Last December, I was thumbing through a magazine when a headline caught my attention – A Chef’s Incredible Winter Picnic. I thought to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding! Who would want to eat outside in freezing weather??” But after reading the article and being enticed by grilled Cuban sandwiches, hot spiced cider, and black bean salad, I decided the Texas Hill Country is the only place where a winter picnic could be very enjoyable!
After a little meal planning, we loaded up the car and headed to Lyndon B. Johnson State Park located just west of Johnson City. There was a slight breeze, blue skies, and it was about 60 degrees – perfect for tossing a football or Frisbee. The park features tennis courts, a baseball field, playground, hiking trails, and a swimming pool open during summer months. The park also has nice covered picnic areas with wood/charcoal burning grills. We brought along some young musicians – our kids – so we sang (slightly off key) Christmas Carols and other favorites. After our sing-a-long, we enjoyed a pleasant hike along the nature trails and then a game of Frisbee.
The Visitor Center contains memorabilia from President Johnson’s presidency. There is also the Behrens Cabin, typical of the German immigrant homes of the 1870’s. My favorite was the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead located east of the visitor center and just off the nature trail. It is a living history farm, where life on the farm is presented at it was in 1918. Costumed interpreters carry out the seasonal chores such as canning and butchering and day-to-day chores such as feeding livestock, milking, and gathering eggs. You just might arrive when they are cleaning the floors with homemade lye soap, plowing with horses, or churning butter. It is amazing to see the daily chores carried on at the farm, even cooking daily meals in the wood burning stove!
Across the Pedernales River is the LBJ National Historical Park. Self-guided tours begin at the State Park Visitor Center. Among the sites are the Texas White House and the Johnson family cemetery where the former President is buried.
A winter picnic? Oh yes, the Texas Hill Country – It’s a great place for a winter picnic!
~Karin~
If you’re interested in the article that enticed me to plan a winter picnic, it’s the December 2009 issue of Food & Wine.
