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    Texas travel

    Quirky and charming shipping-container hotel is Fredericksburg's cutest new escape

    Celestina Blok
    Sep 6, 2021 | 10:30 am

    One of Fredericksburg’s newest overnight accommodations takes the shipping-container building trend next-level.

    Odonata Escape, opened by Austin residents and husband-and-wife duo Davis and Mary Susan Gilmer in late 2020, is a secluded vacation compound created from several brightly painted, cargo-worthy shipping containers.

    Located on 15 acres just four miles north of Fredericksburg’s busy Main Street, the rooms — eight of them total — come with their own front porch decks, mini kitchens, and cozy window-side nooks for reading or relaxing. They also come with a lot more space compared to the trendy (and tight) one-container accommodations popping up around Texas.

    “I wanted big showers and king-size beds,” says Mary Susan, adding that the design process was a lot like building Lego bricks. “We actually went and bought some Legos and spread them around the dining room table. You can’t just willy-nilly put the containers wherever you want. Once you cut the hole for the window or door, there’s no going back.”

    It was during the design process that the Gilmers realized the durability of shipping containers.

    “They’re low maintenance, which is why people put a bunch of stuff in them and ship them across the ocean every day,” Mary Susan says.

    All rooms are made from two-and-a-half containers each and surround a neatly landscaped common area anchored by a large fire pit and Adirondack chairs. A 10-plus acre working hayfield provides a backdrop for nighttime stargazing and firefly shows, and sipping wine by the fire at night is practically a guest requirement.

    The name Odonata came from the word’s Latin meaning of “dragonfly.” Davis says he and Mary Susan wanted the accommodations to be colorful, eye-catching, and whimsical — something that would lend itself to repeat business.

    “I would stay in a yurt — once. I would stay in an Airstream — once. Those may be really nice but don’t really lend themselves to repeatability,” says Davis.

    With names like Happy Boho, Tranquility, Lone Star, and Rosa, each room has a different personality with décor to match. As more folks discover the destination when seeking lodging to explore the Hill Country wine trail, the Gilmers are finding that repeat customers want to stay in a new room with each visit.

    In the room Lavender, the bed skirt is made from purple floral drapes Mary Susan bought for her first condo in her twenties. Shangri La is adorned with Asian pottery from Davis’ mother’s travels. Guests will find an homage to midcentury modern in the room Groovy, and Southwestern artwork and Santa Fe vibes in the room Ristra.

    “I’m kind of quirky,” says Mary Susan, who admits to being a fabric hoarder. “I have no white walls in any house — nothing against that. And Davis’ mom traveled the world and has so much stuff. It just makes me feel good to use all of this stuff and turn it into something so beautiful.”

    Also on the property is an 1880s stone farmhouse the Gilmers have renovated into meeting and dining space for up to 18 people. Called the Porch House, the amenity comes with a full kitchen that serves as a communal meeting spot for large groups.

    Three hot new Fredericksburg places to hit
    Regular visitors to the Hill Country's most popular town have their favorite wineries, eateries, and local attractions. But there's always something new brewing (or fermenting, as it were). Here are a new restaurant and new bar to check out, and a fantastic exhibit to view before it ends soon.

    Hill & Vine
    Located where the landmark Peach Tree restaurant, tea room, and gift shop formerly sat for 49 years, Hill & Vine opened this summer with bit of skepticism from Fredericksburg locals — could anything good possibly replace the beloved Peach Tree? Owner Jesse Barter has proven “yes.” Wait times for his “farm and ranch show” (the sign above the open kitchen broadcasts the phrase) can be lengthy, as word has spread about the restaurant’s fun, modern vibe and delicious Texas-centric menu. Barter formerly managed Fredericksburg’s 4.0 Cellars (now Texas Wine Collective) for seven years, so he knows the market and Texas wine.

    The menu is all Texas, from the Gulf shrimp campechana and watermelon salad to the chicken schnitzel and the “roadside fried pies” made with local peaches. Fun fact: Texas 1015 sweet onions are used for the restaurant’s popular onion rings, and the particular onion is also the official state vegetable of Texas. (Barter’s grandmother help lead a program at Texas A&M to develop the onion variety.) Hill & Vine is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and brunch Saturday and Sunday.

    Chase’s Place
    Chase Guthrie and his wife, Tara, opened Chase’s Place in an old corner house in Fredericksburg’s historic district, just one block off busy Main Street — unintentionally right in the middle of 2020’s pandemic. The cozy space for craft cocktails has since become a busy local favorite. It’s easy to envision becoming a regular here, where a dark wood setting and well-stocked shelves of spirits greet guests upon arrival. In addition to martinis, classic cocktails, and Chase’s imaginative drink specialties — like the Story of the Ghost, made with ghost pepper-infused tequila — the bar offers a concise food menu of sharable plates, salads, oysters, shrimp and grits, and weekend chef’s specialties. Cocktail service runs from 4-10 pm and the kitchen is open from 5-9:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

    "The Art of Fredericksburg: 175 Years"
    Coinciding with Fredericksburg’s 175th anniversary, a special art exhibit is on display at the George H.W. Bush Gallery inside the National Museum of the Pacific War. Called "The Art of Fredericksburg: 175 Years," the exhibit features more than 50 pieces of original art created by nearly 30 artists from the Fredericksburg area. The artwork spans 175 years from Fredericksburg’s founding to present day. Guests will see a variety of media, including watercolor, sketches, oil paintings, and even a full-size clay sculpture of the posh Lady Bird Johnson sporting a camera, handbag, and her signature smile. The exhibit is on display through September 19 and admission is free.

    ---

    Odonata Escape, 186 Grasshopper Ln., Fredericksburg, odonataescape.com. Rates range from $127 per night during the week to $231 per night on weekends.

    Carnitas nachos and Texas rosé at Hill & Vine.

    Hill & Vine Fredericksburg
      
    Photo courtesy of Hill & Vine
    Carnitas nachos and Texas rosé at Hill & Vine.
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    news/travel

    Bus News

    Luxury bus service Vonlane adds new destination city out of Dallas

    Teresa Gubbins
    May 12, 2025 | 2:21 pm
    Vonlane seats
    Courtesy of Vonlane
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    Texas travelers have a convenient new route to check out thanks to Vonlane: The Texas-based luxury motor coach service is adding a new daily service between Dallas and The Woodlands, starting on June 13.

    This will be a second Houston-area destination from Dallas: Vonlane already offers service between Dallas and downtown Houston, where it stops at the Hyatt Regency at 1200 Louisiana St.

    The new service brings a convenient nonstop route to and from the northern fringe of Houston — The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Conroe, Montgomery County, and northern Harris County. The trip time is 3 hours and 15 minutes. (The ride to downtown takes 3 hours and 45 minutes.)

    According to Vonlane founder and CEO Alex Danza, The Woodlands has been a much-requested route.

    “The Woodlands area has been our most requested geographic addition for several years, so we’re thrilled to announce this expansion, our 10th destination on our 11th anniversary,” Danza says. “Bringing our elevated bus service to suburban areas is a strategic priority as we seek to relieve the hassles of driving and air travel for our passengers and better meet them where they live, work, and play.”

    Buses have 22 first-class leather seats, ample workspace, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an onboard attendant offering premium cabin service with snacks, meals, and beverages included.

    Schedule
    Beginning June 13, The Woodlands-Dallas route will offer the following departures:

    • Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 6:15 am, 10:15 am, 2:15 pm, and 6:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday: 10:15 am and 2:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
    • Saturday: 9 am: departing The Woodlands
    • Saturday 1 pm: departing Dallas

    Terminal Locations & Hotel Partners
    The new dropoff point for the Woodlands service will be at Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. According to Danza, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott offers easy access to I-45, ample parking, and high-quality accommodations, IE a nice waiting area.

    It'll go to Dallas' established stop at Doubletree Love Field, 3300 W. Mockingbird Ln.

    The new route offers proximity to major employers in the area such as Alight Solutions, Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Hewlett-Packard, Houston Methodist, Huntsman Corporation, Lone Star College, McKesson, Memorial Hermann, Occidental Petroleum, St. Luke’s Health, and Texas Children’s.

    Visit The Woodlands president Nick Wolda says in a statement that The Woodlands is a popular destination for Dallas residents.

    “Visit The Woodlands is excited to welcome Vonlane to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Conference Center. This first-class amenity is a fantastic addition to our vibrant community, perfectly designed to elevate the travel experience,” Wolda says. “The Woodlands is the go-to destination for trips from the DFW area—whether you're a corporate conventioneer, a Pavilion concertgoer, a college student coming home, or a weekend shopping trip with friends. With this new service, getting to and from The Woodlands has never been easier or more enjoyable!"

    Fares are a flat rate of $125 for one-way trips with advance purchase. No taxes, baggage fees, or change fees apply. Rates increase with less than seven days’ notice and within 24 hours before departure.

    Fares include complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, meals (on select routes), and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is available for purchase. Tickets can be booked at www.vonlane.com.

    Vonlane was founded in 2014 and offers more than 475 weekly departures across 10 destinations. Routes operate in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; between Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee; and between Nashville and Memphis.

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