The Barton Creek Greenbelt has temporarily closed due to the inclement weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Hermine. The trail is expected to reopen on Friday, September 10, 2010. The trail is being closed for public safety reasons and to prevent damage to the trail. Trail patrons can get the current status of the greenbelt via the Barton Creek Greenbelt Hotline at 472-1267.
The APD Parks and Lake Patrol Unit has announced a personal watercraft ban during Labor Day Weekend on Lake Austin.
The ban includes use and operation of personal watercraft, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices and lasts from sunset tonight, September 3rd, through sunrise on Tuesday, September 7.
APD bans personal watercraft every year during the Labor Day holiday to ensure the safety of the crowds of people on the lake and in the parks. They'll be patrolling the lake as well.
If you have an emergency on the water or need to report reckless boating, call 911. If you have any questions about the ban, call APD's Lake Patrol Unit at 329-8841.
Office people, listen up. Although I am a college-educated man in his early 30's, who works in what's called a professional industry in that "white collar" sense, I am a guy who must cope through one cantankerous summer season after another. And this is Texas; it's like this every year.
I sympathize with construction workers, street repair crews, caretakers of lawns and anyone else who must be outside during the hottest parts of the day. I, too, have to endure the endless heat, the rising temperatures, and the excessive sweating, all while wearing long sleeves, a tie, sometimes a suit coat and wool suit pants. Even Spider-Man must do it, and he's got crime to fight!
But for all the woes of a weather situation we'd rather not succumb to, there is some bright news. Take the month of August off! Make flip flops mandatory during the summer months. Cart a snow cone machine with you and name the flavors after all your favorite indoor-working friends.
Honestly, you can't do any of those things. But you can compromise and hydrate yourself thoroughly throughout the day. Make it a point to cool off often by sitting down in the shade, nearest building with a lobby or car with the cold AC cranked. For the love of pete, crack your car windows when you're not inside and never ever leave a child or pet inside a car when you have an errand to run. It's not worth it, even if you're gone for only a minute.
Summertime affords us the opportunity to vacation, enjoy the beautiful rivers and lakes, and take time to get outside and soak up some vitamin D. But do it wisely and the weather will change before you know it. (Well, it is Texas, but it's bound to change at some point).
The body of State Trooper Wesley Chenault was found early Wednesday morning on the west bank of Lake Travis, near his home.
Chenault ventured out in a flat-bottomed aluminum boat to check his trot lines Monday evening and never returned. The thunderstorms that rolled through the area Monday night are believed to be a factor in his death.
Searchers found his boat, with the motor still running, Monday night at a dock. Several agencies worked in the search, including the Department of Public Safety, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Burnet County Sheriff's Office and Marble Falls Emergency Management Services.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reported that boating accident deaths were down in 2009 compared with the year before. 2008 saw a spike in such incidents.
TPWD statistics showed that 207 boating accidents on Texas public waters last year caused 139 injuries and 38 deaths, compared with 272 accidents, 175 injuries and 62 deaths in 2008.
However, one-boat accidents are a continuing trend, including boats that capsize, run aground, collide with fixed or floating objects, or boaters that fall overboard.
Game Warden Maj. Jeff Parrish, the state’s marine safety chief, says there are a few simple rules to safety on the water.
“Staying safe while boating is simple as one, two, three,” Parrish said. “First, wear a personal flotation device. The new inflatable jackets are lightweight and comfortable, and they save lives. Second, don’t drink and boat. Third, take a boater education course.”
That time of year is upon us when Texas and all it’s natural beauty is budding and ready to be absorbed by anyone halfway adventurous enough to find it. And with the economy being what it is, there is a renewed interest in one of the most affordable forms of entertainment ever discovered: hiking and camping. This is a quick guide to some of the more notable places, near and not so near, that promise to pack the allure of a weekend road trip without completely breaking your account.
Whether the draw is to visit places curious with historical happenings or to immerse yourself in a bit of the good old outdoors, heading west provides a number of the coolest places worth checking out. Some of them are within a couple hours drive time, while others require logging in a little more windshield time. Also, along the way it’s not hard to find small town restaurants and BBQ joints, promising to satisfy appetites of any type.
Along Hwy 290, not too far out of the Austin city limits, is a turnoff for Pedernales Falls State Park. Quick to get to, practically in our backyard, it is the ideal place to get away from the crowds and enjoy some unbelievably relaxing river time. From $5 day passes to $10 overnight camping sites (both primitive and with water or electrical hook ups), you can hardly go wrong. The park is open 7 days a week year round. (830) 868-7304
A little further out past Fredericksburg is the ever crowd pleasing Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Declared a National Natural Landmark in 1970, it has long been a favorite for Hill Country hiking and camping. The batholithic protrusion is one of the largest in the country and provides no shortage of hiking trails of all levels. Sitting on some 640 acres, the park is laden with activities ranging from bird watching to rock climbing as well. All in a place, too, with sunsets that are hard to match. It tends to reach capacity early, especially on holiday weekends, so make sure to call in advance or have a decent backup plan. (830) 685-3636
Keep going west and pass over I-10 and you’ll find Lost Maples sitting on the other side of Kerrville. It’s an obvious gem in the Fall for it’s spectacular foliage that the uncommon Uvalde Bigtooth Maples bring. But it’s equally as enjoyable any other time of the year because it has an abundance of swimming spots and some of the better primitive camp areas in the state. Fees will range from $6 day passes to $15 camping. (830) 966-3413
And for what is considered to be the mother of all camping locations, stock up on some supplies, be prepared to take turns driving in shifts, and head out for Big Bend Ranch State Park. The 500+ mile haul is worth it if you’re looking to really isolate yourself and see some of the most amazing views Texas has to offer. And don’t ask how much further, it passes quickly if you keep in mind the reward far exceeds the efforts of getting there!
It is unadulterated, visual stimuli like few places have to offer. It is replete with not only that wild west feel, but a genuine sense of the sublime in that thousands of generations have visited these very same sites and were as mesmerized as we are today by the sheer beauty.
Miles of trails to walk, distant views that offer breathtaking glances of a large and rough expanse, and you’re still only getting started. It’s worth noting, too, that in days of yore there was a border crossing into the nearby town of Boquillas. It had a couple of cantinas, a restaurant or two, a tiny museum of rustic relics, and a population who relied on some of the park’s guests to make the cross. But since the last several years have caused certain scares along borders, it is apparently a closed crossing yet. I happen to know that several years ago there were still guys from Boquillas who would come down to the river with horses or mules and offer to take you across for a small fee. Now a much larger fee is imposed if caught doing such a thing. Yeah, really.
Kayaking and rafting trips are available for those wanting to get things wet. The Rio Bravo/Rio Grande corridor offers some scenic and relatively easy sections of the river to navigate. With over 65 routes, the park also boast some wonderful hiking areas, and there are regular tours given for bird watching which is worth keeping in mind. Entrance fees will range from $3 day fees to $8 camping fees. Lodges are also available varying from $25-$100 but holding quite a few people. (432) 358-4444
Now, Texas is rich with a wide variety of landscapes and geological terrain. And the parks are a great way to experience that when you can. But if anyone ever tells you they have a cool, private spot along the Llano or on the Blanco or anywhere you’ve never been, then don’t hesitate to take them up on it! Because the hundreds of hidden treasures are also part of what makes up our diverse experiences out here.
The Austin Nature and Science Center invites families to come out for Earth Day on April 24th, for an interpretive hike at the Zilker Nature Preserve's trails. Staff will introduce families to some of the resident wildlife, help participants search for frogs and toads, and enjoy the woods and meadows at the center.
Activities will be ongoing from noon to 4 p.m. If you plan on going, wear comfortable shoes and bring an item from nature to trade at the Naturalist Workshop.
This is the Austin Nature and Science Center's 50th year. It's located at 301 Nature Center Drive on the western edge of Zilker Park.
A big catch netted a Texas fisherman with more than just a good fish story - he also won more than $6,000.
Sam Callaway of Corpus Christi caught a 13.34-pound largemouth bass, making the fish the 500th eligible for the Toyota ShareLunker program. Callaway will collect $500 a pound for the catch, for a total of $6,670.
Jim McDaniel of Cedar Park just missed the big payoff. McDaniel caught Toyota ShareLunker 501 from Lake Austin, weighing 13.01 pounds.
The ShareLunker bass are used for a selective breeding program by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Some of the offspring from the program will be used to restock Texas lakes. Anglers who catch a bass weighing more than 13 pounds can submit their fish to the program, and win a free replica of their fish, ShareLunker clothing and recognition at a banquet. In addition, the angler who catches the largest fish of the season (which ends April 30) receives a lifetime fishing license.
For more information on the Toyota ShareLunker program and how you can participate, visit this website.
The Colorado River will play host to two events this Sunday: the Family Clean Water Festival and the Colorado River Ramble.
The Colorado River Ramble is the first annual canoe and kayak race on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, with more than 250 racers expected to compete. There are actually two races that will take place. The five-mile race is for recreational paddlers, and the 10-mile race will see more competitive racers. Both races will benefit the Colorado River Foundation, and will highlight adaptive paddling and the Wounded Warriors. The Austin Police Department Lake Patrol will also be on hand during the races to promote boating safety.
The Second Annual Family Clean Water Festival at the LCRA Redbud Center will teach participants about the Colorado River and how they can conserve water.
The Zilker Botanical Garden will turn into a one-stop shop for gardening enthusiasts this weekend. Vendors will be on hand to sell plants, garden-themed accessories, pottery, jewelry, herbal products and more.
There will also be live music in the Rose Garden, as well as gardening talks, a special Kids' Corner, and the annual flower show.
The Zilker Garden Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages three through 12, and parking is $3. Visit zilkergarden.org for more details.
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From the City of Austin:
