It's the Holiday Season

Christmas in Smithville, TX. Photo courtesy of TxBobS.

Wow!  Where has 2011 gone?  December is upon us already, and that means it's time for holiday events on the Colorado River Trail.

Take your pick - we have lights, carriage rides, holiday parades, home tours, caroling, and of course, Santa.  Bring the whole family, or escape with that special someone on a holiday weekend for two.  Either way, you're sure to enjoy the holidays on the Colorado River Trail.

Here are some of the upcoming holiday events:

• 25th Annual "Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style (Johnson City) - Dec. 1 - Jan. 1
• Starry, Starry Nights (Llano) - Dec. 1 - Jan. 1
• Walkway of Lights (Marble Falls) - Dec. 1 - Jan. 1
• Lighted Christmas Parade (Schulenburg) - Dec. 2
• Carol of Lights (Lampasas) - Dec. 3
• Festival of Lights (Smithville) - Dec. 3
• Lamplight Tours of the LBJ Boyhood Home (Johnson City) - Dec. 3, 10, 17
• Down Home Christmas (Weimar) - Dec. 8
• Lighted Christmas Parade (Bastrop) - Dec. 10
• Christmas on the Square and Lighted Parade (San Saba) - Dec. 10
• Christmas Tour of Homes (Bay City) - Dec. 11

To see all of the 2011 holiday events, check out our quarterly newsletter True-Blue News.  You'll find events and stories about fun things to see and do on the Colorado River Trail.

Coming Soon! LCRA's San Saba River Nature Park

Construction at San Saba River Nature Park is under way!  LCRA is partnering with the City of San Saba on the new park.   LCRA will develop it and the city will operate and maintain it. The park is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2011.

When construction is completed, the park will have a variety of amenities, including hike and bike trails, fishing areas, an archaeological interpretive area, wildlife viewing sites, primitive camping, parking and restroom facilities. The new 40-acre park property includes a large pecan orchard with some centuries-old trees and frontage on Mill Creek and the San Saba River.

"We are not going to be like any other town; we are going to be unique," said San Saba Mayor Ken Jordan. "Very few communities can tie together three parks, with each being a little different, and come together as one." The San Saba River Nature Park also will link to existing Risien Park and Mill Pond Park.

For information on other fun things to see and do in San Saba, visit the San Saba Chamber of Commerce.

To read the full news release, click here.  View more of LCRA's videos on YouTube.

San Saba's Mill Pond Park Is Perfect for a Picnic

Even in the heat of the Texas summer, there's shade in San Saba's Mill Pond Park. This picturesque park isn't far from downtown, and provides the perfect spot to kick back under the trees and have a picnic lunch. If you're not careful, the sound of the water rushing over the rocks might just lull you into an afternoon nap!

Before it was a park, the area was once San Saba's first waterworks. The Mill House from an old gristmill and the water wheel are still there today. You can also find crystal clear water from the spring, ducks and geese, and abundant plant life.

In addition to the beautiful setting, Mill Pond Park also features picnic sites, pool, pavilion, and a campground with 14 RV hookups. Also located on the grounds are the Mill Pond Gazebo, baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground, beach volleyball court, basketball courts, and nature trails. Visitors to the park can also find the San Saba County Museum and San Saba Civic Center.

For more information about Mill Pond Park and visiting San Saba, contact the San Saba County Chamber of Commerce.

Photo courtesy of Neta Herron Photography.

If It's Cycling You Want, Then San Saba's the Place

Cycling enthusiasts have had a long love affair with the Texas Hill Country backroads. What more could you ask for, really? The beautiful and rugged scenery. The tasty restaurants in the small towns along the way. And the cool places to visit while you're in the area.

If your spirit longs for the open road on a beautiful spring Texas weekend, then look no further than San Saba County. The San Saba County Chamber of Commerce has put together six cycling routes that will take you right through the heart of the Hill Country. The routes are designed with varying lengths and degrees of difficulty (from 7 to 80 miles), so you can ride as little or a long and hard as you want.

Here are links to a printable map of each route:

• 7-mile route
• 18-mile route
• 38-mile route
• 45-mile route
• 50-mile route
• 80-mile route

Happy trails, y'all!