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Update 4/8/2007: Easter we took RR-1323 from Sandy to Willow City Loop. There are many nice spots along the roadsides of RR-1323 between RR-1320 and RR-1631. A few fields lightly to moderately covered were also seen. RR-1320 has improved over what I saw on 4/2/2007. The bluebonnets still look like they have not yet peaked.
Be warned: there is a feedlot area before you reach RR-1631 heading west along RR-1323. The recent rains has turned the muddy mess in the feedlots into a very strong stench.
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I took a short scouting trip through Blanco to Sandy, Texas today (4/3/2007).
In banner years, the bluebonnets along RR-1323 and RR-1320 near Sandy can put on display like Willow City. Growing in red sandy soil much like that along the northend of Willow City Loop, the bluebonnets near Sandy only need a little rain to get growing tall and big. This year is not a banner year in Sandy, but for the first time in several years the roadsides and some fields have a fairly good coverage of bluebonnets. The coverage is about on par with the north end of Willow City Loop, but a bit less than what I saw along RR-2323. The good news is that there are places to stop along RR-1320. (At Willow City Loop, stopping along the Loop is discouraged. )
Along RR-1320, I saw three fairly large fields, one with bluebonnets mixed in with cactus and oak trees. The other two fields were 30-40% covered with bluebonnets. The plants in one field were huge with fewer blooms, so there might be more blooms to come. In another field I saw a small cluster of white bluebonnets.
Along the roadside the blooms still had greenish white tips and about 20% were still young blooms. I did not see any seedpods. The impression I got was that the bluebonnets were not at peak and about a week from peak bloom ( a bit behind schedule from those at Willow City Loop).
If you are closer to Johnson City than Fredericksburg and limited on time then a trip to Sandy is worth your time. If you are coming from the Austin - San Marcos area to visit Willow City Loop then certainly travel via RR-1323. At Sandy turn left on RR-1320 to take a short side trip then turn back to RR-1323 to continue to Willow City Loop.
Here is one photo from my trip today, I will have more tomorrow.
Below is a photo of the white bluebonnets in the field along RR-1320. This one cluster was all alone about 15 feet from the fence.
RichO
Hunting Texas Wildflowers
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