Texas Hill Country Vibes: Family, Wine, and Moments to Remember

Now that I’m back in Wisconsin (and slowly catching up after getting home at 3 AM yesterday!), I’ve had a little time to reflect on what an amazing trip this was. From hilltop views to heartfelt moments, I’m so grateful we were able to spend this time together as a family—and help Mom check off a few meaningful memories from her bucket list.

We started our week in the charming city of Fredericksburg, Texas, and I can’t wait to share some highlights from our time there. If you’ve ever considered a trip to the Texas Hill Country—or it’s been sitting on your travel wish list—let’s talk. This place is full of gems, over a hundred wineries, breweries and even some distilleries. It’s also got the kind of beauty that makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper.

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Fredericksburg Adventures: Wine, Views & Family Time
We kicked off our trip with a smooth travel day—flying from MSP to Phoenix, where Steve and I met up with Mom, and continuing on to Austin together. After a grocery stop, we made the drive to Fredericksburg and checked into our beautiful Absolute Charm rental house. This was our second time staying with this company, and once again, it was clean, cozy, and the perfect landing spot.

Sunday was filled with sunshine, smiles, and a long-awaited happy hour reunion at Ab Astris Winery with my friend Melinda and her husband, Tony. Melinda introduced me to this gem back in 2019, and the wine remains as fabulous as ever. The biggest surprise? Mom loved every single wine she tried! We ended the day with dinner at Auslander Biergarten, where she and Steve enjoyed hearty German fare in the evening breeze.

Monday began with a peaceful morning hike for Steve and me up Enchanted Rock. It was the perfect reset before a full day of fun. Later, we explored the charming downtown shops and grabbed lunch at Burger Burger downtown Fredericksburg. While we had some other things planned for the day, including a stop at the Rhinory to meet Blake the Rhino, after walking up all afternoon around Main St, we decided to call it a day. That evening, instead of eating out again, Steve fired up the grill and cooked up delicious steaks. We paired them with a bottle of Mourvedre from Ab Astris for a relaxed, restaurant-quality dinner in the comfort of our rental house. It was slow, simple, and just what we needed.

Tuesdays Are for Wine Tours (and Manicures!)
Tuesday was our wine tour day, which was an experience we were excited to share with Mom. Steve and I celebrated our 30th anniversary with Texas Wine Tours a few years ago and I knew they would take good care of us again. Our Tour had three unique stops:

• Texas Wine Collective, where we stayed for lunch after our tasting
• Adega Vinho, which specializes in Portuguese and Spanish-style wines
• Featherstone Ranch, a charming venue with great wine and adorable Oreo cows grazing nearby

Each winery brought something different to the table, but if we return to the Hill Country, Featherstone will definitely be on our list again—right after a stop at my favorite Ab Astris, which is right down the road!

After our full day of wine tasting, I carved out a little self-care moment back at the rental house after the others went to bed. I refreshed my manicure using dry nail polish strips from the March Western-themed Color Play box. My original vacation manicure included retired Wine Down (which felt pretty perfect for wine country, and I’d kept in my stash for this trip), but I was ready to switch it up. That’s what I love about these strips—no dry time, no mess, and just a few minutes to feel change up my look and feel put together again.

My Non-Negotiable Travel Companion: Wellness Support
While this trip was all about family, fun, and making memories, I also made sure to stay consistent with my wellness routine—because let’s be honest, travel can take a lot out of you, especially when you’re the planner, caregiver, and memory-maker all in one.

Every morning, I took my go-to combo:

• Fit to help with muscle recovery and strength (especially after that hike up the mountain)
• Lean to support blood sugar and curb those mid-afternoon snack cravings
• Hydrated to replenish my cells, combat inflammation, and keep my energy up
• Focused to stay mentally sharp and present throughout each full day

Hydrated was especially helpful during our travel days and the morning after wine tasting—it gave my body the extra support it needed to bounce back from dehydration and inflammation so I could actually enjoy each day instead of dragging through it.

Each evening, I wrapped things up with Calm, which helped me wind down and sleep better after long, active days. And truthfully? A few afternoons called for an extra pixie stick of Calm, too. If you’ve ever traveled with family—especially across generations—you know how important it is to have something that helps you stay grounded and respond with grace.

I’m so thankful I had the right support with me every step of the way.

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Looking Ahead…
Next up, we’ll head to San Antonio, where the stories only got more meaningful—riverwalk views, a bucket list visit to the Alamo, and heartfelt moments we’ll never forget.

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the Texas Hill Country—or it’s been sitting on your travel wish list—let’s talk. I’d love to share more of what made this trip so memorable.