Home Care In Kendalia, TX

SAN ANTONIO — Blanco State Park is frequently named one of the top swimming holes in Texas. About a one hour drive from both San Antonio and Austin, it stands out for its crystal clear water, unique dam structure and its stone tables and benches.

With Spring around the corner, its sure to be a popular spot for swimming, fishing and camping.

Here are five things to know about the beautiful Blanco State Park, provided by the Texas State Parks system.

The Blanco River was named in 1721 by Spanish settlers due to its distinctive white limestone banks. Both Native Americans and the Spanish were attracted to the river, especially because springs from the River provided water even when the river itself ran dry.

Ranchers donated or sold their land to create Blanco State Park in 1933. With 104.6 acres, it is one of the smallest state parks in Texas.

Blanco State Park was one of the first four parks in Texas to receive a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) company. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the program to help unemployed young men get back to work during the Great Depression.

One of the reasons it was chosen was because Blanco was convenient for motorists traveling across Texas. Tourists could pull off the road to relax, swim, picnic, or camp.

Company 854 worked for 11 months in 1933 and 1934 building bridges, dams, structures, picnic areas, and roads. The CCC transformed the landscape and created a park where Texans could swim, fish, and camp.

Their work is evident even today. The park has unique stone benches and tables made by the company. The pools were also created by the CCC dams.

The Hill Country received record amounts of rainfall in May of 2015. On May 23, 10-13 inches of rain fell at the headwaters of the Blanco River. The soil was already saturated and unable to absorb the rainfall. Most of the rain ran straight into the river.

The river swelled and rose an astounding 30 feet. Water rushed through the park, rising over the Kendalia and Texas 163 Loop bridges and touching the bottom of the U.S. Highway 281 bridge. The river continued on this path, devastating the park and land downstream.

Flood waters receded and left behind substantial damage. Uprooted trees, branches, sand, silt and trash littered the park. The high waters lodged uprooted trees 20 feet high in the surviving trees.

Park rangers and volunteers worked through the summer of 2015 repairing buildings, removing debris, and preparing the south side of the park to open on Aug. 1. After restoring the rest of the day use areas the whole park reopened on Oct. 24.

You will see signs of the flood today as you walk through the park. The trees still lean in the direction of the flood water and debris piles are scattered throughout our trails and native areas.

This small park hugs a one-mile stretch of the river. On the water, you can swim, fish, paddle or boat. On land, you can picnic, hike, camp, watch for wildlife, and geocache.

Anglers fish for largemouth and Guadalupe bass, channel catfish, sunfish and rainbow trout. TPWD stocks the river with trout in the winter. You do not need a license to fish from shore within the park. You can borrow fishing rods and reels to use in the park as well.

One useful thing about Blanco State Park is that kayak and tube rentals are available for a small fee.

You can rent a single or double kayak or tube at the park store to use within the park (available seasonally; $20 credit card deposit required). Rental hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; return kayaks by 4 p.m.

KENDALIA - Lynn Cuny has made a career of caring for modern society's more vulnerable members - wildlife whose survival often seems an afterthought to humans.

With support from Jeff Davis Law Firm

Since the 1970s, she's been sheltering injured birds, sick raccoons and hundreds of other threatened animals, initially at her home in San Antonio, and since 2004 at a 187-acre refuge in Kendalia.

"It's why I get up every morning," said Cuny, 59, founder of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. "To be in service to the animal kingdom has always been my heart and soul reason for living, and by serving them we also serve humans."

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Her refuge is one of many area nonprofit groups the San Antonio Express-News is profiling in its annual Grace of Giving series, which runs daily until Christmas.

The group's menagerie includes about 500 permanent wards, such as monkeys previously used in medical experiments and lions once kept in zoos. Here, they live out their days in spacious fenced enclosures.

About 6,000 other ill or injured animals such as coyotes and skunks are brought here to get well each year before being released.

"We have protected release sites on private property throughout the state," Cuny said.

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WRR's budget is just under $1.5 million this year. The nonprofit has a paid staff of about 20, provides another 20 interns with hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation, and relies on roughly 100 volunteers.

How to help

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

P.O. Box 369, Kendalia, Texas, 78027

(830) 336-2725, ext. 311

wildlife-

rescue.org

Agency needs funds and volunteers.

Veterinarian Megan McAndrew joined the staff in 2008 for the chance to help a more diverse range of animals.

"Most vets don't even know how to handle a songbird," McAndrew said before treating a rock squirrel's fractured femur. "We're helping the creatures that are the most overlooked."

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Homeowners or ranchers bring in many of the patients. No native species in need are turned away.

"We've rescued toads," Cuny said. "People have also brought injured praying mantises."

Getting help for animals became easier for San Antonio residents this year with the opening of a drop-off center/primary care clinic at 137 Earl St., off McCullough Avenue.

"It's very convenient for the citizens of San Antonio to bring the sick and injured here, versus driving to Kendalia," said Kimberly Stephens, a staffer at the site, which handles up to 80 animals daily, mostly birds, opossums, squirrels and raccoons.

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The organization neither charges for its services nor receives government funding. It relies heavily on private donations, which have been harder to come by in the recession.

San Antonio resident Barbara Long began donating to the sanctuary in the 1980s and has been a volunteer for five years.

"It's a great organization," said Long, 63. "We're trying to give these rescued animals a chance to get back to their normal life, and to preserve the amazing diversity of life that we all share this planet with."

New volunteers are always welcome, but the sanctuary is not open to the public.

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The group's grant writer is Craig Brestrup, 65, Cuny's husband, who said Cuny's zeal for the work hasn't lagged in the 11 years since they met. Actually, he said, it has intensified.

Cuny doesn't shrink from the task of changing people's perspectives on the bugs, rodents and other animals many regard as secondary forms of life.

"The tragedy from my perspective is that human beings aren't aware of just how sacred other members of the animal kingdom are," she said. "Because we can get rid of everything, we do."

(Stacker) – If it feels like Texas real estate has been getting less and less affordable, it’s not in your head. Home values in one Texas town grew by $388,174 over the last year – and many other neighborhoods are also seeing astronomical increases.

Stacker compiled a list of cities and neighborhoods with the fastest growing home prices in Texas using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in Zillow Home Values Index for all homes from the 12 months ending September 2022.

The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib. Data was available for 1,323 cities and towns in Texas.

Metros with the most cities in the top 50#1. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: 20#2. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX: 12#3. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX: 10#4. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX: 2#5. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX: 1#5. Corpus Christi, TX: 1#5. Fredericksburg, TX: 1#5. Sherman-Denison, TX: 1

Read on to see which cities made the list.

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#20. Bear Creek

– Typical home value: $939,896– 1-year price change: +$162,116 (+20.8%)– 5-year price change: +$580,949 (+161.8%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

#19. Gunter

– Typical home value: $650,078– 1-year price change: +$165,012 (+34.0%)– 5-year price change: +$311,724 (+92.1%)– Metro area: Sherman-Denison, TX

#18. Driftwood

– Typical home value: $1,093,225– 1-year price change: +$172,824 (+18.8%)– 5-year price change: +$566,186 (+107.4%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

#17. Hill Country Village

– Typical home value: $1,341,919– 1-year price change: +$174,553 (+15.0%)– 5-year price change: +$427,291 (+46.7%)– Metro area: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

#16. Lost Creek

– Typical home value: $1,527,621– 1-year price change: +$176,317 (+13.0%)– 5-year price change: +$769,161 (+101.4%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

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#15. Coupland

– Typical home value: $717,796– 1-year price change: +$178,836 (+33.2%)– 5-year price change: +$414,081 (+136.3%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

#14. Prosper

– Typical home value: $824,819– 1-year price change: +$180,627 (+28.0%)– 5-year price change: +$358,379 (+76.8%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#13. Parker

– Typical home value: $1,045,394– 1-year price change: +$189,987 (+22.2%)– 5-year price change: +$416,911 (+66.3%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#12. Round Top

– Typical home value: $996,163– 1-year price change: +$190,512 (+23.6%)– 5-year price change: +$458,421 (+85.2%)– Metro area: not in a metro area

#11. Southlake

– Typical home value: $1,175,139– 1-year price change: +$193,026 (+19.7%)– 5-year price change: +$444,591 (+60.9%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

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#10. Kendalia

– Typical home value: $814,023– 1-year price change: +$197,701 (+32.1%)– 5-year price change: +$324,399 (+66.3%)– Metro area: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

#9. Stonewall

– Typical home value: $618,640– 1-year price change: +$201,935 (+48.5%)– 5-year price change: +$281,871 (+83.7%)– Metro area: Fredericksburg, TX

#8. Rollingwood

– Typical home value: $2,536,509– 1-year price change: +$204,927 (+8.8%)– 5-year price change: +$1,191,477 (+88.6%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

#7. Lucas

– Typical home value: $1,067,759– 1-year price change: +$208,243 (+24.2%)– 5-year price change: +$441,963 (+70.6%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#6. West Lake Hills

– Typical home value: $2,419,722– 1-year price change: +$218,199 (+9.9%)– 5-year price change: +$1,176,391 (+94.6%)– Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

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#5. Bartonville

– Typical home value: $1,205,204– 1-year price change: +$220,628 (+22.4%)– 5-year price change: +$493,972 (+69.5%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#4. Westover Hills

– Typical home value: $2,341,861– 1-year price change: +$292,956 (+14.3%)– 5-year price change: +$715,292 (+44.0%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#3. Westlake

– Typical home value: $1,788,937– 1-year price change: +$313,926 (+21.3%)– 5-year price change: +$705,935 (+65.2%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#2. University Park

– Typical home value: $2,029,573– 1-year price change: +$328,462 (+19.3%)– 5-year price change: +$625,887 (+44.6%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

#1. Highland Park

– Typical home value: $2,400,649– 1-year price change: +$388,174 (+19.3%)– 5-year price change: +$717,579 (+42.6%)– Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2017. We're sharing it again as part of our monthlong celebration of Texas.

The sweet sound of country fiddle. Dancers gliding their feet across an old wooden floor in a two-step. The trance of a Western swing band kicking into high gear. No cultural trip to the Lone Star State would be complete without experiencing these sights and sounds at an authentic dance hall.

Unfortunately, there aren't as many Texas dance halls as there used to be. As development flourishes in Texas' cities, suburbs and rural communities, dance halls are disappearing. Cowboy culture is still an important part of Texas, but there's no denying that the times have changed.

However, in some regions of the state, especially in the Texas Hill Country, local dance halls are still the place to be on Saturday night -- for great Texas music and community gatherings. These 10 Texas dance halls have a reputation for great music, good times and tons of character.

Schroeder Hall

Located in SchroederTexas (near Goliad), Schroeder Hall has been hosting live music since 1890. After a fire destroyed much of the business district in 1925, the current dance hall was built in 1935. The hall has hosted performances from George Jones, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride and many more.

Twin Sisters Dance Hall

The Twin Sisters Dance Hall, located in Blanco, Texas, hosts public dances on the first Saturday of every month. The Hall also hosts family gatherings, charity functions, educational workshops and more.

Mercer Street Dance Hall

Mercer Street Dance Hall is one of the newer dance halls in Texas, but it has already built a reputation as a popular country music venue in Central Texas. The newer dance hall is located in Dripping Springs, the "Gateway of the Hill Country," roughly 30 miles west of Austin.

Regional country acts play here on the regular. If you're in Austin for the night and want to get out of the city limits for an authentic dance hall experience among Texans, this spot is a good option.

332 W Mercer St, Dripping Springs, Texas

London Dance Hall, London, Texas

There's not much to see or do in the (very) small town of London, Texas ( pop. 180) except hang out at the London Dance Hall. Since it opened nearly a century ago, Saturday nights at London Hall have featured several Texas legends, like fiddler Johnny Gimble and Hank Thompson. Today, you'll find undiscovered Texas country talents on the stage.

17430 N US Hwy 377, London, Texas

Anhalt Dance Hall

The tiny community of Anhalt, Texas -- 28 miles west of New Braunfels -- is home to one of the oldest dance halls in the region. Built in 1879 by German settlers, the Anhalt Dance Hall was first used as a meeting spot for the Germania Farmer Verein (German Farmer's Club). They still meet there, and on the third Sunday of May, and in October, they throw an Oktoberfest. Bands don't play at the hall all that often, but when they do, it's an experience like the scene in the video above.

2390 Anhalt Rd, Spring Branch

Kendalia Halle - Kendalia, Texas

Back in 1903, the residents of Kendalia built Kendalia Halle so they'd have a place to throw a party on the weekends. More than 110 years later, the party is still going. The good times kick into action once a month. Kendalia Halle's dances have featured performances by Texas originals like Gary P. Nunn, Jason Roberts, and other local favorites.

They also serve up free barbecue tacos during the dances. Tacos, country music and beer -- really, what more do you need in life? If you interested in attending a Kendalia Halle dance, check the schedule first.

1135 Farm to Market 3351, Kendalia, TX

Albert Dance Hall - Albert, Texas

The historic Albert Hall is off the beaten path for most tourists, so it often gets overlooked. The dance hall is not as active as it used to be, but if you're looking for an authentic Hill Country dance hall, this is one of the originals. The legendary dance hall is located in the heart of the old German farmlands between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.

When it first opened in 1922, the hall regularly hosted regional German brass bands and community dances. After a long period of closure, the hall was renovated and reopened. It's not as active as it once was. Most of the action happens at the ice house next door. Even still, it's a beautiful dance hall in the heart of Central Texas.

5435 Ranch Road 1623, Stonewall, TX

John T. Floore's Country Store, Helotes, Texas

There is no better place to catch live music in the San Antonio area than John T. Floore's Country Store. Many musical greats, including Elvis, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline have performed at this iconic dance hall. When you walk inside, look up, and you'll see some of their cowboy boots dangling from the ceiling.

But Floore's doesn't rest its laurels on performances from yesteryear; it remains one of the best country music venues in Texas. The interior has a live stage and restaurant, but the main attraction is the outdoor stage where top country artists perform regularly. Drinking a cold beer while singing along to a Randy Rogers concert at Floore's is a surefire cure for the blues.

14492 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX

Luckenbach - Luckenbach, Texas

The entire town of Luckenbach is two buildings: a post office/general store that doubles as a bar with a stage out back, and a dancehall. That's it. Pickers gather out back to play songs throughout the day, and the regulars are as mellow as can be. Once you visit, you'll immediately understand why Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson sang about going here to escape the modern world.

Most of the music during the week takes place on smaller stages outside, but the dancehall, pictured above, hosts top Texas country talent on the weekends.

412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX

Broken Spoke - Austin, Texas

Austin has a handful of choice venues to experience authentic country music, but the Broken Spoke is arguably the best. For decades, this iconic honky-tonk has been a favorite stage for Texas's country legends, from Bob Wills to Dale Watson. On any given Saturday night, you'll see a mix of cowboys, tourists, hippies, college kids and yuppies mingling and two-stepping across the dance floor. And if you're new to country dancing, don't worry. The Spoke offers regular two-step and swing dance lessons.

But the times are changing. Not long ago, the Broken Spoke sat on the once open expanse of South Austin. Today, the building is surrounded by towering condominiums. The honky-tonk refuses to change, and we hope it never does.

3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX

Gruene Hall - Gruene, Texas

Widely considered the oldest dancehall in Texas, Gruene Hall is also the best. Top artists from Texas and around the world perform at this rustic dancehall daily.

Located in the heart of historic Gruene -- a historic town between Austin and San Antonio -- Gruene Hall is one of the most popular attractions in the Hill country, drawing visitors for both afternoon and nighttime shows featuring artists such as George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris and more.

If you're visiting the Hill Country, make it a point to see a show at one of the Lone Star State's most revered historic dance halls. You won't regret it.

The video below will give you a good sense of a Saturday night show at Gruene Hall.

1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

The Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall - Coupland, Texas

There are a few venues near Austin that still have an old Texas vibe, and the Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall is one of them. The building, which has been around for more than a century, has been a hardware store, a pharmacy and even a newspaper headquarters. Today, it's one of the most thriving dance halls operating near Austin, drawing top national and regional talent. Folks here love to dance, so bring your boots. And the food's pretty dang good too, so bring your appetite.

101 Hoxie St, Coupland, TX

READ MORE: Inside the Treasured History of Texas Dance Halls and the Fight to Save Them

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Dance halls have played a big role in many rural Texas communities since the late 1800s.

Besides offering live music venues where patrons could shake a leg in the days before radio and television, they functioned as community gathering spots for meetings, meals and camaraderie.

Several of the old-time halls continue to draw crowds today, providing guests with glimpses of a bygone era.

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For the performers — from up-and-coming artists to established stars — the halls offer a personal setting in which to share their country-and-western music.

The halls often feature large, outward-opening windows, which enhanced ventilation necessary in the pre-AC days.

Beer and wine are the standard adult beverages served. Some allow BYOB and sell setups.

More than one boasts of having the best wooden dance floor in Texas.

Here are some of the dance halls located within an hour’s drive of San Antonio.

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Anhalt Hall, 2390 Anhalt Road, Spring Branch, off U.S. 281, N; 830-438-2873; www.anhalthall.com.

This iconic hall built in 1908 features a semi-circular; quonset style ceiling.

It hosts dances on the third Saturday of each month, from 6 p.m. to midnight, with admission for most acts costing $15. Food sold on site generally runs toward burgers. BYOB.

Special German delicacies are offered during its Octoberfest event, when the doors open at 11 a.m.. Tickets then are $10 for pot roast, sausage, sauerkraut and a free side helping of traditional German music.

Braun Hall, 9721 Braun Road, San Antonio, 210-688-9241, www.braunhall.com

Built in 1893 by Hermann Sons, a fraternal insurance association, this unassuming white building just inside 1604 not far from Helotes has a beautiful wooden dance floor and plenty of twinkling lights inside. And it’s air conditioned. It closed in 2015, but reopened on New Year’s Day 2017.

The friendly neighborhood dance hall offers public dances with live music every first and third Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Admission is $10 cash. On second Fridays, it’s swing night with dance lessons at 7 p.m., live music 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m., admission is $15 cash.

Beer, wine and sodas are on sale; bring your own food.

Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, N; 830-606-1281; gruenehall.com

Established on the banks of the Guadalupe River in 1878, it bills itself as Texas’ oldest continually operated dance hall, offering the best in Texas and Americana music year round.

Lyle Lovett and George Strait are among the performers who played there on their way to stardom.

Opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on weekends. Admission is free most nights, with cover charges starting around $10 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Snacks sold.

John T. Floore Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes, W; 210-695-8827; www.liveatfloores.com.

Established in 1942, this “quintessential Texas honky tonk” has hosted the biggest of stars, including Bob Dylan and Elvis.

It opens at 11 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Live performances start in the evenings.

Tickets range from $10 to $40 for performances on Friday and Saturday, but there’s no charge on Sundays.

Burgers, BBQ, tamales and more are available from the cafe, opening at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Live performances in the evenings. The general store no longer operates.

Kendalia Halle, 1135 FM 3351 in Kendelia, about 22 miles northeast of Boerne, www.kendaliahalle.com; [email protected].

Established in 1903, it's one of several built in the Hill Country by frontier-era German settlers.

Free barbecue tacos are offered at its once-a-month dances, usually held on the second Saturday of each month, 7:30 p.m.-midnight. Admission, $10-$25. Beer, wine and setups available for purchase.

Advance tickets available online at the website with credit cards; cash only night of the dance for admission and alcohol.

Luckenbach Texas, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, NW; 830-997-3224; luckenbachtexas.com.

Billed as “The place where everybody is somebody,” this is a true Texas classic.

The general store, bar and dance hall are open seven days a week, starting at 9 a.m., with the first act at 1 p.m. daily. There’s a washer pit and grassy play area for kids.

It’s cash only at the bar and the “Feed Lot,” which offers pulled pork, burgers and other tasty treats.

There’s no cover charge except during weekend evening ticketed performances, which usually run $10 to $25.

Martinez Social Club, 7791 FM 1346 near China Grove, E; 210-661-2422.

Established in 1912, the club features dances with live music on Wednesdays from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., on Fridays from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Prices start at $10 and all transactions are cash only. Hot dogs and snacks sold on premises. BYOB.

Quihi Gun Club & Dance Hall, on CR 4517, just off FM 2676 in central Medina County, W; 830-426-2859; www.quihidancehall.com.

Dances from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month in the barn-like structure built in 1890, with admission usually $10. Cash only.

Snacks are the only food sold at this non-smoking, family establishment run by a social/shooting club that formed in 1890 and now boasts 600 members.