I’ve never been to Hico, but I do know Charles, the host. He attended my New Mexico workshop last year and he’s a great guy. His site sounds fantastic to me. Of course, he had my ear for 7 days last year, so I may be biased! All kidding aside, it really does sound amazing and the project is very unique as well. I’ll let him tell you about it. You can sign up for the workshop by clicking here or by visiting www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com

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The workshop will be hosted at Rancho Lobo! The structure we will be building at this workshop is unique in that it will be a round meditation chamber. The approximate size is 20 feet in diameter on an existing concrete slab with a covered roof. Rancho Lobo is 66 acres and the building site is close to the in ground pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and patio area. There are outdoor showers and an on site laundry facility. We have many secluded areas for camping and since much of the property was left in its natural state for the wildlife, there are opportunities for quiet and contemplative walks in nature. Evening affords excellent stargazing quality with visible constellations, meteors and satellites. There is an outdoor fire pit for nighttime camp fires, storytelling and instrument playing. Participants will be treated to a real Texas Barbeque on Sunday night before the workshop begins on Monday morning.

Rancho Lobo is located in the Northern Hill Country of Texas. We are approximately 90 miles southwest of Fort Worth and 100 miles northwest of Austin, both of which have airports. The closest town Hico, is 14 miles away, population 1300, (not counting the official Texas ghost town of Carlton 4 miles away.) Hico is the controversial home of Billy the Kid after he allegedly escaped Sherriff Pat Garret in New Mexico. Hico has one small motel and a quaint down town with antique shops. Twenty miles to the north is Stephenville, home of Tarleton State University, and the quintessential Texas Café Jake and Dorothy’s est. in 1948. There are several mid range motels and hotel chains like Best Western, Hampton Inn and La Quinta. If you plan to travel by RV there are parks in Stephenville, a small park outside of Hico, and depending on the size of your rig and the overall space on the site, we may be able to accommodate you on site.

There are many area attractions for a pre or post workshop adventure. Heading south you enter the famous Hill Country Area with quaint towns such as Blanco, Lampasas, Llano, Fredericksburg and Kerrville. These towns are steeped in Texas history and charm with unique antique shops, restaurants, historic buildings and sites and dotted with several Texas wineries, especially Fredericksburg. You can enjoy a day of touring wineries, then an evening in a lovely bed and breakfast while exploring the picturesque downtown with its multitude of quirky shops and restaurants. Not far outside of Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock Natural Area (an extinct volcano lava dome) and for all you Texas Music fans, Luckenbach Texas, a truly one of a kind Texas experience!

If you head north, we are near Glen Rose, home of the Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Area (a drive through park.) If so inclined there is a 5 star accommodation, Rough Creek Lodge about 40 miles from Rancho Lobo as you are heading to Glen Rose. This famous hunting lodge offers gourmet dining, exquisite accommodations and on site massage and spa services. This would be an exceptional treat after completing the workshop. Further North is Fort Worth, home to the historic Texas Stockyards and Billy Bobs Music and Dance Hall with live music and indoor rodeos nightly.

Heading a little east and south you’ll find the state capital of Austin, Texas – home of the Austin City Limits, 6th Street Experience, Lake Travis Recreation Area, and Pedernalles Falls State Park. From Austin you’re only an hour or so away from San Antonio with its historic missions, river walk, authentic Mexican Mercado and of course, the Alamo! Also in San Antonio, you’ll find Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas Amusements Parks.

I hope to see you there. Sign up today at www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com!

About the Author

Andrew Morison is a specialist in straw bale and green construction. He has shown thousands of people how to build their own straw bale projects through his comprehensive series of instructional straw bale, concrete foundation, and plastering DVDs. You can check these out at www.LearnStrawBale.com..

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