It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Dead Man's Hole Historical Landmark in Marble Falls, TX gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Marble Falls, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Johnson Park in Marble Falls, TX with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Adriano's Italian Restaurant or visit The Falls on the Colorado Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Marble Falls, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Marble Falls, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Marble Falls, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A 57-acre development is in the works for the empty ranchland across Texas 71 from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Marble Falls. It will consist of dozens of multi-family living units, retail space, a hotel, medical offices, and more.H&H Ranch got phasing approval from the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and could break ground in early 2026.The project also means improvements to that stretch of Texas 71—including a stoplight, restriping, wider lanes, and turn lanes—and a connecting road ...
A 57-acre development is in the works for the empty ranchland across Texas 71 from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Marble Falls. It will consist of dozens of multi-family living units, retail space, a hotel, medical offices, and more.
H&H Ranch got phasing approval from the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and could break ground in early 2026.
The project also means improvements to that stretch of Texas 71—including a stoplight, restriping, wider lanes, and turn lanes—and a connecting road to the Gregg Ranch subdivision farther south.
Developer Darrell Sargent believes the area surrounding the Texas 71-U.S. 281 intersection is the future of progress in Marble Falls. H&H Ranch will sit on the west side of the major convergence, directly across from the hospital at 810 Texas 71.
“That intersection is the biggest in the Hill Country,” Sargent told DailyTrib.com. “It will be the primary driver of all retail.”
According to the approved plan, work will be done in two phases. Phase 1 could begin in January 2026 and Phase 2 in 2027 or 2028, depending on the progress and success of the first phase.
Phase 1 consists of building multi-family residences, a hotel, and possibly a self-storage facility. A new road, Buck Run, will be built to service the development. It will extend from Texas 71, across the highway from Baylor Scott & White Boulevard, and eventually connect to Gregg Ranch. The first phase also includes restriping a stretch of Texas 71 and installing conduit to service a future traffic signal in Phase 2.
Phase 2 consists of building medical offices and other commercial retail space along the highway. A traffic signal will be installed at the Buck Run-Baylor Scott & White Boulevard-Texas 71 intersection and turn lanes will be added to the highway. An existing small bridge over Texas 71 will be widened along with the stretch of road approaching the development from the west.
The project is two years in the making, with final platting approved. The phasing plan approval was the last step before the Texas Department of Transportation signed off on the development and the necessary changes to Texas 71 to accommodate them.
Marble Falls’ newest public park is nearing completion and changing names.
The 12-acre, $1.9 million Mormon Mill Nature Park, originally Park View Park, is being built at the northwest corner of Parkview and Park Ridge drives. Once finished, possibly before the end of the year, the greenspace will feature a unique playscape, wildlife viewing blinds, and hiking trails through a verdant landscape surrounding a small wetland area. Parkgoers also will have ample parking, a restroom, seating, and a pavilion.
The area mostly will be kept in its natural state but with planted wildflowers.
Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Director Lacey Dingman said contractors have until January to finish the job, but a recent site visit seems to indicate an accelerated timeline.
“They’re making good progress out there,” she told the Marble Falls City Council during a project update on Tuesday, Oct. 7. “We hope to be scheduling a ribbon-cutting before the end of the year.”
Dingman also asked the council to officially change the name from Park View Park to Mormon Mill Nature Park, which was passed without complaint. The recreational area is just a block away from Mormon Mill Road.
The city park has been on the books since April 2022. After a divisive public input phase, with some residents and Parks and Recreation commissioners wanting a full nature park and others a fully developed public activity space, a middle ground was found. Final designs were approved in November 2024, and construction began in early 2025.
The city will pay $1.2 million of the total $1.9 million cost with $726,207 coming from a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant.
The Pedernales Electric Cooperative hosted more than 100 students and teachers from Marble Falls, Burnet, and Johnson City during its first-ever Job Shadow Day on Oct. 2. The event gave students a hands-on look at careers in electric linework, a trade that’s growing in demand across Texas and the nation.
“Students got a bird’s-eye view of everything this facility and our programs have to offer—from what the benefits and pay look like, to what skills they’ll learn each year,” said PEC Community Outreach Specialist Mikayla Herron in an Oct. 6 media release. “In a safe and controlled environment, they got to put on gear, climb poles, and ride up in a bucket truck to see what linework is really like.”
Experiences like Job Shadow Day are increasingly important as more students nationwide reconsider traditional four-year college paths due to rising tuition costs and extended timelines to full-time employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for electrical powerline installers and repairers is projected to grow 7 percent through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The growth is fueled by an urgent need for new talent, as nearly 40 percent of the current lineworker workforce is expected to retire within the next decade. The looming labor shortage is a nationwide concern, including within PEC’s Highland Lakes service area.
To help close that gap, the co-op is taking a proactive approach by engaging students early and exposing them to alternate career paths post-graduation.
“We need lineworkers, and we believe the best way to generate interest is by connecting with students early on and providing interactive experiences like this,” Herron said.
As one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation, PEC hires around 20 new lineworkers a year through its Pre-Apprentice and Apprentice programs. These programs blend classroom instruction with thousands of hours of hands-on training to prepare participants for a career in linework. Typically, a high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement to get started.
PEC also offers a wide range of youth programs and resources, including resume-building workshops, college and trade school scholarships, and experiences such as the Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where 1,500 students from electric cooperatives across the nation come together to learn about U.S. history and government.
Texas, sometimes called the Lone Star State, certainly stands alone as one of America's most diverse and interesting places to travel within. From the arid deserts to its west to the hilly forests and Gulf coastline to its east, the lower 48's biggest state is full of things to do, landmarks to see, and numerous small towns to stop at along the way. Let's look at 10 of these towns that rank among the best in 2025. Here, you will get the inside scoop on what makes these places special, whether it is historic sites, natural beauty, or cultural...
Texas, sometimes called the Lone Star State, certainly stands alone as one of America's most diverse and interesting places to travel within. From the arid deserts to its west to the hilly forests and Gulf coastline to its east, the lower 48's biggest state is full of things to do, landmarks to see, and numerous small towns to stop at along the way. Let's look at 10 of these towns that rank among the best in 2025. Here, you will get the inside scoop on what makes these places special, whether it is historic sites, natural beauty, or cultural attractions.
Gruene (pronounced "green") is a town just outside of the larger city of New Braunfels in central Texas. Located along the Guadalupe River, Gruene is best known for its historic district, where the cotton industry in the town's earliest days built much of the infrastructure, a lot of which still stands today.
The centerpiece of this community is Gruene Hall, Texas’s oldest continually operating dance hall, where live music and two-stepping, a dance that perfectly matches the western vibes of Gruene, have been a tradition since 1878. Come and see who is performing next in 2025!
A walk through the town’s streets will allow you to see the rest of the amenities it has to offer, including a selection of shops and delicious eateries like the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, a spot with great views of the nearby river.
Set against the backdrop of Lake Marble Falls (a widened section of the Colorado River), this town, which shares its name with the sizable body of water, is an ideal getaway for vacationers looking for a dose of beautiful nature.
Marble Falls has easy access to the waters of Lake Marble Falls while hiking at the nearby Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is another popular activity for outdoor adventurers. Don't forget about the Bluebonnet Trail, a pathway that winds through meadows full of eye-catching Bluebonnet flowers. Come in the springs to see the bloom at its peak. Additionally, Marble Falls is home to the famous Sweet Berry Farm, where you can pick your own seasonal fruits, a perfect activity for the whole family. The season for picking in 2025 will range from September 20th to early November.
The nearby Marble Falls Walkway of Lights, which will be held during the 2025 holiday season, illuminates the lakefront with thousands of colorful lights, creating a magical atmosphere that will give you a reason to visit this winter.
Wimberley is a gem in the Hill Country of East Texas, with many wonderful natural parks nearby and a cozy downtown area to match. Nestled at the junction of the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, Wimberley features natural attractions like the renowned Blue Hole Regional Park, a must-visit on a hot summer day. Here, crystal-clear waters make for idyllic swimming holes beneath the ancient cypress trees that populate the area's woodlands. Hikers can get a panoramic view of the surrounding Hill Country at Old Baldy, a popular local landmark that requires you to climb a 218-step staircase to reach its top.
Wimberley’s rich artistic community can be explored by all at its monthly market days, where vendors gather int own to offer handcrafted goods and locally picked produce. This town also contains several great museums, including the Cowboy Museum (with the Pioneer Town, a fully constructed village resembling a town seemingly taken straight from the set of a Western movie, with tours and other activities available) and the Wimberly Valley Museum.
A fitting name for such a place, this town is a charming little place where one can find peace in the middle of Texas's Hill Country near San Antonio. Yet another Texas town that was founded by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, Comfort has preserved its historic character, with more than 100 buildings dating back well over a century.
Start your trip here at the Comfort Heritage Foundation Museum, a place where you can learn more about the German population here, from past to present, and the pioneer lifestyle of the original settlers. Make a point of spending an afternoon at the nearby Guadalupe River too, where tubing is a particularly popular activity.
The lands around Comfort are also ideal for grape growing, making this region quite the spot for many of Texas's best vineyards. Visit some of the tasting rooms right in town, like Newsom Vineyards' location just off Front Street, or go to one or more of the vineyards for yourself, with Bending Branch Winery and Singing Water Vineyards just a short drive away.
Fredericksburg holds tightly onto its German heritage while maintaining the typical Texan hospitality. The town’s deep-rooted German culture is celebrated through its food, festivals, and architecture, with highlights including the Pioneer Museum and the Vereins Kirche, a replica of the town’s first public building. Be sure to indulge in authentic German fare at local eateries or sample wines at one of the many vineyards in the surrounding area, making Fredericksburg a prime destination for all you foodies out there.
Nearby, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers some more outdoor-oriented activities, with hiking trails along its unique rocky features and a picnicking area spread throughout. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, located just south of Fredericksburg, is another option close by and contains trails straddling the Live Oak Creek.
Salado is conveniently located along the I-35 corridor between Austin and Waco, making it s popular escape for residents of the two larger cities. Many who come here opt to stay at the iconic Stagecoach Inn. Open since 1852, it is Texas’ oldest continuously operating hotel.
The town’s history dates back to the mid-1800s, officially having been incorporated in 1867, and its heritage is preserved in landmarks like the ruins of Salado College and the historic Baines House.
Beyond its historic offerings, Salado is also known for its scenic beauty, with Salado Creek giving visitors a tranquil spot for picnicking, going for a walk, and fishing. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is also located a short drive north of town, providing you with several spots along its shores to swim, fish, and launch a boat. Chalk Ridge Falls Park is a must-visit attraction on the eastern edge of the lake, known for its waterfalls and boardwalks.
Jefferson is located in the densely forested Piney Woods region near the border of Louisiana. Once an important and wealthy riverport, this town is now a treasure trove of antebellum homes, quaint bed-and-breakfasts, and other charming amenities housed in original buildings.
A good place to start is at the Jefferson Historical Museum to learn more about this region. You can also take a unique tour and soak in the sights by taking a ride on the Jefferson Railway, a narrow gauge railway that now offers guided tours. Jefferson is also known for its ghost tours, as it is often called the “Most Haunted Small Town in Texas.”
Caddo Lake is another major draw to the area. Just a short drive east of town, this lake is considered the biggest naturally formed lake in the entire state and lies within Caddo Lake State Park.
Llano captures the beauty and frontier spirit of Texas This town is also famous for its annual Llano Earth Art Fest, where visitors can marvel at intricately balanced stone sculptures along the riverbank of the Llano River, which flows right through the center of town.
Llano’s rich history is showcased at the Llano County Historical Museum, where exhibits on the town’s past as a cattle-driving and mining hub can be viewed. The iconic Llano County Courthouse, built in 1893, is another landmark that offers a window into the earliest days of this area when cowboys roamed and the Wild West was still alive and well.
Llano is also not too far from Inks Lake State Park, a beautiful nature preserve with rental cabins as camping is available as an option to stay the night. Enjoy the trails, beaches, and fishing spots you can find along the shore here.
Smithville is a charming Texas town with a proud history as a railroad hub. Discover its fascinating past at the James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum. You can also enjoy a delightful and educational visit to the Smithville Heritage House & Museum, which offers insights into other parts of the town's history, including its founding and the preservation of its original buildings.
Smithville is proud of its connection to the beloved movie Hope Floats, which has made it a popular spot for fans who love to visit the various local locations featured in the film. The town also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with lively events like the Smithville Music and Film Festival attracting visitors from all around, creating a welcoming and creative atmosphere.
Since it's close to the beautiful Colorado River, you have great options for fishing and boating just moments away. Not far from here is the Vernon L Richards Nature Preserve, a lovely green space that you can easily reach on foot by crossing the river. It offers a peaceful natural escape with well-maintained walkways along the scenic river, making it a perfect spot for relaxing walks and enjoying nature.
Alpine is the quintessential small West Texas town in its high desert. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Davis Mountains, one can easily find the charms of this place in either its natural beauty or its cozy dowtown area.
Known as one of the main gateways to Big Bend National Park, Alpine is a popular choice for visitors looking to cozy up in a comfortable hotel or inn after exploring the park. But don’t miss out on what the town itself has to offer! Take a stroll around and enjoy attractions like the Museum of the Big Bend, situated on the Sul Ross State University campus. This charming museum offers an engaging glimpse into the region’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural surroundings.
Another wonderful outdoor adventure spot is the nearby Davis Mountains State Park. You can enjoy the campgrounds and several hiking trails, and don't miss the Hobby Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory. It's truly a fantastic natural treasure of Texas!
If you're feeling bored in Texas in 2025, it might just be because you're not exploring the right spots! These ten charming small towns are only a taste of what this wonderful state has in store. Whether it's the breathtaking natural beauty of Wimberly and Alpine or the rich history of Salado and Gruene, there's so much to discover and enjoy. Why not use this list as a starting point to plan your next exciting road trip today?
The Burnet County Sheriff's Office confirmed that deputies are no longer actively searching for Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.MARBLE FALLS, Texas — The search to recover one of the last people still missing from the Fourth of July weekend floods is over.On Wednesday afternoon, the Burnet County Sheriff's Office confirmed that deputies are no longer actively looking for Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.Chief Phillips disappeared on July 5 while responding to flood rescues. Phil...
The Burnet County Sheriff's Office confirmed that deputies are no longer actively searching for Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.
MARBLE FALLS, Texas — The search to recover one of the last people still missing from the Fourth of July weekend floods is over.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Burnet County Sheriff's Office confirmed that deputies are no longer actively looking for Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.
Chief Phillips disappeared on July 5 while responding to flood rescues. Phillips was last seen driving an emergency vehicle during a rescue operation near Cow Creek. The vehicle was later located about 2 miles away, but Phillips was not found with it.
On July 7, Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said search teams had been combing the area where Phillips went missing. Two days later, Burnet County officials confirmed Phillips was the county's only remaining missing person and crews had moved all of their resources to the area where he was last seen.
A vigil was held to honor Phillips on July 11, and the fire department announced the end of watch for Phillips on July 15.
"Chief Phillips passed away in the line of duty while responding to a call for service in the early morning hours of July 5, 2025. At this time, he remains missing," the VFD said. "[Phillips] was more than just a friend, mentor, and leader – he was our family. His absence will leave a void in our hearts and our department that cannot be filled. We will honor his legacy and the extraordinary service he gave to our community by continuing to be the first responders he strived for us to be. We love you chief."
According to his Facebook profile, Phillips had volunteered as fire chief since 1995.
KVUE asked the sheriff's office when the search for Phillips' body ended, but we have not heard back.
Meanwhile, volunteers and Texas Task Force 1 are still searching for the two other remaining missing people, 63-year-old Jeff Ramsey of Lewisville and 8-year-old Cile Steward of Austin.
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