Comanche Indians used one section of the cave as a council room hundreds of years ago. Legend has it that in the 1800’s, the outlaw, Sam Bass used the cave as a hideout and during the Civil War, the Confederate army made and stored gunpowder there. In the early 1900’s it was used as a dance hall and also a place of worship for a local church. Today, guided tours are offered daily.
From the observation tower at Longhorn Caverns a very “other worldly sight,” comes into view. Falkenstein Castle rises up from the trees in the middle of the hills. The Texas castle was built by native Texans, Terry and Kim Young, following a trip to the Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle. Modeled after the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Falkenstein Castle captures the romance and culture of a different period. The Young’s castle is 14,000 square feet and even though considered a private residence, rooms are available to rent on Airbnb for $2,150 per night. The castle is also available for other occasions including weddings and private events.
I think Mark and I are happy and content paying $20 per night for a spot, just down the road, by Inks Lake.
No comments:
Post a Comment