PREFACE

Before we begin this hike together, the folks at Walden Retreats and Longbranch Bourbon just wanted to start you off with a few pointers – give you a few things to think about as you’re making your way through this terrain. Now, a few of you may know this already, but for any of those who don’t, the ethos of Longbranch Bourbon centers itself around the idea of wonderment: Those little, everyday moments or things that help make life worth living. It believes that every step beyond conventional wisdom brings us closer to our potential - whether you’re daydreaming with your head in the clouds or are out there following every spark of curiosity. It also asks us to ponder the ‘what-if’s’, to really think about everything that could be if we just believe it. This hike will help us do just that. It’ll take us up towards a wonderful little lookout at the top of the Walden Retreats property – perfect for some quiet contemplation, or simply the chance to reconnect with your own sense of wonder.

 Remember to keep in mind that as you’re listening to this audio, you might spot a few places to sit and take a breather. There are some log benches, some little clearings, some mighty fine oak trees that are perfect for sitting under. Feel free to pause this audio and listen to the sounds of the Texas Hill Country, gaze out over the rolling plains, or do whatever else you might need to do. Just take a moment to be present whenever you can. Pop me back on whenever you might feel like it, and know that this hike is what you make it.

INTRO

You wondered ‘what if’, and it brought you here. Welcome to the foothills of the Texas Hill Country. Are you curious? Are you here to explore? We’re about to set out through the native landscape of the Upper Loop, walking together through brush and all types of terrain as we take in the unexpected sights of the Walden Retreats property.

We might catch a glimpse of some white-tailed deer grazing way down by the water’s edge, spot a few banded armadillos, or maybe even hear the call of a Canyon Wren flying out over our heads. The wildlife in this little neck of the woods is just as diverse as the landscape itself, and there’s always something to see – as long as you’re looking out for it.

Now, what we’re about to do here – this isn’t about you, and this isn’t about me. We’re both just lucky enough to be where we are, experiencing something special. This here? This landscape, this moment in time – this is a gift. Remember to treat it like one.

CHAPTER 1: THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

As we’re making our way to the first site on the trail, how about I spit a few fun facts at you? You can’t say no, because it’s part of the tour.

Now, the Texas Hill Country – this little area where we situated the Longbranch Ranch – is actually the fourth-largest region in Texas, clocking in at a grandiose 31,000 square miles. The Walden Retreats property itself is nestled into 96 private acres along the winding Pedernales River – but we don’t have to go exploring all of it. This trail is actually a little over one mile long – which would normally amount to about an hour’s-worth of me talking in your ear. Lucky for you though, it’s only half of that – since I’m just getting you up to the top, and then you’ll be free to follow the path back down to where you started.

So, a little on the terrain. We’re stepping through some brush, mostly, but I’ll have you know: The entirety of the Texas Hill Country actually rests pretty nicely on the Edwards Plateau, a sprawling little savannah that sits on a bedrock of limestone. Now over the last few million years or so, this limestone has eroded and changed with time, giving way to the rolling hills and grasslands that you’re making your way through now. Here in the little slice of paradise we like to call the Longbranch Ranch at Walden Retreats, we like to think ourselves lucky: We have our very own stretch of grasslands, perfect for walking, biking, fishing... you name it. From the banks of the Pedernales to the highest point on the property (which we’re making our way up to now), there’s nothing but sheer beauty.

Now archeologists have determined that humans have occupied the land under your feet for more than ten thousand years. Native populations tended to this land, gathering pecans and mesquite beans from the trees that nestled themselves along the river, fishing in crystal clear waters and digging up mussels from the shallows. They also found something special: Edwards Chert (more commonly known as flint), and used that stone to make their tools. This stone could be found most abundantly in the gravely banks along the rivers, and some peoples traveled for miles and miles just to find it. And the Spanish, they called this stone ‘pedernales’ which means ‘flint’ – and that’s how this here river got its name. How’s that for a fun fact?

 Alright, feel free to pause the tour here if you need a breather – or just want to take a moment. If you’re ready to keep on trekking, then go ahead and start chapter two.

CHAPTER 2: TERRAIN

Alright now, remember to watch your step as you make your way up this part of the path. Look around you and see how the terrain starts to change as we get further along: The grasses are a little thinner, the rocks start to change form just a bit. We’re stepping over pieces of limestone and granite – stuff that’s been here since… Well? The start.

Look at the trees – those Ashe Junipers and Texas Live Oaks that dot their way along the trail – see the way they bend themselves up to reach those yellow shapes of light? They grow in the thin topsoil of the plains, but they’ve adapted to withstand the flash floods that sweep through this area in the rainy season.

This whole plot of land is full of truly incredible features – some are on this trail, some can be seen from the trail, and some might require a bit of extra exploring. One such sight that might require a bit of off-roading (or maybe just a slow walk down the river path) is one of my favorites. If you get down there, you might notice a sort of rectangular-looking rock down near the water’s edge. It’ll look pretty out of place, so I doubt you’ll have a hard time finding it. Fun little story about that guy: It’s man-placed, but not man-made. The owners of Walden found that as they were building up the structures of the main camp, and brought it down there to preserve it – give it a nice little place to live. We don’t really know the story behind it, but we’ve got a few ideas. You can make one up for yourself though, if you might feel so inclined.

 And with that, I wish you congratulations, folks. You’ve made it to the end of this chapter. Here comes your chance to pause me and walk for a bit, or keep on going to hear about some wildflowers.

CHAPTER 3: WILDFLOWERS

So for all of those folks visiting in the Spring, you might have noticed the transformation of these hills with blooming wildflowers – they’re mighty hard to miss. Bluebonnets, the Texas State flower and Indian Paintbrushes decorate these plains like you wouldn’t believe. Like somebody took a paint brush and just let themselves run wild.  

This countryside here boasts nearly three thousand different types of wildflowers – from Pigeonberries to Pineapple Cacti. Most of these little blooms dominate the Hill Country from sometime around mid-March to just about the end of April, when they start to fade. Now if you’re not visiting in the Spring, you’re just gonna need to take my word for it. (Or come back next year – get to chatting with the folks at reception, I’m sure they’ll help you out).

Now, we’re nearing the end of our time together – which can only mean that you’re nearly at the lookout. If you’ve still got a ‘ways to go to get to the top, use this chapter break to hike for a bit on your own. The sights, the sounds of this landscape – they’re all yours. As you keep on making your way, take a glance up to the sky to see if you can spot any birds overhead. Really look at those pieces of limestone underfoot. Or glace out at those gorgeous rolling hills. This is a once-in-a-lifetime view, folks. I just hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am.

CHAPTER 4: THE LOOKOUT

Well folks, looks like we made it. Because this here? This is the highest point on the property, overlooking the entirety of the estate. And the folks at Walden Retreats and the team at Longbranch Bourbon want to take a moment to extend a very warm thank-you for taking the trek up to this lookout – and for making the time to experience something so special.

And hey, speaking of special: You might have noticed a few of the features that make this spot so unique. Feel free to stretch out under that big, majestic oak or plop down on that log nearby (that’s the whole reason we put it there – just for you). Up here, we’ve got rolling vistas to the left of us, and foothills to the right. But right now, we’re simply here to take it all in.

And sadly, our little audio tour is going to come to an end here, but I do want to thank you for the time we got to spend together. I have one last request for you, and then you can go on your way. Right now, I’d like you to take a second to pause – whether you’re sitting or standing – and breathe deeply. Start to inhale through your nose. Let the air make its way through your body and expand your lungs. Feel that? Now, you’re gonna’ let that breath settle into the hollow of your core – right between your ribs. Start to exhale slowly, and feel how it leaves you. You can even sigh while you exhale, if you want.

Now that there – that’s called being present. You’re present, and you’re here. And as you continue on through the landscape, remember to pause, take a moment, and breathe a few conscious breaths. Anchor yourself to the environment around you. That’s what this is all about.