Mandy Spivey

Lake Travis Water Level: We Have Water, But Not Enough To Waste

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 25, 2015

It seems to have rained a boatload over Central Texas in recent weeks, so we decided to check on the water levels for Lake Travis hoping the much-needed rain helped.

As Texas faced icy, wet and sometimes frozen precipitation within the past month, Lake Travisites continued to optimistically cross their fingers for an increase in water in the thirsty Highland Lakes. But even as the creeks and waterways welcomed the recent rain, Lake Travis is still way below its fill point.

With continued efforts of everyone conserving where they can and last weeks’ rainfall, we are hovering at 37% full. The lowest historical combined storage in lakes Buchanan and Travis was 31% full, which occurred back in 1952 during the 1947-57 drought.

Laguna Gloria: History, Art and Nature on Lake Austin

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 9, 2015

There are some things in life that are just better enjoyed outside.

A slow melting ice cream cone on a warm summer afternoon. A run with your favorite pooch after a long day at work. Larger-than-life art that is not only on display in beautiful fields and walking paths but installed on historic Texas land, as well.

The Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria is home to some of the newest and most cherished contemporary art to come about in recent decades, including works from Marianne Vitale, John Grade and Charles Long. It’s one thing to experience art itself, it’s another to experience it in naturally planned locations, surrounded by bamboo, stories-high palm trees and calming Lake Austin waters.

Lake Travis Day Trip of the Month: Llano

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 2, 2015

The back story of our neighbor to the Southeast, Llano, is filled with tales of American Indians, early European settlers aided by Germans, boom periods in search of iron deposits in nearby mountains and downtown town fires so frequent, the town was denied fire insurance for a number of years by insurers.

This small Texas town boasts big Texas heritage, from their bustling antique shops downtown to their pride of the area, Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que — when you come to Llano you don’t leave empty handed (or hungry).

Just 20 miles west of another Highland Lake, Lake Buchanan, and 70 miles northwest from downtown Austin, Llano is humble on the surface. But don’t be fooled; this quiet Texas town packs a hefty historical punch.

Mandy Spivey

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