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.

Cooler Weather Brings Fun Fall Festivals

The days are sunny and there's a cool breeze in the air.  The nights are crisp.  What is this strange phenomenon?  Why, it's Fall in Texas!

With the cooler weather, we Texans are ready to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  What better way to spend time with friends and family than at one of the many Fall festivals happening throughout the Colorado River Trail? 

There are so many fun festivals and events, that it's hard to keep track.  But don't worry.  We've got it all under control.  Check out our festivals and events listings in the Fall issue of True-Blue News, the quarterly E-newsletter for the Colorado River Trail.  Here's just a taste of what you'll find:

• Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin
• Fall Fest & Wine Auction, Marble Falls
• Herb & Art Festival, Lampasas
• Texas Photo Festival, Smithville

And that's just this weekend!  True-Blue News is also full of stories about exciting things to see and do on the Colorado River Trail.  We hope you like what you see.  If you do, please consider becoming a subscriber so you won't miss an issue.

Photo courtesy of genacarter.

Fall Is Just Around the Corner

I do realize that it's only September.  And September in Texas at that!  But September marks the beginning of Fall, even if it's still warm outside.  Fall is right around the corner.  Or at least in my mind it is.

With Fall comes all sorts of wonderful things.  It means a visit to the local pumpkin patch, like the one pictured above.  Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls has a Fall Festival on weekends starting the last weekend of September through mid-November. 

Fall also means cool, crisp nights where you need a jacket.  It's hot chocolate.  It's football games - on Friday nights and on Saturdays.  The leaves start to change into those glorious reds and oranges.  You can feel it too, can't you?

What do you like best about Fall?

Photo courtesy of TomSales.

Pick Your Own Strawberries at Sweet Berry Farm

Sweet Berry Farm near Marble Falls, Texas is a family-friendly (and tasty) destination. The 2009 Strawberry season is now underway, so let the picking begin! As evidenced by the tell-tale red smile on this boy's face, the strawberries are sweet and delicious.

Sweet Berry Farm has two locations - one in Marble Falls and one in Lexington. Only the Marble Falls location is currently open for picking strawberries. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:30am - 5:30pm. On Sundays, it is open from 1pm - 5pm. Sweet Berry Farm is closed on Wednesdays.

There is never a parking or entrance fee at Sweet Berry Farm. You are only charged by the pound for the berries you pick and for the boxes to hold them. For a fun and inexpensive day with the family, Sweet Berry Farm is hard to beat.

For more information, visit Sweet Berry Farm on the web or give them a call at (830) 798-1462. Photo courtesy of Sweet Berry Farm.