Mandy Spivey

7 Signs You Might Be From Hudson Bend

Written by Mandy Spivey | June 23, 2016

Every neighborhood has its certain flair or personality, especially Lake Travis area community, Hudson Bend.

Settled in the early 1850s by Wiley Hudson and his family from Arkansas, the area was initially used for farming and agriculture. This was up until the 1940s when Marshall Ford Dam was built, now Mansfield Dam. Close to half of Hudson Bend’s land was flooded when Lake Travis was created, and the area slowly changed from agricultural to residential. The faces of Hudson Bend were changing.

Now over 2,300 people call it home, from retirees to Austin commuters. It’s got it’s special kind of style, with houses of all styles and many different types of businesses have made their headquarters here. If you’ve been around one of the many marinas on Hudson Bend on the weekend or if you’ve been to the area for dinner, maybe you’ve experienced it yourself.

Whether you’re on a mission to find the best place to launch your boat or want a great place to stop and enjoy near Lake Travis, Hudson Bend has what you need. Catch a sunset and a round of mini golf or two, or just grab a beer at nearby Infamous Brewing Company to get an idea of that Hudson Bend spirit. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling like a local.

And from a Hudson Bend local who has been around the block to absorb some of its unique flavor, here it is, the 7 Signs You Might Be from Hudson Bend:

Briarcliff Bistro & Bacon Bar: A Labor of Love (with bacon)

Written by Mandy Spivey | June 16, 2016

Playing with your food can get you a lot of strange looks from around your table, but what if the person who is braiding your bacon is the cook?

Welcome to Briarcliff Bistro & Bacon Bar in Spicewood, one of the Hill Country’s best-kept secrets for cool beers and bacon-themed food items. If you’re a fan of the salty sow’s back fat, get ready to meet the eatery that includes bacon in every dish, from Bloody Mary drinks to bacon-covered burgers.

Whether you’re on your way back from a long day of Hill Country wine tasting or you’re on your way out to Pace Bend Park, there are plenty of reasons to want to stop for a bite and a drink here. Live music makes the outdoor stage come alive with Texas tunes, while inside is cool and where most of the lively conversation takes place.

I got together with one of the trio of founders of the restaurant, Jennifer Halpine, to get a little bit of history of the bacon bar and just how it got to be such a famous Spicewood staple in recent years.

LURE by Y & F at the Hill Country Galleria: Exclusive Fashion for Lake Travis Ladies

Written by Mandy Spivey | June 2, 2016

“The joy of dressing is an art.”

British fashion designer John Galliano made this famous statement about the love of clothes, and making the daily routine of picking one’s outfit more than just a boring chore.

It’s about self-expression, it’s about standing out in a crowd; it’s true — good fashion can improve your life and even raise your self-esteem.

So when you’re in need of the perfect pair of skinny jeans or a dress that can transition from day to night with the perfect necklace and a trendy clutch, look no further than LURE by Y & F in Bee Cave’s Hill Country Galleria.

You may recognize the colorful clothing store by its old moniker, Young & Fabulous. July 4th, 2015 was their grand opening in their new location at the HCG, moving a few doors down the lane.

The Oasis: Lake Travis Sunsets For 34 Years and Counting

Written by Mandy Spivey | May 25, 2016

Where’s your favorite spot to watch a Lake Travis sunset?

Ask anyone you know in the Lake Travis area and you’ll likely hear a recurring answer. The Oasis — The Sunset Capital of Texas — owns that title with an awe-inspiring backdrop and sunsets over the main body of Lake Travis.

The restaurant is a Lake Travis favorite, serving locals and out-of-towners who want a lingering look at those famous Lake Travis waters. Over three decades has made The Oasis and its surrounding mini-town a veritable institution for the greater Austin area, bringing in crowds for lunch, dinner, drinks, and Lake Travis sunsets.

Summer Fun for Your Lake Travis Visitors

Written by Mandy Spivey | May 18, 2016

Summer is just around the corner — the days are starting to get longer and that famous Texas heat is already making a regular appearance around Lake Travis.

Before you know it, you’ll have summer visitors at your door, ready to see the best that the Lake Travis area has to offer.

That’s when it’s up to you, fellow Lake Travisite, to bring out-of-towners to the chillest swimming holes and local destinations that give your Lake Travis visitors a few solid hours of entertainment — Lake Travis style.

There’s something to do for everyone in Lake Travis, so grab your swim suits and some sunscreen — we might be out for a while.

Mandy Spivey

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