If you’ve ever been to Hamilton Pool, you know that part of the Texas Hill Country is simply beautiful. Right next door to Hamilton Pool, on the Pedernales River, is Westcave Preserve…

Westcave Preserve is an outdoor environmental learning center… but not boring learning. It’s beautiful learning! It’s fun learning!

What’s at Westcave Preserve?

Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center

The Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center is most people’s first stop since it is also the visitors’ center. Make this your first stop as well.

The ELC has various interesting environmental exhibits, like the Solar Observatory,  the Geology Learning Wall, and several others. Spend a little time at each of these exhibits. They are all very interesting. 

It is also at the ELC where you register for one of the guided tours or buy your tickets for the self-guided tour.

Weekend Guided Tours

Westcave Preserve have guided tours on weekends.

These tours take you into a canyon that has very rich plant life. They also take you into a cave! At the end of the canyon is a beautiful waterfall that drops into an emerald pool below. This is truly something special to see!

These tours start at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with three additional tours starting every two hours thereafter.

They limit the size of the tours to 30 people to avoid them being over-crowded. For this reason, it’s a good idea to arrive about 45 minutes before your preferred tour time to reserve your spot. Reservations are made at the Environmental Learning Center.

A ticket to a weekend tour also gives you free access to the Upland Trails self-guided tours.

Upland Trails

If you like to explore things yourself, the Upland Trails self-guided tours are a great way to do that.

These tours consist of two loops of approximately one mile. They don’t take you into the canyon, but also have nice nature scenes.

In 2014, they built a bird viewing blind that is great for bird watchers.

The Upland Trails are open on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 .a.m to 2 p.m., or on the weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Field Trips

Westcave Preserve hosts school field trips, which is an excellent way for kids to learn more about nature in Central Texas. Programs are adjusted for different age groups or interests.

Westcave also hosts non-school, private tours. It is best to call them to ask about availability. Their number is (830) 825-3442.

Other Tips for Westcave Preserve?

Here are some more tips to make your visit to Westcave Preserve as enjoyable as possible:

• Wear comfortable shoes. The tours, whether guided or not, will involve a reasonable amount of walking.
• Take your camera. You will see many beautiful things that will give many opportunities for great photos. Make your visit memorable!

This part of Central Texas is spectacular and Westcave Preserve gives you a perfect chance to explore and learn more about its natural beauty in a fun way!

Have you been to Westcave Preserve before? Tell us about it below…

“People don’t live in Austin to work, they work to live there.”
 – Robert Rodriguez

When Robert Rodriguez said that about Austin Texas, he understood very well how much Austinites like to live in Austin. Once in Austin, nobody wants to leave!

So, what makes Austin such a popular and loved place?

It’s not a single thing… it’s the whole vibe. You really do need to spend some time in Austin to get it.

Here are 10 fun facts about Austin Texas that many people don’t know about…

1. Biggest Urban Bat Population

Have you heard of or seen the bats that live under the Congress Ave bridge?

That’s right… about 1.5 million bats live under the bridge from March to November. Every night they eat about 20,000 pounds of insects up and down Lady Bird Lake. During their “off season”, they migrate to Mexico.

This bat colony is the biggest urban bat colony in North America! Impressive!

2. Biggest State Capitol Building

The Texas State Capitol building in Austin is the biggest of all state capitols in terms of square footage. Only the US Capital in D.C. is bigger.

Many people say that the Texas State Capitol is also the highest. However, while it is higher than the US Capital, the capital building in Louisiana is the highest of all.

3. Live Music Capital Of The World

There are more than 100 live music venues all over town. If you visit 6th Street, you’ll find many of them there. Don’t think it is only country music either! You’ll find just about any type of music in Austin.

The live music business is so big in Austin that Austin hosts the annual Austin City Limits music festival.

This is an amazing time in Austin! More than 130 bands get together to play live in Zilker Park over 3 days!

4. Many Famous People Hang Out In Austin

Austin’s longest-living and most famous resident must be Willie Nelson! Willie is a legend around here and still often plays at bars and other music venues around town.

Ever heard of Sandra Bullock? She has a house and two businesses in Austin and loves to spend time here. So does Matthew McConaughey, who is also a UT Austin alumni. Others include Farrah Fawcett and René Zellweger.

5. Only Formula One Race Track In The US

Formula One car racing may not be as popular in the US as NASCAR, but it is very popular in the rest of the world.

After an absence of a few years, Formula One has returned to the US, and to none other than Austin Texas! The first Formula One event took place in November 2012 and is scheduled to return until at least 2022.

6. Biggest Football Stadium

The Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Football Stadium, home field of the University of Texas Longhorns football team, is among the top 10 largest non-motorsport stadiums in the world!

With a seating capacity of a little over 100,000 people, the UT stadium is the biggest stadium in Texas and the 6th biggest stadium in the US.

7. Silicon Hills

Just like the San José, CA area is known as Silicon Valley, the Austin area is also known as Silicon Hills.

The second part of the name is related to Austin being located at the start of the Texas Hill Country. The first part of the name is due to the large amount of high-tech companies that have settled in Austin over the past 20 or more years. These companies bring many jobs to the local economy.

8. No Topless Laws

Yes, you read it correctly! There are no city laws that stop women from going topless in public. The original topless laws were struck down in the 70s because the City Council wanted gender equality. Good for them!

This does not mean that you’re going to see any topless ladies walking the streets of Austin, but you might see a few topless sunbathers at Barton Springs.

9. The Colorado River Passes By Downtown Austin

The Colorado River originates near Lubbock in the Texas Panhandle, flows generally southeast, and empties into Matagorda Bay on the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, it feeds into Lake Travis, a few miles west of Austin. Further downstream, it is dammed up to form the constant-level Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) on the south side of downtown Austin.

Lady Bird Lake is very popular!

You’ll often see people on various types of boats on Lady Bird Lake.

10. Ranked #4 For Most Secure Place To Live

According to Forbes.com, a survey was done in 2013 to compile a list of the “most secure places to live in the US”. The criteria includes things like economic stability, crime statistics, extreme weather, life expectancy, etc.

Austin is #4 on that list!

If you look at all these fun facts about Austin Texas, it’s no wonder that Austinites “live to work here” and never want to leave.

Do you know any other fun facts about Austin Texas? Tell us about them in the comments below…

Bandera Texas is called The Cowboy Capital of the World… and for a very good reason! It looks like a cowboy town!

Not a fake cowboy town with people wandering the streets wearing cowboy costumes…. No, Bandera Texas is the real deal!

Here you will see ranchers coming town, wearing jeans, boots and worn-out spurs. You’ll see horses tied up at a restaurant or bar, patiently waiting for their riders to finish their business inside. You’ll see store fronts that still look like a store from the old cowboy era.

Things To Do In Bandera Texas

Dude Ranches

Since we’re talking about cowboys, a dude ranch is a good place to do something fun. Here you can get a real ranch experience that includes roping, horseback riding, and interacting with other animals like goats or donkeys.

The good dude ranches also have a pool to help you stay cool in the summer.

My favorite dude ranch is the Silver Spur Guest Ranch, but there are others too, like the Dixie Dude Ranch, Rancho Cortez, the Flying L Guest Ranch, Mayan Ranch, and the Running R Guest Ranch.

Hill Country State Natural Area

The Hill Country State Natural Area is about 10 miles southwest of Bandera, basically next door to the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.

It is a very beautiful and undeveloped area of the Hill Country. There is plenty to do, including hiking one of the many trails and horseback riding.

Remember to take your own water along!

Frontier Times Museum

The Frontier Times Museum contains many artifacts reflecting Bandera’s history and cowboy heritage. It is well worth a visit!

Cowboy Bars in Bandera Texas

The last time that we were in Bandera, we spent some time at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. This place is something special. They have live music on Wednesdays and on the weekend.

Although the bar is popular with bikers, it is not uncommon to see a couple of horses tied up in front of the bar while their owners enjoy a refreshment inside!

Another nice bar that has live music, is Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar.

The Chikin Coop is another bar / restaurant that I like. More about them below…

Tubing on the Medina River

When the Medina river is high enough, it is great fun to rent a tube and float down the river. This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

The Bandera River Yacht Club rents tubes, kayaks, and even paddle boats.

Places To Stay in Bandera

A decent place to stay in Bandera is the River Front Motel. They have individual cabins that are nicely furnished. The River Front Motel is within walking distance of several popular bars and restaurants in Bandera, which is very convenient.

The dude ranches also offer accommodation, so check them out as well. They might cost you more, but they give a unique “cowboy ranch” experience!

If you are into camping or have a RV, try the Cowboy Capital RV park. The owner is a real friendly guy.

Places To Eat in Bandera

Our first meal in Bandera was at the Chikin Coop, a bar / restaurant on Main street. They serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, and have a full bar. They also have band and dancing at the Chikin Coop on the weekends.

If you like a really good cup of coffee, go to the Dogleg Coffeehouse, also on Main street. Not only do they make great coffee, but also have a nice variety of excellent pastries and scones.

Another great restaurant in Bandera Texas to try is O.S.T. Restaurant, also on Main street. They make some excellent chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken, both traditional Texas meals. Their Mexican food is very good too.

If you will be spending some time in the San Antonio area, be sure to spend a day or two in Bandera as well. It will give you a genuine and unique experience of “cowboy” that you won’t find in too many places!

PS. Have you visited Bandera Texas before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…

We have known about Hamilton Pool long before we ever went there. When we finally went there, I couldn’t believe that it took us so long to go. It is sheer magic!

It is quite easy to get to Hamilton Pool, and definitely worth the drive.

From Austin, go west on Hwy 71 for about 18 miles. Turn left onto Hamilton Pool Road and drive approximately 13 miles. The entrance is on your right.

This is a Travis County Park, so you’ll have to pay $10 entrance fee per vehicle.

Considering what you get, this is excellent value! 

Our Visit To Hamilton Pool

After parking, we started the short walk of about a quarter mile down a path to the pool. This in itself was fun because it is a partially covered path with trees growing over the top.

There are also several interesting rock formations along the way.

When we finally got to the pool, we couldn’t believe what was in front of us!

It was as if this magical place suddenly appeared before us in the forest!

On the left was a small beach where several people were sitting and enjoying the view. Some brought coolers along and were having mini-picnics.

It was still Spring at the time, but some people still brought swim suits along and were playing around in the water.

There is a path that goes all the way around the pool and under the massive rock formation hanging over the pool. We took a slow walk around the pool and often stopped to look at interesting formations along the way. We found many fossils embedded in the rock.

After walking all the way around the pool, we ended up back at the beach and sat down there for a few moments to absorb and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Hamilton Pool.

There is a small stream that runs from Hamilton Pool to the nearby Pedernales river. A maintained pathway makes the half-mile walk to the Pedernales river fairly easy. We walked down to the river and enjoyed that beautiful view as well before making our way back to the car.

Tips For Visiting Hamilton Pool

• The park typically opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
• Don’t take any pets along. They are not permitted.
• No glass containers are allowed.
• You’re not allowed to be seen drinking alcohol, so it’s best not to take any.
• Only foot traffic is allowed, so don’t take any strollers or bikes along.
• Hamilton Pool is very popular in the summer. Get there early. They only allow 75 cars in the parking lot. If the lot is full when you arrive, you’ll have to wait outside until somebody leaves.

Hamilton Pool is a magical place. If you’re visiting Austin or you’re lucky enough to live in Austin, it is one place you don’t want to miss!

We’re planning on returning there this summer… 

I like the German food and beer of Fredericksburg Texas. My wife loves the shopping that it is so well-known for. Fredericksburg is one of our favorite weekend getaways!

I had heard about Fredericksburg long before my family and I went there for the first time.

For some reason people mentioned Fredericksburg more in conversations than any other town in the area. It was always, “Oh, it’s so cool, you gotta go!”

Then, one day we went… what a pleasant surprise!

Here was this charming town with “old-style” stores lining the main street on both sides. Each of the stores seemed to have their own unique character. The sidewalks on both sides were full of people wandering up and down and in and out of stores.

I was immediately intrigued… and hooked… 

Our favorite activities in Fredericksburg are the shopping, the Nimitz museum, and Enchanted Rock. Here is more about them…

Things To Do In Fredericksburg Texas

Shopping

Shopping is undoubtedly a major reason why people visit Fredericksburg Texas! I know that’s the main reason why we go.

The stores are mostly all along Main street. These are not impersonal chain stores… these are charming little stores, each with their own unique character. There are stores for just about any taste… a great variety of stores where everyone is likely to find something they like.

A fun aspect of shopping in Frederickburg is the sidewalk benches scattered along the way. I have enjoyed more than one beer, parked on one of the benches with the kids while Mom is inside a store fulfilling her life’s mission…

I’m not a big shopper, but shopping in Fredericksburg is different… it’s just part of the vibe!

Nimitz Museum

The Nimitz museum in Fredericksburg (aka The National Museum of the Pacific War) is a great place to take the kids, especially when they start getting tired of the shopping.

My kids’ “wow-factor” is all the cannons and guns on display. My “wow-factor” is the incredible history that is told so well.

The distraction of taking the kids to the Nimitz museum also buys my wife some extra shopping time. So everyone wins!

Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a fun place that we like to take the kids to. They love it there. When my parents visited from out-of-state a couple of years ago, we took them to Enchanted Rock, and they had a great time too.

Enchanted Rock is huge (and I mean massive!) rock about 20 miles outside Fredericksburg. It is great fun to climb to the top, which takes about 20 minutes. I just love the view from up there!

I think Enchanted Rock is well worth a visit.

Rockbox Theater

The Rockbox Theater, just off Main St, is something you simply have to visit! I first heard about the Rockbox from a friend who saw a show and insisted that we go.

They have fantastic musical shows that are very entertaining. The performers are incredibly talented. They also have a Christmas show every year.

This is some of the best live entertainment that you’ll find anywhere in Texas. Don’t miss it!

Fredericksburg Texas truly is a must-visit! For a small Hill Country town, it offers a lot!