Bids, beds and bibs in Central Texas

Kevin Brass, Special to The Times
12:00 AM PST, December 31, 2003

GETTING THERE:

From LAX, American and Southwest offer nonstop service to Austin, and America West, Continental, Delta, United and Frontier have connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $198.

The small towns of Hill Country are easily accessible from Austin.

WHERE TO STAY:

Green Gables Bed and Breakfast, 401 Green Gables, Blanco, TX 78606; (888) 833-5931, http://www.greengables-tx.com. Six years ago, Glen and Sue McFarlin converted a 15-acre ranch on the Little Blanco River into a quiet bed-and-breakfast. A room in the main house has a balcony with a view of the river, and there are two guesthouses with an outdoor spa. Doubles $105-$155, including breakfast.

Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701; (800) 252-9367, http://www.driskillhotel.com. This historic stalwart is a taste of old Texas in downtown Austin. From the cowhide chairs in the dark bar to the opulent polished marble in the lobby, it's all Texas Victorian elegance. Doubles $260-$400.

Stagecoach Inn, 401 Stagecoach Road, Salado, TX 76571; (800) 732-8994, http://www.touringtexas.com/stage. The Stagecoach, which dates to the 1860s, when it was a stagecoach stop on the Old Chisholm Trail, is a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the hills north of Austin. Salado is also packed with antiques stores. Doubles $70-$96.

WHERE TO EAT:

Blanco Bowling Club Cafe, 310 4th St., Blanco; (830) 833-4416. All-you-can-eat catfish is the Friday-night special, and locals quickly fill up the funky old diner. Picture ancient metal tables and waitresses you might as well call Flo. The onion rings and coconut meringue pie are legendary. Entrees $6-$12.

Salt Lick Bar-B-Q, 18300 Farm-to-Market Road 1826, Driftwood; (512) 894-3117. One of the legends of Austin. Texans drive for miles to get a taste of the meat smoking over the open-pit barbecue. The all-you-can-eat deals are a challenge to true barbecue lovers. Family-style dinners $13.95.

Mike's Barnyard Barbecue, 13850 W. Highway 29, Liberty Hill; (512) 778-5100. Nothing fancy about this family restaurant, except the tasty sauce that drips from all the entrees. A half-pound of ribs is $8.95. The jalapeño sausages are a house specialty.

AUCTIONS:

Auctions are advertised on Thursdays or Fridays in the classifieds of most newspapers that cover the Hill Country, including the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News.

Antique & Collector's Guide and Antiquing, thick advertising publications for antiques stores and auctions, are available free in most antiques stores.

Ole Blanco Auction Co., 318 4th St., Blanco; (888) 595-5783, http://www.blancoauction.com. Halfway between San Antonio and Austin on U.S. 281. Auctions, which often focus on American antiques and Texas and German primitives, are usually on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, but the schedule varies.

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