Mandy Spivey

ROVE Supply: A Local Hangout Style Board Shop

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 29, 2014

Summer might be over, but with an average temperature of 80 degrees for October in the the Lake Travis area, the fun on Lake Travis and Lake Austin can continue well into the fall.

And when it comes to ways to enjoy the lake, fellow water warriors and board shop owners Dan and Holly Maxwell know a thing or two about boarding.

Wakesurf boards, stand up paddle boards, skateboards, cruiser boards — you name it — ROVE Supply off City Park Road at 2222 has it. If you’re in the market for a rental, like a kayak or SUP paddle board, the shop is ready to get you outfitted for some time on the water.

Lone Star Farmers Market: Local, Farm Fresh Foods for the Lake Travis Area

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 23, 2014

If you went to your fridge and pulled out your vegetables, meats and cheeses — would you know where your food came from?

There is a huge push in many parts of the country to turn to more sustainable forms of farming, namely the local food movement, in areas like Portland, San Francisco and our hungry city of Austin. In this search for the freshest food grown the closest to home, many local farmers have stepped up to the task and are offering their harvest at area farmers markets.

The Art Garage: Explore Your Inner Artist

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 22, 2014

In my years living in and around the greater Austin area, I’ve had the chance of taking a few artsy classes like sewing, sculpting, leather working and digital print making. It’s always a great reason to get out of the house, get your hands a little dirty and learn a few new skills in the process.

That’s why I jumped at the chance to head over to The Art Garage in southwest Austin, where owner and resident art teacher Kelley Emmert is busy teaching classes from glass fusion to canvas painting, from mosaics to ceramic painting. Tucked away in a quaint little corner of a commercial park off 290, you can drop by to sign up for classes and art camps, or just walk-in and work on your own projects with the help of the experienced art staff on hand.

The Salt Lick: Legendary Open Pit BBQ in Driftwood

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 17, 2014

If there’s one thing Texans take seriously, it’s their barbecue. If you’re a fan of the style of cooking and you haven’t made the drive out to Driftwood, you’re missing a whole world of meaty goodness, all in our own backyard.

There are only a handful of restaurants in Central Texas that carry a history so flavorful and legendary as The Salt Lick in Driftwood. This tiny Texas town, just south of Dripping Springs and a few miles southeast of Austin, carries with it a huge legacy of smoky meats marinated in Hawaiian and Japanese influence.

Out of the plethora of barbecue restaurants in the Lone Star State, very few still stick to the strict tradition of the open fire pit. This old world technique of smoking meats over red hot coals and wood is usually tucked away in humble Texas towns such as Elgin, Lockhart and Taylor. It almost makes the meat more special in a way, besides the tenderness of their BBQ brisket or the smokiness of their beef ribs.

Lake Travis Community Library Presents Author Carole Sikes: Hudson Bend and the Birth of Lake Travis

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 15, 2014

We enjoy sharing with you a little bit about the history of the Lake Travis area here at LTL.

And if you’re familiar with the areas along Hudson Bend, nearby Steiner Ranch or Lakeway you might already know a bit about the foundation of the settling of our cherished land. Wiley Hudson was the first to purchase several plots here along the lush and abundant banks of the fertile Colorado River.

Then came the New Deal era and with it, Mansfield Dam.

Our beautiful Lake Travis was once a dream of Congressmen, construction workers and settlers, but after the building of the dam the lake became a veritable reality.

The harnessing of hydroelectric power would be able to bring electricity to the area, and with it, economic development. Without it we probably would not be here today.

Mandy Spivey

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