Lily Pond's Cottage is the release point for rescued wildlife on Curly Q Refuge. Small mammals can find safe haven from dogs and other dangers brought by man. The lily pond offers them a water supply while the woods provides a natural habitat.
Guests can observe wildlife in the safety of the cottage's front porch, front or back balcony, or the pond dock. Nicest of all, mosquitoes are almost nonexistent! The weather is always cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Rainy weather is especially nice when the raindrops fall on the pond's surface or the morning mist on the pond is so beautiful.
Guests can enjoy either a self-guided or guided wildlife tour, the latter including a tour of the refuge's animal treatment facilities and information about native plants, topography of its lovely landscape. With the guided tour, guests may meet the refuge's pets: longhorns Jack, Butch, and Sundance; horses Skippy, Peppy Sue, and Levi; donkeys Silver and Spanky; goats Howard Rick and Julius R.A., almost all rescues themselves.
Most luxurious, guests may arrange for a gourmet meal chefs David and Jan prepare at the cottage. Guests may enjoy wine as their meal is being prepared and may be served inside the cottage, on the back balcony, on the front porch or on the pond dock, serenaded by the symphony of frogs.
Guests may arrange to have a Reiki massage by Kathe inside or outside the cottage. The woodland backdrop offers complete quiet privacy, such a rare commodity in today's crowded and noisy world.
From Track Road West one mile outside the village of New Ulm, the first view is a gate opening onto a small pasture. A grassy road leads into a wood, the road winding onto the lily pond with the chalet to the left. One can stay around the cottage or go on walks around the 40-acre refuge. The road leads through woods, to an opening where the walker turns left for a ways, then left again down another road, left once more back to the cottage: a oval walking tour of nature.
Curly Q Refuge at New Ulm is located in the heart of a lone star: Brenham as the north point in the star, Bellville to the northeast, Sealy to the south, Columbus to the west along Interstate 10, and Round Top to the northwest. This lone star is equidistant between Houston and Austin. The travelers may fly into Austin, rent a car and take Hwy 71 southeast to Ellinger where they may enjoy great Texas barbecue at Peters Bar-B-Cue. The route is then northeast on Farm Road 2503 until it ends in a T at FM 1094. The turn is to the right to Frelsburg hamlet where Heinsohn's Country Store is worth the trip in itself: Family owned and operated since 1920, this fascinating landmark offers one of everything from sausage grinders to turtle traps to wrought iron cookware and Cokes for 25 cents! At the Frelsburg intersection, one picks up FM 109, and 4 miles farther into New Ulm, crossing the railroad tracks and turning left on Taylor Street, which becomes Track Road West. This lovely drive takes a little over an hour from the Austin airport, through only 4 traffic lights! The rolling hills provide a panoply of enjoyable scenery--Texas at its best.
Guests may decide to take day trips to destinations around New Ulm, each within 20 miles, places rich with Texas history, arts and crafts, antiques, and the wonderful Bluebell Ice Cream Factory. Or they may decide to stay on Curly Q Refuge where plants and animals thrive, and there's always something new to explore and enjoy.
The peace of this place is priceless. Lily Pond's Cottage is the best kept secret: of all the places to stay in this area, none can compare in breadth and depth of Curly Q Refuge, dedicated to the restoration of the balance of life, naturally.
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