Tour Compliments
Hi LeAnn, I just wanted to let you know that my niece Ginny and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with Lee Haile. Lee got us great views of the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo and a bunch more birds to boot! He is a great guide, is enjoyable to be with and he really knows the birds and a whole lot more about the flora and fauna of the Hill Country. And as a bonus at the end of the day he gave us some samples of his storytelling…. what a hoot that was! Please pass on our thanks to Lee for a great day, and thank you for setting it up.
Richard & niece Ginny from Desert Hills, Arizona booked a Birding Tour with us on May 3, 2012
LeAnn & Anthony: I just wanted to let you know how perfect the Canyon Breeze cabin was for our family. Being only a few minutes from the Park and having a secluded place to recover from the crowds was a perfect mix. A few hummingbirds, rabbits, and clear skies at night! Couldn't have asked for anything more; everyone is already asking, "When can we go back?" So, I'm sure we'll see you next year. Thanks again for a wonderful experience and pass our thanks along to Lee, the storyteller - the kids are still laughing! Jeff from Wylie, TX - June 8 thru 11, 2011
Dear LeAnn, Just wanted to say again how much we enjoyed our fabulous 'Houston Audubon Birdathon Prize Weekend' at Rio Frio Lodging. Thank you so much for your warm hospitality, for the fascinating nestbox tour, and for the incredible bat flight evening. It was all an unforgettable experience! Thank you to for the important work that you and your family are doing – and for donating this wonderful prize to Houston Audubon. You can be sure that we'll be spreading the word about your special place. Sincerely, Joy Hester "Houston Audubon" - Stayed @ Hideaway Cabin May 14&15, 2010
I want to take the opportunity to thank you for an amazing once in a lifetime event. I am back in Calgary and want to thank you for all your help and the once in a life time experience! Thanks to you and your friendly welcoming knowledgeable staff for going above and beyond to make this an awe inspiring moment in my life. You made it so easy for us from beginning (directions from San Antonio Airport) to end (finding our way back to our hotel). I was in awe of the magnificent Frio Bat Flight! And now I am back in the snow! Thank you again! D. Thibeault – Calgary Canada – April 29, 2010
We just got home from our wonderful 2 weeks in Texas - I have to say that viewing the Frio Bat Flight at the cave was the highlight of our trip - and it is hard to beat Big Bend NP! It was truly amazing and we haven't stopped talking about it. Thank you for opening such a wonder to the public and helping to educate people on the benefits of bats. Good luck with your future endeavors and we have recommended your venue to others along the remainder of our trip. We are recommending it to others here in Virginia as the thing to do if and when they travel to Texas. Mary K Centreville, Virginia - April 29, 2010
I wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed our two events with you. Lee is an outstanding guide and was great about sharing his knowledge of the entire area. We would recommend Hill Country Adventures to any of our friends who might consider visiting your area. The bat flight is truly an amazing sight. Regards, Ed - Monroe, NC - May 2008
Hey LeAnn, Thanks again for such a great trip. We love your area and will definitely be back. Attached is a picture of Dean at the Biggest Tree in Texas and one of Esme, our 4.5 year old, on the rope swing at La Hacienda and Guide Lee Haile with the family at the biggest tree on our Big Tree Tour. We really enjoyed our day with Lee. What an amazing tour. Gratefully, Bernadette Austin, Texas - Aug. 2007
Birding/Nestbox Trail Tour; by Touring Car
Hi LeAnn & Anthony, We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our birding trip with you yesterday and to share our good news that when we got home another bluebird nest had been built in our nesting box and has 3 pretty blue eggs in it. We saw the female bluebird in a nearby tree. Al is looking forward to any e-photos of our tour that you can share with him. Thanks again for a very nice tour & stay in the Texas Star Suite. We wish you much luck and good fortune in your efforts to preserve and value nature. Susan & Al Peacock April 27, 2007
These 2 ladies from Houston went on our Sunset Bat Flight, Nestbox Trail, & Big Tree/Birding Tours;
Sorry I'm late with this thank-you, but that doesn't mean it's not truly sincere. We had a magical time with you and your crew on our short spring break. Your warmth and patience made it much better than we had anticipated, and we had expected a great time!! Our adventures were outstanding. The nestbox tour was fun and informative. Did you identify the strange bats that were staying in a few of the nestboxes?
The Sunset Bat Flight was spectacular and amazing! We had not imagined that many bats even though we had seen the Animal Planet show that featured it. Bain was so personable and knowledgeable, that he added a lot to the show. Frankly, I really was impressed with the raptors chasing the bats. What a show!
We couldn't have found a better or more congenial guide than Lee for our day long adventure with Big Trees and Birding. He found us some really great out of the way birding spots. I really liked the tour of Neal's garbage disposal area (the pig pens). We found a canyon towhee there. His stories were a highlight.
We would love to come back soon, but probably won't make it again this Spring. How about keeping in touch with a view to next spring. What would be the best time for me to catch the golden cheeked warbler?
Again, what a joy to meet you, Lee and your family. We hope to see you again as soon as possible. Thanks to all of you. Sandy Peebles - Houston - March 16&17, 2007
Nestbox Trail Tour; by Touring Car
Bud and I, I'm sure the other guests also, enjoyed the Bluebird Trail! I had seen a Bluebird once at my property east of Hondo. Only that one time. Also, saw some in the winter, at Medina Valley Green House's Nursery in Castroville. They did not stay, except in the winter. Bud, had not seen one since he lived in Georgia. Though we only saw a few bluebirds - we realize it was a bit too cold! However, you LeAnn made up for it ! You're a wonderful guide. Made the tour very interesting!!!
We had a wonderful Day. I made the mistake of not getting the couple's last name & address that was with our tour. They were very nice company. The young boy was very interested in the outdoors, and Birding. That is just wonderful. My picture's and video came out real nice. It was a wonderful Tour, Thank You very much. I would, and will, recommend you to family and friends..... My family and I will be looking forward, and planning a weekend stay at your Hideaway cabin. "Keep up the good work you're doing- for the Bluebirds, and Birding." I'll be looking forward to seeing you again soon. Ben Musquez - San Antonio - March 17, 2007
Dear LeAnn, We had a wonderful day viewing birds and nests on your Nature/Nestbox Tour! As you experienced my son is very interested in birds and nature. He learned so much and is now referring to the different birds by their proper name. He retained the names better than me, so I have to sharpen my memory! Your "off-road golf-cart" was impressive going up the steep hills! We definitely want to come back and experience the calm and beautiful area and to observe the fascinating birds again.
The next two months my husband is traveling a lot so I am trying to fit everything in and see if we can schedule a trip later towards the summer.
Our stay at Farhaven was very pleasant, the cottage had more charm than the photos indicated, everything was sparkling clean and the owners very nice and helpful. The cottage was well supplied with all our needs, towels, firewood, we even received fresh lettuce! We truly enjoyed every minute of our stay. Our son loved to play with the Cole, black lab, and went bird watching with the dog on the ranch. We saw deer and of course the cardinal. Anne, Samir & their 10 year old son - March 2007 - Houston, Texas
Nestbox/Birding Tour on Our Ranch Plus the Bat Flight at Frio Cave
Hi LeAnn: Wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the tour of your ranch and also the bat cave. I was there with Steve Shunk and Bob of Paradise Birding out of Oregon on the 17th of April, 2006. The experience at the bat cave was beyond words. I have never seen so many of anything in my life, it was a great experience. The variety of birds and access to seeing them on your ranch makes it a real thrill to visit you. Thanks for providing such a experience. Dick Heintz - April, 2006
Sunset Bat Flight
I'll be staying at Neal's with a birding group of 16 people on the evenings of April 30, May 1 and May 2. We'd like to schedule a bat flight tour for one of these evenings. I actually had a smaller group last spring and we enjoyed the bat flight. And many years ago I did it as well, when it was kind of an "on your own" experience. I'm looking forward to it again - as well as watching the folks in our group who will be experiencing it for the first time! Kip Miller - Love Creek Nature Center - Berrien Center , Michigan - 2006
LeAnn, My group had a great time Birding in the Concan/Utopia area. They all enjoyed the Indian Blanket Ranch. We got to see some good birds. In fact, I am interested in making another trip there possibly December 14 to 17 2006 and April 2007. Are those dates open in December? What week is the Nature Quest next year? What dates are open for April? Thanks. Birding Guide - Glenn Olsen Houston, TX - June 2006
