By the Medina River

— Through a contact known to a friend of mine, we were lucky to secure a long weekend in Bandera, the Texas Cowboy Capital of the World. We like the Bandera area a lot. It has great food (barbecue, Tex-Mex, Italian, etc.) and the Hill Country State Natural Area with ample opportunities for hiking, biking and even horseback riding. This place we stayed in was a cozy, secluded cabin right by the Medina River. We were in the city limits, but out in the country. The Medina River originates right there in the northwest corner of the Bandera County. Its margins offer such beauties as pecan trees and cypresses, such as in this photo. Although I made this shot in 2009, the magic of that place is still vivid in my eyes.