Out of Office: Camp Lucy | Dripping Springs, TX
Welcome to Out of Office: a series where we share the stories behind the unique destinations where you can find Copper Cow Coffee - and local-approved travel tips to make the most of your adventures!
Today, we’re headed to Camp Lucy, a 282 acre resort in the heart of Texas Hill Country that’s rooted in family, fascinating history, and the joy of a life worth celebrating. Their property features a blend of Texas and Vietnam for a unique and unforgettable aesthetic.
Camp Lucy x Copper Cow Coffee
The Location
Austin, TX has become an incredibly popular travel destination - but if you want something a little off the beaten path not far from the city, Dripping Springs is just the ticket! Although the area is home to many wedding venues and is formally designated the Wedding Capital of Texas, there’s so much more to see.
Take in the beautiful scenery of the rolling hills, tour and taste at local wineries, distilleries, and even an olive farm. For shopping, be sure to visit Historic Mercer Street for a diverse offering of local goods. Savor world famous BBQ and other local favorites at one of the many restaurants.
And no trip to the Texas Hill Country would be complete without marveling at local parks and swimming holes like Reimer’s Ranch, Pedernales Falls State Park, or Hamilton Pool Preserve. From waterfalls to lush greenery to hiking trails, you can see it all - just 40 minutes outside Austin!
Where to Stay
Camp Lucy began as family land, which Owner Whit Hanks’ parents purchased in 1985 as the family’s weekend getaway.
Whit spent weekends with his children and parents there for many subsequent years. Showcasing imported buildings from Vietnam, Camp Lucy evolved to become a full-scale resort and premier wedding venue. With 5 state-of-the-art event venues, 41 luxury guest rooms, an award-winning restaurant, and even a resident alpaca herd, there’s a lot to love! But what may be less obvious, and where the magic really takes shape, is in the hands of the predominantly female-led team who works together to create the famous Camp Lucy Experience each day.
“From the moment a guest enters the property we aim to provide a world-class capital ‘E’ Experience,” says Camp Lucy Director of Brand, Courtney Griffin.
“Whether they are here for a wedding, corporate retreat or weekend getaway, we want to preemptively anticipate every need they may have.”
Future expansion plans include a spa, additional guest rooms, and other exciting ventures in the works.
Camp Lucy’s surprising Vietnamese connection
At Copper Cow Coffee, our Vietnamese-American heritage is the foundation of our company - which is why we love that our coffee can be found in the rooms at a hotel with its own historical connection to Vietnam!
Camp Lucy owner Whit Hanks has been an antiques dealer and collector for the past 40 years. While on a trip visiting Vietnam with his son Ian, he discovered that many churches and town halls were being destroyed to make room for new, larger buildings. He purchased one of these buildings - a chapel - in 2009 and had it shipped in pieces back to Dripping Springs.
The Camp Lucy team, along with other local craftsmen, reassembled the building structure with limited instructions aside from painted markings on the beams. The pillars are made from ironwood and are held together without bolts or nails. Instead, the structure uses a slot and groove system (similar to Lincoln logs).
As Camp Lucy grew and the interest in weddings became obvious, Whit found and imported three more Vietnamese buildings. They all come from the Binh Dinh region of Vietnam which is about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi. The heritage and history of these buildings create a unique and elegant backdrop for making new memories.
Did we mention the logo?
Along with the buildings, Whit also acquired a large treasure trove of antique terracotta roof tiles in Vietnam. These tiles incorporate a symbol resembling a Valentine, although each is unique since they are all hand-made. These tiles were used as the symbol of the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
Also carved into each of the Vietnam building structures is a Chinese character that loosely translated as “Double Happiness, the happiness that can only be achieved by a couple in love”. The Western character—the Valentine—and the Eastern character—Double Happiness—are both found on many of the buildings at Camp Lucy. This mixture of Western and Eastern imagery embodied the spirit of family and love the owners aimed to create, and thus the Camp Lucy logo was born.
Where to find Copper Cow Coffee
No need to pack your favorite coffee! You can find complimentary Copper Cow coffees and creamers in all the guest rooms at Camp Lucy.
“The unique pour over experience with Copper Cow is an exciting and memorable ‘intentional pause’ for our guests,” says Griffin. “The ties to Vietnam and a fellow female- led business made it an absolute perfect fit and extension of our brand story and origins.”
Whether you’re visiting for a wedding, getaway, or event, enjoying your in-room coffee is the perfect relaxing start to the day (or afternoon pick-me-up) in the serene Texas Hill Country.
