Courtesy of Longbranch

There is no one who embodies the Texas spirit quite like Matthew McConaughey.

Some would say he is a living Texas legend, and his love for the state runs deep.

Mariah Tyler

T+L: What led you to the idea of creating Longbranch Ranch and why choose Walden Retreats?

Matthew McConaughey in a cabin

Credit:Courtesy of Longbranch

I think that’s important.

I think everyone works harder now to try and find time out.

Find time to check out so they can check in.

Longbranch Bourbon bottle and person wearing cowboy hat

Mariah Tyler

It’s easy to walk out and deal with the beautiful Hill Country out there.

And I guess I think that’s good for people wherever they are."

T+L: Yeah, I agree.

Longbranch Ranch at Walden Retreats in Texas Hill Country

Mariah Tyler

I like how unmanicured this property is and the Hill Country in general.

Not always do you need/want a proverbial vacuum cleaner on everything.

Sometimes you wanna go, Can you just use a rake or a broom?

Interior of luxury tent with Longbranch Ranch yellow

Courtesy of Longbranch

T+L: There is some serious beauty out here in Texas Hill Country.

What do you love and admire about this part of Texas?

Matthew McConaughey:“Well, that you still get your horizons.

View of the Pedernales River at night under the stars

Mariah Tyler

A lot of aquifers, a lot of fresh spring water around there.

The wildlife is great.

My wife is in love with the clouds there.

And you’ll see here shortly… what the sunsets are like, it’s pretty spectacular.”

T+L: It’s nice to see that your bourbon is blending the best of both Texas and Kentucky.

Matthew McConaughey:“We’ve talked about it.

We believe we really like that juice thats in that bottle right there, Longbranch, right now.

And it’s becoming more and more some people’s bourbon of choice.

Chill it up just a hair but not watered down too much.

And then, towards the end of the night,thengo neat.

I don’t like to mix stuff in.

I know, some people do.

But I really just appreciate what it is, exactly what we put in that bottle.

Exactly what we worked for years to get in that bottle.”

Matthew McConaughey:“Check in with yourself.

Check out to check in.

It’s a place to say anything or to say nothing at all.

I hope people don’t go there to try and go, I got to figure something out.'

No, go there and just relax, look around, take in the sights and sounds and smells.

So this place… the experience is designed for that to let the answer come to you.

Or let the idea come to you.

T+L: It is really nice to have the peace and quiet.

Matthew McConaughey:“You know what, that quietness at the beginning can be loud.

Some people are gonna get there and be very uncomfortable.

Let the quietness be loud.

It’ll get quiet.

That’s usually when it’s like OK, I got something from this.

It’s OK for me to re-engage with my busy, busy life.”

Matthew McConaughey:“Yeah, ones out there in Marfa, west Texas.

Another one is Malawi, Africa.

And, you know, the jungles in Peru as well.

And the desert the Sahara desert has been one of those places for me.”

T+L: When youre on the road or in the air, whats the one thing you always pack?

Matthew McConaughey:“I’ve always got a journal.

I love putting pen to paper.

I pop in a lot of things out now more than I used to.

Longbranch Ranch rooms start at $425 per night.

To book, visitwaldenretreats.com.