"This is a perfect place to escape to the Hill Country with a small or large group. It really can sleep a lot of people comfortably, and the living spaces are huge and very well furnished. The house had everything we needed, and the views of the waterfront are beautiful. It is so private and secluded, yet so close to town which made grabbing meals at the local restaurants (several very good ones to choose from) so easy. The kitchen is fully stocked so it also made cooking and staying in very easy too. Our kids ( ages 7 and 4) loved it. We spent hours exploring the waterfront even though it was too cold to swim over New Years. We definitely plan to return and think it would be great place for a family reunion or weekend away with friends. Thanks for a very relaxing and fun getaway."

 RE: Casa Grande; Beth and Chase - Houston, TX - January 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"My husband and I take turns planning our Valentine's Day anniversary.This year was my turn and what a treat this cabin was. It was our first time in the Wimberly area and we were close to everything. The Blanco river was just a short walk away and Wimberly was just down the road. The cottage gave us a very homey and roomy feeling and had everything we needed inculding a hot tub. There were deer on the property that we saw in the mornings. We had a great time and will definitely be back."

RE: Little House; Casey & Ricky - Conroe, TX - February 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"We wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday in a quiet, relaxing setting...this was really important since we live and work in LOUD, BUSY Houston! Shade River was the perfect retreat. We met our two kids who go to college nearby which made the location ideal. We spent our days in peace and quiet along the river's edge and on the porch of Little House. There were plenty of deer, squirrels, quail and other local birds. The evenings were breezy and cool - perfect for the hot tub! The bonus was being able to take our two dogs - they loved the river!! The owners are super friendly, very accommodating, and a pleasure to work with. We highly recommend Shade River and look forward to our next visit."

RE: Little House; Birthday Girl Turns 50 - Houston, TX - May 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"Little House on the Blanco at Shade Ranch is the perfect place for an escape from the city. Smelling the cedar trees, watching the deer grazing, enjoying nature in peace and quite...all the while sitting on a covered porch with a refrigerator just inside. It's the perfect nature retreat for non-campers who like a really comfy place to sleep. The house is nicely furnished and very homey with loads of amenities like a gas grill, Direct TV, hot tub, and internet access. And then there is the river. Wow! The pictures do not do it justice if you like to swim. Being close to town is great too. Quaint shops and nice restaurants. Wimberley also has an incredibly nice Brookshire Brothers grocery where you can stock up and cook your own creations in the fully equipped kitchen. We can't wait to come back!"

RE: Little House; S. Williams - Dallas, TX - June 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"My sister and I spent 5 days at the Little House. I liked so many things about my stay! The cabin was quaint and comfortable, with a screened front porch and a covered rear patio with a nearby hot tub and 2 cooking grills. The river was spring-fed cool and flowing, even in this heat and drought when OTHER places on the river are more rock than water. It was shallow enough to wade in many places, yet deep enough in some places to swim or enjoy with flotation devices. Although we could see an occasional car in the distance, most of the road was obscured from view by foliage, The water is clear. The river floor is rock or light-colored silt. There were no bothersome reeds growing in the river.

Since there is one (and only one) other house on the property, we felt comfortable privacy but not isolated seclusion. At sunset and sunrise, we saw deer, rabbits, and squirrels. The cabin was well-stocked, including a microwave, paper towels, coffee, and dishes. Outside, there was always a pleasant cedar scent filling the air.

While there, I could enjoy satellite TV or keep up with email using the available Internet. We brought some groceries and bought others at the nearby grocery store. Since my sister knew local people, we ate in nearby restaurants at night, but had breakfast and lunch in the cabin.

The Little House is ideal for a couple or two friends looking to get away or commune with nature without "roughing it.""

RE: Little House; D and Sister - Lake Conroe, TX - July 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"My husband found this little cabin and we went for the weekend to celebrate his birthday and our anniversary. It was perfect for our needs b/c we wanted to get away for the city/world and relax. We took groceries with us and didn't leave the property from check-in to check-out! The hot tub was fabulous during the cold nights and cool mornings and the spacious cabin makes you feel as if you are visiting someone's home instead of "renting" a place. Hospitality is an understatement b/c if you forget anything it seemed to be placed in a cabinet for you (paper towels, lotion, cleaning supplies, coffee, salt.... you name it-- they had it on hand). The shower is a step-up shower and not so roomy but Everything Else was very comfortable and inviting. We visited in the middle of a very bad dry season and the river was still stunning (not a lot of fish) but Beautiful! We enjoyed grabbing chairs and reading by the waters edge listening to tranquility of the water. There is another house next door that looks quite a bit bigger so if you wanted to share with a large group of friends or your extended family I can see all having a great time. The little town of Wimberly is a stones throw away if you want things like restaurants to zip line activities (they seem to have it all). This is not a 5 star resort set-up but if you are looking to get lost in nature this is an amazing spot to run to. Thank You for the experience."

RE: Little House; Bami and Brian - Austin, TX - January 2009 (HomeAway.com)

"Great house for a family vacation.  The owners provided pretty much all you need for a comfortable time.  And access to the river was wonderful, close, easy, and had water even in the midst of the current VERY DRY season.  Very close to the town of Wimberley itself - 5 minutes to grocery, restaurants, shops.  Quiet and restful.  Lots of sleep areas.  2 bathrooms, which was only area to consider if you are wanting to house a lot of people in the house at one time.  Overall, we had a great time and would definitely recommend and rent again"

RE: Casa Grande; M. Nguyen - TX - July 2009

"We were pleasantly surprised upon arrival to the property. The house surpassed our expectations. It is very large, open, and well equipped. We were traveling with young children ages 1 to 10, as well as adults 70+ with handicap limitations. The property accomodated both. The children had plenty of area to play outside and the river provided a natural "children's pool" that had 1 to 2 ft. of water. The one-story layout made it comfortable for the adults 70+.

We fished, played in the river which had a maximim depth of about 4 ft., sat in the hot tub in the evenings, shopped, and enjoyed eating and playing outside near the house.

Pros: Large home and property, River, Hottub, Good seating, Shopping and grocery close, Kitchen well-equipped

Cons:  The path with steps leading down to the river was difficult for adults 70+.

We would definitely return in the future and recommend this property to others."

RE: Casa Grande; MelSum - Pearland, TX - July 2009

"Our family had a wonderful time!! The house was very large and accomodated our whole huge family! The kids had a blast in the river. We walked down every morning and spent each day fishing, tubing and snorkling!! The water was so clear!"

RE: Casa Grande; Rachel S. - Lubbock, TX - August 2009