Hope Really Does Float in Smithville, TX

Did you know that Hope Floats, the sweet hometown love story released in 1998, was shot mainly in Smithville, Texas. Little did Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr. know, but they set the wheels in motion for a hotbed of film activity in Smithville.

Smithville is very proud of the part it played as Birdee's home town ... and rightfully so. Many of the town's downtown buildings were transformed by the set designers for the movie. The signs created for the storefronts can still be seen - as art - decorating the walls of a local restaurant called "Pockets Grille". Stop in for lunch sometime. You won't be disappointed.

Due to Smithville's small-town charm, friendly people, and picture-perfect downtown and historic homes, Smithville has been a location for several other movies since Hope Floats. Here are just a couple of the recent film projects shot in Smithville and the surrounding area. The Tree of Life, due to be released in 2010, stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. Fireflies in the Garden, (awaiting a U.S. release date) stars Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, and Julia Roberts.

To help attract more film projects to Smithville, the city became one of the first "Film Friendly Texas" communities. Film Friendly Texas is an initiative of the Texas Film Commission to help rural Texas communities more effectively prepare for and deal with on-location filming.

Next time you're in town, stop by the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce at the intersection of First and Main to find out about all the other things to see and do. You can also give them a call at 512-237-2313. Once you're there, you'll understand why hope still floats.

Photo courtesy of Blue Eyes and Blue Bonnets.

Balloons Over Lake Travis

You see hot air balloons from time to time, but they always seem to give you pause. They're beautiful, interesting, unusual, and just a little different from our everyday lives. This shot, taken just after daybreak, shows hot air balloons in flight over Lake Travis at Mansfield Dam Park.

The park accommodates many groups, including scuba divers, swimmers, boaters, picnickers, and nature enthusiasts. Other features include central recreation area offers picnic sites, a playground, horseshoe pits, chess tables, and a panoramic view of the Lake Travis basin.

Keep your eyes to the sky, and maybe you'll be lucky enough to see a sight like this some fine Central Texas morning too!

Photo courtesy of BlazerMan.

Get Outside and Enjoy the HOT Weather ... in a Kayak!

It's hot outside! But, it's the perfect time of the year to get outdoors ... provided you're in a kayak on the Colorado River. A dip in the river sounds pretty good right about now, doesn't it?

Here are some ways to get in the water:

• Rising Phoenix Adventures - Rising Phoenix Adventures is an outfitter in Bastrop, Texas. They rent kayaks and canoes for 6-, 14-, and 26-mile trips on the Colorado River. Guide service is available for beginners for an additional fee. For your safety, life vests are required for all people on all trips. They'll also rent you a bike if you'd like to spend the rest of the day cycling in town or in nearby Bastrop State Park or Buescher State Park.


• Texas Parks & Wildlife Inland Paddling Trails - If you're more of a do-it-yourselfer, bring your canoe or kayak with you and try out one of Texas Parks & Wildlife's Inland Paddling Trails. There are two on the Colorado River near Bastrop. The 6-mile El Camino Real Trail is a wide and slow-moving trail that can take up to 4 hours. The Wilbarger Paddling Trail is 14.3 miles long, and can take up to 8 hours. A bit further down the river, try out the Columbus Paddling Trail. This 6.5 mile trail can take you up to 5 hours to complete, and the peaceful waters and calm rapids will give you a wonderful day on the river.

Photo courtesy of Anole.

Catch Some Air!

Do you enjoy getting out on your bike and hitting the trails? Then you should try out Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area on Lake Travis. Muleshoe Bend's 6.5 mile mountain bike trail is a favorite among Central Texas mountain bikers. The trail accommodates all levels, and there are several short cuts if you don't want to ride the entire length. If you go, bring a tent. There are lots of tent camping sites, and picnic tables with views of Lake Travis. Photo courtesy of EggMasterDuke.

Austin: The Live Music Capital of the World.

Austin, Texas is a cool city. It's known for many things, but perhaps most well-known for being the Live Music Capital of the World. Visitors to Austin can experience live music every night of the week. Performances are held in clubs along Sixth Street, in the Warehouse District, and in all other parts of town. Now that Summer is here, you can enjoy outdoor concerts on Auditorium Shores along Lady Bird Lake (the Colorado River) or in Zilker Park. Do you prefer an air conditioned venue? Concerts, plays, and Broadway musicals are options at the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Bass Concert Hall. For more information on things to see and do in Austin, contact the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Be sure to check out their information on Austin's music scene while you're online. Photo courtesy of christopherleonard.

Ahhh, Summer ...

Remember the good old days when you were a kid? Playing outside was what we did all summer long. Whether it was in a friend's backyard or in a local or regional park, we spent the day doing things outside. Take yourself back to your childhood. Visit a park on the Colorado River Trail. Take your kids, or just go be a kid yourself. Spend your day running, skipping, jumping ...

Photo courtesy of legdog.

Wildlife Abounds on Matagorda Bay

School's out, or it will be for most kiddos this week. Have you thought about a trip to the beach this summer? If so, try something different this year. Matagorda County is home to almost 55 miles of Texas shoreline. If it's birding you like, Matagorda County ranked first by the National Audubon Society in the annual Christmas Bird Count. There are more species of birds here than anywhere else in the country! Other activities include fishing, boating, kayaking, beachcombing, and much more. You can even camp right on the beach! Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers nature programs on topics including beachcombing, guided wetland kayak trips, birding, and a nature scavenger hunt. Programs are scheduled throughout the summer, so there's bound to be one that fits your family's schedule. Contact the Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce for more information on where to stay, where to eat, and things to see and do while you're there. Photo courtesy of slipshod snapshots.