Mandy Spivey

Lake Travis Area Parks Guide: Founders Memorial Park in Dripping Springs

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 8, 2014

Getting out to discover and explore the open spaces of the Lake Travis area is a great reminder of how many amazing parks we have to take in nature, get a little bit of exercise and take the little ones out for a day in the sunshine.

In the quaint community of Dripping Springs is Founders Memorial Park, located off Ranch Road 12 just north of Highway 290. I came across this park in my Hill Country travels when I was in search of several of the area’s breweries and noticed the entrance just outside downtown Dripping Springs. After a scenic drive down the winding road into the park, you’ll be greeted with colorful playscapes, a large outdoor pool and several public football fields.

Charro Ranch Park: A Natural Texas Hill Country Experience

Written by Mandy Spivey | September 3, 2014

On the outer edge of the Texas Hill Country sits Dripping Springs. This quiet community, with just over 2,000 in population, is well-known as a portal to nearby towns such as Spicewood, Driftwood and Fredericksburg.

In recent decades, great strides have been made to bring more commerce, business and amenities to the area, some 25 miles from downtown Austin. It has been hailed as one of the best places to get married in the Texas Hill Country due to the green rolling hills, picturesque ranch-style wedding spots and access to the Hill Country wine trail.

360 Overlook at the Pennybacker Bridge: Undeniably Austin

Written by Mandy Spivey | August 27, 2014

Ask an Austinite about their favorite part of the city — a place that is undeniably Austin.

Some locals favor the South Congress Bridge and its noctivagant bat guests that make an appearance each night at dusk. Others will cite the numerous parks, such as Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores as their favorite place to take in the city.

Out of the many picturesque places around town, one of the choice spots to enjoy is a scenic lookout over Lake Austin at the 360 Bridge, also known as Pennybacker Bridge. Located along the Capital of Texas Highway, this legendary bridge fully connects the North and South sides of Austin. Everyday, upwards of 50,000 vehicles pass over Pennybacker Bridge, using the throughway for commutes to work, home and everything in between. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine just what Austin would be like without this historic bridge which was opened and dedicated in late 1982.

Lake Travis Area Trails: Bull Creek Greenbelt

Written by Mandy Spivey | August 25, 2014

When you’re in search of a little hike and time alone in nature, take a short drive up Capital of Texas Highway to Bull Creek in West Austin. Here you will find what many locals hail as the most scenic greenbelt around, complete with limestone cliffs, babbling creeks, seasonal wildflowers and natural flora and fauna.

The history of Bull Creek goes back to prehistoric ages, namely the Early Archaic to Late Prehistoric phases, however the early Anglo settlers of this era were Will Preece, wife Elizabeth Gideon, and sons Richard Lincoln Preece and Will Jr.. The Preece family owned a few thousand acres of land in central Texas in the areas of Austin and Cedar Park, and after settling in the Bull Creek area in 1838, the plot began to earn its reputation as one of the prime spots for hiking and swimming.

Hey Cupcake! The Original Lake Travis Area Food Trailer

Written by Mandy Spivey | August 13, 2014

If you frequently pass through the intersection at Ranch Road 620 and 2222 at Four Points (or spend time sitting there in traffic), you can’t miss the vintage Airstream trailer with a big cupcake on top. Hey Cupcake! is one part awesome mini cakes and one part excellent service — and together you get the full Hey Cupcake! experience.

You might remember when Hey Cupcake! first started out at the South Congress location. Not long after that, another Airstream was added to the fleet and parked out at the Four Points location in front of Thundercloud Subs. It was one of the first food trailers to land in the Lake Travis area.

Mandy Spivey

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