August 8, 2005

Indian Legends and the Texas Hill Country

The signs of spring in the Texas Hill Country are everywhere. A visit to the south central part of Texas known for its blue bonnets in spring and its rolling hills with rocky outcroppings will leave a lasting impression. They left an impression on the earliest inhabitants of the area- various the Indian tribes. From San Antonio to Austin up to Dallas the area is commonly known as the Hill Country. The early Indians had explanations for origins of features that we enjoy today.

Within that area of Texas during the spring, Mother Nature puts on one of her unique displays. The hills become covered with a small blue wildflower- the blue bonnet. There is an Indian legend about the blue bonnets, as there are Indian legends about many wildflowers. It says that the land was thirsty and dry. The leaders of the tribe knew that the Great Spirit wanted to give the land water, but that in order for that to happen, someone would have to give up something very valuable to them. All the tribe members thought and thought. No one could imagine that it would be themselves who would have to give up anything except this one small Indian girl that always carried around her doll. She never parted with it because it was very special to her. However, she knew that she was the one the Great Spirit wanted to make the sacrifice.

One night the little Indian girl went to the hill upon which the Great Spirit lived. The sacred tribal fire was burning. She placed her doll in the fire as a sacrifice so that her people might have rain. The next morning the rains came. With the rains scattered across the hills as far as the tribe could see were tiny blue flowers that are now called blue bonnets. These blue bonnets were signs from the Indians' Great Spirit of his pleasure with the special sacrifice of the little girl.

It is appropriate for the Texas Hill Country to bring a mental association of wildflowers. Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, the thirty-sixth President, had a lasting impact on Texas and the rest of the country. One of her greatest accomplishments, at least the one she is best remembered for, is the planting of wildflowers along median strips of the nation's interstate highway system. Began in Texas, the projects have spread from state to state.

Planting of native plants along the interstate highways' medians have done more to further the awareness of the public to the work of wildflower organizations than any other single project. Besides, the driving public has applauded the efforts in beautifying the roadways and admires the splashes of color making their commutes to work or trips across the country interesting and well as picturesque. Visit the former First Lady's web site (http://www.wildflower.org) to learn more about the work of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

For the visitor that wants to get out of the city, there are several natural attractions for entertaining and

informative day trips. Just north of Fredericksburg is an impressive granite monument called Enchanted Rock. It is second in size only to Stone Mountain in Georgia. The rock itself covers 640 acres of the park's 1643 acres. Rock climbing, rappelling, and hiking are popular sports enjoyed in the park. Enchanted Rock is one of the most visited parks in the area and is extremely crowded on the weekends.

Between Austin and Dallas another small town Ennis holds an annual blue bonnet festival with arts and crafts dedicated to the little wildflowers and with scenic wildflower drives.

Another legend of the early Indians of the Texas Hill Country concerned Enchanted Rock. They believed the granite dome to be magical and they feared the rock because of its "evil spirits". The Indians claimed to see flames on the top of the dome and to hear groans being emitted from the rock. The flames were only seen on nights following rain and were probably reflections off wet mica. The sounds were usually heard after a hot day and geologists have attributed them to the rock's changing temperature.

There are numerous other attractions of the Texas Hill Country that are worth visiting. The Texas Hill Country contains all the ingredients for a fun-filled destination. Scenic beauty. Shopping. History. Great variety of food. So, when the Texas Hill Country is mentioned, think of the blue bonnets in spring, but think also of the German heritage, its famous natives and its natural attractions.

For more information:

Texas Tourism Department

http://www.traveltex.com/high/home.asp

Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau

106 N. Adams Street

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

1-888-997-3600

http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Route 4, Box 170

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

1-915-247-3903

1-800-792-1112