Don't Miss Out!
First Mountain on Canyon Lake
Beautiful Lake and Hill View Homesites on sale
Spotlight
: a beautiful large homesite with stunning views of Canyon Lake and the surrounding hills
This amazing lake view property has views of the lake, marina, and surrounding hills, mature oak trees, and ideal building site.
Call or Click Here to receive more information on our homesites and pricing!
1-877-427-5253
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Spring Festivities abound in the Texas Hill Country
Come visit and have fun in Canyon Lake, Gruene, New Braunfels, Boerne and San Antonio!
Below we have highlighted a few activities and events listed in the Events Calendar. Click on the pictures to learn more.
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New Braunfels Farm to Market
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Wein and Saengerfest
New Braunfels, Texas
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 | South of the Border Rodeo Celebration
San Antonio, Texas |
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Egg-Stravaganza
March 28
New Braunfels, Texas
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Doggie Dip Day
April 27
New Braunfels, TX
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Thru the Chute
New Braunfels, Texas
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Culinaria
May 16 - 19 in San Antonio
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Greg Bonham at the Brauntex
New Braunfels, Texas
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FOLKFEST 2013
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Photo Courtesy of Heritage Village
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Looking for a Fun Family Activity?
FOLKFEST is an annual "Family Heritage Festival" sponsored by the Heritage Society of New Braunfels on the grounds of Heritage Village in April.
FOLKFEST features living history re-enactments, pioneer craft demonstrations, free furniture museum tours, children's activities, musical entertainment and delicious food.
A complete schedule of activities will posted the week of the event. All proceeds benefit Heritage Village and their historic preservation projects.
The historic Kindermasken Parade dating back to the founding of New Braunfels is held in conjunction with this event. This children's costumed walking parade is open to all participants.
Folkfest 2013
Dates: Sat. - Sun., April 13-14
Time: Sat. -- 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sun. -- noon until 5 p.m.
Admission: $5 Adult -- $2 Student 6 through 12 -- Children 5 and under are free,
For a complete list of activities
click here.
2013
HISTORIC KINDERMASKEN PARADE 
DATE: Saturday, April 13
TIME: 10 a.m.
LOCATION: Beginning in front of the Brauntex Theater in Downtown New Braunfels
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Quick Links
Las Brisas Entry
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Las Brisas Waterfront Pool
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 First Mountain
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FM Mountain Entry
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First Mountain
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First Mountain
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 First Mountain Hill Top Pool
Come Tour!
877-427-5253 |
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Canyon Lake Activities
Spotlight: Horseback Riding and Stables
in the Texas Hill Country near Canyon Lake
There's nothing like a sunny afternoon spent riding your horse next to the sparkling blue waters of Canyon Lake in the Texas Hill Country.
Whether you are a novice or an experience rider, the Texas Hill Country offers horseback riding opportunities for all. There are a number of stables within an hour and a half of Canyon Lake offering a variety of riding experiences from show jumping to Camel safaris.
Riding Lessons
A number of stables provide lessons, both one time, week long camps, and ongoing. If you are interested in competition or considering horse ownership, this is a good starting place to determine your level of interest. Lessons give a more in depth experience, providing the rider with instruction in proper riding technique, tack, horse care, and psychology. Adults and children can take lessons in jumping, dressage, western saddle and even roping. For those with disabilities some stables also offer equine therapy.
Trail Riding
Trail Rides can be a great way to enjoy horses on an occasional basis. Rides can vary in length and intensity ranging from one hour to overnight rides. Overnight rides can give you the true "cowboy" experience, and come complete with campfire and some smores. Riders from every level, novice to expert, can find a ride that will make them happy.
This is just a very small sampling of some of the events, featuring music, theater, art, and just plain fun to be had in our corner of Hill Country. Be sure to take advantage of some. Click here
The Unusual and Convenient
For something really different try Movieland Animal Ranch in Pipe Creek for a Camel Safari. If you don't want to stray too far . . . click here to read more
To download our guide to Horseback Riding and Stables near Canyon Lake, Texas, click the button below.
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"As we drove up to First Mountain---
it reminded me of Route 1 to Carmel and Big Sur!" Beverly Doecke
Sometimes you find what you are looking for in a blink of the eye, and for
Beverly and Michael Doecke, it seems to have happened both in love and in finding their future retirement home.
 In 2002, Beverly and Michael met working in Houston for an oil and gas pipeline company and shortly thereafter, they were happily married! And less than a year ago, Beverly and Michael set out to look at various locations in the hill country for their future retirement home and
"In day 3 of what we thought would be a 5 year search we found First Mountain and immediately fell in love with the area and our home site."
Michael Doecke
What was it about First Mountain? For Beverly, who is originally from Houston but who had lived in California for twenty-six years, the landscape of the hills and valleys surrounding Canyon Lake and especially the drive up to the gates of First Mountain brought back memories of California, especially the drive on Route 1 to Carmel and Big Sur. The winding roads with lookouts cut through the limestone and cedar to the beautiful views of the crystal waters of Canyon Lake captivated her. With the stunning views of the lake and hills, she knew this was home.
Michael, an Australian who has lived in the United States for more than ten years working in the oil and gas industry, felt a fast kinship to the Canyon Lake area because it too brought back memories of a familiar place. Canyon Lake's landscape of hills and vegetation (minus the eucalyptus trees) reminded him of Mooroopna, the area of Australia that his father's side of the family is from.
Beverly's and Michael's exposure to the Texas Hill Country came about when some dear friends working in San Francisco purchased a home in San Antonio. Living in Houston, Beverly and Michael welcomed the opportunity to leave the big city to see their friends in San Antonio, and as they drove, they discovered the unique beauty of the Texas Hill Country. After several trips with friends to New Braunfels, Wimberley and other locals, they decided the area near San Antonio was where at they wanted to live after retirement. Of course, it did not take them long to find the perfect home site at First Mountain.
The Doeckes hope to have their home built in First Mountain within the next two years. Currently, they are working with Jimmy Jacobs on preliminary plans. The process is full of excitement for them both. For Michael, to be able to open his blinds and see the hills or the lake and not his next door neighbor brings him great pleasure. And, Beverly can't believe her good fortune of having to make the "tough" decision of whether her kitchen and bedroom should look out to the hills or the lake. Both can't wait for their family to visit. As Michael said,
"The greater Houston area is over 4.5 million, all of Australia is 21 million and Mooroopna when I was growing up was all of 500 people. The community of First Mountain and Canyon Lake, as far as I'm concerned, is idyllic."
Welcome Beverly and Michael!
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Will Bluebonnets Appear this Spring?
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Photo courtesy of Tracy Hobson Lehmann
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Each spring we await in great anticipation for the beautiful bluebonnets and other wildflowers to appear alongside our roadways, fields and countryside. The experts fear this year may not be the stellar year we had hoped for, but there are pockets that are showing signs of the beautiful flowers.
In Tracy Hobson Lehmann's article for the San Antonio Express News dated March 20, 2013, she lets you in on where to find them. The title,
When you head out to take photos of your children in the wildflowers this spring, dress them well. They'll be as much a part of the picture as the bluebonnets in a season that's seeing spotty blooms thanks to drought.
This is the time of year when patches of blue along roadsides stir spring fever and Texas pride, but this year's flowers are scattered, and in many cases the blooms are small.
"If you put it on a scale of 10, last year would be an eight and this year would be a four or five," said John Thomas, founder and president of Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg. "There may not be the big fields like we saw last year, but there are going to be pockets or colonies well distributed on the highways."
The plants got a good start with slightly above-average rain when seeds were germinating last fall, but winter rains needed to fuel plant growth were scant.
Since Jan. 1, San Antonio has received 3.69 inches of rain - 1.22 inches shy of the normal amount, to read the complete article
click here.
Keep hope alive!
Below is a recent post of bluebonnets spotted in San Antonio. Keep your eyes open and check the links below for locations where Bluebonnets have been spotted. Happy hunting!
From Texas Bluebonnet Sightings--see the link below, this was posted on Facebook.
Gotta thank one of our Facebook followers, Amanda Moor Bennet, for sending us a bluebonnet sightings report for McAllister Park in San Antonio, Texas. This is definitely a kid- and pet-friendly bluebonnet field! McAllister Park is located at 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road, San Antonio, Texas.
The field might be a little on the small side but it sure does look sweet. It's got a thick blanket. Amanda says the field is near the dog park in McAllister Park.
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Photo courtesy of Texas Bluebonnet Sightings
Posted March 21, 2013
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Great links from Tracy Hobson Lehmann's article last year in the San Antonio Express News.
Wildflower Haven reports
TxDOT wildflower reports
Texas Bluebonnet Sightings
Texas Bluebonnet Sightings on Facebook
Johnson City Wildflower Loop
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Wildseed Farms
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Four Great Live Music Venues 
-Gruene Hall
-Phoenix Saloon
-River Road Ice House
-Whitewater Amphitheater
Gruene Hall
Built in 1878, it is the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas, and has spawned a number of great songwriters and musicians. It's a great place to find some incredible music in Central Texas.
Phoenix Saloon
Originally established in 1871, The Phoenix Saloon was the first bar in Texas to serve women. Prohibition closed the Phoenix Saloon in 1918, in 1922 it became a department store and then in 2010 the Phoenix rose again as a historic Texas bar.
Whitewater Amphitheater
Located next to the scenic Guadalupe River between Canyon Lake and New Braunfels, Whitewater Amphitheater offers rafting trips, lodging at the nearby Luxury "Hideout on the Horseshoe" in addition to live music performances.
Some shows require a fee, please check Venue website to verify times and prices.
This is a partial list of events as of March 21st...Shows may require a fee, please check Venue website to verify times and prices. For the complete list, click here.
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2013 Spring Calendar of Events
 | FIESTA San Antonio - April 18-28
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March
3/2, 9, 16, 23 New Braunfels Farm to Market Open every Saturday between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM year round. Rain or shine! Downtown on Castell Avenue next to Friesenhaus Restaurant New Braunfels, TX
3/23 Hot Rod Nights at Soda Pops in Boerne featuring cool classic cars and live music.
3/28 Eggstravaganza - Families can dye, design and decorate eggs at design and decoration stations. Cascarones instruction will also be held for those who want to learn the Mexican art of confetti egg making! Hosted by New Braunfels Parks Department. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated. Fee: $2 6-7:30pm
3/29 Free Country Cha-Cha Dance Lessons - The Watering Hole 7:30-8:30pm New Braunfels, TX.
April
4/1-7 Valero Texas Open Played at the TPC San Antonio, this tournament brings a distinctively Texas twist to the PGA TOUR.
4/5, 12, 19, 26 New Braunfels Farm to Market Open every Saturday between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM year round. Rain or shine! Downtown on Castell Avenue next to Friesenhaus Restaurant New Braunfels, TX
4/5, 12, 19, 26 Free Salsa Dance Lessons - The Watering Hole 7:30-8:30pm
4/5 Boerne Concerts by Camerata San Antonio -7:30pm to 9:00pm Relish the sweet sounds of 6 masterful musicians and their skilled string renditions.
4/5-28 Circle Arts Theater presents "The Last Dance at St. Casimir's". - 124 Elizabeth St. New Braunfels
4/5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 Fiesta Noche Del Rio - A San Antonio tradition, this performance features songs and dances of Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas and occurs Friday and Saturday evenings at the River Walk's historic Arneson River Theatre.
4/6 South of the Border Mexican Rodeo Celebration Third Annual Tribute to Legendary Charro Jose Pepe Diaz. Live Mariachi de Oro, Special performances by Jerry Diaz and Family with their beautiful horses. Special Guest; Sebastien De La Cruz from Americas's Got Talent. Trick riding, food, music and fun. 3-Mile Creek Ranch New Braunfels. See Website for fees and times.
4/6 Cibolo Nature Center's "Mostly Native Plant" Sale 9:00am to 3:00pm - Find ways to make your landscape more beautiful! In Boerne.
4/6 Wild West Day 10:00am to 5:00pm Enjoy a fun filled day of family entertainment and education "Wild West Style." Enchanted Springs Ranch 242 State Highway 46 W Boerne Texas 78006
4/6 & 27 Hot Rod Nights at Soda Pops in Boerne featuring cool classic cars and live music.
4/12-14 Boerne Parade of Artists - The Boerne Parade of Artists begins on Friday and continues throughout the weekend. Be among the first to preview the art and enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres at Friday night's reception. 6:00pm to 9:00pm
4/13 2nd Saturday Art & Wine in downtown Boerne 4:00pm to 8:00pm Browse the "Best Art East of Santa Fe" while savoring a glass of wine.
4/13 Kindermasken Parade 10am. Historic Kindermasken Parade is one of the oldest traditions in New Braunfels. Herman Seele, the city's first teacher, started a children's costumed parade and ball as early as 1856. Today, costumed chidren march around Main Plaza in historic downtown New Braunfels.
4/13-14 FOLKFEST, an annual family heritage festival sponsored by the Heritage Society of New Braunfels is on the grounds of Heritage Village. FOLKFEST features living history re-enactments, pioneer craft demonstrations, free furniture museum tours, children's activities, musical entertainment and delicious food.
4/18-28 FIESTA 2013 San Antonio 11 days of festivals, parades, food and art.
4/20 Through the Chute Boat Build - Join us for New Braunfels annual cardboard boat build and race at the City Tube Chute. Competitors launch their handmade vessels through the Chute as spectators cheer them on.
4/20 Greg Bonham - The Voice of Las Vegas at the Brauntex Theater, New Braunfels
4/20 Dicks Classic Cruise In Night - 5-9pm Got a classic car? Bring it. Don't have one? Bring yourself! Dick's Cruise In Night is open to everyone! Every 3rd Saturday each month from 5pm-9pm we open our museum to you at no charge. Dick's Classic Garage Car Museum 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos 512-878-2406
4/20 Old Gruene Market Days Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Market hours are 10:00am-5:00pm. Free admission. For more information, visit www.gruenemarketdays.com or call (830) 832-1721. Gruene Rd New Braunfels, TX
4/26 Movie in the Park & Earth Day - 6:30-10pm Circle - Main Plaza Park Boerne Featuring "The Lorax" (movies start at dark) Come out early pick your spot, get a movie snack or two and hang out and enjoy a free juggling lesson with the Boerne Gymnastics Center, moon bounce fun with the Boerne YMCA and meet some exciting new exotic friends with Happy Tails Entertainment!
4/26-28 Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival "A Celebration of Natural Flight," the festival is an opportunity for the whole family to experience the abundance of regional winged wildlife including birds, bats, butterflies and dragonflies. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Fredericksburg, TX
4/27 Annual Doggie Dip Day at Landa Park Spring fed pool in New Braunfels. $5 per dog/owner ($1 additional) Proof of shots required to attend.
4/27 Splashtown San Antonio Opens for 2013 Season- Splashtown San Antonio is 20 landscaped acres of cool, clean water excitement just three minutes North of downtown on IH-35 at the Splashtown exit.
4/28 Schlitterbahn opens for the season - The original Schlitterbahn, in New Braunfels, just 20 minutes north of San Antonio, wins recognition, year after year, as the world's top waterpark. With over 65 acres of tube rides, water slides and uphill water coasters there is plenty of fun for the whole family.
May
5/2-4 - Hill Country Film Festival - HCFF is a three-day independent film festival in the heart of the picturesque Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Texas.
5/3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 Fiesta Noche Del Rio - A San Antonio tradition, this performance features songs and dances of Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas and occurs Friday and Saturday evenings at the River Walk's historic Arneson River Theatre.
5/4, 11, 18, 25 New Braunfels Farm to Market. Open every Saturday between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM year round. Rain or shine! Downtown on Castell Avenue next to Friesenhaus Restaurant New Braunfels, TX
5/4 - Cave Without a Name Concert: James Uqualla & Dianna White Dove with Jodie Roberts and Virgie Raven Hawk Boerne, TX.
5/4 - 10th Annual Wein & Sanger Fest - Held in historic downtown New Braunfels,this event offers a host of entertainment and activities that include continuous live music, a grape stomp, art market, food seminars, wine and beer tasting, a Chef's Showdown, and activities for the kids - culminating with a street dance at Main Plaza!
5/5 Cinco de Mayo Celebrations commemorate the Mexican Army's defeat of the invading French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Events include a festival with music and food at historic Market Square, concerts and other commemorations in San Antonio.
5/5 End With a Bang! - Mid Texas Symphony 4pm. Copland: An Outdoor Overture. Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. Debussy: Petite Suite. Delius: Walk to Paradise Garden. Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture.
5/11 - Boerne Market Days 10:00am to 5:00pmMain Plaza comes alive with great shopping in an outdoor setting.
5/11 - 2nd Saturday Art & Wine in downtown Boerne 4:00pm to 8:00pm Browse the "Best Art East of Santa Fe" while savoring a glass of wine.
5/16-19 CULINARIA - A Wine and Culinary Arts Festival Giving wine and food aficionados one more thing to be thankful for this May, the Festival will showcase the Alamo City's finest restaurants and chefs as well as celebrity guests from Mexico, Miami, Manhattan and all over Texas as it celebrates San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination and an important culinary and cultural gateway to Mexico and Latin America.
5/17-19 BoerneFest - Food - music - art - contests and fun for the whole family Main Plaza Boerne
5/18 Highwaymen Live at the Brauntex Theater, New Braunfels
5/18 Old Gruene Market Days Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Market hours are 10:00am-5:00pm. Free admission. For more information, visit www.gruenemarketdays.com or call (830) 832-1721. Gruene Rd New Braunfels, TX
5/18 Dicks Classic Cruise In Night - 5-9pm Got a classic car? Bring it. Don't have one? Bring yourself! Dick's Cruise In Night is open to everyone! Every 3rd Saturday each month from 5pm-9pm we open our museum to you at no charge. Dick's Classic Garage Car Museum 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos 512-878-2406
5/26 Boerne Concert Band Performance - 7:00 PM-9:30 PM @ Main Plaza Park, Boerne Outdoor Patriotic Concert Band Concert
5/31 Movie in the park - "Madagascar III:Europe's Most Wanted"- PG 6:30pm on Main Plaza, Boerne
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