(This article by Louisiana-based writer Kathie Rowell originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)
The Texas Hill Country, with its rugged hills, clear streams, and beautiful lakes, is a top tourist draw for natives and travelers alike. For a taste of the area’s charms without the crowds at perennial favorite Fredericksburg, make your way to Burnet County. There, you’ll find a string of lakes for water sports and wineries for tasting.
The region is also a destination for adventure lovers. Spider Mountain Bike Park, the only mountain bike park in Texas with a chairlift, is in Burnet, and Hidden Falls Adventure Park, billed as the premier off-road adventure park in Texas, is in Marble Falls. Both offer rentals.
Army Residence Community
Army Residence Community San Antonio is fast becoming one of the nation’s best places to retire. Thanks to its relatively low taxes, housing affordability, beautiful weather, and accessibility to health care and transportation, San Antonio also comes out as the top retirement destination in the state of Texas. The Army Residence Community welcomes all officers, retired or honorably discharged from all branches of service, as well as retired senior-level (GS-14 and above) federal employees, including spouses and surviving spouses. We offer a full continuum of care, including assisted living and health care. The Army Residence Community provides a carefree, active, and social lifestyle beyond compare! Explore the Army Residence Community and San Antonio today! Visit https://armyresidence.com/. (Sponsored Content)
Visitors to the rugged West Texas/Big Bend area can enjoy a cultural interlude at nearby Marfa. Once known primarily as the filming site for actor James Dean’s last movie, Giant, the town evolved into an arts community in the 1970s and is home to the Chinati Foundation, an art museum emphasizing works in which art and landscape are linked. If you’re lucky, you’ll glimpse the Marfa lights, the phenomenon of dancing lights that appear at night.
Although known for its plains, Texas is home to one of the largest cypress forests in the world. Rent a canoe and paddle among towering trees dripping with Spanish moss at Caddo Lake State Park, a maze of bayous and sloughs on Texas’ northeast border with Louisiana. Reared nearby, Don Henley, of Eagles fame, prizes the lake so much he co-founded the Caddo Lake Institute to preserve it.
Blue Skies of Texas
Blue Skies of Texas is a not-for-profit continuing-care retirement community just outside San Antonio serving servicemembers as well as civilians. Our friendly, caring residents enjoy strong camaraderie and form deep, lasting relationships. Life here is fun and enriching, with a robust slate of wellness-focused activities and programs as well as more than 70 resident-run clubs. Our maintenance-free villas and apartment homes are bright, spacious, and perfect for entertaining. Amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness/aquatic center, an art studio, a woodshop, resident gardens, a driving range, walking trails, and multiple dining venues serving delicious chef-prepared cuisine. The surprisingly low entrance and monthly fees make Blue Skies arguably America’s best retirement value. See why we’re so popular at www.blueskiesinfo.org/moaa or call (800) 790-3954. (Sponsored Content)
Less than 20 miles away, Jefferson, once a bustling river port, is now a destination for antique lovers, who can also tour historic homes, stay in a bed-and-breakfast, take a carriage ride, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind sandwich at Kitt’s Kornbread Sandwich and Pie Bar.
Historical Highlight: Former Army Capt. Allen Vaught recommends a visit to Fort Richardson State Park, a former frontier outpost near Fort Worth. One exhibit shows his great-great-great-grandfather, who served at the fort. “There’s a mannequin of him with his Sharps carbine. It’s a source of a lot of pride.”
More to Explore
Whether you're looking for a day trip, weekend getaway, or bucket-list adventure, MOAA's Live and Play has you covered. Want even more travel ideas and exclusive member discounts? Check out MOAA Vacations!
