Austin

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Tips for Decorating Roadside Trees in Lake Travis

Written by Cathy Hale | December 7, 2017

“Is that cedar tree on 620 draped in a glittery metallic substance, or is my gluten-free eggnog too strong?”

If you’re new to the Lake Travis area, you may be puzzled by the magical appearance of roadside Christmas trees. Relax, you’re not hallucinating. It’s an Austin tradition.

Every year after Thanksgiving, trees along the busiest highways in the Lake Travis area start to get more festive as Christmas approaches. By the time December 25th arrives there are literally hundreds of brightly colored, cheery trees lining roadways in and around Austin. It’s a rather spectacular sight to see.

If you’re feeling inspired to decorate a tree yourself, you might have a few questions swirling around in that jolly head of yours.

Is this an organized thing? I bet there’s a virtual sign-up sheet on Shutterfly somewhere.

Is it legal? Getting arrested could be a major buzz kill.

Are there rules? Because there are always rules.

Can I advertise my company? Why spend marketing dollars when you have trees.

If you’d like to add this tree-tastic tradition to your holiday To-Do list, we’ve got the answers you seek.

River Place Nature Trail: The Most Underrated Hike in Austin

Written by Shea Conner | December 14, 2016

If you ask most Austin area hikers about their favorite destination, they’ll likely give you one of three responses: the Barton Creek Greenbelt, the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, or the trail at Turkey Creek.

There’s nothing wrong with any of these answers.

With eight miles of trails conveniently located near the intersection of Mopac and 360, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is the city’s most popular hiking location for a reason.

The Wild Basin Preserve, meanwhile, features a peaceful waterfall and a few breathtaking scenic views.

And few dog-lovers can resist Turkey Creek’s unique mix of off-leash culture and winding creekside paths.

Yet, somehow, a place that harmoniously melds the best features of these three trails often goes unmentioned — and it’s located just a hop and a skip away from Lake Travis.

Trapped in Lake Travis? How to Travel Safely with (and without) Uber and Lyft

Written by Cathy Hale | July 21, 2016

We sure are lucky that the Lake Travis area is such a great place to live with so many awesome things to do right here in our backyard. Especially now that we can’t get out.

These days, if you’re making plans to leave your home without your car, chances are you have a driver. And that’s not because you’re fancy-schmancy … it’s because you have limited options.

Have you tried to catch a cab lately? Good luck with that.

It’s funny how the Hailacab (Yellow Cab) app indicates you only have a quick 15 minute wait and then when you book it, the wait jumps to 45 minutes or it says there’s no service at all in your area. Hmmm. Now what?

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.

Sometimes Island on Lake Travis: Good Riddance

Written by Marjorie Vesper | May 11, 2016

Snake Island.

Runit Islet.

Alcatraz.

It’s a sad but too true fact in the world of travel that not all islands are idyllic, coconut-sipping hotspots. Escapes from the daily grind, where sand is delightful in the toes and cocktails shade under paper umbrellas.

And while plenty of tourists still flock to less than desirable destinations — like those mentioned above — not many folks back home take the “wish you were here” postcard seriously. It’s more of a “better you than me” feeling.

Only slightly less famous (and a tad closer to home) is Sometimes Island, a strip of land which rises from the depths of a drought-ravaged Lake Travis anytime the sky decides to really dry up.

Since such meteorological events are a way of life in our grand Texas, the island no one really wants to see (or visit) has become a common sight for the way better part of a century.

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