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SPRING 2012 OUTING

ZIPLINE ADVENTURE AT LAKE TRAVIS

SPRING 2012 OUTING: 

HILL COUNTRY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL, DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG, GRAPE CREEK VINEYARDS, SALTLICK  BBQ

Saturday fun with Quing & Rachel as we enjoyed our picnic, listened to music and tasted wines from different Texas wineries at the Hill Country Wine & Food Festival at Wildseed Farms. We visited downtown Fredericksburg and tasted more wines and enjoyed artisan Texas chocolates.  We listened to more music (the guy with the golden voice, can’t remember his name) and chilled at the patio of Grape Creek Vineyards. Finally, we all experienced a unique BBQ experience at the original SaltLick in Driftwood, TX (1 hour wait for table while enjoying great music, popcorn & lemonade in the patio under the trees). Amazing BBQ meal is just the perfect way to end the day

SPRING 2012 OUTING:

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN SEGWAY TOUR 

Quing, Rachel, Don & I went Segwaying around downtown Austin with Gliding Revolutions. It was so much fun!  http://www.glidingrevolution.com/

TRAIL: SPICEWOOD VALLEY TRAIL

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
Trailhead: Evening Primrose Path & Topridge Drive in Austin, TX

Getting there:
From Hwy 183 in northwest Austin head south on Spicewood Springs Road. Turn right onto Scotland Well Drive and continue north. Turn right onto Middlebie Drive and look for the parking area. Or drive to the intersection above

WEBSITE & INFO:

http://www.austinexplorer.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1887

PHOTOS:

TRAIL: ONION CREEK CROSS COUNTRY (via City of Austin Utility’s Water Quality Protection Land Program)

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
6555 FM 967, Austin, TX

Getting there:
From Austin, head south on IH35. Take exit 225/Onion Creek Pkwy and turn right about ½ mile down onto
FM 1626. Continue on 1626 through lights at Manchaca Rd. & Brodie Lane. At the intersection with FM 967, turn right and continue driving west on FM 967 to the entrance gate, which is 3.4 miles ahead on the left immediately past a pair of mailboxes

WEBSITE & INFO:
Hikes are led by the City of Austin
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildland/onlineregistration/registeractivity.cfm
http://www.hillcountryoutdoors.com/ClubPortal/EventDetailPublic.cfm?clubID=1&eventID=104383
http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Water/Wildlands/hike_wqpl_april1_onionlong9a_rugged.pdf

PHOTOS:

TRAIL:
Mayfield Park & Preserve (Austin, TX)

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
3505 W 35TH ST, AUSTIN TX 78703

Phone Number: 512.474.9692

WEBSITE & INFO:
http://mayfieldpark.org/
http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=283
http://www.austinexplorer.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1363

Description:
Mayfield Park and Preserve is an island of restful respite located in the middle of Austin, Texas. Mayfield Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This entire estate was presented to the city of Austin in 1971 by Mary Mayfield Gutsch for all Austinites to enjoy as a park. Mayfield Park includes an historic cottage, 2 acres of colorful cottage gardens with towering palm trees, brilliant peacocks and delicate water lilies, all blending in beautiful harmony. Mayfield Preserve is the 21 acre natural area that surrounds the park, containing walking trails and wildlife habitat.

Historic Mayfield Park is ideal for small/medium events such as weddings and other social gatherings, business conferences, workshops and retreats. It is not recommended for theater events, large concerts, or events that require temporary installation of hardware and structures within the gardens and cottage. Soft exterior lighting, as though moonlight is peeking through the trees, creates a suitable setting for evening events. The grounds are a public park and remain open to the public during reservation hours, however, the general public may Not be allowed into the garden area during the hours they are reserved. Park visitors are asked to please respect those events. The cottage and gardens are both wheelchair accessible.

For information on reserving the cottage and/or grounds, please call PARD at 512-974-6797 or visit the PARD website:
City of Austin PARD Reservations – Mayfield Park.

Size: 22.00 Acres

Trail Miles 0.9

TRAIL:
St. Edward’s Park (Austin, TX)

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd. 78759

For more information about this park, call the City of Austin Parks Department at (512) 974-6700. For Travis County parks, call (512) 854-7275

Getting there:
The park resides on both sides of Bull Creek aloong Spicewood Springs Road west of Capital of Texas Highway. There are two parking areas for the park. From Hwy 360, take Spicewood Springs west for about two miles. Be on the lookout on the left for a small parking area to the left with a white mailbox. At this spot there is parking for at most 4-5 cars parked parallel to the road. Alternatively, proceed down Spicewood Springs for at most a quarter mile and look for a larger parking area on the left. This parking area can hold about 15 cars.

WEBSITE & INFO:

http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=339

http://www.austinexplorer.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1393

http://www.texashiking.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1665

Description:
This hidden park is perfect for trail runners, hikers, and dog owners. It has several trails and wide open spaces to enjoy hill country views. It also includes a stream running through the middle and cactus spread throughout the area.

Amenities:
Size: 80.00 Acres
Trail Miles: 2.9

TRAIL MAP:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parkmaps/images/trails_st_edwards.jpg

TRAIL:
Onion Creek District Park

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
7001 Onion Creek Dr
Austin, TX 78744
Neighborhood: Southeast Austin

Getting there: From I-35 in Austin head east on William Cannon Drive. Turn right on Pleasant Valley Road and head south. Turn left onto Springville Lane and then take an immediate left onto Onion Crossing Drive and the next right onto Vine Hill Drive. Continue to head east until the road runs into Onion Creek Drive. To the right there is an area in which to park.

WEBSITE & INFO:
http://www.austinexplorer.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1793
http://austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=539

Description:
Along Onion Creek in Southeast Austin, this little-known park has a small playscape and gorgeous, shady hiking trails.

The park is huge and most of it is off-leash (except for playground areas). There’s plenty of room for dogs to run and people to enjoy. There are several former roadways that make a great place for kids to ride bikes and skate.

Size: 179.72 Acres

Amenities:
Off-Leash Dog Area 1
Playgrounds 1

TRAIL MAP:
http://www.austinridgeriders.com/trail/onion-creek-trail

TRAIL:
McKinney Falls State Park

ADDRESS & DIRECTION:
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway,  Austin, TX 78744  Tel: (512) 243-1643

The park is located 13 miles southeast of the State Capitol in Austin off US Highway 183. Take McKinney Falls Parkway, off US 183 South, straight to the park entrance.

WEBSITE & INFO:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mckinney_falls/

Schedule: Open: 7 days a week year-round. Gate open from 8am to 10pm. Busy Season: March through November. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.

Elevation: 550 ft. above sea level.

Weather: July average high 95, southeast breeze; January average low 37; moderately humid year round with May the wettest month; first/last freeze: November 28/March 2.

TRAIL MAP:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_090v.pdf