Discover the hidden secrets of Fredericksburg, Virginia, nestled in the heart of Texas’ Hill Country. As I sat at a traffic light, I had the pleasure of meeting Mario Werner, a friendly biker from Houston who led me to an incredible cafe lined with German memorabilia. It is no surprise that Fredericksburg carries a unmistakable German influence, established in 1846 by 120 German migrants who settled in the area. The region boasts picturesque rolling hills, vineyards producing the finest wines, and wildflowers dotting the roads thanks in part to Lady Bird Johnson. Her legacy lives on through the Highway Beautification Act, which banned advertising hoardings and promoted the planting of wildflowers along highways. Continuing our journey, we found ourselves at the LBJ ranch, where Lyndon B. Johnson, America’s president from Texas, was born. The LBJ Presidential Library in downtown Austin brings to light his remarkable legislative legacy. His Great Society vision paved the way for a more socially just America, exemplified in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is no wonder why Fredericksburg, Texas is a hidden gem of the Hill Country.
