Lone Man Mountain Road’s Christmas

Six miles out on Ranch Road 12 from downtown Wimberley — and just a little over eight and a half miles from Home Depot in Dripping Springs — is the turnoff for Lone Man Mountain Road. Explorers of the area have stumbled on a treasure on the north side of the road just short of two miles from the intersection: an opportunity for those looking for scenery to snap a seasonal picture for the annual family greeting card.

The story began six years ago as Donna Krumblis and her husband, Dennis, were going about their Life Changes estate and consignment sales business just outside of Wimberley.

“Dennis had purchased a shell of a truck,” Krumblis said, “and repainted it bright red.”

The feature was designed to serve as yard art, calling attention to their resale shop. The plan was to use the truck as a way to draw passerby to the shop’s big Christmas sales, helping to move inventory.

“We’d always had the bicycle out in front of the house,” Krumblis said. “People traveling through were using the bike as a roadside marker. We put lights on it to spruce it up and it grew from there.”

“But the truck is cute to decorate,” she continued, laughing. “We put things up for Halloween, Christmas and at different times of the year, yet Christmas has taken on a life of its own.”

The Life Changes shop has expanded and changed over time. The estate sales becametime- consuming enough that the business model moved more toward consignment.

“Perhaps eighty percent of what we have in the shop is now consignment. We’ve added painting supplies and decor materials and intend to migrate to Colorful Changes soon,” Krumblis shared. “There are so many projects taking up space and we’ve done so many estate sales that it’s time to slow down.”

The shop remains open four days a week — thanks in large part to Carol Salazar, Krumblis’s right hand.

“Carol’s here much of the time, so we’ve kept the gate to the property open, allowing families and passers-by to pull in for their photo opportunities,” Krumblis said. “We’ve also made arrangements with neighbors to help out if we’ve all got to be away.”

“Folks are always welcome to come by to get family pictures taken, visit the shop and find some treasures,” added Salazar.

What started as a trickle has grown into a waterfall. Families return year after year to take photos with the truck in its decorated state for family get-togethers, portraits and Christmas cards.

“I watch families pile out of their vehicles and start setting up for pictures, wrangling kids and pets, and trying to get it all together. Seeing some of the same folks here and watching their kids grow up from year to year is touching,” Krumblis commented. “I see their pictures on Facebook and Instagram, used as their backgrounds and profile pics. It’s grown into so much more than I could have ever expected or imagined.”

Krumblis and her husband have embedded themselves in the community through a variety of organizations and their church. They express their love and appreciation for the community through service and helping in times of need.

“I see this as another way to be involved in Wimberley and in the valley,” Krumblis said. “I’m glad to be a part of people making lifelong memories.”

The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM while the gate offering access to the truck is open throughout the week.