I get that question alot it seems, but I'm glad I do. I love living and working in an area that is an undiscovered gem of sorts!
I have lived at Medina Lake for 12 years, and we have always been a small, private (almost secret it seems!) community. Located 20 minutes Northwest of San Antonio, beautiful land is still affordable here. Large homesites (2+ acres) in gated communities with all the amenities (swimming pool, hot tub, homeowner's private lake park, fitness center, central water) can be found for as low as $60K. Even larger acreage is still easy to find, as well as breathtaking waterfront properties. And another huge plus is that in the last year new retail development on the Northwest side of San Antonio (namely, Culebra Road and Loop 1604) has made the "necessities" very accessible for us. Target, Walmart, Ulta, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's, Home Depot and even JC Penney are all just a short drive.
One of the best "gems" out here is the community of Dancing Bear Ranch, loaded with the amenities described above (www.dancingbearranch.com). There are wonderful homes at fantastic prices available for move-in immediately! Here is my newest listing - it definitely shows you how much home you can get for your money out here!
(The secret's out now!!!) Oh, and if you need directions to this beautiful area, please do not hesitate to call me!
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One of our favorite annual events at the Lake is the Medina Lake Cajun Festival. This event, in it's 28th year (!), is a fundraiser for the Medina Lake Betterment Association. It is a huge success each year thanks to the tireless efforts of it's organizers and volunteers.

Highlights of the festival include The Gumbo Cookoff (yuuummm!) and the wonderful live Cajun bands. If Gumbo isn't your thing, or if you are REALLY hungry, don't worry - you can also choose from:
Also offered are traditional Texas favorites such as: Buzzy's famous Barbecued Chicken Breast and Barbecued Shrimp on a Stick, Kiolbassa Sausage on a Stick, Catfish fried in Cajun spices, and corn on the cob. And finally, beer, wine margaritas, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water are available!
Parking is free and children are welcome (however they need to be supervised please!!!) You also won't be disappointed in the shopping: arts and crafts vendors abound, and there is a large collection of Cajun Festival souvenirs to choose from.
Check out the following website for complete details and location and mark your calendars now for Saturday, Septemeber 27th from 11:30 am - 10:00 pm. It doesn't get much better than this!
http://www.cajunfestival-medinalake.com/html/cajun.htm
(and if you fall in love with Medina Lake while you are there and want to own a piece of this charming area, give me a call!)
Ronda
Alot of people probably aren't thinking of moving outside of the city right now, especially with gas prices rising. However it's hard to overlook these 5 reasons that living out here is do darn GREAT.
1. Room to "breathe" - the majority of places out here give you space to move around. In our subdivision we aren't so close to our neighbors that we can hear their conversations at night! (something I found when living in the Big City).
2. Friendly neighbors - the slower pace of the country life leads to friendlier people. Stress breeds irritability, so when you exist in quieter surroundings, with a slower pace, it's easy to relax and just...be friendly!
3. No Crowds or waiting lists - our stores and restaurants generally aren't overpacked. This isn't because the food isn't good! It's because there is less of us wanting the same thing!
4. Nature - it's not hard to find abundant wildlife on a friendly walk around your neighborhood. Our kids have thoroughly enjoyed finding different animal species that we would never have seen in the city! What a different perspective a child will have growing up in this enviornment!
5. Beauty - the rolling hills in our area provide for beautiful scenery on a Sunday drive - or just on your way home. There's something so calming and refreshing about starting and ending my day in the Hill Country!
Best of all, we are only a very short drive away from the hustle and bustle - when you want it.
If you still aren't convinced, come and visit - and give me a call if you fall in love with the area!
Ronda
More than 10 years (or so) ago, many people I talked to didn't know where Medina Lake was. Sure they had heard of Canyon Lake in the North Central Hill Country, known for it's clear waters, healthy depths and water sporting activity. But Medina Lake was relatively quiet in comparison.However our Lake has gained much popularity in the more recent years as the growth explodes in the Northwest side of San Antonio. It also was on the local news in a Big Way several years ago when the torrential rains in the Bandera area flooded the Medina River and pushed the Lake to it's limits. So if you haven't heard of it, or you don't know much about it, now is the time to come and visit! Spring is here, the weather is beautiful and nothing compares to a drive through our scenic Hill Country area. Here are your "don't miss" spots!
Hungry Anyone?
La Cabana Café - Fabulous Tex-Mex Cuisine in a humble atmosphere (but don't let the looks fool you! The food is anything but humble!) De-lish!9083 FM 1283, Lakehills, TX - 830-612-2990Call ahead to check operating hours - they change often!
Oasis Bar and Grill - Sit and view the beautiful south end of the Lake while you dine. Live music and great variety on the menu!6800 CR 271, Mico Texas - 830-612-3399www.medinalake.com
Fishing Anyone?
Lake info: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/medina/
Joe's Marina - 9 acre, hill country, lake-front, gated facility hosting dry storage, water slips, moorings, 2 cement boat ramps, fishing, picnic and camp grounds, full hookup RV park, cabin rental, beach, swimming, party rental facility, and boat rentals. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to dark Wednesday through Sunday with the exception of Friday and Saturday dock fishing until 10:00 p.m. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday unless a holiday or pre-arranged special event. Standard entry fee is $5 per person (no charge for children 7 and under), and vehicle parking fee is $3. These fees do not apply to tenants, pass holders and boat launches. Pets are only permitted with the long-term RV contracts. http://www.joesmarina.com/about.php
Reds Cove Marina- Bring your boat and launch at Red's cove. Restrooms and plenty of parking are available. A small fee is required to launch. Predominant fish species at Medina Lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, carup, gar and channel, blue and flathead catfish. 830-612-2715
Moving Anyone?
Dancing Bear Ranch - A new custom home community - beautiful scenic lakeview lots available. Nice restrictions, gated, fabulous clubhouse, pool and workout facility. Also has a pavilion and lake park for residents and guests! Several spec homes available for immediate move-in! Check the area out at www.dancingbearranch.com and give me a call or email me if you are interested! I can also show you ANY lot or home in the Hill Country!
Ronda
Our family has gone "organic"! Don't get me wrong, we still enjoy a bowl of Haagen Daas occasionally, and the kids can't seem to give up hot dogs and the very occasional Happy Meal (which I loved when I was little too), but overall, we are trying to make better choices about what we put in our bodies. Caffeine and high fructose corn syrup are out, and healthy, organic choices are in.We began this change by buying items labeled "organic". After seeing just about everything in an "organic" version, and realizing how expensive this change was, I wondered if some items were more important to buy in an "organic" version than others. Here is a list I compiled, courtesy of data from Oprah.com and our own city newspaper, the Boerne Star.
Foods You Should Try to Buy in an Organic Version:
Milk
Eggs
Meat - beef and chicken
Rice - all colors
Grains - corn, wheat and oats
Processed Foods - chips, popcorn
Peanut Butter
Potatoes
Raisins
Green Beans
Cucumbers
Strawberries
Apples
Cherries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Raspberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Spinach
If you are wondering if there are any foods (especially fruits and veggies) that you could still get away with buying the non-organic version of, here is a list of those that are less likely to be affected by pesticides:
Bananas
Kiwi
Mangos
Papaya
Pineapples
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn
Onions
Thankfully, there is a new organic food market in Boerne. Loves Natural Market has a large selection of natural and organic products, and lucky for me, it is right next door to the Keller Williams office on South Main Street in Boerne! Here is an article from the Boerne Star Online about this charming little store.
For more on friendly choices for our bodies and the Earth, stay tuned!
Ronda
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