We hope everyone had a safe, wonderful Easter holiday weekend. Despite living through this difficult time, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for! Not only are we fortunate to have our health, but we’re also finding so many opportunities and silver linings during this forced slow down.
One of these silver linings is that, try though it might, coronavirus can’t take all of our simple pleasures away. In fact, we’re loving getting reacquainted with little things that we’ve been taking for granted. Here are a couple that we are enjoying right now!
Simple Pleasures: Flowers
One of life’s simplest pleasures is stopping to smell the flowers. The wildflowers, that is. It’s springtime in Texas and the flowers – they are a bloomin’! Not only do we have wildflowers dotting downtown to brighten our days, but we are just a short drive from the famous Willow City Loop. Now is the perfect time to pack (or pick) up a lunch, roll the windows down and revel in the fresh air as you drive the beautiful Texas backroads.
The Willow City Loop is a picturesque loop of rugged landscapes with deep canyons, tall cliffs, lush countryside, and spectacular wildflowers from March through May. Located about one hour from San Saba, off of Highway 16, awaits 13 miles of unique geology, winding creeks, pecan and live oak trees, and of – course – wildflower varieties. Depending on the time of the season, you can find Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Phlox, Coreopsis, Mexican Poppies, Sunflowers, Firewheels, yellow and white Daisies, Winecups, Horsemint, and Verbena.
We aren’t sure what the crowds will look like this year, but it’s likely that you will see others taking advantage of the open roads and spectacular blooms. Please maintain social distancing and CDC-recommended practices at all times. Keep in mind that state parks, county trails and public restrooms are subject to temporary closures.
Simple Pleasures: Music
Live music is such a pleasure. It heals the soul and the heart and lifts our spirits. It doesn’t need to be a Rolling Stones or Garth Brooks show to be a stunner. We loved taking a long Friday evening to tap our feet to tunes at Old Man Scary Cellars and Digg’s before COVID-19 posed a threat to our community. Old Man Scary Cellars has been bringing us back this simple pleasure! Caroline Hisel, along with Ross Williams & Presley Lyn Haile, has done a couple of Facebook live shows and we hope they will continue! Follow along with them on social for show listings!
We hope that you are finding simple pleasures and silver linings despite our altered reality. (And, please, share your favorites with us!) Stay safe and healthy!