Best of Texas

Best Of Texas The Travler

Behind the scenes and expert advice on

ROAD TRIPPN’ THRU TEXAS PG. 8

Got Monday off?

THE GUIDE TO THE PERFECT THREE DAY WEEKEND Pg. 32

Big State, Big Splash

TEXAS’S BEST WATER PARKS Pg. 20

The city that loves the outdoors

URBAN HIKING IN AUSTIN Pg. 26

pg.14

DEEP IN THE PARKS OF TEXAS

Table of Table Table contents ofof ConTents ConTents

Title About the Editors

An introduction to the brains behind Best in Texas

On the Road Again

Behind the scenes on road trips

Page 6-7 8-11

Gadgets Galore and Saftey Second

12-13

Deep in the Parks of Texas

14-17

Everything to buy for your car!

A dive into why precious greenspaces are cruical

Park Map and a Guide to Trail Mix Park map of Texas and different trail personalities

Water Parks, Texas Style

How to find the best waterpark in texas for you

Who are You When You Go To a Waterpark?

A personality quiz!

18-19 20-23 24-25

Speak for the Trees

26-29

The Perfect Trail

30-31

A Texas Weekend

32-35

Go Time!

36-37

A look into Texas’s Green Spaces and Why they’re important

Finding the right hiking trail for you!

How to explore texas over a long weekend

What does the public have to say about long weekends?

Meet the Amazing Editors Some cool and interesting stuff about the creators of this wonderful magazine

Dy

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Hey! I’m Eloise and I’m currently a freshman attending LASA. I am on the tennis team and love hanging out with my friends. I also love traveling (specifically road trips) and I love Texas so I was so excited back in August to get started on this magazine. Now the time is here where everything is complete (as complete as it can be). The best part of this class, other than yelling at Dylan of course (sorry Dylan!), was listening to Taylor Swift with Francie. Feel free to harshly judge our magazine, but you may be biting your words in December, trust me.

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e

My name is Dylan Lauro. I’m a freshman at LASA high school in Austin, Texas. I love filling my time with whatever I can including marching band, video games, cooking, procrastinating in E-Zine, and whatever else I can find to occupy myself. I am a big fan of traveling everywhere I can to experience all of the different cultures, foods, and mountain biking destinations.

Hopefully, my story will give you some insight about where to plan your next adventure!

Fra

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My name is Francie Sarrat, and I am a freshman at LASA high school. I’ve lived in Austin, Texas, my entire life, and I love getting outdoors and hiking around town. My favorite things to do are play basketball and the piano, spend time with my family and friends, listen to Taylor Swift with Eloise, and have a great time in E-Zine class. While I don’t even know if our magazine will be done by the time you read this, I hope that you have as much fun flipping through this as we did designing it.

Good luck!

6 Best of Texas

a Br

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Velasquez

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My name is Lily Witter-Jeffrey, I’m a freshman at LASA high school in Austin, Texas. I was born in Austin, but I’ve lived all over central Texas, in Galveston, Manor, Jerral (middle of nowhere) Bartlett (middle of nowhere II). I love to read, especially dystopian and classical literature. I do a lot of drawing, but I can’t paint for the life of me, and I play the violin (but not necessarily well). My dream career is world domination. I have a cockatiel named Alaska and identify as ‘that one weird bird person.’

Li

ly

My name is Brandon Velasquez, and I am a freshman at LASA high school. I’ve lived in Austin, Texas for a long time and I love drawing and swimming. Although my favorite pastime is drawing and swimming, I do love playing video games, and I am obviously amazing at them. Besides that, I am an animator, 3d modeler, and concept artist with many styles who may have done work for some indie game designers. I hope you enjoy this magazine and maybe learn a thing or two from this. Thank you!

T H A N K

Y O U Fall 2021 7

On the road Again

by Eloise Embry

8 Best of Texas

ROADTRIP ADVICE AND BEHIND THE SCENES ON A TOP ROAD STOP

T

he road trip is drawing buying an RV, or carrying out sold their home. on, you’re getting a bus conversion, but nothing Tiffany acknowledged that car sick and feel like seemed like a good fit for their there was some doubt, “There throwing a potato at lifestyle. was a huge fear of just letting the driver if they make When Kyle stumbled upon go of the nine to five, six days a one more sharp left a van family on Youtube, he week, letting that go and being turn. Hunger kicks in, but you brought the idea to Tiffany. Kyle okay with no longer having know if you bring up food it said, “I thought that she would jobs.” Once they escaped that will take at least another hour immediately say no chance fear, they could finally travel to pick a place to eat. Where did and never go that sudden urge to pee come for it. I jokingly from? And sleep, how you long was like, ‘What for a relaxing place to stay for about if we the night before heading back built out a on the dreaded road in the van,’ and then morning. Anything would be within two better than the stiff car seats days she had filled with luggage and siblings. found a van.”

Driving, Food, and Van Taylor Swift: the three main conversion is ingredients to the perfect road trip. If you can master these One of the best things is four not-so-simple things, your watching them see new things road trip will become fun, and for the first time. maybe, just maybe, you can put Exploring new things... down your potato and enjoy they would just light up. the ride!

Driving is the first step to a road trip; it’s what makes a road trip a road trip. Tiffany and when someone Kyle Willis, full time van-lifers, takes a cargo Willis family enjoys a Christmas family picnic van conversion entrepreneurs, van and turns social media influencers, and it into a living parents, have mastered the way space. Their plan was to do the freely and live their dreams of the road. van conversion and then use rather than chase them.

From the beginning, the the van on weekends for little Nine months and fourteen Willis family knew they wanted trips here and there. However, states later, the whole Willis to live a life filled with travel. they ended up deciding to just family had absolutely fallen in Kyle had wanted to go the commit to full-time travel. They love with traveling. However, camping route; however, with didn’t know how long they when the COVID-19 pandemic two young girls it didn’t seem would be on the road or if they unexpectedly hit, they decided like that could work out. The would even like it. They didn’t to come off the road for a little idea still wasn’t completely know what they would do bit or maybe a long bit- they ‘thrown out of the van.’ They when they got back, in fact they weren’t sure. played with other ideas to live didn’t really know anything. out their traveling dream, like They still took the chance and Fall 2021 9

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They stayed in a tiny apart their meltdowns and their bits incredible things around you. ment and sold the van, as and their fights and all those You just have to go out and find they didn’t know if or when things, but at the end of the them.” they would get to travel again. day, you’re still looking at the We’ve got the road down, Living in an apartment made beach.” but what about that hunger? it immediately clear that Even with the meltdowns, Did someone say hamburger? they much preferred van life Kyle says it’s all worth it, “One Chris Deeters is a franchisee over stationary living. When of the best things is watching owner of one of Texas’s most they posted the van online, it them see things for the popular road trip stops: sold much quicker than they first time. Exploring Whataburger. expected. Kyle said, “We were new places... they Deeters has kind of sad and mourning that would just light a long we had sold [the van].” up.” history Over quarantine they had Road trips are in the time on their hands, so they becoming restaurant bought another van and began more and industry, to build it out. In no time, more his people were already reaching popular. parents out to Tiffany and Kyle to Even though worked purchase the van and even it’s not as in it and t u o request them to build out more enjoyable to have so has ilt Ins bu ide ily av m vans. It was never meant to to plan things out in he since a an the Willis F be a business but it naturally advance, and struggle a very started to go down that road finding places with open spots young age. He has and escalate quickly. to stay, Tiffany and Kyle are owned his franchise for over Even with this new business glad to see more people are twenty years. aspect of their life, Tiffany and getting out there and exploring.

What’s kept him there so Kyle were eager to get They said, “People are starting long is the people. Deeters said, back on the road and to see that the “[My favorite part is] working continue to live out experiences are with what we call family the van life. One of more valuable members. I just enjoy being the main reasons than just around people, interacting, Tiffany and Kyle things.” making people happy, serving a enjoy traveling Even for good product, and seeing smiles so much is anyone and happy people.” not just their who can’t In the twenty years of own love for have the being a part of Whataburger, it, but also luxury of undoubtedly, Deeters has their two girls’ leaving seen the company change love for it. Kyle their homes and continue to change. The said, “Every day and cities, original family owners had o uilt ily b m they want to be out Tiffany owned the company for close a llis F e Wi h t s n ide a va there on adventures. encourages to 70 years.

Every day they want to them to still find ways Deeters said that around be out there doing something to have that adventure.“One three years ago they sold part new and seeing things they of the absolute best things you of the company. He said,“they don’t usually get to see.” can do that we found out is were very conservative Tiffany added, “They still have explore your backyard, there’s growing, very smart, and took In

10 Best of Texas

er g r u b a What e years th h g u o thr Photo Credit: google imgs Photo Credit: Flickr Nicolas Henderson Photo Credit: Creative commons

their time.”

We can see they were, in fact, very smart and successful, based on how big Whataburger has grown within the past 70 years.

Along with the original owner’s business tactics, Deeters said, “The people love us, but it really comes down to that customer service and the food.”

He continued, “We give good hospitality, and our product is fresh and clean. When we say we never freeze our meat, that meat is three to five days from when it was ground to being served.”

Even though Whataburger is known as a Texas mainstay, it has been growing and expanding out of Texas. When expanding to new markets, Deeters said, it takes a long time to engage the culture.

He says, “There are so many Hamburger shops nowadays. But once you get them interested you start getting very successful.”

Deeters explains why people especially enjoy Whataburger on the road. “[When] people are on the road, they crave consistency enormously and they crave knowing what they’re going to get. People [are] adventurous, and they’re taking part [in] their adventure, and then they’re wanting a little bit of safety,” he said.

The last, but most definitely not least, aspect of the road trip is the music. No need to go into detail, it’s self-explanatory. Turn up the Taylor Swift and suddenly the road trip is a million miles better.

Simple right? The perfect road trip is out there, but as Tiffany Willis said, you just need to go out and find it.

Fall 2021 11

Gadgets Galore EVERYTHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO BUY FOR YOUR CAR

by Eloise Embry

1.

Tablet holder Boring car ride? This tablet holder straps onto to the back of any seat in your vehicle. It will turn your car into a movie R

ive! drev an

est price: $17

top influe by

theatre within seconds!

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2.

Cleaning gel Dirty car? Don’t worry, this goop will

rambl er @ e nc

fix that in a jiffy! All you need to do is stick this on your dashboard, glovecompartment, anywhere that needs a little dusting and your car will be spotless within seconds. est price: $7

Car Interior LED lights Wanna Jazz up your bland car? These LED lights have adhesive backing to allow you to stick any where in your car. These will turn a Mom Minivan into a stellar party car! est price: $20

4.

Dip Clip Car Foodie? This gadget features a clip on suace holder for sauces on the go! Simply clip the back onto your vent and your good to go! est price: $8

12 Best of Texas

5.

3.

Car air matress Car slumber party? Yes, please! Blow it up with included air pump, lay it over your back seats, sleep, decompress, and repeat! est price: $40

6.

Emergency kit

You should always keep an emergeny kit in your car! Traveling is fun, but make sure you have all the things below somewhere in your car with easy access for a safe ride.

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Safety second!

Fall 2021 13

deep in the

A dive into why these precious greenspaces are crucial to our existence

by Francie Sarrat

P

icture this: You hear the birds chirping, see the water flowing in the quiet stream nearby, feel the soft moss between your fingertips, or breathe in the wildflowers growing in the fields. You can take a hike or go for a bike ride, you can catch up with friends and family, and you can unplug from the world, even if just for a little while.

This sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it could be in the future, but for now, we call these places parks.

Parks are important in a myriad of ways. They provide 14 Best of Texas

numerous benefits to our mental and physical well-being, and they protect our planet from climate change. Texas has over 80 state parks, and each is unique in their own special way. Unfortunately, parks are threatened by constant land development, construction, and climate change, and before we know it, parks could be a thing of the past.

Parks provide a place for us to gather and socially interact with each other, boosting our mental health. They’re greenspaces for plants to take carbon, a major contributor to

climate change, out of the air.

However, construction and development split up important habitats that are crucial to their larger ecosystem.

Peter Craig is a local licensed professional counselor (LPC) who is passionate about the mental health benefits nature has. Through the height of the pandemic, he even offered nature walk therapy sessions as a safe alternative.

When asked how many benefits nature really has on mental health, he answered, “A lot, probably more than we’re able to really pay attention

e parks of

to because if we did, we’d probably have more time in nature built into school.”

Craig explained that nature has a way of reconnecting us with our senses. In nature, we strengthen our sense of sight, sound, touch, and smell.

“Connecting ourselves to something bigger than just the screen world,” he explained, “means that there’s a sense of aliveness in being attuned to our senses.”

He believes social media has given us alternative identities, ones that we have to work for to keep up. Nature brings us back to who we really are.

There’s no pressure, just a constant ebb and flow of life.

Craig even prescribes nature to his patients as means to cope and recover, and he is aware of much of the medical advice that promotes nature as a healing

method.

He said that “getting sunlight for 10 to 20 minutes at the beginning of your day cues up your nervous system and your immune system for the highest level of well being.”

He also mentioned that “20 or 30 minutes of daily exercise is better than almost anything else you can take for depression or anxiety.”

Since the beginning of time and throughout human history, humans and animals alike have had land to roam and live on.

Today, we’ve been crammed into tight spaces, and Craig said that research proves staring into long distances actually reduces depression. It expands our viewpoint of the world, and it lets us stand, even if just a few minutes, in awe at the world we live in. It gives us another perspective, and we Credit: flickr/Sarah Stio, Jim Nix, Lars Plougmann, sarowen, Knowsphotos

realize that we don’t always have to be on top of each other.

We like to think of ourselves as very sophisticated and modern, but in reality, we are simply mammals. Phones and devices can provide the much needed connection we long for, but we need to find a balance between these devices and maintaining our real identity, reconnecting with our senses, and experiencing nature.

He said, “It is really important for [us] to be seeing each other face to face as much as possible and to be in nature as much as possible because the well being that comes from that is pretty indisputable.”

Unfortunately, construction, development, and climate change pose constant threats to parks everywhere, especially in Texas.

Fall 2021 15

into rehabilitation?’ .

The X T g, ur obvious answer is, b s ck eri d ‘Oh, they’re hit by cars e Fr A roa c k in o R d leading d or people shoot them’” he to Enchante said.

Seth Billingsley works in “But, looking past those the conservation department immediate reasons, we realize, at Environment Texas, a nonwell, they’re getting hit by profit organization that fights to cars because of highway protect the environment. segmentation. They’re getting Billingsley’s passion for shot by ranchers because protecting the environment they’re losing where they used started by asking questions. to hunt, and now, they’re trying “‘Why is it that we keep getting to feed on chickens. You realize these that we’re addressing a lot of birds symptoms of larger problems.

Those larger problems are “It is really directly related to land,” Billingsley explained. important for [us] “Ninety five percent to be seeing each other of land in Texas is face to face as much as privately owned,” possible and to be in Billingsley said. nature as much as There’s not a problem possible because the well with land being privately owned, but being that comes from when land owners that is pretty put up fences, it causes indisputable.” habitat fragmentation.

Habitat fragmentation is when undivided land, like wide 16 Best of Texas

open fields, is divided by fences or roads.

Not to mention, Texas is experiencing major property value increases right now.

“More and more people who own these big ranches are dividing them up and selling them,” Billingsley said. While this might be beneficial to the land owner, if there are more people selling little plots and pieces of their land, then there will be a constant increase in roads and fences. This sections off habitats and confines them to tight spaces that they aren’t used to and maybe can’t survive in.

Erin Flinchbaugh is a conservation botanist at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. She works on restoring historic plant populations across Texas and has observed some recurring issues throughout her career.

“Construction is a huge, huge problem, and sometimes, the most unique habitats can be some of the easiest areas to build on. Texas is known for having these really wonderful limestone ridges where a lot of rare plants can thrive … but the unfortunate thing about those is they’re really, really easy to pave over,” she explained.

Flinchbaugh also dove into the dangers of habitat fragmentation.

“You [might have had] gene flow from one population to another. That gene flow may have been keeping both populations very strong. If you cut off that, now, those two populations can’t communicate; … it really weakens

populations,” she said.

This is why large parks, like state parks, that encompass so many acres of land are indispensable. According to Billingsley, “[They’re] great because they provide unsegregated places for animals.”

Other than construction and development, “climate change is this really interesting threat

We have to look in urban areas for different ways to preserve habitat and provide habitat.”

because it’s so nebulous. … It’s everywhere,” Flinchbaugh said.

“Because we have such distinctly different biology [in Texas], you can go somewhere north-central, and then you can go somewhere where you are in the Edwards plateau, and it’s just completely different for what you’re going to see,” Flinchbaugh explained.

Since we have such high levels of biodiversity across Texas, climate change is alarming because we don’t really know how it will affect all the different ecosystems.

When asked how fragile ecosystems can be affected by climate

change, Flinchbaugh said, Billingsley explained, the issues “[Slightly changing a part of a of construction and climate rare ecosystem] can just really change have the potential to mess with things, honestly, and completely wipe them out. really mess with cycles.”

Unfortunately, Flinchbaugh thinks that “conservation previously had really focused “Texas is on the idea, and … to a large known for having extent still really does, of maintaining pristine these really areas, and we’re realizing wonderful limestone ridges that that’s not entirely where a lot of rare plants practical.” She believes can thrive...but the that “we have to look in unfortunate thing about urban areas for different those is they’re really, ways to preserve habitat and provide habitat.” really easy to pave We have to look for ways over.” to help protect, support, and preserve our Texas parks. As Craig demonstrated, they are very important for our mental health, and as Flinchbaugh Cre dit : fl and ick r /Ti

m oth yJ

Fall 2021 17

Palo Duro Canyon

Caprock Canyons Cross Timbers Dinosaur Valley Caddo Lake

Big Spring Guadalupe Mts.

Colorado Bend

Cameron Park Davy Crockett Forest

Monohans Sandhills Enchanted Rock Davis Mts. Big Bend

Wild Basin

Caverns of Sonora

Sam Houston Forest

Guadalupe River

Parks in Texas

Lost Maples

Brazos Bend

Mustang Island

and where to find them by

Francie Sarrat

18 Best of Texas

Mixing Up Trail Snacks Where will your trail mix take you?

By Francie Sarrat

The Early Bird

The Body Builder

The Health Nut

The Sweet Tooth

The O.G.

The Spicy Texan

Credit: flickr/Daniella Segura, David, Mariam, Jason Swaby, Stacy Spensley, Rob Friesel, Jamie Anne, Don and Janet Beasley, Brian Richardson, Sean Dreilinger, Brian Jackson, Trevor Huxham, Windell Oskay, Jill, Mish Mish, Anna, m01229, oatsy40, UnconventionalEmma, drburtoni, theimpulsivebuy, Vegan Feast Catering, Artizone, personalcreations.com, HealthAliciousNess.com

The Peanut-Lover

The NaCl Fall 2021 19

Waterparks:Texas Style Which water park is best for you?

by Brandon Velasquez

20 Best of Texas

I

t’s a hot summer day waterpark, in general, is always safe as possible. A bit more to here in Texas and you going to be watching over add about Splashtown “We decide to go cool off. you, but as a person is that it may push You tell your family, in a family, you safety, but not to try to make “how about we go to a have to look where everything sure they’re well waterpark?” It’s a great out for your taken care of, kind of is boring. place to relax and also safety as well like they’re in a country Splashtown a great place to cool by following club when they walk into has a nice, off. Unsure of what makes a rules, following the waterpark and so we clean, and fun waterpark good, specifically guidelines, environment want to make sure that in Texas, you seek and making for children their experience is help and luckily sure that and adults alike, “Most always going to be a you find the you’re letting children of our great time.” perfect doing have fun and employees are feature your adults relax and rest. somehow connected through story to The second thing needed family so family and friends. part to stay help you. safe.” For Lisa, for a water park is a good So when I say it’s a family For a safety is really atmosphere, making you feel waterpark, it really is a waterpark important with welcome and not putting you family waterpark, not only to be an not just others aside as if you were a burden. where families come, but enjoyable but as well as you.

With this being important, you where families work experience She also talks about must look around and see if the together.” and also to the safety Splashtown waterpark looks good, check guarantee you a fun offers, for example being for things like if it’s clean, if it and safe experience, you must the lifeguards that are around seems welcoming, there are first have three things before the park, “You should know nice staff, those types of things. you know that’s the right one water safety, just common And what better place to go-to for you. The first is safety, and water safety you should know for the nice and welcoming while not the most fun thing to to be aware of your children experience than Typhoon talk about, you don’t want to so that there are lifeguards Texas. Christina, the Director of break a leg or drown. Lisa, the always present.” explaining Operations and FacilitiesGeneral Manager of Splashtown furthermore that this park, in says, “It’s safety where the particular, will keep you as This is an example of a waterpark left alone or better yet, one that isn’t currently in operation.

Fall 2021 21

If you ever wondered how a waterslide looked like from underneath, this is what it would be and look like to be underneath a waterslide in operation.

mentioned that she wants to give everyone who walks in a good time. ”I think it’s the experience you get when you come to the waterpark because although we’re not super big, we’re not super small, but we do train our staff to be very polite in time, kind of like the service you get at Chick Fil A, and you don’t see that at other amusement parks or water parks.” said Christina. A waterpark’s atmosphere has to be welcoming, you must feel nice and have fun as your priority so Typhoon Texas would be a great and welcoming place for your first time.

The last thing needed for a waterpark to be good is the most obvious, which is how fun it is. Are there enough 22 Best of Texas

rides? Are there great places to eat? Are there enough pools with space? Are there enough chairs? These are the types of questions that people ask when they are looking for waterparks because people want to have a fun and entertaining visit at a waterpark. John, the Co-Owner of Volente Beach and Resort says, “I like entertaining people.

I like people coming out and having a good time.

It’s great to see smiles on kids’ faces. It’s great to see parents coming out and enjoying their time because that’s what we’re all about, we create a measurable and enjoyable experience for people. I mean, we’re not selling any products.

I’m not selling iPhones or

anything like that. So it’s when people have a good time and they give us good recommendations and good feedback. We love that.” For him, entertaining people is the thing he likes to do best, it cheers not only him up, but others as well. It is obvious how fun is the most important thing at a waterpark but the visitor is never the only one who thinks that.

Now, let’s say you don’t want to go to any of those waterparks, how would you find the best one for you?

Simple, you do the research.

You decide that you want to go to relax, swim a bit, but mainly to let loose and rest.

So you find a good waterpark with

a good amount of people, not always crowded but not empty as well. What’s next?

You look at some pictures of the waterpark and think, is it clean and friendly enough?

Can I go there without being afraid my chair will snap? If those questions get positive answers, then you are in luck because then you are near the last step. The last step when looking for a good waterpark is that you feel

welcomed, which should be in the reviews. Now for this, you can’t just look at three reviews and go off from that only, you must make sure that it isn’t a bot and that it is as honest as it can be. Once you see and compare, decide if it truly is the one you want to go to. That is how you can find your perfect waterpark.

Now that you know what every waterpark is about, as well as how to find a good

waterpark yourself, you are now ready to head to the waterpark of your choosing and cause a Texas-sized splash while having the most amount of fun you possibly can.

This is an example of a cool idea mixed in with waterparks, this is what is called an indoor waterpark.

Fall 2021 23

Who are you When you go to a Waterpark?

Start here!

Are you a person who likes resting?

Do you like merchendise?

Do you really like to go to waterparks?

Do you like waiting in line?

Do you like swimming rather than staying dry?

The Relaxer: You like to relax and let time fly by, whether that be swimming or just sitting in a chair, you just like to relax.

Do you like the sun?

Do you use social media often to show where you have been?

Are you energetic?

The Influencer: You like to post on social media, whether that be through instagram or snapchat stories, you like to show where you are and how much fun you are having.

An interactive and quite simple quiz to see you and your connection to waterparks by

Brandon Velasquez Green Line: No Orange Line: Yes Red Line: Choose Answer

What are you doing at a waterpark then...

Do you like the feeling of adrenaline?

Are you considered a boring person?

Do you like to brag about something you have done?

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W et

Do you like to stay wet or dry?

Dr

The Rider: You like rides, all you care about is adrenaline and having fun, you may get scared sometimes, but as long as there is a thrill, you’re in.

Merch Madness: You like to buy things, maybe to remember you were there, or to just have as a collection, your favorite thing is just having merch.

Speak for The Trees

Austin’s Urban Parks, and how they’re changing

by Lily Witter

T

he green trees towering above, the paths and bridges winding through the looming skyscrapers, you might not even notice it was there. But without the lush green of urban parks to offset the dazzle and gleam of the city, Austin would look rather bleak. Concrete and steel might be practical, but the utilitarian aesthetic leaves us feeling trapped. A city without trees would be desolate, grim, and sterile. Empty.

Since the original “Waller Plan’’ was created in 1839 was created, Austin has expanded from just four public squares to hundreds of parks, trails, and preserves.

Studies have proven that urban green spaces are vital to overall mental health within the city, helping to reduce stress, promoting positive social interactions, and just getting people out in nature.

In 2018, the CDC published a study that found that obesity prevalence within the U.S. was 44.4 %. This means that almost half of adult Americans are obese. This is a prominent and pressing issue, in an era where we can get anywhere without moving our feet, and food is readily available to the average consumer.

Evidence continues to show that this health crisis in the U.S. is caused by physical inactivity.

According to the General Surgeon’s ‘call to action,’ less than one-third of Americans meet the federal 26 Best of Texas

recommendation of at least 30 minutes of moderated exercise 5 days a week, and 40% of adults engage in no leisuretime physical activity at all.

This crisis paints a terrifying picture.

Already, obesity may in the near future cause as much preventable disease as cigarette smoking and cause over 300,000 U.S. deaths per year.

But we don’t have to stay sedentary.

Greenways, parks, and urban outdoor spaces encourage people to be outside, engage in physical activity and connect with nature. Researchers have found that simply living near green spaces positively influenced people, providing transport, and opportunity.

Claire Hempel, an Austin

landscaping designer, urban planner, and a member of the Austin Planning Commission, noted that “[urban green spaces] have the potential to positively impact a lot of things; like reducing vehicle emissions, and getting people out of their cars for health and exercise and quality of life.”

It’s clear that urban green space can be beneficial to communities, and the city as a whole. But as Austin becomes more and more crowded, green spaces

are harder to come by. Austin is swiftly urbanizing, and the room left for parks and community spaces is scarce.

“It is next to impossible to take back a piece of property in an urban environment and turn it back to Parkland.

Now, that’s different if you’re in places like Detroit, where the population has been leaving, you know, they have lots of empty space. This is about a growing city, and property values going up and making it impossible for a city to acquire property.

So protecting the green spaces that we do have” Hempel said.

Rising real estate prices in Austin are preventing Austinites from having an accessible place to connect to nature.

And with a steadily rising population, the question of space becomes critical.

Luckily, there are systems in place to help. Austin has recently done a longterm plan for Austin*, prioritizing park access.“ Protecting the green spaces that we do have [is really important.]”

That is exactly what Austin needs to prioritize. Besides the health and community benefits that green spaces provide, they also provide protection for Austin’s natural resources as we grow as a city.

From bluebonnets and butterflies to our lakes and springs, Austin has a lot to lose as the city urbanizes. The city would simply not be the same without our characteristic bats, oaks, and towering cypresses.

Not only can green spaces positively influence health and community, but they can also have economic benefits as well.

Design, engineering, and construction of walking and bicycling facilities such as trails create more jobs per dollar than any other type of transportation infrastructure construction. Trails can also become tourist destinations, as Zilker Park Fall 2021 27

is already. In addition, the health care costs would be cut as people are getting outside more.

Besides the social and economic benefits greenspaces create habitats for animals and provide a place for native wildlife the thrive. They improve water and air quality. They promote Eco-tourism.

Not that Austin isn’t already renowned for our beautiful parks.

From Mckinney Falls to Lady Bird Lake, Austin is full of urban hikes. Whether you prefer biking or hiking, swimming or climbing, Austin has a place for you.

Between walking the winding, colorful trails of the Wildflower Center or tracing the picturesque skyline on the Ann and Roy Butler Trail, it can be difficult to choose where to spend your weekend, especially if you are new to Austin.

Fortunately, there are many clubs, groups, and organizations that are dedicated to exploring every winding deer trail,

28 Best of Texas

hidden path, and secret spring of ‘The City On the River.’

Jacque Austin is an organizer and hike leader for one such group. The Texas Outdoor Women’s Network (TOWN) mission is to “provide all women the opportunity to learn and experience outdoor activities in natural surroundings through a non-threatening and supportive environment,” and “enable outdoororiented women to meet and build friendships with women who have similar interests.”

She organizes hikes within Austin in groups of women looking to get outside.

As a group all over texas, they hike together, as well as explore interests in photography, birdwatching, water activities, and more.

“Hiking is important to starting off the day right,” she says. “You have to set aside the time.”

Hiking builds communities, increases economic opportunity, decreases the cars on

the road, and saves the environment. I ask you to imagine again, a city without trees. Without parks or playgrounds or trails.

Mckinney falls, Zilker Park, Hamilton pool, all but wiped from the map.

Urban development

“Reimagining those spaces that are seen as undesirable...those have all been transformed in other areas to amazing public spaces.” stretched to the horizon, skyscrapers jutting up and pavement rolling over itself into the distance. Neon lights and smog. This is not the future Austin deserves.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. The few parks we do have are worth protecting, and the empty spaces are worth developing.

Claire Hemple envisions an

Austin of recycled space.

“Also, I think re-imagining those spaces that are seen as undesirable, or, you know, not true public space, like our streetscapes and alleys, drainage areas, those have all been transformed in other areas to amazing public space.” Already other cities in Texas have begun doing the same thing. “You see San Marcus, starting to convert some of their alleys to public spaces. There’s been some University of Texas research done on alleys and how those can be better utilized.

Houston has done a fantastic job at reimagining their buys or their drainage ditches which historically, You know, you just drain as much water as you can and you turn your back to it.”

We have the space, we have the reason, we only need support. Go to parks, attend planning meetings, fight for the parks that you love. “We’ll have a meeting in a couple of weeks, that will throw out a lot of ideas.

We’ve heard so many ideas about what can happen in the park, from turning it back to nature to putting even more events in the park.” “We

want to make sure that the community is heard. I think one of our biggest roadblocks is achieving our goal of

“Protecting the green spaces that we do have is really important” representation from voices throughout the community.” vAt the end of it all, parks are an integral part of life in Austin and benefit the city in so many ways. To move forward as a city we must ensure that our green spaces are protected. Go to parks, go to community meetings, we must fight for the parks we know and love to ensure a better future, and a better Austin.

Fall 2021 29

The Perfect Trail Finding the right trail for your need

by Lily Witter-Jeffrey

fin d

a

Short Trail Co

ul

dn

or

’t

Long Trail

sit

te

r..

.

Start Here

! ur se co Of

pe

Hiking

30 Best of Texas

Kids? e either Don’t lik

Yes!

Dogs Allowed?

Barton Creek Green Belt

Wolf Mountain 5.4 miles

No

Biking

Hiking or Biking?

Ih

av

ea

Town Lake Trail n

all

Rocks?

or

er

gy ...

Enchanted Rock

Shoal Creek

Rivers?

Turkey Creek

Wildflower Center

Walnut Creek Trail !

..

Nah

s Ye

Only in a pool

Like Swimming?

Dick Nichols park

Your negetivity has defeated me.

Go back to the start Shoo.

Not a fan

Bull Creek Trail !

tely

olu Abs

No, but I like

caves

Rock Shelter trail

Peac

ocks

scare

me...

What About Waterfalls?

Peacocks?

I love peacocks!

Mayfeild preserve

I like rivers, but I want something more...

Like History?

!!

s ye

Ye s!

le

ub

Roy Guerro River Walk

Do

Palmetto State Park

Buecher Hiking Trail

Commons Ford

Fall 2021 31

“Hill Country, Bandera County, Texas” (cropped) courtesy of Randy von Liski is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

a Texas Weekend How to explore the Lone Star State

by Dylan Lauro

Y

ou have been looking forward to this weekend all month. Your wallet is packed full of cash, your car is clean, and when the weekend arrives you are stuck. No plans. You text your friends, call your mom, scour the internet, thumb through the local magazine and you come up with nothing. You think to yourself, “I wish there was an easy way to figure out what to do.”

Austin is a hustle and bustle of many different cultures and people. A city that welcomes you as you are into the melting pot of Texas. All of these features contribute to Austin being an obvious top choice when looking for a great place to visit with more than 30 million visitors annually in addition to the more than 56 thowusand people who moved to the city in 2020. Austin, like most cities in central Texas, has hot humid summers ranging from 80100 degrees and short, mild, windy winters usually ranging from 60-40 degrees. With all of that in

32 Best of Texas

mind, where do you start?

Let’s begin with the most important part of any trip. The food, of course. Now, with the vast

A photo of Lakefront Austin, Texas

variety of cultures and cuisines, you are bound to find someplace that you will like.

h

Austin’s activities cover a wide variety of categories all of which are smash hits for the locals.

At the top of the list is Lady Bird Lake which is a great place to go stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking with the city on one shore and Zilker park on the other. Next on the list is Barton Springs Pool which is the perfect place to cool off on a summer afternoon in its 68-degree natural aquifer water.

A good winter alternative is the Barton Creek Mall located just south of Lady Bird Lake. The mall is a great place to go shopping with many notable shops, see a movie, or grab a bite to eat. In case you were unaware, Austin is considered the live music capital of the world. A title that is worn

with pride. If you’re not already in town to catch ACL or one of the other hundreds of concerts that occur throughout the year, you can still see live music every week. Lamell recommends “The White Horse Honky Tonk for the country, Parker Jazz Club for

;s M

n Restra un exica t

Amy’s worker showing off their ice cream skills

at C

uy

Allison Lamell the Tourism and Marketing specialist at the visitor center in Austin says, “There are over 2,000 food trucks throughout the city.

This is an inexpensive way to eat your way around Austin. I recommend checking out Picnic Food Truck Trailer Park on Barton Springs Rd or Rainey St Food Truck Park for a wide selection of cuisine all in one place.”

Some other favorites are Chuy’s Mexican restaurant which has fabulous Tex-Mex food and an overall great atmosphere. Home Slice Pizza, a locally owned and operated pizza place that serves some of the best and freshest pizzas you can get. For dessert, I recommend checking out Amy’s

Ice Cream which is an Austinonly ice cream shop that really embraces the “Keep Austin weird” theme featuring friendly staff with crazy ice cream Fish Taco s skills.

Day three of Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival in 2008

blues/jazz and The Continental Club for rock.” Two stepping is always a great time at the well known Broken Spoke.

The Broken Spoke an old country bar and dance hall in Austin, TX

Fall 2021 33

About an hour and a half southwest of Austin is San Antonio Texas. The city is known for the Spanish missions scattered throughout the city and its intricately woven Mexican culture. It gets about 37 million visitors per year and is currently the 2nd most populated city in Texas (Houston is the 1st). San Antonio’s weather is similar to that of Austin’s, being about 43-93 degrees depending on the time of year, all through the winters are less windy than Austins. San Antonio is the original tourist destination in Texas being most famous for its river walk. The river walk surrounds the San Antonio River and has shops on both banks. It is 15 miles long and goes through about 5 miles of downtown San Antonio.

Antonio Bota San nic e al Th G

n de ar

34 Best of Texas

“San Antonio is absolutely magical during the holidays.

The city’s unique Mexican, German and Native cultures and traditions blend together with festive activities almost every day through the new year.”

The holidays are coming up and the city has just released its 2021 holiday plan sheet with some exciting ideas of what to do. From now through January 2, 2022, San Antonio will have its Lightscape in the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This amazing light show covers the entirety of the 38-acre gardens for an amazing walk-through experience. The city also has an Ice Rink in Travis Park which is a rare sight for a Texas winter.

Don’t miss this unique occasion

to go ice skating in Texas! The rink will be open from after Thanksgiving until January 22, 2022. There are so many exciting options to explore all over town this holiday season, to see the full list visit the visitor center or their website at www.visitsanantonio.com.

San Antonio is known for being a very Mexican-culturerich city, and the culture does not stop when it comes to food.

All along the riverwalk, you will find restaurants and diners with great atmospheres and equally amazing food. If you’re looking for a drink or two in town then you’re in luck. Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is located along the riverwalk, and with amazing food and beer - you will be happy you stopped by. Now, I’m sure you are well aware of the Alamo located in central San Antonio but did you know that the city also boasts not one, but two haunted hotels? Both The Emily Morgan and the Crockett Hotels proclaim being haunted

by the ghosts of Texan freedom fighters who died at the Alamo.

Just an hour and thirty minutes west of Austin or about an hour north of San Antonio we have Fredericksburg. The city shares almost identical weather

“Fredericksburg has always been a great shopping destination.”

local breweries are Altstadt Brewery and Fredericksburg Brewing Company which both have great food, atmosphere, and most importantly great beer.

Another attraction that sits about 20 minutes outside of town is Enchanted rock. The large stone boulder is about 450 feet and provides many

WWII as it unfolded over the pacific and Eastern Asia, and the Fredericksburg pioneer museum which looks at the life of the German settlers that founded the town. In addition to the museums, Fredericksburg has about 1500 vacation rental spots some of which take vacation rentals to new heights.

Now, Fredericksburg has so many shops, wineries, restaurants, and lodging options that it can be a little overwhelming, and I am sure I have missed something when writing this, so your first order of business when stopping by Fredericksburg should be to call or stop by the local visitor center and they will help you with all of your travel needs. Now when your friends ask where y’all are going to go on your next long weekend, you’ll be ready with plenty of exciting destinations in your back pocket. Happy traveling!

to Austin with its short, mild, windy winters and its long, hot, oppressive summers. “The city was founded by Germans outdoor back in 1846 and its charm and activities including hiking and draw still stems from those early rock climbing.

German settlers and the way that As you enter the town the town has worked to preserve highway 290 transforms into the their legacy and heritage.” town’s Famous Mainstreet with according to the Communications over 150 shops and restaurants and Digital Content Manager, along it. Along with shopping Sean Doerre, at the local visitor Fredericksburg also has two center. The town is known for its museums. The museum of the culinary dishes originating from Pacific War tells the story of its founding culture as well as being a great shopping destination. On top of all of that, Fredericksburg sits in the middle of wine country in Texas with more than 50 wineries in the area. Many of these wineries are accompanied by amazing food of their own. If you do not visit wineries that often, Fredericksburg has beautiful streets filled with astonishing german architecture the most popular

Fall 2021 35

Go Time!

What the public has to say about long weekends

by Dylan Lauro We all love long weekends. Whether it be a holiday, a building remodel, a “sick day”, or whatever reason you mustered up to get out of work or school, whenever the day comes around, you might find yourself stuck not knowing what to do.

I put out a poll asking people where

5.7% Waterparks

they would go on a long weekend,

8.6%

and to my surprise, the movies

Swimming spot

won and 40%

Parks

waterparks were in dead last.

I am a big fan of water parks, and if you are too, check out the story on page 32. The movies

45.7% Movies

won by a fair margin over parks, so it is decided. Here are the best places to go to the movies over a long weekend.

A Closer Look 36 Best of Texas

10 8

Staying or Leaving?

6 4 2 0

Staying

Depends

Going out

A recent poll conducted shows that people are more likely to stay home over a long weekend than leave town. Out of the 35 people that took the poll, there is no category that was miles ahead of the others. This information is not too surprising considering the fact that almost 50% of people would want to go to the movies and the remainder want to do things that could be out of town.

$15 To my surprise,

$12

Alamo Drafthouse has the cheapest tickets, but also the most expensive food.

$9

So, pick your poison: more expensive

$6

food and cheap tickets or expensive tickets and cheap food.

$3

$0

Imax @ AMC

Violet Crown Alamo Drafthouse

MH&E

Fall 2021 37

the end

yee-haw!