Author Archive
McKinney Falls a hidden gem in Austin
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McKinney Falls State Park is located about 15 miles from the State Capital in Austin and is one of the hidden gems of the area. Thomas McKinney was one of Stephen F. Austin’s “old 300″ and a prominent figure in the settlement of Central Texas. Around 1857 McKinney established his thoroughbred horse and cattle ranch along Onion Creek where McKinney Falls State Park is located today. Imagine being a settler and finding the beautiful hills and fields along Onion Creek wandering down an old lava flow forming two large natural pools nestled in among the cypress trees along it’s banks! Although the park is surrounded by Austin growth the park is still a quiet beautiful retreat. Easy to see why McKinney chose that location for his ranch! Remains of the original McKinney house and the horse trainer’s house still stand in the State Park and can be seen from the hiking trails. The Upper and Lower Falls are beautiful as they cascade into the two pools, especially during the wet months when water is abundant and fresh, and both are perfect places to go for a dip. There are camping facilities too. McKinney Falls is a great place to visit on a day trip or for a longer camping excursion.
Historic districts in Bastrop and surrounding areas
Posted by: | CommentsCentral Texas small towns have lots of history and lots of beautiful historic and vintage homes in their Historic Districts, and Bastrop is no exception! Settled in the early 1800′s when a fort was built on the Colorado River at the old San Antonio Road, Bastrop has grown over the years molded by the early colonization in the 30′s, the Texas Revolution, raids, town incorporation in 37, to rail service coming to the area in 1870. During all of these periods beautiful homes were established in Bastrop and some still stand proudly today.
Bastrop has been named a Distinctive Destination for historic preservation and is one in one hundred and thrity two other cities named in the U.S.for their work in preserve their historic areas. In past years Bastrop has offered a Holiday tour of some of the historic homes in the neighborhoods which is a perfect time to see some of these grand homes in their holiday finery.
You can view a short video of a Bastrop Historic District and homes in the area on my website to see what Bastrop has to offer. If you have an interest in the purchase or sale of a vintage or historic home in Bastrop or surrounding counties please contact me I would love to help you with your search.
Visit La Grange Texas this summer
Posted by: | CommentsThere is lots to do in La Grange Texas and it makes a great day trip from Austin, San Antonio, or Houston, nestled along the Colorado River right off of Hwy 71. If you are a private pilot you can fly in to Fayette Regional airport. This quaint Central Texas town has tons of Czech and German heritage. You can visit Monument Hill and tour the old brewery built in to the hillside, tour the beautiful old courthouse in the square downtown and there are some awesome bakeries, speciality restaurants and shops that will fill up your day. Visit my Fayette County / La Grange page to learn more about the area and real estate available.
Bastrop Texas | Organic Gardens
Posted by: | CommentsNow is the time to consider planting a garden here in Bastrop Texas, I am! With the price of food ever on the climb it also makes sense to grow some of your own produce. For example consider this – organic tomatoes can cost as much as $5.00 per pound. If you were to plant four tomato plants and each plant produces about 20 lbs. of tomatoes that represents a huge dollar savings to you and your family!
In the past I have always tried to plant a standard garden, tilling the soil, planting, and then weeding. In the end I had lots of lovely produce but I HATED the weeding. My husband talked me in to building individual raised garden beds. At first I thought he was daft suggesting that I would have enough space to grow my favorites. Well, I stand corrected. Not only can I grow what I want, it is not a huge chore to do so. Raised beds mean less stooping, digging, and weeding!
Smithville Texas | Recycle Center
Posted by: | CommentsSmithville Texas has a recycling center located on Loop 230 on the way in to town from Highway 71 just over the new bridge over the Colorado River on the left right across from Brookshires Grocery. I have started saving recycle items in my garage in special trash cans and I transport them presorted to the recycle center once a week. Currently the recycle center is set up to receive aluminum cans, newspaper, plastics number 1 and number 2 ( gallon milk jugs and clothes soap containers are good examples of each). Some of the local ranchers actually have been saving their paper feed bags ( for their cattle or horses) and taking stacks of them in to add to the paper bin. There is a special container for used motor oil, batteries.
The Forest at Colorado Crossing | Cedar Creek | Bastrop County
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are considering the purchase of rural residential property take a look at The Forest at Colorado Crossing. This subdivision totaling 248 acres is located approximately halfway between Austin and Bastrop on the Old Highway 71 Loop . The subdivision is a wonderful mix of rolling terrain, beautiful trees, a couple of wet weather creeks and big vistas. The lots in The Forest range in size from 1 to approx. 5 acres. There is a private hike and bike trail and two subdivision parks. The Forest is located approximately one mile from the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort as well as LCRA’s enviropark – McKinney Roughs which has 8 miles trails. And is close to the other wonderful parks in Bastrop; Lake Bastrop, Buescher State Park, Bastrop State Park as well as Fisherman’s Park on the Colorado River. The Forest has sensible protective covenants and reasonable architectural controls and there are some beautiful established homes already in the subdivision, with some new construction under way. If you have children of school age The Forest falls into the Bastrop Independent School District – Cedar Creek Elementary and Intermediate schools and Bastrop High School. Utility services are provided by AT & T – phone, Bluebonnet Electric, Aqua Water, and there is cable and Internet service available. If you are a golfer there are four golf courses in the area: Pine Fores, Lost Pines, Colo Vista, and the Winddancer at the Hyatt. Use the following link for more information on available properties at The Forest at Colorado Crossing.
Bastrop County | Winter images
Posted by: | CommentsWhile traveling around Bastrop County taking photos to document the areas and subdivisions I work in to feature on the my website I had opportunities to take pictures of things that didn’t necessarily apply to the tasks at hand, but I could not help myself. The Bastrop area is very photogenic, and there is so much to do and see in the area that isn’t commercialized, I thought that if I put some of my favorites of those pictures into a short video presentation I could share them so others could see what I see every day while I am out working. To me these images convey some of the feel of Bastrop County, and what drew me to the area a number of years ago. If you are considering real estate opportunities ( either buying or selling) in the Bastrop area please feel free to contact me 512-743-0516 (direct). I would love to help you reach your goals.
Cedar Hills | Elgin Texas
Posted by: | CommentsCedar Hills is a conveniently located rural residential subdivision located just a few miles southeast of Elgin in Bastrop County on Highway 95, northwest of Bastrop by about 13 miles, and is in the Elgin ISD. There are two entries in to the subdivision off of the highway. One entry passes by a picturesque pond and small park like area that residents can enjoy. The subdivision is wooded which gives most every lot a nice feeling of privacy. The subdivision roads are paved, and utility services available are include phone and electric service. Homes are on private septic systems and water service is provided through a local water district. Homes in the area are custom built and range from Texas ranch style to Southwest Santa Fe, to everything in between including alternative built styles.
Smithville Texas | Annual Festival of Lights
Posted by: | CommentsEvery year the town of Smithville Texas “decks the halls” in preparation for their annual Festival of Lights Parade. Lots of the local residents have decorated in the historic district and there are some wonderful Smithville vintage/historic homes for sale to drive by and look at if you are considering a move to the area. This year is the eighteenth consecutive holiday parade.
This morning is the fun run at 9am. Then the arts and crafts show starts right afterwards at around 10 am which runs all day. Santa will be there to visit with the kids and there will be pony and train rides, a petting zoo, and of course all of the merchants along Main Street will be open for business and showing their wares. If you have not been to downtown Smithville and you are an antiques and collectibles buff you need to go!
The lighting of the Pavilion will be at 6:30 and the parade starts at 7pm and there will be a street dance just following. So grab your family and come out for some holiday merriment Smithville style southeast of Austin on Highway 71, just thirteen miles past Bastrop.
Watterson | Bastrop County Texas | Has a dance hall!
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Watterson is a farm and ranch community located about nine miles south of Bastrop. Watterson Road runs between Red Rock and Highway 304 and settled in the 1800′s, as was most of the area in Bastrop County. Watterson at one point had a church, grist mill, and a general strore in those days. Over time a dance hall was added.
Typical of dance halls found through out Texas, the Watterson Dance Hall has been a poplular place for young and old alike to grab a partner and shake a leg. Watterson has a large long pine dance floor, and plenty of long picnic style tables on both sides of the dance floor for people to rest and socialize. There is a stage with a great sound system, both his and hers facilities, and a kitchen where you can grab a great burger if you work up an appetite on the dance floor.
My husband and I attended a wedding reception there this last weekend and had the best time. Many of the locals told us that they have been coming to Watterson since their school days.
Watterson Dance Hall does not have a website and generally post flyers around the local area when they book bands. One of the busiest nights at Watterson Dance Hall is on Christmas when families, couples, and kids come out to dance after a big Christmas dinner.
The Watterson area is a great area in Bastrop County for people who like the farm and ranch lifestyle with it’s gentleman’s farms and farm and ranch properties, but if you are considering buying or selling in the Watterson area, or anywhere else in Central Texas for that matter, is a disclosure that a historic/popular country dance hall exists, so that all parties concerened can consider what kind of impact living near a dance hall like Watterson, especially on the road to and from or in close proximity, might have on a property such as late night noise, nuisances, and traffic.
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in buying or selling a farm and ranch or horse property in and around Bastrop and surrounding counties. I would love to help
