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.

Gas Saving Getaways - Canyon of the Eagles

There's a reason that Canyon of the Eagles has its name . The nature park is home to three endangered species, including the American bald eagle, the black-capped vireo, and the golden-cheeked warbler.  These and other kinds of wildlife are protected in an 800-acre nature preserve, encompassing most of the 940-acre park.  Visitors to the park often spot this spectacular bird during their stay.

Here's a little taste of what you'll find at Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park near Burnet, Texas.



Canyon of the Eagles has so many things to see and do!  With three miles of lake front, water activities are in high demand.  Choose from fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and more.  Sign up for a guided kayak tour  with Buchanan Adventure Tours and get a little wet under the falls.

Put in a little time hiking on the trails while you're there.  Make sure you schedule enough time for it - there are 14 miles of trails to enjoy at Canyon of the Eagles.  At the end of your day, you can camp in your tent or in an RV.  Or, for those who prefer not to "rough it", spend the night in one of the 62 rooms at the full-service resort!

Be sure to visit when the skies are clear so you can check out a star party at the Eagle Eye Observatory.  The star parties are hosted by the Austin Astronomical Society, and are a "must do" activity at Canyon of the Eagles.

Ready to go?  For more information, visit them on the web at www.CanyonOfTheEagles.com. or give them a call at 1-800-977-0081.

Gas Saving Getaways - Muleshoe Bend

The wind whipping around you.  Blazing across the Hill Country terrain.  Just you against the trail.  If you're a mountain biker, then you're probably no stranger to LCRA's Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area.  A favorite destination for Central Texas trail riders, Muleshoe is also a great place to just get away from it all.

This week's featured Gas Saving Getaway, Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area is another one of LCRA's parks where you can relax and enjoy a slower pace.  With fishing, tent camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, and even horseback riding, you're bound to find a reason to visit soon.

Check out the video to see why:



Of course if you're a mountain biker, then you'll want a faster pace.  Muleshoe Bend has got you covered with a 6.5 mile mountain bike trail.  That's right - 6.5 miles of rugged Hill Country terrain for you to ride till your heart's content.

The Colorado River Trail Flickr Photo Contest Is Back!

It’s back! LCRA's Colorado River Trail invites shutterbugs of all varieties to get involved in our photo contest – the "Discover True-Blue Texas" Flickr Photo Contest. Share your best photos of people enjoying the fun things to do along the Colorado River Trail, and get a chance to win exciting prizes.

Entering the contest is easy! Starting April 4, enter through Flickr, an online photo-sharing service, and add your contest entries to the Colorado River Trail group. Enter as many photos as you’d like. This year, we are asking people to submit photos that fall into five specific activity categories:

• Outdoor activities – includes camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.
• River and lake activities – includes canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming, rafting, etc.
• Festivals and events – includes street fairs, festivals, rodeos, carnivals, etc.
• Entertainment – includes live music, dancing, nightlife, attractions, etc.
• History, heritage and culture – includes historic sites, public art, wineries, etc.

Contest Deadline: April 30

Here's How to Enter:

1. Visit – For more information about the contest, rules, judging and some FAQs, visit the "Discover True-Blue Texas" Flickr Photo Contest Web page. You'll be glad you did.
2. Log in – To submit your photos via Flickr, use your Yahoo ID. If you don't have a Flickr or Yahoo account, that's okay. You can sign up for a Flickr account for free.
3. Upload – Once you have logged on, upload the photos you want to enter in the contest to your account. Do this by clicking on the blue letters that say "upload photos and videos" and follow the prompts.
4. Join – To enter the contest, you must join the Colorado River Trail group. If you aren't already a member, join by clicking "Join this Group?" on the group's homepage.
5. Add – From your photo stream, select the photo you wish to enter in the contest. Use the "Send to Group" function above the image to add your photo to the Colorado River Trail photo pool.
6. Tag it! – Once added to the group, you’ll need to add three tags to each photo.
   1. First, tag them with CRTContest2011 using the "tag" feature in the right-hand column of the individual photo's page. This identifies your photo as a contest entry and distinguishes it from existing photos in the group.
   2. Next, tag them with the category name (outdoor, water, festivals, entertainment or heritage) that best fits your photo.
   3. Lastly, tag them with the locationof where the picture was taken so we can ensure that it is in one of the 11 counties of the Colorado River Trail region.

Judging and Prizes:
A team of LCRA staff members with backgrounds in photography, communications, parks, outdoor recreation and tourism will judge the contest. The team will select three finalists in each category from all contest submissions. The finalists will be notified of their status by Flickr mail during the first week of May. Then we'll need a little help from you!

This year the grand prize is a round of golf for two from the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa at their award-winning Wolfdancer Golf Club. You can "like" them on Facebook too! Prizes for the 1st place winners in each category could include a Light 'O the Moon Float Trip on the beautiful Colorado River, courtesy of LCRA's McKinney Roughs Nature Park, a voucher for overnight camping at one of LCRA’s parks and more! The grand prize winner will be announced May 17.

You Be the Judge.  You will have the chance to help us choose the grand prize winner by voting on your favorite photos. Visit the Flickr Photo Contest web page for updates, or follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter. The hashtag this year is #CRTContest11. We'll keep you posted on all the voting action.

C'mon, give us your best shot!

Gas Saving Getaways - McKinney Roughs

It's time for another installment of LCRA's "Gas Saving Getaways"!  LCRA parks are close to nature and close to home, and this week's destination is no exception.  Need a quick trip that's fun for the whole family?  Then head on down the road to McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Bastrop.

In addition to the great hiking trails, did you know you could fly through the air on a zip line?  Or ride a horse?  You can also participate in one of the many nature and recreational programs offered to the public.  For a monthly calendar of fun and educational public programs, click here.

Here's this week's Gas Saving Getaways video:



McKinney Roughs is a child's dream, with so much to see and do.  Parents, don't forget to sign your child up for one or more weekly sessions of the McKinney Roughs Nature Camp coming up this summer.

Hope to see you at McKinney Roughs soon!

Introducing "Gas Saving Getaways" To LCRA Parks

If you're looking for a quick getaway that won't break the bank, you're in luck!  LCRA's "Gas Saving Getaways" series will feature a new park location every week.

Find out about scenic places to visit that are close to home, inexpensive, and will provide your family with days full of fun activities.  This week's getaway is to Lake Bastrop and the great parks there.  If you haven't been to South Shore or North Shore parks, you'll be amazed by the natural beauty and wide array of outdoor activities offered there.

Whether you're into hiking, fishing, camping, or all of the above, you're sure to enjoy a trip to Lake Bastrop.  So round up the kids and take that short drive sometime soon.

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.

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 a Wonderful Time for the Beach

Even though we typically think of going to the beach as a summertime activity, the Fall is a great time to visit the beach - especially in Texas.  Think about it.  It's not that far-fetched.  Here are just a few reasons why:

• It's Texas.  The weather is still warm until well into October.
• It's less crowded.
• Prices are usually lower in the off-season.

I've got you thinking about a long weekend, haven't I?  Good!  The Colorado River Trail's got you covered.

Our southernmost county - Matagorda County - is a wonderful destination for a beach getaway.  There's great fishing year-round and all kinds of water sports.  Matagorda County is on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and is the best place to watch birds in North America.  There are plenty of lodging options too.  From hotels and motels, to quaint bed and breakfasts, to RV sites - there are lots to choose from!

You can even take a beachcombing tour to learn about the shells commonly found on the beaches of Matagorda County.  The folks at Matagorda Bay Nature Park are offering an "Adventures in Beachcombing" guided walk on October 23rd (and again on November 13th) for only $8 per person.  Take a relaxing stroll on the beach with an interpretive guide and learn about the wonders of Matagorda.

For more information on guided tours at Matagorda Bay Nature Park, check out their calendar of community programs.  And for more information on things to see and do in Matagorda County, the friendly folks at the Matagorda County Convention and Visitors Bureau are there to help.

Photo courtesy of accent on eclectic. 

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.

Waiting for the Bats

Austin, Texas is known for many things.  But there's one that really helps Austin maintain its reputation for all things "weird" - the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats.  Every evening in the summer, locals and tourists alike gather on or near the Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) to experience their nightly flight.  Many even watch from directly under the bridge on a kayak or in one of the bat-watching excursion boats chartered by Capital Cruises or Lonestar Riverboat. 

The colony of Mexican free-tailed bats living under the bridge is the largest urban colony in North America, according to Bat Conservation International.  About 1.5 million of them pour out from under the bridge to the "oohs" and "ahhs" of admiring watchers. 

It's truly an amazing sight to see.  And the bats aren't just fascinating to watch, they're helpful too.  They eat an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 pounds of insects each night! 

For a little taste of what the Austin bat-watching experience is all about, take a look at this short amateur video shot by allisonserkes in July 2008:



Photo courtesy of anneh632.

And the Winner Is ....

Congratulations to Soul_Smiling from Austin, TX who is the grand prize winner in the 2010 Colorado River Trail Flickr Photo Contest.

His stunning sunset shot of a lone kayaker on the Colorado River in Austin received the highest number of votes from among the 5,915 total votes recorded.

We received 58 contest entries overall, and all of them depict some of the many fun things you can see and do along the Colorado River Trail.
 
Want to see the photos from the other winners?  Easy!  Click on over to the contest page and check them out.  If you'd like to view an awesome slideshow with all 58 contest entries, then take a look at the Flickr slideshow we created.
 
We plan to do this contest annually, so look for announcements for the Spring 2011 Colorado River Trail Flickr Photo Contest starting next January.  In the meantime, why not join the Colorado River Trail's Flickr group and add some of your photos now?

Take your best shot in our "Discover True-Blue Texas" Flickr Photo Contest

Do you like to take pictures of friends and family having fun? Have we got a deal for you! LCRA's Colorado River Trail invites you to enter our photo contest - the "Discover True-Blue Texas" Flickr Photo Contest. Share your best photos of people enjoying the fun things to do on the Colorado River Trail, and get a chance to win exciting prizes.

Entering the contest is easy! Starting April 5 enter through Flickr, and online photo-sharing service, and add your contest entries to the Colorado River Trail group. Enter as many photos as you like. Remember that we want action! Photos should show people doing something. The possibilities are endless: fishing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, shopping, eating out and more.

Contest Deadline: April 30, 2010

Here's How To Enter:

1. Visit - For more information about the contest, rules, judging and some FAQs, visit the "Discover True-Blue Texas" Flickr Photo Contest Web page. You'll be glad you did.
2. Log on - To submit your photos via Flickr, use your Yahoo ID. If you don't have a Flickr or Yahoo account, that's okay. You can sign up for a Flickr account for free.
3. Upload your photos - Once you have logged on, upload the photos you want to enter in the contest to your account. Do this by clicking on the blue letters that say "upload photos and videos" and follow the prompts.
4. Join the Colorado River Trail group - If you aren't already a member, join by clicking "Join this Group" on the group's homepage.
5. Send your entry to the group - From your photo stream, select the photo you wish to enter int he contest. Use the "Send to Group" function above the image to add your photo to the Colorado River Trail photo pool.
6. Tag it! - Once added to the group, tag each photo with CRTContest using the "tag" feature in the right-hand column of the individual photo's page. This identifies your photo as a contest entry and distinguishes it from existing photos in the group. Also tag each photo with the location of where the picture was taken so we can ensure that it is in one of the 11 counties of the Colorado River Trail region.

You be the Judge. The five finalists will be selected by our judging team during the first week of May 2010. The you will have the chance to vote on your favorite to help us choose the grand prize winner. Voting will be open for one week (May 10-16). The grand prize winner will be announced no later than May 17.

The grand prize winner will receive a Light O' the Moon Float Trip on the beautiful Colorado River, courtesy of LCRA's McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Prizes will also be awarded for second- through fifth-place winners.

C'mon. Give us your best shot.

Spring Is Here ... Head for the Parks!

Spring break and Easter are right around the corner, so you know what that means in Central Texas: It’s time to head for the parks to camp, fish, or just take a long day to play in the warming weather.



The busiest weekends of the 2010 recreation season are upon us as outdoor lovers by the thousands pull out their stored-away camping equipment to give it a check and uncover the boat to make sure it still runs and is safe.

Then they head for outside adventures, including flocking to LCRA’s parks and recreation areas that are located from the Highland Lakes down the Colorado River to Matagorda Bay. Because of the drought-breaking rains, the Highland Lakes are full and offer plenty of water for recreation of all types.

You'll notice some trees are starting to bud, and the prime wildflower season is just around the corner thanks to all that great rain last fall. This is also a good time to watch birds migrating north, such as hummingbirds, robins, and purple martins.

If the weather is right, early spring can provide some of the best tent camping of the year. RV camping is good even if it’s raining and chilly, because you can be snug in your camper anywhere.

Word to the wise: Campgrounds and particularly cabins and RV spots get reserved early. In fact, reservations can be made 333 days out. For instance, some reservations were made last fall for Memorial Day.

So the sooner you call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Reservation Center at (512) 389-8900, the better chance you have to get the spot you want ... when you want it.

True-Blue News Gives You the Good Stuff

Have you ever wondered, "What's going on this weekend?" Were you ever driving through a town and thought, "What do people do for fun here?"

If so, then you should be reading True-Blue News. True-Blue News is a quarterly newsletter for the Colorado River Trail, an 11-county tourism region in Central Texas. It highlights upcoming festivals and events, and features interesting stories about the towns, attractions and events along the trail.

The Winter 2010 issue of True-Blue News has just been posted. If you're a cyclist, you'll learn about a cool bike event that pairs cycling with Texas history. If you like art, then you should read about an art auction that benefits arts in schools. Do you like to travel in your RV? You guessed, it. The Colorado River Trail has some great RV campgrounds you should try.

These stories, along with festivals and events, tourism industry seminars, and stories about how to use Twitter and develop tourism websites are all great reasons to read all about it. Why not give it a look? (SP)