Explore Texas painted churches and historic Washington County

This Road Runner trip includes a visit to the “Painted Churches.”

This Road Runner trip includes a visit to the “Painted Churches.”

Maitland Dade

Here’s your chance to see Texas Hill Country in the fall.

The Road Runners have planned a three-day road trip, October 15-18. With the weather cooperating, views of fall foliage along the scenic rolling hills in central Texas will be vibrant. The first stop will be Brenham where you will visit the original Blue Bell Creamery, established in 1907 and named for the Texas state flower. Blue Bell ice cream is lauded as “the best ice cream in the country” by most southerners and all Texans.

While in Washington County, Road Runners will visit Washington on the Brazos State Park, home of the Star of the Republic Museum. This docent led tour promises to lend more understanding to the state’s history and the legendary pride of Texans.

The trip continues to adjacent Fayette County to search for treasures to be found in the numerous antique shops and to visit the famed “Painted Churches.” Unimaginable ecclesiastical architecture and picturesque churches were created in the small German communities of Schulenburg and Weimar by immigrant artists who wished to express thanksgiving, faith and their homeland memories. The outwardly plain churches are identified as “painted” because of the elaborate faux-finished interiors, gold-leafed, stone and polished marble columns and ceilings.

And for those who enjoy Texas wines there will be visits to several local vineyards offering opportunities to bring home bottles of the samples you tasted.

The final stop of this trip will be to visit the George H. W. Bush Library in College Station.

This trip promises to be a most interesting and entertaining adventure that offers something for curious, exploring Road Runners at a cost of $380 per person. Contact Gotta Go Tours at 972-355-1189 to make your reservation.