We've Moved!

We recently switched over to a WordPress blog.  You can now find Traveling on the Colorado River Trail at http://coloradorivertrail.wordpress.com. We welcome you to follow us there for lots of great information about fun things to see and do in the region.

All our previous posts, resources, and a couple of new posts can all be found at the new blog.  We hope you like it!

See you on the Colorado River Trail!

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.

Fall Has Finally Arrived

Some beautiful Fall-like weather finally arrived in Texas today. In honor of the changes in seasons, here's a slideshow from our Flickr group that shows off some of our favorite Fall imagery.

Do you have photos from the Colorado River Trail region? Join our group and share them with us. Who knows? Maybe your photo will appear in our next slideshow!

How do you like to usher in the cooler weather?

Discover Fun Things To Do with Our Interactive Map of Bastrop County

Are you looking for some fun things to see and do in Bastrop, Smithville, and Elgin?  Check out our new interactive Google map for some ideas!  If you click on the red pins, you'll see some amazing photos from the area.  The blue pins will show you cool videos about places you can visit and things you can do.  Finally, the green pins link to posts from this blog about the area.

If you like what you see, then stay tuned.  Maps of all 11 Colorado River Trail Counties are coming your way soon.

Ready, set, click!


View Colorado River Trail - Bastrop County map in a larger map

And the Winner Is ...

The Colorado River Trail's 2011 Flickr Photo Contest was a big success!  Twenty-six days, 107 contest entries, and 950 votes later, we are pleased to announce our winner.  This photo by David Stall of the four young cowboys watching the rodeo at the Colorado County Fair captured the hearts of our voters and won the grand prize.

David's grand prize is a round of golf for two at the Wolfdancer Golf Club located at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa near Bastrop.  Our category winners also received prizes.  Those prizes included an RV site at Matagorda Bay Nature Park, a Light 'O the Moon float trip from McKinney Roughs Nature Park, two days and one night in a mini-cabin at Black Rock Park, an annual entrance pass to six of LCRA's recreational areas, and a Day on the Bay guided kayak trip also at Matagorda Bay Nature Park.

For more information on the contest and to see photos from our runners up, visit the photo contest page on our website.  Even though the contest is over, your photos are welcome in the Colorado River Trail's Flickr group any time.  Come join the fun!

Gas Saving Getaways - Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Ahh, the beach.  Just saying the word brings to mind sunny images and fond memories.  Remember that family vacation?  You can relive those childhood memories and create some new ones for your kids at Matagorda Bay Nature Park - this week's Gas Saving Getaway.



From leisurely walks on the beach, to fishing, to a nature scavenger hunt, there's something for everyone to enjoy at Matagorda Bay Nature Park.  Park staff provide entertaining and informative programs to visitors on the local flora and fauna, as well as recreational programs like guided kayaking trips.

If you're into RVing, Matagorda Bay Nature Park has space for 70 RVs at the adjacent RV Park.  More information is available on the RV Park by sending an email to parkinfo@lcra.org.

To find out more about all the fun things to see and do, contact park staff at 1-800-77-5272, Ext. 4740 or email them at matagordabay@lcra.org.  Make plans to visit Matagorda Bay Nature Park with your family this summer.  You'll be glad you did.

Gas Saving Getaways - Mansfield Dam and Windy Point (Lake Travis)

Summer is calling and Lake Travis awaits!  There are many great parks for enjoying Lake Travis, and this edition of Gas Saving Getaways features two of them - Mansfield Dam and Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point.  Both parks are operated by Travis County Parks.

Take a look at this week's video for a taste of what you'll find at both parks:



Mansfield Dam is a wonderful day-use park.  It features boating, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, and wind surfing.  There are picnic areas with grills so you can make a whole day of visiting the park.

Another Lake Travis day-use park is Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point. A wind surfer's dream, Windy Point is a very popular park for water sports.  As the name implies, Windy Point is ... well ... windy, thus making it a great location for sailcraft.  "The Point" is a popular place for sunbathing and provides easy access to the water for swimmers.

 At no more than 1/2 hour from downtown Austin, these Lake Travis parks make excellent Gas Saving Getaways this spring and summer.