17Summer Texas Lifestyle Magazine

Summer 2017

Sanya Richards-Ross

Olympic Gold Medal Winner

Inside: Exploring Texas and Beyond McDonald Observatory p. 18 Jet Setter: Rocky Mountaineer p. 48 Road Trip: A Texas Spaaah Day p. 54 GolďŹ ng Tapatio Springs p. 28

Cocktails | Tequila | Grilling #ExploreTX

Rio Grande Country Just east of the continental divide, at the base of Canby Mountain, a trickle of water begins to flow downhill. It gathers steam and by the time it reaches South Fork, the westernmost town in Rio Grande County, Colorado, the river dashes and splashes through a rock-lined channel worthy of fishermen and river rafts.

Rich with fish, home to wildlife and renowned for it’s beauty, these young, clean, fresh mountain waters flow through the heart of Rio Grande Country:

Rio Grande Country Colorado South Fork serves as the perfect ATV-friendly home base for those adventuring into the San Juan Mountain Range for hiking, fishing, trail riding, golf and skiing adventures.

Del Norte, 15 miles downstream, has been called the gateway to the rich history of the Valley. Here, you will find new mountain bike trails, a brew pub and a charming downtown.

Monte Vista, another 15 miles downstream, serves as home to the Annual Crane Festival and Ski Hi Stampede (the oldest Pro Rodeo in the state).

Is it time for your next great adventure?

Visit www.riograndecountry.com to learn more!

Rio Grande Country

Colorado

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CONTENTS Summer 2017 4

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

6

LIVING TEXAS

27

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL THINGS

28

ROUGHING IT

30

HABITAT

34

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Meet the Contributors

30

Austin 6 Dallas 8

Fort Worth 11

Houston 12

San Antonio 16

Round Top 24

36

Golfing the New Tapatio Springs When the Million Dollar Buyer Called 30 Austin’s Avion Park Eclectic Row Homes 32 How To Sell Your Home This Summer 33 Sassy Summer Shoes

ON THE COVER

Sanya Richards-Ross Explored

By Leah Nyfeler

42

SIP & SAVOR

Artisanal Tequila with a Texan Twang 42 Ruminating on Texas Lamb 43 Great Grilling 44 Mixing Up Summer Cocktails 46

48

JET SETTER

54

ROAD TRIP

60

REVIEWS

63 64

42

Rocky Mountaineer: An Unforgettable Journey Through Canada Spaaah Time! 54 Fascinating Santa Fe 58 The Champions’ Game 60 Exploring Westcave Preserve 61 Sunny Sweeney’s Honky Tonk Confessional 62

WEB EXTRAS A BETTER TEXAN

Kathryn Scoblick: Who I Am

On the cover: Photo by Erick Robinson

texaslifestylemagazine.com

54

48

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From the

Editors Desk

Your next adventure awaits in this issue—just in time for those long summer days. You'll find plenty of ideas here for exploring Texas—whether in the underground cistern in Houston or out west at the McDonald Observatory. We’ve got insider tips from locals in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. Plus, you’ll find out all about the newest adventures Olympic gold medal winner Sanya Richards-Ross is exploring.

The bold explorers on our travel team ventured to the magnificent Canadian Rockies and fascinating Santa Fe. They added a refreshing spa road trip to relax you after your exploring.

Be sure to let us know how your explorations go—we always love hearing from you.

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PUBLISHERS Shawn K. Lively and Doug Flatt EDI TOR I A L T E A M Julie Tereshchuk TRAVEL EDITOR Marika Flatt DESIGNER Kim Hudson EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Leeza Dennis ONLINE EDITOR Nick Bailey C O N T R I B U T O R S Nancy Miller Barton, Julie Bonnin, Khrysi Briggs, Ariana Brooks, Chelsey Clammer, Autumn Rhea Carpenter, Melissa Gaskill, Natalie K. Gould, Simon Murray, Eric Moreno, Cody Neathery, Leah Nyfeler, Susie Oszustowicz, Britni Rachal, Gabi De la Rosa, Lydia Saldaña, Terri Schexnayder, E.A. Shumate, Samantha Strom EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART & PRODUCTION WEB DESIGN Sundaram Design SALES & MARKETING Shawn K. Lively and Sharon Owens

Julie Tereshchuk

ADVERTISING, JOBS & INTERNSHIPS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF julie@texaslifestylemag.com Austin-based science and nature writer Melissa Gaskill plans to spend summer exploring off the beaten path, from underwater in the Gulf of Mexico to higher (and cooler) elevations in the Big Bend region and chasing her three grown children around the country.

Samantha Strom is a fresh college grad with a love of storytelling across platforms. She always has a project or five to work on. She spent last summer exploring Denver while pursuing a graduate certificate in publishing, and is excited to see what new adventures this summer brings.

Britni Rachal discovered her passion for

Sofie Egan

writing and telling stories while working as a television news producer. Happy to call Austin home, Britni enjoys exploring different parts of Texas, especially unique swimming spots, lakes and hiking trails.

Chelsey Clammer lived in Austin for 10 years, then migrated north to Chicago to see if those things called “snow” and “cold” actually exist.

They do, which is why Chelsey came back.

This born-again Texan is now re-discovering the joys of writing outside at 24-hour coffee shops, year-round.

4 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

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Texas Lifestyle Magazine is Texas-owned and operated, published by TL Publishing, LLC ©

photo by Kent Kanouse

LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

Plan a weekend at Enchanted Rock to catch a glimpse of this famous sunset.

austin Add a few new haunts to your regular summer rotation. These Austin destinations and activities appeal to both visitors and those who've lived in the area their whole lives.

Photo by Jonathan Vail / TPWD

exploring

By Natalie K. Gould

Paddleboard Yoga on Lady Bird Lake Who said exercise had to be boring? Create some zen in your life while also enjoying beautiful Lady Bird Lake. Breath and Body Yoga offers this unique take on a yoga class. You’ll work on your flexibility and refining yoga poses while practicing stability on a stand-up paddleboard. For $40, all equipment and instruction is included. On those hot Texas summer days, nothing feels better than a dip in the lake. (Even better with an incredible view of the city behind you.) Just bring yourself, a water bottle, clothes that can get wet and a willingness to try something new! Both experienced and new yogis welcome.

BREATHANDBODYYOGA.COM

Spend a day or a weekend outside Austin's city limits at Enchanted Rock. The pink granite dome is full of history and legend. Tonkawa Indians believed a Spanish conquistador placed a spell on the 425foot rock, which created magical ghost fires appear at the top. Hence the name Enchanted Rock. Just 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, the state natural area offers 11 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing routes and camping sites. For less than $20 per night, pitch a tent either in a walk-in campsite with all the modern conveniences, or hike one to three miles to a primitive campsite to really get away from it all. At Enchanted Rock, the skies are dark enough to see the Milky Way, so both seasoned and amateur stargazers can take in the beauty of the universe. It’s even been designated as an International Dark Sky Park.

TPWD.TEXAS.GOV/STATE-PARKS/ENCHANTED-ROCK

6 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Test your yoga and balance skills with paddleboard yoga on Lady Bird Lake during the spring and summer months.

Photo courtesy Breath and Body Yoga

Enchanted Rock

Texas Music Museum

The White Horse

When people hear E. 11th Street in Austin, they immediately associate it with Franklin Barbecue. But across the street from the iconic barbecue joint is a museum appropriate only for the Live Music Capital of the World. The Texas Music Museum is an Austin mainstay. Since 1984, it has been a destination for music lovers near and far.

The museum seeks to educate and preserve the history and tradition that is Texas music.

Exhibits include Texas country classics, Tejano and conjunto music, Texas blues, sheet music and others. Exhibits change on a regular basis, so check back often.

When you think Texas honky tonk, look no further than The White Horse. This East Austin gem has hosted country music favorites Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves, and is known among locals as one of the best whiskey bars in Austin. It’s open every day until late, has a taco truck on-site, local beer on tap, and most of its shows are free. Come for free swing and two-step lessons and stay all night for a variety of musical acts. While much of the music you’ll hear is country, jazz and blues, musicians also play here weekly. You’re sure to meet some interesting characters at The White Horse and maybe even run into a celebrity or two.

TEXASMUSICMUSEUM.ORG

Grab your favorite dancing partner for free swing and two-step lessons at The White Horse in East Austin.

Photo courtesy The White Horse

This dress was worn by Eva Garza, one of the most famous voices of Tejano music.

Photo courtesy Texas Music Museum

500 COMAL | AUSTIN THEWHITEHORSEAUSTIN.COM

IN BRIEF

LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

CAPITAL CITY BLACK FILM FESTIVAL C e l e b r a t i n g f i ve ye a r s showcasing the best in new black independent filmmaking August 17 - 20, the 5th Annual CCBFF promises a line-up of special guests, speakers and panelists for an unforgettable weekend.

CAPCITYBFF.COM

Tip: JUGO is next door to the Firehouse Hostel, where the quirky hidden bar (enter through the bookcase) hosts nightly classic pre-hipster happy hours.

603 BRAZOS | AUSTIN JUGO-AUSTIN.COM

Photo courtesy the Bullock Museum

SRV Through July 23, stop by the Bullock Museum to catch the quintessential, one-and-only exhibition on blues legend— and Texas son—Stevie Ray Vaughan, guest curated by Stevie's older brother Jimmie Vaughan.

THESTORYOFTEXAS.COM

Photo courtesy Jugo

Parkside Restaurant Group, the geniuses behind Parkside, Backspace, Olive and June, and Bullfight, brings us a new venture just in time for perfecting that summer bod. JUGO serves up fresh juices and smoothies as well as healthy bites on the go. Chef Shawn Cirkiel and culinary director Justin Rupp create menus with the busy Austin lifestyle in mind.

Whether you’re headed to work (they’re open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or on your way to the lake, stop by JUGO to try fresh, creative and nutritious meals. Expect to see raw carrot hummus, crunchy rice noodle spring rolls, cilantro-lime spaghetti squash, beef bone broth and other from-scratch snacks and entrees. Change up your smoothie game with an inventive combination like peach, kale, peanut butter and apple, or try a fresh juice combo. Perfect for a day out in the hot Texas sun.

Photo courtesy Jugo

Jugo

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 7

LIVING TEXAS | DALLAS

Exploring

Dallas The Tried, True & New Must-Sees

By E.A. Shumate

The Dallas area never ceases to offer twists on tradition and creative endeavors to explore, regardless of whether you’re a regular around the North Texas scene or a visitor looking for area don’t-miss spots.

The Perot Museum of Nature & Science, the wildly popular linchpin of downtown Dallas, features “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed” through September 4. The Texas-sized exhibit—presented in both English and Spanish—allows museum guests to study the accomplishments of one of the planet's most powerful civilizations.

As with all exhibits at The Perot, the museum offers a family-friendly experience that is appropriate for all ages.

New to the West Village in the heart of Dallas’ Uptown, Pōk the Raw Bar opened earlier this year providing an introduction to a form of cuisine gaining popularity across the U.S., but new to the city. Poke is traditionally made with cheaper parts of the fish, but not at Pōk the Raw Bar, where Executive Chef Jimmy Park prepares only the highest quality fish available.

Learn about methods used by the Mayans to build imposing temples and create an intricate calendar system. Explore hands-on activity stations deciphering hieroglyphs, learn about Mayan architecture, investigate an ancient burial site, and more.

The menu includes seven signature bowls of fish, herbs, noodles, fruit and vegetables with many vegan options. The entire menu is 100% gluten-free.

2201 N. FIELD | DALLAS PEROTMUSEUM.ORG

3699 MCKINNEY #306A| DALLAS POKTHERAWBAR.COM Pōk the Raw Bar is in the heart of Dallas’ Uptown.

8 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

We call this a mouthwatering must-eat. New to the Lower Greenville area, Slater's 50/50 is the Southern California burger joint's first foray into Texas. Hamburgers are half beef, half bacon. In fact, nearly everything on their menu features bacon. Yes, we know. We had you at bacon.

2817 GREENVILLE AVE | DALLAS SLATERS5050.COM

President Bush’s paintings of members of the United States military are on display through October at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Photo courtesy Slater’s 50/50

2943 SMU BLVD | DALLAS GEORGEWBUSHLIBRARY.SMU.EDU

Uncover a world buried over time, in "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed" at the family-friendly Perot Museum.

Photo courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

A trip to Dallas wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the Southern Methodist University campus. The center’s every-day exhibits provide insight into our 43rd President as a world leader, as well as his success as a business and family man. A special exhibit on display through October 1 is drawing an extraordinary amount of attention. "Portraits of Courage" combines 66 full-color portraits and a four-panel mural of paintings created by President Bush to honor U.S. military personnel he has come to know personally. (The George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative that is presenting the exhibit offers assistance to post-9/11 veterans and their families.)

Photo courtesy of Perot Museum

LIVING TEXAS | DALLAS

Slater’s legendary burgers are a musteat in Lower Greenville

Bishop Arts District

518 W. DAVIS ST | DALLAS BAMODERN.COM

The Wild Detectives, a combination coffee house, bookstore and bar, harkens back to the beatnik hangouts of the 50s and 60s.

There's live music, readings by writers, movie screenings, wine tastings, music sets with DJs alongside a thoughtful selection of fiction, poetry and untranslated Spanish literature, as well as a small selection of records. D Magazine and the Dallas Observer have both showered the shop with honors each year since 2014 and American Way, in-flight magazine of American Airlines, recognized it as one of a handful of shops at the forefront of a recent revival of American indie bookstores.

Aficionados visiting Cigar Art can indulge in hand-rolled cigars in the shop’s public lounge and browse through the vast selection of artisan, boutique and small batch ("microblended") cigars. Even more engaging is the opportunity to watch Cigar Art’s master cigar makers roll them on the premises. Want to share the experience? The store’s master rollers are available to hire for private parties or corporate events.

504 N. BISHOP AVE.| DALLAS BISHOPARTSCIGARS.COM

314 W. EIGHTH | DALLAS THEWILDDETECTIVES.COM Photo by Scott McDaniel

The Bishop Arts District never disappoints when it comes to unusual experiences in art, dining and more. Earlier this year, Dallas’ icon of the community’s cultural scene, Cameron Smith, opened the Bishop Arts Modern, a mixed-media studio and gallery featuring both Smith’s own work and other creations in music, art and fashion by talented local guest artists.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 9

LIVING TEXAS | DALLAS

Hard at work at BIRD Bakery.

A tasting of some of the delights at BIRD Bakery.

Bird Bakery Flies into Dallas

A display case featuring some of the sweet treats at BIRD Bakery.

Lunch at BIRD Bakery.

Photo by John Russo

By Samantha Strom

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, owner of BIRD Bakery.

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer is living proof that you can have your cake and eat it too. This entrepreneur is a journalist, a judge on The Food Network and The Cooking Channel, a regular guest on the Today show, a mother of two, and the owner of the wildly successful BIRD Bakery in San Antonio, which recently opened a second location in Dallas. Working remotely from LA most of the time, and travelling home to Texas for a week every month or so, she is always flying somewhere.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE: What do you think makes BIRD Bakery such a local favorite?

ELIZABETH CHAMBERS HAMMER: I think people really respond to the menu.

It’s things I grew up with. My mom... she grew up in Texas… she’s an amazing chef and a lot of these recipes are hers; and my grandmother’s, who lived in Texas. People really love nostalgia and home-cooking in Texas. So people really respond to our nostalgic recipes.

TLM: What are some of your favorite family recipes that you serve, and why?

ECH: Our California Turkey is amazing. It’s so delicious. It’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had. My mom kinda gave me the idea of doing a raspberry chipotle mayonnaise, and I love turkey sandwiches, and it’s something I could never find when I was in San Antonio.

10 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

TLM: What about dessert?

ECH: My favorite is the Key lime pie. It’s freshly squeezed. Yes, we actually hand-squeeze the Key lime and it has a praline crust. My uncle owns several restaurants on the Texas coast and always had the best Key lime pie, but would never give me the recipe. Finally, I went down to see him and stole it from his book.

TLM: I know it’s BIRD Bakery, but it sounds like you’re becoming more of a café. How did that happen?

ECH: I actually had no intention of doing sandwiches initially. I didn’t want to do anything savory because I didn’t want to become a “restaurant.” But when we first opened in San Antonio five years ago, people kept asking when we were going to have sandwiches. And I couldn’t find a sandwich I really liked in San Antonio at the time. So my mom flew in for four days and taught them how to do the recipes that I had grown up with and I thought were the best. But of course, you always think that whatever you grew up with is the best, right?

But you don’t expect everyone else to think that. But you hope they do. So my mom came, taught them the recipes, and literally… people drive over 100 miles twice a week for a chicken salad.

5912 BROADWAY ST | SAN ANTONIO 7A HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE | DALLAS BIRDBAKERY.COM

FLIPPING IN FORT WORTH

LIVING TEXAS | FORT WORTH

Photo by Brian Hutson

FROM FRIENDSHIP TO

Jimmy Williams and Jamey Ice are co-owners of 6th Avenue Homes and Fort Worth’s latest real estate moguls.

By Lydia Saldaña

JIMMY WILLIAMS AND JAMEY ICE have always egged each other on. The

Co-owners of 6th Avenue Homes, the somewhat unlikely pair started their business collaboration with one dilapidated foreclosure in 2013 that they talked each other into buying. They pooled their money and elbow grease, and flipped the house in 90 days. Since then, they’ve worked the same magic on more than 35 others in the Fairmount neighborhood, most of which quickly sold, and some of which are now rental units in their fast-growing company.

Williams and Ice focus on properties that no one else will touch, transforming neighborhood eyesores along the way. They keep what is salvageable, such as a wooden floor buried beneath decades of linoleum, or they re-purpose materials, like taking bead board found on an old kitchen wall to use for a bathroom ceiling. They post their progress on Instagram, and have built a social media following—and a growing clientele.

Jimmy Williams and Jamey Ice are co-owners of 6th Avenue Homes and Fort Worth’s latest real estate moguls.

Photo by Jamey Ice

two Fort Worth men have been best friends since high school and now live across the street from each other in the historic Fairmount neighborhood on the city’s south side. By day, Williams is a buttoned-up police detective. The more casual and carefree Ice is a musician in a successful country rock band. In their free time, they have another gig: they are Fort Worth’s latest real estate moguls.

The two men are also deeply involved in The Net, a local nonprofit that serves the homeless and those in poverty by helping to form support networks.

Ice's wife, who serves as executive director, founded it. Williams serves on the nonprofit’s board of directors. It was through The Net that Ice met a homeless carpenter, who taught him the remodeling skills that led to that first flip.

“Whether it’s people, relationships, a house or your city, restoration is the core of what we do,” said Williams. “Everything that we do goes to fuel that mission. It’s a lifestyle, for sure.”

Once dilapidated and disregarded, 1823 6th Ave. is one of over 35 homes transformed (see below) by Fort Worth friends turned developers, Jimmy Williams and Jamey Ice.

Photo by Brian Hutson

“Our company is founded on the idea of restoration,” said Ice. “We like the idea of taking something that is old and broken and making it new. “

6th Avenue Homes is growing fast and has added realtors, contractors, bankers and mortgage lenders to the mix.

Photo by Jamey Ice

They now offer their services outside the Fairmount neighborhood and are now venturing into their most ambitious project yet: an 18,000 square-foot industrial space that was once an old mattress factory. They plan on turning it into a multi-purpose event facility with a restaurant, bar and retail spaces.

As with their first project, the two egged each other on.

“Almost every week I’m saying, ‘This is the craziest thing we’ve ever done,’” laughs Ice. “We say that a lot!”

6THAVEHOMES.COM

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 11

The transformed home at 1823 6th Ave.

Photo by Don Glentzer / The Menil Collection

Houston's Menil Collection is celebrating 30 years as a cultural leading light and treasure. Opening in October, the Menil Drawing Institute has already been cited for its architectural significance.

Exploring The Menil

W

By Julie Bonnin

hen Rebecca Rabinow left New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to lead the Menil Collection in 2016, it was a bit of a homecoming. In the summer of 1988, Rabinow, a Houston native, had just finished her undergraduate degree at Smith College in Massachusetts before going to work as an intern at the yearold Menil. While being put to work sorting through boxes of John and Dominique de Menil's correspondence, Rabinow made it a point to experience each piece of art referenced in the letters.

thought-provoking works of art presented beautifully. Highlights of the permanent collection include arts of Africa, surrealism, and post-war American art, and these displays are augmented with a robust program of special loan exhibitions.

When she was asked decades later to leave the Met to serve as director of Houston’s cultural treasure, Rabinow has said she was lured by the couple’s commitment to encouraging personal, unguided engagement with art.

RR: Houston has long been an art-friendly city. There is a spirit of openness that welcomes aesthetic adventure, whether it is the preservation of Houston postman Jeff McKissack’s eclectic Orange Show, now enhanced by the mosaics in adjacent Smither Park, or the repurposing of an underground cistern near Buffalo Bayou.

Houstonians understand how much richer their everyday life can be when art is incorporated into it. Currently, there is tangible excitement as museums respond in-kind with new spaces. The Menil Drawing Institute building, for example, though not yet finished, already has been awarded two prestigious architectural prizes. International artists, art historians, and collectors visit Houston almost weekly to share in this cultural moment.

The Menil opened in 1987 in the first U.S. building designed by Renzo Piano, and now proudly celebrates a 30-year anniversary. The campus debuted an on-site café, Bistro Menil, in 2014, and will celebrate the addition of The Menil Drawing Institute, the first freestanding facility in the U.S. designed expressly for the exhibition and study of modern and contemporary drawings, this fall. The opening exhibit, set for October, presents The Condition of Being Here: Drawings by Jasper Johns.

Rabinow took time out of a busy schedule to describe some of the things that make the growing campus in Houston’s Montrose District unique. She also answered a few questions that shine a bit of a light on her as its director.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE: With so many thriving arts-related activities and venues in Houston, what draws people to the Menil in particular?

REBECCA RABINOW: The Menil is a unique oasis of art buildings and green spaces with excellent collections, special exhibitions, and free admission to all in a neighborhood setting. Visitors know they will see important,

12 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

TLM: You have said that Houston’s art scene is entering a new phase.

Describe what you mean, what’s most exciting about it, and what art lovers can anticipate going forward.

TLM: Why is important that Houston have an art museum that operates free of charge?

RR: The Menil Collection has remained free of charge since the day it opened. We believe that everyone should have unencumbered access to art, regardless of one's ability to pay for the experience. When visitors have the flexibility to explore at their own pace, they return often, and repeated exposure to art can create particularly meaningful experiences.

TLM: Can you describe an encounter with art that embodies the legacy of the Menils’ passion for social justice issues…or upcoming

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON programming that fits that category?

Photo by Kevin Keim

RR: In October, we debut an exhibition of the poetic and thoughtprovoking art of Mona Hatoum. Born in 1952 to a Palestinian family in Beirut, Lebanon, Hatoum explores issues surrounding the idea of home, domesticity, and placelessness. The exhibition is particularly timely now, when the world is grappling with an international refugee crisis.

TLM: Why is the creation of the Menil Drawing Institute an important addition to the arts in Houston and beyond? What are some of the things that will make it noteworthy on an international level?

RR: Drawing is a medium that speaks to the essence of human creativity.

The Menil Drawing Institute was created to focus on the scholarship, conservation, storage, and acquisition of modern and contemporary drawings… Our architects have considered the unique needs of drawings in every aspect of the building’s design, particularly the impact of natural light.

TLM: What are some of the can’t-miss events at the Menil planned for the rest of 2017?

RR: This year is remarkable—visitors should not miss our community celebrations which are free and open to the public. The first is on Saturday, June 3, to celebrate the anniversary and the second is a lawn party on Saturday, October 7, to celebrate the Drawing Institute. A celebratory 30th anniversary gala will also take place on December 2, honoring Houston’s great benefactor Louisa Sarofim.

Who I Am:

Rebecca Rabinow

Photo courtesy The Menil Collection

1533 SUL ROSS ST I HOUSTON MENIL.ORG

I’m going to remember 2017 as the year we successfully complete "The Campaign for the Menil."

One of the things that continues to excite me about the Menil Collection is its potential.

One of the ways I know I’m making a good decision is gut instinct.

Over the years, I’ve learned I can’t live without flowers.

Houston is at its very best when the sun is shining.

One of the most surprising things about the Houston arts community is how welcoming it is.

In 2016, Rebecca Rabinow returned as director of the Menil after interning there nearly 30 years earlier.

Houston's Menil Collection is celebrating 30 years as a cultural leading light and treasure. Opening in October, the Menil Drawing Institute has already been cited for its architectural significance.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 13

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a former underground drinking water reservoir resembling the ancient Roman cisterns under Istanbul.

HOUSTON UNDER GROUND THE BUFFALO BAYOU PARK CISTERN ust when you think you have explored everything Houston has to offer, the city unveils yet another extraordinary experience. The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern opened in May 2016 and visitors continue to be amazed at the underground relic which is the size of 1 1/2 football fields and houses 221 concrete columns. The way light bounces off the water on the floor and sound echoes in the large concrete structure, walking underground into the Cistern is an almost mystical experience.

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 87,500-square-foot underground drinking water reservoir was built in 1926 for the City of Houston and rediscovered during the $58 million Buffalo Bayou Park project. The Cistern was slated to be torn down to make way for parking, but project coordinators walked inside, took a look at the space and knew immediately it was too beautiful to destroy. Reminiscent of the ancient Roman cisterns under Istanbul, the space was carefully renovated and is now open to the public.

105 SABINE ST | HOUSTON BUFFALOBAYOU.ORG/VISIT/DESTINATION/THE-CISTERN

Art installations will also be a part of the Cistern experience as Buffalo Bayou Park partners with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to bring both temporary and permanent art exhibits.

14 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Admission is $2 per person for a 30-minute docent-led tour, with free admission on Thursdays.

Photo by Katya Horner

J

By Gabi De la Rosa

Ready to Rage?

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

Tantrums offers a safe stress outlet

N

o matter a person’s age, meltdowns are never cute. Whether it’s the red-faced toddler at Target, enraged on aisle three because her mother won’t buy her the newest Elmo, or it’s the middle-aged man trapped in traffic, blaring his horn and shouting expletives out the window at his fellow commuters. While the toddler’s frustration is simply part of her brain development process, the frazzled man, along with hundreds of similarly agitated people, desperately needs a stress outlet. That’s why rage rooms are popping up all over the world, including Australia, Serbia and Canada. In the U.S., they're in Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.

By Autumn Rhea Carpenter

unsure, sometimes I’ll take the first swing with them because after that, they’re good to go.”

Weapons Of Choice

According to Baker, there is a visible shift in customers’ demeanor after they visit her facility.

“They may show up tense or fed up but, after their session, the relief on their face says it all,” she says. “They thank me for being here, and many of them return. We all want to bash something eventually. Holding it in is not healthy and if this is what they need, then I am glad to help.”

Baseball bat, sledgehammer, golf club, lead pipe, crowbar or bowling ball.

Items To Bash Television sets, ceramic knickknacks, computer monitors, kitchen appliances, furniture, and glassware—all courtesy of various shops, dumpster visits and individual donations.

Shawn Baker launched Tantrums, LLC in Houston in December 2015, after losing her 25-year oil company job. “I had 400 customers in 2016,” she said. “The most surprising and rewarding part of this job has been providing my customers a therapy that they desperately needed. I’ve always helped people, but never expected to be doing it this way.”

Required Safety Gear Protective eyewear, face shield, gloves and coveralls.

Baker offers customers, ranging from teachers to surgeons, a four-room plywood space in an industrial business park in Houston where they choose from an array of ‘weapons’ (ranging from golf clubs to sledgehammers), pick a five to 15-minute session, their background music, and then proceed to smash glassware, televisions and other sundry items to smithereens.

What To Bring Personal music (to stream through on-site Bluetooth speakers) and your stress.

Extra Fun

Because people are taught to control anger, some customers take a little prodding to let it out.

"Some people are apprehensive and a couple of folks have reluctantly shown up, not wanting to do it at all," says Baker. "When people are

Photography courtesy Tantrums, LLC

People visit Tantrums for a variety of reasons, including the economy, jobs, divorces and even the presidential election. Baker says many of her customers are female, especially stay-at-home mothers. “Women are taught not to be aggressive, so we hold it in. At some point, it boils over. Now they have a place to get it out and no judgment is passed," she says. "Anger is a natural emotion.

Get it out here, instead of taking it out on your loved ones.”

Whether you visit Tantrums for a corporate team-building event or to release some pent-up frustration over a break-up, you’ll never see a television screen the same way again.

Tantrums offers corporate team building, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, fundraising and themed rooms.

Price Range $30-$60 per visit 5201 MITCHELLDALE, STE A10 HOUSTON TANTRUMSLLC.COM

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 15

LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO

EXPLORING NEW AND OLD IN

Get Lost in the River City

By Eric Moreno

T

hree hundred years since Spanish explorers first built a permanent settlement here, people still love to explore this jewel in the crown of South Texas. And with every corner of the Alamo City bursting with new restaurants, new neighborhoods and new attractions, for visitors and locals alike, there is a lot to explore in San Antonio this summer.

While downtown is home to the fabled Riverwalk, the Alamo, the Tower of the Americas, the Alamodome, and the Institute of Texan Cultures, the renovated historic Pearl Brewery houses some of the finest restaurants in the city.

However, there's even more to offer when you venture across from the Pearl, and down the road from the Alamodome, to the Near East Side. One of the oldest areas of the city, it has been revitalized. The Dignowity Hill neighborhood has been especially changed.

Touring San Antonio's Near East Side, you get a glimpse of everything that makes the city truly great. The mix of cultures and generations, the food, the entertainment – all of these combine to make the East Side wonderful to spend a day exploring.

The city's burgeoning craft beer scene was arguably birthed in this area when the Alamo Beer Company opened its doors. The brewery, huddled underneath the shadow of the beautiful Hays Street Bridge, draws people nightly with live music, food trucks, and (of course) craft beer. Be sure to stop by on Father’s Day for their Father Fest!

Foodies flock like moths to the flame of restaurants like Dignowity Meats, Panchos & Gringos, and Mark's Outing, looking for the latest and greatest in food trends.

Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food Restaurant and Bakery specializes, as its name implies, in those stick-to-your-ribs kind of meals that have become synonymous with the American South. Made from scratch fried chicken, fried catfish, macaroni and cheese – all are specialties of the house. Dessert? They're famous for their hummingbird cake and banana pudding.

Maybe you want something a little more contemporary? Just down the street from the Alamodome is Cullum's Attagirl Icehouse, which combines the best of a dive bar with the

16 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

best of a high-end restaurant. On the menu, how about fried bologna sandwiches, pimento cheese, and chicken and waffles?

It's an eclectic mix and it has to be experienced to be believed.

Of course, you can't go wrong with a really good burger.

Mark's Outing has been crafting some of the city's best since taking over the former home of the dearly departed Fatty's Burgers in 2005. Still making the original Fatty's Burger, the restaurant is also known for its beans. Beans and burgers go hand-in-hand in San Antonio.

Food is not all the Near East Side is known for. When it comes to the arts, there is no better place than the Carver Community Cultural Center. Named for the legendary African American scientist George Washington Carver, the center is the cultural hub of the area. Events, concerts, and exhibits take place on virtually every evening.

Tying in food and culture is the Dignowity Hill Farmer's Market. Bringing fresh and locally sourced produce to the neighborhood, the market has become a social gathering point for the community. Live music, arts and crafts, and delicious fresh food combine to make this a weekly attraction that is fun for the whole family.

Heading west, slightly away from downtown – either along Interstate 37, Broadway Street, or along the Museum Reach section of the Riverwalk – visitors are treated to a host of the city's greatest cultural attractions.

The San Antonio Zoo has undergone millions of dollars worth of renovations in the last five years, and Big Cat Valley is one of the most striking additions. Guests can now have up close and personal encounters – behind reinforced glass –with the kings of the jungle. They can also play a friendly game of tug-o-war with the lions and jaguars during select times of the day. According to the zoo, this friendly game showcases the strength and agility of the animals, as well as providing them with enrichment and mental stimulation.

Further down Broadway, in the Alamo Heights area, is the Witte Museum. San Antonio's oldest museum devoted to science and natural history has also undergone a major facelift recently. Visitors this summer will be able to see the Witte's recently unveiled massive dinosaur collection following the opening of the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery.

LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO On display you'll see the 39-foot-tall skeleton of a carnivorous Acrocanthosaurus and a full-sized Tyrannosaurus rex. Visitors will also be able to marvel at – from above – the largest Pterosaur ever found, namely the Witte's Quetzacoatlus skeleton. (They're the winged dinosaurs.) Visitors can also hunt fossils and view dioramas of what Texas was like millions of years ago when an ancient sea covered it.

Morgan’s Wonderland is the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind. Open to everyone yearround, the park is unveiling its newest attraction: Morgan’s Inspiration Island. In keeping with the park's theme of innovation, Inspiration Island is the world’s first “ultraaccessible” splash park. It overlooks the park’s eight-acre catch-and-release fishing lake.

The DoSeum (formerly the San Antonio Children's Museum), Kiddie Park, San Antonio Museum of Art, and McNay Art Museum are all accessible on this stretch of the river.

Not to be outdone, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, is unveiling its newest attraction: Thunder Rapids. Billed as “America's first rocket blast water coaster,” it features water jet propulsion to power riders through loops, spirals, and more. SeaWorld San Antonio also unleashes its newest attraction this summer: the Wave Breaker Rescue Coaster.

Photo courtesy San Antonio Zoo

Photo courtesy Six Flag Fiesta Texas

Photo courtesy SeaWorld

Photo courtesy Witte Museum

Farther out, are three of the city's best-known attractions: Morgan's Wonderland, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio.

Above photos (clockwise from top left): Naylor Dinosaur Gallery. SeaWorld San Antonio Wave Breaker Rescue Coaster. Big Cat Valley is one of the most striking recent additions to the San Antonio Zoo. Celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary this summer with a ride on Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ new Thunder Rapids.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 17

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

McDonald Observatory

BY THE NUMBERS

By Margaret Richards

M

cDonald Observatory, a research unit of The University of Texas at Austin, is one of the world's leading centers for astronomical research, teaching and public education, and outreach. Observatory facilities are located atop Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, which offer some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States.

Thinking about visiting between August 17 and 23? Plan ahead, as the Visitors Center will be operating on a limited schedule to allow staff to travel to view the total solar eclipse on August 21. (All visitor programs are subject to capacity limits. Twilight programs and Star Parties typically sell out year-round; and the daytime programs frequently sell out during busy periods.)

• 10 meters: the diameter of the mirror in the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, one of the largest in the world.

• 65,000 visitors per year.

• 6,800 feet above sea level.

• 16 miles to the nearest town, Fort Davis.

• 93 million miles: distance to the sun, Earth's nearest star. The distance is also expressed as 8 light-minutes.

• 11 billion light-years: the distance the Hobby-Eberly Telescope can see.

• 2024: The year the Giant Magellan Telescope will be fully operational.

Now under construction in Chile, GMT's seven mirrors will span 25 meters.

• 1939: the year McDonald Observatory opened.

18 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Ethan Tweedie Photography

MCDONALDOBSERVATORY.ORG

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Cool Quarters Eight Totally Texas Places to Spend the Night

Stacked rock rooms at La Posada Milagro Guesthouse, Terlingua.

Texas boasts a rich history, a vast and varied landscape, and a culture like no other state in the nation. It stands to reason that all of this would result in unique and fabulous places to stay. Here are eight properties that serve as destinations in their own right as well as great bases to explore from.

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The Quarters at Presidio La Bahia, Goliad. Built in 1749, this National Historic Landmark is one of the finest remaining examples of a Spanish frontier fort.

Soldiers stationed here fought against the British during the American Revolution and against Mexico before Texas declared independence. The Quarters, part of the presidio that once housed Mexican officers and, later, Catholic priests, includes a full kitchen and two bedrooms.

PRESIDIOLABAHIA.ORG

La Posada Milagro Guesthouse, Terlingua.

High on a slope in this ghost town with mesmerizing views of Big Bend’s mountains, the inn includes five unique guest rooms created from stacked rock ruins.

Enjoy the view from two outdoor areas with fire pits and an outdoor kitchen. The guesthouse coffee shop, Espresso y Poco Mas, serves homemade breakfast and lunch and the Starlight Theatre’s live music, antelope burgers and prickly pear margaritas are a short walk away.

20 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

LAPOSADAMILAGRO.NET

3 4

Dofflemyer Hotel, San Saba. Built in 1913 by W.C. Dofflemyer, this structure housed the San Saba National Bank and, on the second floor, The San Saba Club, a gentlemen’s social club. Today, it includes a first-floor hotel lobby and five rooms and one corner suite on the second floor, each with individual Hill Country décor, wood floors, exposed brick walls, high ceilings, tall windows and gloriously spacious bathrooms.

DOFFLEMYERHOTEL.COM

Perini Ranch Camp House, Perini Ranch, Abilene. This modern house built in old ranch-house style has a main room and sleeping porch, as well as a small kitchen. Continental breakfast and beverages are provided. Head over to the famous Perini Ranch Steakhouse for gourmet cowboy cuisine – burgers, steaks, catfish, green chili hominy, green beans and cowboy potatoes. Wash it all down with a Mesquite-a-rita or Cowboy Martini. Acres of rustic scenery and wildlife surround the house.

Sit on the covered porch and watch the sun go down or come up.

PERINIRANCH.COM

Photo by Melissa Gaskill

By Melissa Gaskill

Photo by Crystal Allbright

Lofthaven at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours, Lake Travis. The Lofthaven treehouse encircles ancient cypress trunk in this tree-lined ravine. Enjoy watching the sunset and listening to the creek from chairs on the wraparound porch before sleeping snugly in the canopy bed or hammock inside. A suspension bridge connects to a private bathhouse with a waterfallfilled tub. The property includes three other treehouses: Juniper, Willow and Nest. A night’s lodging includes a zipline tour along the creek.

La Posada Milagro

CYPRESSVALLEYCANOPYTOURS.COM

Ranch House, Galveston Island State Park.

Built for hands at the old Stewart Ranch on the island's west end, the three-bedroom, two-bath house has a spacious living area with a fireplace and a shady deck.

It also has a kitchen with microwave, refrigerator and stove and an outside grill. The 2,000-acre state park, the only piece of public land that still straddles the island, stretches from beach to bay with prairie in between.

TPWD.TEXAS.GOV

Lighthouse Cabin, Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The Civilian Conservation Corps built three rock cabins on the wall of Palo Duro Canyon – the Lighthouse, Goodnight and Sorenson. All three overlook the dramatic landscape below—Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the country—with the Lighthouse patio providing the best view and the most privacy.

Each cabin sleeps four, with fireplaces, refrigerator and microwave, bathroom, plus outdoor picnic table and grill. Be sure to step outside at night for impressive starry skies.

Photo courtesy Perini Ranch

7 8

Cibolo Lakeside houses overlook a tranquil lake reflecting the mountains

CIBOLOCREEKRANCH.COM

Perini Ranch Camp House, Abilene

TPWD.TEXAS.GOV Photo courtesy Perini Ranch

6

Photo by Melissa Gaskill

5

Cibolo Creek Ranch, Chinati Mountains.

High-end guest rooms featuring fireplaces, tile floors, and rustic furnishings occupy El Fortin del Cibolo, an adobe fort built by rancher Milton Faver in the 1800s and restored by current owner John Poindexter in 1990. Rooms overlook either a spring-fed stream through a lush courtyard or a serene lake. Accommodations include three meals a day, served family style, and the ranch offers jeep tours, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing and more. Faver also built El Fortin de la Ciénega and El Fortin de la Morita, each now a secluded retreat deep in the 30,000 acres sprawling over the Chinati and Cienega mountains in far West Texas. Poindexter also restored grasslands on the property and reintroduced native wildlife, including bison.

The main room of Abilene's Perini Ranch

A Land of Opportunities Record-breaking deals in rural real estate

All photography by Chris Collis

By Simon Murray

One of the working hands at Waggoner Ranch

F

or a number of reasons, the sale of the fabled W.T. Waggoner Ranch, one of the largest contiguous ranches in the U.S., was known as the deal that couldn’t get done.

First, there were the courts. Heirs to the original rough-and-tumble cowboy founders Dan Waggoner and W.T. Waggoner had sparred for years over the property. Then there was the price tag. To keep the property off the auction block, Bernie Uechtritz from Icon Global Properties and Sam Middleton of Chas Middleton and Associates put the number at a cool $725 million. For this land was more than just farmland. It was a land imbued with a legendary history, filled with the Lone Star’s tradition and folklore, prosperity and ruin. Word had it W.T. Waggoner had discovered oil there while looking for water. He had been displeased with what he had found—the oil-slick ground water was unsuitable for his cattle.

Like flies to honey, more than 900 moneyed buyers from all around the world came calling. Only six buyers would put up $15 million in cashier’s checks to have a seat at the negotiation table.

And then it happened. In February 2016, the once-warring descendants of Tom Waggoner inked a deal transferring ownership of the renowned estate to billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Nuggets. The sale immediately vaulted Kroenke into the number four spot among landowners in the U.S, with the purchase including thousands of head of cattle and more than 1,000 oil wells.

Behind it all was Hall and Hall, a business specializing in a multidisciplinary approach to investment-quality rural real estate. Together with mortgage loans, appraisals, land management, auction and brokerage services, Hall and Hall had worked in the past with big name clients—such as Ted Turner—to acquire vast swaths of land across the country and overseas.

The stables at Waggoner Ranch

A spectacular aerial view of Waggoner Ranch

and managing director, would take point. But since Hall and Hall has an integrated partnership structure, any brokered deals that put ink to paper are subsequently split between the company as a whole. Such a selfless attitude permeates the entire company.

Leadbetter had been trying to sell the ranch since 2002, a couple years before Hall and Hall had expanded its reach into Texas with Monte Lyons opening its Lubbock office.

Seeing the deal finally go through energized them. “Boy, I’ll tell you what, I’m still shaking my head every time I go down there or think about it,” said Taylor. “It’s just so big. And there’s so much land down there compared to most of the states we do business in.”

“We’re not a huge company, so we have a few people do a lot of work,” said James H. Taylor, one of the pioneering co-owners of Hall and Hall.

The deal shattered records, with, for comparison’s sake, the second closest in Hall and Hall history being the purchase of the 124,000-acre Broken O Ranch in Montana, where Joel Leadbetter also represented Stan Kroenke as the buyer. For a state that has such a vast amount of privately held land, the sky is the limit in Texas.

In the case of the Waggoner deal, that meant Joel Leadbetter, a broker

HALLHALL.COM

22 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Why Are Y’all Here?

E

Everything is bigger in Texas. We know this.

Trucks. Hair. Steaks. Bottles. Statues. Flags.

Even counties. One of Texas’ 254 counties is bigger than Connecticut and three times the size of Delaware. Also big in Texas: state pride. But with a state so huge, can you actually get a true sense of it? Can you really understand what it means to live in Texas? What it means to be Texan?

After growing up in Texas and moving away for a few years, when 34-year-old Spencer Darr returned to his home state this past year, he got an idea: drive through every Texas county in a year and ask people why they live there, plus (added bonus) visit parts of Texas he had never seen before.

Exploring Texas, one county at a time

By Chelsey Clammer

an eight-foot fence with a frolicking zebra following close behind. He’s slowed down enough to see Texas Leaf Cutter Ants—a species that actually grows its own food.

During an extended pause in Bastrop State Park, Darr looked beyond the burnt, dead trees from that vicious wildfire that scorched through the area six years ago, and saw something that you can’t admire from Highway 71—hope. Because if you enter the park instead of zipping by it, what you’ll find are 6-inch baby loblolly pines sprouting

up between their charred ancestors.Texas is about resilience.

At the end of every weekend, Darr returns to his own county—Williamson—and creates a travelogue that documents his progress. This weekend explorer is ecstatic about sharing his adventures with the world and hopes that Texans begin to explore the state, too.

So, the next time you plan a vacation, consider all of Texas to be your destination.

WHYAREYALLHERE.COM

With a vague itinerary that’s more flexible than a yoga instructor, every weekend Darr is making Texas-sized “day trips.” Hopping in his purple 1997 Ford Ranger with specialized plates that read: “YRUHERE,” Darr drives through a handful of counties each weekend to experience the why’s and the what’s of Texas and Texans.

What he’s discovering: Texas personality traits. Such as how people who see your truck parked on the side of the road will actually drive to you, instead of past you, and will ask if you need help.

Spencer Darr is wondering why y’all are here

There’s also the two-finger wave from the steering wheel and Texas’ love for historical markers noting the people and places, structures and events that helped shape the Lone Star State.

“I’ve gotten the sense that I am here to slow down,” Darr explains. “To take a look around, stop having a reason to do something and just do it because you want to do it. Explore.

Discover.”

Darr has discovered ranches filled with buffalo. He’s witnessed a camel walking along

16,265 historical markers exist in Texas and more than 200 are added each year

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 23

All photography by Spencer Darr

A simple fact, though, is that you can’t appreciate all things Texas if you’re hurrying through it on highways and toll roads.

Rancho Pillow

Photography courtesy Rancho Pillow

Escape to

Hidden Gem Offers Creative, Authentic Experiences Inviting and unique from the outside to inside, Rancho Pillow possesses a creative and relaxing vibe.

N

estled six miles from the town square of Round Top is a somewhat hidden new treasure of Texas. With 20 acres of wide-open space filled with brightly colored art and antiques, Rancho Pillow offers a creative place to rest your head after a long day of travel.

Authenticity and integrity is how self-taught designer and owner of Rancho Pillow, Sheila Youngblood describes it. Once only a place for her private family retreats, Youngblood decided to open the ranch to the public in March 2016.

“After years of having personal parties, dinners, concerts, fundraisers and camps for my own tribe of friends and passions, I realized something special was happening here and, yet, such a small circle was experiencing it,” said Youngblood. “Now I’m inviting more people to share in my special place and create their own magic at Rancho.

By Britni Rachal

controlled teepee. Made of sheetrock walls painted by Austin-based graffiti artist Federico Archuleta, the teepee offers guests the opportunity to sleep in Native American-style housing, just steps away from outdoor showers and pedestal soaking tubs in Rancho Pillow’s open-air bathhouse, which is constructed from native and found materials. “There’s no place quite like it,” said Youngblood.

A heated saltwater wading pool is also available for guests to take a moonlight swim or relax under the beaming Texas sun, while avid readers can enjoy some downtime in the poetry library, located in the Rancho Pillow Barn, which was originally built in 1760 in upstate New York.

“We moved the hemlock timbers of the barn from the Hudson River Valley to Round Top,” said Youngblood. “It has such a powerful presence and has become an important place for holding events.”

Youngblood is a native Texan with what she describes as a wandering spirit. Remaining true to her own personal style, which reflects her individual spirit and joy of living, is important in her designs.

Even the tiniest guests will find something special with Rancho Pillow’s treehouse, while their parents gather around a fire pit to enjoy the company of others.

“I have always focused on living an artful life. That, to me, has meant creating meaningful spaces – that tell stories – that celebrate different cultures and people,” said Youngblood. “Spaces that welcome and hold people in warmth, color and light.”

“All kinds of people are drawn to Rancho,” said Youngblood. “It was never meant to be a hotel or a venue – it was intended to be a family getaway from the city. There is heart and soul here that people can feel.”

Vibrant, unique and bright spaces are found throughout Rancho Pillow.

One of the most requested rooms at Rancho Pillow is the climate-

24 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

11222 SCHUSTER RD | ROUND TOP RANCHOPILLOW.COM

A New Book from TEXAS A&M PRESS A provocative visual journal of off-the-grid living . . .

WHY THE RAVEN CALLS THE CANYON E. Dan Klepper

In vivid images and well-considered prose, Klepper reflects on his experiences at Fresno Ranch, which sits within the boundaries of Big Bend Ranch State Park in far West Texas, “witnessing a natural world unfettered by the human footprint dominating so many of our remaining wild places.” For aficionados of fine art photography, cultural and natural history enthusiasts, and fans of the Big Bend region and its austere beauty, Why the Raven Calls the Canyon offers a “provocative visual journal of off-the-grid living that celebrates the unique landscape of the Big Bend.”

10x101/2, 240 pp. 212 color and b&w photos. $50.00 cloth “Klepper’s artistic technique is first-rate in composition and sophisticated aesthetic and his prose has become the work of a writer possessed with an important understanding of the natural world. All this makes me glad to be counted as among the first of many fans of Why the Raven Calls the Canyon.”—Alan Tennant, New York Times Best-selling Author of On the Wing

“. . . a beautiful challenge to our eyes, eliciting awe, wonderment, and respect for the power and delicacy of a place devoid of all comforts.”

—Robert W.H. McCoy

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY PRESS

800.826.8911 Fax: 888.617.2421 www.tamupress.com

The pool at Lone Star Court

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Photo by Hayden Walker for Austin Food

EXPLORE TEX AS WITH

By Samantha Cook & Samantha Strom

Photo by Toby Hill for Bicycle Retailer

Photo by Jen Thorne for A Beauty Junkie in London

P

lanning your weekend getaway just got a whole lot easier. The trip.com app lets you design your own itinerary, from booking a hotel, checking out local events and dining options to leaving a review for future explorers once you’re done.

TRIP.COM AUSTIN ITINERARY

Bikers along the Lady Bird Lake trail

You can tailor your experience within the app by selecting your interests—they call them tribes.Are you looking for family-oriented activities? Something artsy? Or maybe you like nightlife. Simply select the relevant interests for your excursion, and the app will tailor suggestions for you. You can choose from 19 tribes, such as adventure, backpacker, family, green, foodie and luxury. Younger explorers will enjoy the student, budget and trendsters tribes.

You can earn “scout status” just by creating a few postcards (from your own pictures on your phone), get review badges, unlock new postcard designs and badges like “Oh Snap!” Trip.com also makes it easy to share your experiences through your own social media platforms. After you create postcards and reviews, they simply sync up to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts.

Foodies and picky eaters alike will love the restaurant ideas. Trip. com suggests local restaurants tailored to your preferences. To learn more about a restaurant, just click. (Especially useful with picky eaters, because you can make sure ahead of time that there will be something for everyone.) Some restaurants have the option to book a table right from the app.

When you first select a restaurant, you’ll see a few reviews to get a taste of how real customers liked the food, atmosphere and service.

After your dining experience, feel free to let your own voice be heard with a review.

When you’ve decided where you want to go, tap the map. It’ll take you to Google maps and automatically route you there from your current location.

This summer, spend less time planning and more time exploring.

26 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Lone Star Court exterior at night

Tribes: Foodie, Family, Luxury, Outdoor, Trendsters DAY 1: Check into Lone Star Court in The Domain and enjoy the perfect blend of trendy Austin and good ol’ Texas style. Boasting ranch-style porches, hearty breakfasts, a swimming hole dipping pool, free bikes, on-site food trucks, fire pits and outdoor grills, it’s the perfect hotel for the whole family. The room rates include continental breakfast.

Take the fam to iPic Theaters and enjoy dinner and a movie – the luxe way. Sit back and relax in arguably the most comfortable movie theater seats in Austin with a pillow, blanket, and (the best part) free popcorn. Order food and beverage from your server and you’ll be all set for the perfect movie theater experience.

DAY 2: After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, head to Barton Springs Bike Rental and choose from their array of bikes. Then head out on the nearby Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail and enjoy a scenic family bike ride. You’ll want to work up an appetite for lunch!

Head to one of Austin’s staples for out-of-this-world street tacos at Guero’s Taco Bar. You might even catch a glimpse of one of the many celebrities, like the Owen brothers, who make a point of dropping in when in A-town.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL THINGS

xploration quipment

Tickr X Heart Rate Monitor

The possibilities are endless for exploring Texas and we found these helpful items for your journey. We asked our friends at Girls Love Travel for their recommendations, too.

Here’s a workout tracker that captures both motion and intensity, pairs seamlessly with your smartphone and works with fitness apps. Track heart rate, calorie burn, and workout duration for your summer jogs or bike rides. $79.99| WAHOOFITNESS.COM

Handpicked by Marika Flatt, Travel Editor

Airfree FIT800 Filterless Air Purifier

Camping is all about fresh air but mold and other allergens easily catch in the air-conditioned units most of us camp with. Filterless is the perfect portable, petite unit for Texas summers. Plug in and breathe easy. $169 | AIRFREE.COM

Osprey Farpoint 40 Backpack

We asked frequent travelers for their favorite carry-on backpack; the Osprey Farpoint 40 was the clear front-runner. With its ability to hold a lot, expand and endure traveling wear and tear, meet your new best friend for your trek. $160 | OSPREYPACKS.COM

Just Bones Boardwear

Bathing Bars by Lush

Everyone loves the classic boardshort and, with this line of fully adjustable, cool beach shorts, there’s no more worrying about wardrobe malfunctions! Made with quickdry material, the adjustable waist keeps your shorts in place and you in style.

Grab the NEW bar or any Lush shampoo, conditioner or soap, and throw them in your carry-on (they’re solid, so no spills), backpack or camping box. Rub the conditioner bar over a wet head; wash out for a smooth shine. $11.95 | LUSHUSA.COM

$54 | JUSTBONESBOARDWARE.COM

Kurio Watch

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Get your little explorer ready with a real Bluetooth smartwatch designed specifically for kids. This high-tech wearable has a touch screen so your young’un can play games in the car, take pictures of your journey and even message you.

If you’re aiming to only take carryon, you want this along for your flight.

Patagonia is known for top quality and craftsmanship, so we love that you can cram a lot into this duffel--and that it comes with backpack straps.

$59.99 | KURIOWORLD.COM

$99 - $329 | PATAGONIA.COM

HydroChic Swimsuit

Melanoma is no joke so ladies are learning to cover up in the sun. This sassy swimsuit line offers superior sun protection, along with sleek stripes, pretty prints, and sophisticated silhouettes.

$29.50 - $95 | HYDROCHIC.COM

Pattern by Tiffany Lerman Bags

These vibrant bags are sure to make the explorer want to hit the road. In a variety of hip designs and styles, they’re designed to remind us of our favorite trip or vacay. The Maui-inspired clutch is our fave. $12 - $198 | PATTERNLA.COM

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

Photo courtesy Tapatio Springs

Tapatio Springs

A HILL COUNTRY GOLFER’S HAVEN

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Tapatio Springs Resort and golf course, nestled on 220 acres in the Hill Country near Boerne, combines great course design, beautiful scenery and a golfer’s challenge.

In 2011, George Strait was part of a group of investors who bought the once-struggling golf course. Tripp Davis was the man behind the innovative renovation of the course.

Although Davis didn’t rebuild the course from scratch, his emphasis on refocusing sight lines and dramatically improving bunker placement and quality meant that 47 bunkers were relocated and renovated, 16 bunkers were removed and eight bunkers were added. In addition, 72 of 75 tee boxes were leveled and re-sodded, and four greens were renovated.

Now, all greens provide a so-called 'true roll,' challenging golfers to make the right read on every putt.

Davis' renovation was completed in 2015, and all of the changes have now matured, so it’s a great time to rediscover this gem. “I was trying to bring the bones of a great golf course back into play," says Davis.

Golfers must agree that Davis succeeded--in

28 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

By Pete Frank

2016, the number of rounds played at Tapatio increased by 10,000 from 2015.

Since the renovation, Tapatio Springs has also been receiving accolades from across the industry, including being voted the Most Improved Public Golf Course in the U.S. by Golf, Inc. Magazine last year. Golf Advisor ranked the course 10th in Texas (and number 12 in the U.S. overall) on their 2016 Top 25 Value Courses list. At around $40-$60 per round, it is great value.

Tapatio Springs has two uniquely different nines. The front nine is relatively flat, playing through a valley with tree-lined fairways, water on six holes, doglegs, and a multitude of strategically placed bunkers. Par on the front is 35 with only one par-5, two par-3’s, and six par-4’s. The yardage ranges from 2,237 to 3,115.

The back nine plays up and down the ridgeline and then back into the valley. The increased elevation, along with water on four holes and more bunkers, makes the back nine more challenging. It is a par 37 with three par-5’s, two par-3’s, and four par-4’s. Playing from the

tips, the course is 6,477 yards, while playing from the front tees is 4,932 yards, and the slope rating varies from 123 to133.

Everywhere you stand on the property there's a 360-degree view of the beautiful and peaceful Hill Country, as the renovations to the course successfully highlight the breathtaking landscape. The scenery, oak trees, undulating terrain and smooth-putting greens make this golf course links you will want to come back to.

Davis put a lot of effort into making the course approachable for a variety of players, including seniors, kids, amateurs, as well as skilled golfers.

And things are only going to keep getting better at Tapatio Springs. The renovations haven't stopped with the golf course, since partnering up with George Strait and Tom Cusick in 2014, Northview Hotel Group has invested $3.5 million in capital improvements at the resort. (That includes a new bar and grill, resort-style pool, fitness center and restaurant.) They plan on at least $5 million more in the next 24 months.

TAPATIORESORT.COM

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The Ever Changing Look(s) of Austin And the Doctors at Synergy Who Help Austinites Keep Up

A

sk anyone who has lived in the Austin metropolitan area for more than four years about how the city has changed, and you’ll likely get an earful. New skyscrapers, new businesses and housing developments have all drastically changed how the city itself looks and feels. Some might say these changes are for the worse, but there are plenty who celebrate the new opportunities and the fresh looks at a familiar city that these changes provide.

To compliment the city’s development, Austin residents, both new and old, have sought to refresh and renew their own look in increasing numbers. Dr. Mahlon Kerr and Dr. Ross Blagg at Synergy Plastic Surgery have witnessed all of these changes, firsthand, and have expanded their operations to accommodate an ever-growing demand.

“Austin has experienced tremendous growth in the last eight years that we have been here,” Dr. Kerr explains. “Initially, our base of operations was Round Rock and we literally had cows grazing across the road from our office. Those cows are gone, and that now area represents some of the most significant growth in the area. In 2012, we opened our second clinic in central Austin to provide a convenient location for our Austin patients.”

Alongside that expansion, they’ve kept up with trends, as well as Austin’s specific desires, whether for subtle or dramatic changes in appearance. “Our most popular procedures continue to be breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, mommy makeovers (tummy tuck and breast combination), and liposuction,” Kerr admits.

“These procedures really reflect national trends, and those more locally in Texas.”

And, while one expects such services to be the more popular, the call for less dramatic and more holistic changes are in high demand throughout the Austin area. Not all of their procedures necessitate surgery, which many are apprehensive to undergo. “Our clinic performs over 650 major surgeries a year

and hundreds more less invasive procedures like botox and fillers for those looking for a refreshed look without surgery,” he continues.

Kerr explains that, while these new changes might be highly sought, they are not always sought with great enthusiasm. Once a decision has been made to undergo plastic surgery, there is plenty of accompanying fear. “Being apprehensive is common,” Kerr proclaims.

“While a trip to the plastic surgeon can be really exciting, for many it’s just the opposite.”

To mitigate those fears, Kerr and Blagg employ an intrinsic trait of both Austin and Texas culture – friendliness. “Concerns about your physical exam and surgery experience are normal!” he exclaims. “We understand how to make your feel welcome, comfortable, and excited about improving your body.”

It goes deeper than kindness for Dr. Kerr and Dr. Blagg. Patients become more than clients and are treated better than mere acquaintances. “Having excellent surgeons and patient outcomes is really only a basic part of it,” he explains. We are a smaller practice and so the staff that treats you knows you by name and recognizes your face when you come through the door. We pride ourselves in having a family business and have worked hard to keep that small feel as we grow to provide more services and locations.”

So, rather than seeing patient numbers or objective charts, Synergy is proud to evaluate their clientele far differently. From the moment you call our practice we really try and treat you like family,” Dr. Kerr states, without the

saccharine salesmanship that would normally accompany such a statement. Synergy, as a whole, embraces those who walk through its doors, much as they have embraced the city they call home.

Still, Dr. Kerr isn’t completely immune to pitching a good business. “Patients in Austin are friendly, educated, and a pleasure to treat,” he says. “We feel that Synergy provides a real niche in an otherwise competitive market and Austin has really embraced us as a practice and surgeons and we are excited to grow old together – just not look it!”

It’s a worthy pitch, from a genuine place, reflected in everything Synergy and its doctors and staff do.

SYNERGY PLASTIC SURGERY 805 EAST 32ND STREET #101 • AUSTIN, TX 78705 7700 CAT HOLLOW DRIVE #103 • ROUND ROCK, TX 78681 512.244.1439 • SYNERGYPLASTICSURGERY.COM

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

CATCHING A BILLIONAIRE'S EYE A peek inside the design company that captured the attention of Landry's CEO

By Julie Tereshchuk

W

hen a billionaire calls, what do you do?

For interior designer Kara Gordon, this was no hypothetical question.

Not only did Tilman Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of Landry's, Inc., ask the owner of Bedford-based Sleek to Chic to bid on a project for one of his newest Houston hotels; but the rollercoaster ride was aired on national television as part of CNBC'S "Billionaire Dollar Buyer" series.

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Recognized for her residential design skills and clear business head, working with Fertitta on a commercial design presented Gordon, a native Texan, with a major opportunity. With faith in her own abilities, and the team around her, she grasped the opportunity to design a cafĂŠ space in the luxury Post Oak Hotel.

"The experience stretched me past my comfort zone," admits Gordon. "I learned to be braver and more creative than I had allowed myself to be until then."

The result? Well, the original bid was awarded to her competition. However, as Fertitta promised in the boardroom, he hired Gordon to work for Landry's corporate on a hotel remodel. So, while her passion will always be working with residential clients, this talented Texan has unexpectedly added a commercial arm to her business.

SLEEKTOCHICINTERIORS.COM

30 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

HOW TO WORK WITH A DESIGNER Sleek t o C hic pri nc i pa l designer Kara Gordon's tips on getting the best out of a designer: Before hiring a designer, think about your budget. Do your research, and have a good idea about market rates for things like remodels and furnishings.

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Be able to articulate likes and dislikes so that the designer is not shooting in the dark.

Trust your designer. Otherwise, the project will never end up the way you envisioned it, leaving both you and the designer dissatisfied.

1. An outdoor living space in Katy.

2. A tight budget for this Fort Worth dining room meant much of the project was sourced online to save cost.

3. Sleek to Chic completely redesigned this family room in Southlake.

4. Gordon did a complete tear-out on her kitchen in Bedford with the goal of opening up the kitchen to the family room while making the kitchen more functional—and, of course, beautiful. Walls were taken down to the studs, the ceiling raised, custom cabinetry (designed

by Gordon) was added along with a pantry wired for her coffee pot and toaster.

5. Sleek to Chic integrated the client's existing chairs into the redesign of this Fort Worth family home.

Photography courtesy Sleek to Chic

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Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 31

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

ROWS REDUX Exploring Austin's Avion Townhomes

With their Scandinavian air, Design Hound's 19 Avion Park row homes are all about clean lines and light, airy living spaces that are small (by Texas

standards) with a neighborhood density characteristic of urban developments.

The contemporary aesthetic is pitch perfect for the neighborhood; a lively mix of singletons, nesting couples, young families and downsizing youthful seniors.

Photography courtesy Design Hound

T

he raised gable is a common feature in designs by architecture and interiors firm Design Hound, and Texans can see a great example in the southwest corner of Austin's Mueller development—the planned community that continues to transform the former Mueller airport site.

By Julie Tereshchuk

Interiors at Avion Park's townhomes are in harmony with the exterior. Internal space is maximized, there's thoughtful attention to detail, and open sightlines.

DESIGN-HOUND.COM

32 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Photography courtesy Design Hound

Avion Park, a 19-unit multi-family development consisting of townhomes and duplexes, sits at the southwest corner of the Mueller development in East Austin.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

Sell it in Summer Quick tips to prep your home for sale

By Ariana Brooks

C

onventional Realtor wisdom says that spring is the time to sell.

However, that doesn’t mean that you’re too late. "The summer season is very popular as school is out and it gives families time to relocate without losing any classroom time,” says Carol Dochen, Broker of the Year for 2017 (Platinum Top 50 Realtors). With Dochen’s expert tips for prepping your home for the marketplace, you’ll be ready to sell in no time.

Maintain your home.

Fix rotting wood. Remove ivy from exterior walls -- this helps in the inspection phase. (Ivy creeps up walls, giving termites and other bugs an entry point into the house. It also ruins the brick.) Keep tree limbs three feet off the roof to avoid damage to the shingles. Clean out gutters so bugs can’t nest in backed-up leaves and to prevent water getting into the house. Keep soil in flowerbeds 4 inches lower than the foundation.

(Any higher and termites can too easily creep into weep holes.)

Work on the walls.

Potential buyers should be able to visualize themselves living in your home, so begin with depersonalizing the walls by removing and storing personalized artwork, photos, diplomas, etc. You want to give them a blank canvas. Don’t forget: caulk and repaint holes left behind by nails.

Deep clean.

Windex is your new best friend. Remove dust and dirt from your mailbox, bookshelves, outdoor tables, etc. Clean your carpets. (No buyer wants to see old pet stains.) Have your windows professionally cleaned.

A little style goes a long way.

If you’re making changes, such as painting a room or getting new carpet, follow current trends. Remove dark outmoded drapes. Neaten and de-clutter closets; make them uniform with matching hangers.

People fall in love from the curb.

Trim trees so visitors can see your home. Buyers have time to look around as their Realtor is unlocking the front door, so make a good first impression with a clean front entryway. Remove cobwebs and plant flowers.

Do a touch-up clean before showings.

Declutter kitchen and bathroom counter tops. Empty the dish rack.

Put away cleaning supplies. Tidy the mudroom; store shoes in baskets under benches. Declutter the shower area to showcase features like tile, built-in storage areas, etc. Make sure shower and toilet are immaculately clean.

CAROLDOCHENREALTORS.COM

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 33

y s s r e a S Summ Shoes TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

"These shoes were made for walkin'..."

You can't go exploring without a great pair of shoes. Whether you're exploring the cobblestone streets of Dublin, the trails in Canada or the boardwalks of Port Aransas, we've got your soles covered.

Handpicked by the Texas Lifestyle Team

1 Arcop'dico Stripe

This enchanting design adds a whimsical stripe to the traditional ballet flat. The shoes have a petite leather sole and are feather-light, perfect for travelling. Pair with jeans or dress.

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$115 | ARCOPEDICOUSA.COM

Hot Chocolate Design

Hot Chocolate Design is known for their imaginative and creative shoe designs. These fun and funky shoes are ready for any trip. We adore the Bon Voyage globe-trotting Mary Jane strap-ons; a real attention-getter! $56 | HOTCHOCOLATEDESIGN.COM

3 Brooks Neuro 2 Running Shoe

We don’t travel anywhere without running shoes and we’re captivated by this pair. With its new flashy design, it’s just as impressive under the hood. If speed and ease is your game, tie these babies on for a smooth jog.

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$120 | BROOKSRUNNING.COM

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4 Cougar Footwear’s Regent Flora Boot

You want a pair of rain boots for exploring but you want them to be cool and fun. We love these short waterproof boots. We’re going to wear them in wet Ireland.

5 Radar Mosaic Flat 5 6

$70 | COUGARBOOTS.COM

These adorable flats will catch the eye. Easily stow them in your carry-on and walk the town or pair with a nicer outfit at dinner. They might become your favorite exploring shoe (also easy to kick off on the plane or in the car.) $170 | FRENCHSOLESHOES.COM

6 Inspired by travel, music and culture, these comfy shoes are designed Off The Beaten Track’s Travel Lite Collection

for the fashion conscious traveler. The Star Dust in silver, with its light and comfortable metallic, is a cruising show-stopper. $99 | OTBTSHOES.COM

One One Tor Trafa 7 Hoka This is an all-day, all-summer kind of shoe he may never take off. It’s

rugged but light, supportive yet fast. Topping it all, nubuck leather adds a durable, quality finish to the upper. The Tor Trafa begs for adventure.

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$130 | HOKAONEONE.COM

8 These “offensively comfortable” flip-flops feature textured footbeds Ahhsoles

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34 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

for a little mini massage with every step. Available textures include Coral, Ripple, and SeaGrass. A flip-flop you won’t want to take off.

$30 | AHHSOLES.COM

leather like never before TM

www.kellytooke.com

Photo by Erick Robinson

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | COVER

Sanya Richards-Ross Looking Ahead to Life's Long Run 36 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

By Leah Fisher Nyfeler

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | COVER What’s next when you’ve focused your career on becoming the world’s best? For Sanya Richards-Ross, 400-meter star, NCAA national champion, Olympic gold medalist, Hall of Famer, and world record holder, retirement is less about walking off the track and more about applying her trademark grace and goal-oriented focus toward reaching new personal and professional heights.

This athlete isn’t pivoting so much as expanding her golden circle of opportunity to cover greater ground.

Welcome to Texas, Baby Ross Forbes ranked Texas, and specifically The University of Texas at Austin, No. 3 on its 2009 list, “The Best States for Keeping College Grads,” and the Lone Star State can count its lucky stars it held on to these two Longhorns. Jamaican-born Sanya Richards and Aaron Ross (Tyler quarterback, UT cornerback, and NFL veteran with two Super Bowl rings) met on the Hundred Acres and became campus sweethearts, dating for seven years before their paparazzi-worthy 2010 wedding.

Now living in Round Rock, the two still seem like honeymooners, and their fondly expressed respect and support for each other’s endeavors is endearing.

Valentine’s Day 2017, therefore, was the only fitting date to announce the Rosses were expecting. That they’d been planning a family was no secret; at her 2016 SXSW presentation just four months prior to the Olympic trials, SRR had laughingly said in response to a question, “My husband jokes that the minute I cross the finish line [in Rio], we’re going to try starting a family.” (For brevity, we’re using Sanya Richards-Ross’s nickname, SRR, throughout. Also, we’re referring to husband Aaron as “Ross,” as does Sanya.)

Sadly, there would be no Rio finish line for SRR. Though she’d preemptively announced 2016 would be her last racing season, SRR had visualized competing in—and taking the podium at—those summer games. Powers beyond her control, however, had selected a fitting place for the superstar’s final sprint.

“Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, has always been a very special track for me,” SRR recalled. “I was invited there to compete against the pros—the only high schooler at the Prefontaine Classic—when I was 17 or 18. From then on, I’ve had a really special relationship with that track.”

“I’ll never forget [this race]; I’d pulled my hamstring three weeks before and I didn’t have enough time to recover but still wanted to go. I got out [of the blocks] and actually felt pretty good the first 50 meters and then I thought, ‘Oh, I definitely don’t have it,’ and then…at the 250-meter mark, I stopped and kind of hung my head down. It was the first time I’d ever stopped in a race before; I’d never not finished a race. A woman yelled out, ‘We love you, Sanya!’ and it literally brought me back to the moment; how amazing it was to be on that track; and all the great memories I’d had there. I started to trot down the track and got a standing ovation. It gave me a special moment to have as my farewell.”

Instead of racing Rio, SRR joined the NBC commentary team as a track analyst, a new task she thoroughly enjoyed (“particularly the Trials, because I knew 90% of the athletes competing in the sprint”).

The Olympics proved more challenging.

“It was intense,” she said, with a wide-eyed smile. “So many different athletes from all over the world…athletes we’re seeing for the first time at the Olympics…and then 30 million people are watching on any given day. There’s a lot of pressure to get it right.”

Ever one to put in the necessary work to get it right, SRR is glad that she’s got several years to hone her broadcasting skills before Tokyo’s games in 2020. So far, she’s covered the 2017 USATF Indoor Championship and assorted indoor meets. She’d be calling the IAFF World Championships in London had not Baby Ross dictated otherwise; their son is due this August. But SRR has no regrets: “I feel like [this pregnancy] is the most amazing thing my body could do—and my body has done some amazing things in sports. To see what my body is growing and to be able to bring a life into the world…I love it…I’m totally embracing this change.”

Preparing Her Heart (and Wallet) For Retirement Leaving a career is as big a change as starting a family. SRR has been a competitive runner for 24 years and professional athlete for 13, which is amazing when considering she is 32 years old. SRR saw two significant steps as she considered retirement: acceptance and financial planning.

“I think retirement is easier for an athlete when you first prepare your mind,” SRR said. “It’s really hard for an athlete who’s forced out of

This athlete isn’t pivoting so much as expanding her golden circle of opportunity to cover greater ground.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 37

Photo courtesy UT Athletics

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | COVER

Photo courtesy UT Athletics

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sports—you feel like you’ve left something on the track or playing field, and in some ways, like you didn’t accomplish all your goals.”

SRR’s body was moving her toward inevitable acceptance. Since 2006, her right big toe had given her an agonizing pain that special shoe modifications, custom orthotics, and three surgeries couldn’t alleviate.

A big toe may not seem a crucial body part, but that forefoot push-off provides the explosive force that propels a sprinter. The injury was worse than most people ever knew.

“I’ve literally run on a broken toe for five years. After my surgery in 2012, I had been running in so much pain for so long that I knew I had to give my body a break; I didn’t want to run until I couldn’t walk any more. And I was getting close,” SRR said. “So, I think I prepared my heart and mind [for retirement] first…I still believe, if I hadn’t hurt myself, I would have [made the Olympic team], but everything happens for a reason… I got to go to Rio anyway with NBC, so it was just the perfect way to end my career and I was very grateful.”

Not every athlete is financially ready for retirement, but SRR has always been a shrewd businesswoman. Smart alliances with major brands (Nike, for example, has been a sponsor from the beginning) provide income and support. When SRR shifts into her entrepreneurial mode, you can feel the passion.

“I love business and I love marketing,” she said emphatically. “A lot of the skill sets I learned from sports are helping me transition into this entrepreneurial role. Understanding how all that works is super important to me, and I try to find ways to inspire other young women to take advantage of financial opportunities."

"Being an athlete has put me in a lot of the right rooms with the right people. And I do the work; I learn about the company, figure out how we are really connected, and only work with brands that really do align with who I am and what my goals are.”

Photo courtesy NFL Alumni-Austin Chapter

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3 38 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

SRR is involved in several Austin-based businesses; she and sister Shari Richards are partners in The Hair Clinic, a salon. Also, Sanya and Aaron own Ross Elite Chauffeur Service, a luxury car fleet.

She’s been outspoken concerning Olympic rules pertaining to athlete sponsorships. At that 2016 SXSW panel, SRR said she’s proud to help future athletes gain more financial support. This,” she declared defiantly, “is our livelihood.”

That fire to help others develop the monetary stability she’s worked so diligently to assure has led SRR to a new partnership with Capital One. As spokeswoman for their Banking Reimagined Tour—“they’re totally rethinking and restructuring how we interact with personal finances”—SRR is especially excited about access to a key educational component: the new Capital One Cafés, coming to Texas this winter.

Jaci Stolz, vice president of Capital One Cafés, hopes that visitors to these non-traditional bank sites will make use of the services offered (money coaching and workshops, among others) and feels SRR [1.] Initiated in 1980, the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award recognizes Texas Exes age 39 and younger who have made significant achievements in their careers and service to the university. Sanya Richards-Ross was a 2010 recipient. [2.] Husband and wife team Sanya Richards-Ross and Aaron Ross. [3.] In recognition of their foundation’s philanthropic work, Sanya Richards-Ross and her husband Aaron were presented with the NFL Alumni-Austin Chapter 2017 “Couple of the Year” award.

Photo courtesy UT Athletics

In 2009, Sanya Richards-Ross (left) was part of USA’s gold medal-winning 4 x 400m relay team at the World Championships in Berlin.

“embodies just how important feeling confident in your relationship with money is.” The other hope—that her example inspires others to hone their financial know-how “so they can pursue their passions, just like Sanya has.”

Setting a Gold Standard for Philanthropy

SRR credits a lot of their family financial planning to her husband.

With a sheepish grin, she admitted, “I’m lucky to have him.” He’s had the long view, as “Ross has always wanted to make sure we save enough so we can retire and send our sons or daughters to school. Now that I’m pregnant and retired, I feel like I too need to be more responsible with our money. How can I partner with my husband to make sure we are making the best financial decisions together?”

For the Ross family, money management involves giving back to the community, and so SRR established the Gold Standard Foundation.

The nonprofit has been improving young people’s futures through a variety of good deeds in SRR’s home country and in Austin, where needy high school seniors have been mentored and treated to a special night through an empowerment program called “Prom Glam.” In April, the NFL Alumni-Austin Chapter named the Gold Foundation founders their “Couple of the Year.”

She laughed and said, “I definitely have made a 180 when it comes to thinking about [financial decisions]. I’m happy my husband started planning before me, because we’d definitely be behind in those things if he hadn’t.”

“Each year, we honor members of the community who are active, long-term, impactful supporters of causes related to children,” said John Haines, chapter president, board member, and former Longhorn and NFL Viking and Colt. The couple exemplifies these traits, he

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 39

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | COVER

“I love hearing from my fans as much as they love hearing from me.” explained. Imagine what the two will accomplish with a bit more free time. SRR is already mulling over the philanthropic possibilities: “We did a lot of really cool work in Jamaica for about seven years; we helped some 7,000 kids read at grade level, which was about the most rewarding thing I could ever do. But Ross is from Texas and I live here, and we want to start doing some things in the United States.”

What’s the drawback? It boils down to bang for your buck. “Here, it’s a little bit more expensive to accomplish some of the same things,” she explained. “In a third world country, $50,000 goes a long way." Now they're done with track and football, they’re focusing on how to raise money and where their focus should be. "What do we think will really move the dial and help young people change their circumstances and, hopefully, help their families?”

Running the Race of Life That desire to move the dial and deliver a positive impact has pushed SRR to become an author. After all, could anyone doubt that her story would be a riveting read for track fans? But there’s more to recount than national championships, world records, and gold medals. The ups and downs—on and off the track—are what SRR sees as the revealing mettle of her life.

“Originally, I wanted to write a teen book for young girls,” SRR recalled. There’s a special affinity; if you’ve ever attended the Texas Relays, you know the deafening shrieks of excitement whenever she’s announced. Though her fan base is broad, young women especially identify the star as an exemplar in everything from nutrition to workouts to fashion and beauty. Social media, particularly Instagram, where @sanyarichiross interacts with more than 275,000 followers, vividly illustrates their connection.

“I love hearing from my fans as much as they love hearing from me,” said SRR. Followers got the first peek at SRR’s new books. She’d met with agents from Zondervan, a publishing program under HarperCollins Christian Publishing, to propose a teen book, and they encouraged two more— one for adults and another for middle-grade readers. Written for the 8-12 audience and published in June, Run With Me aims to inspire kids to pursue their dreams.

Her memoir, Chasing Grace: What the Quarter Mile Has Taught Me About God and Life, also debuted in June. Fans might be surprised to read that one of SRR’s toughest struggles occurred off the track and within her

40 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Sanya Richards-Ross memoir, Chasing Grace: What the Quarter Mile Has Taught Me About God and Life (Zondervan), debuted in June, giving readers an unexpected insight into the track star’s challenges and struggles.

high-performing body; in 2007, the 22-year-old was diagnosed with the debilitating Behcet’s disease. Or that this exceptionally fit and elegantly poised woman was subjected to body shaming. And even a storybook couple can experience conflict.

Writing Chasing Grace became an exercise—a challenging, albeit rewarding, workout. “The commitment to the book is very similar to the training it takes in a year to run the World Championships or the Olympics…meeting all the deadlines, really digging deep and being honest with myself about what my goals were in writing,” SRR said. “It wound up being very raw, telling some of my toughest life experiences—also some of the greatest—and about how I really feel like God walked with me through the entire journey.”

Those experiences on and off the track have forged a woman dedicated to attaining her best self, a gold standard, in family, business, and community. SRR is glowing and eager for the next challenge. “I truly believe the most beautiful people are the ones who have a great spirit,” she said.

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Stirr in Dallas’ Deep Ellum makes a mean Patrón Reposado Old Fashioned Photo courtesy Beckley & Co

Patrón

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

Artisanal Tequila with a Texan Twang

By Susie Oszustowicz

While Patrón Tequila is a spirit often mentioned by rappers and lauded as the impetus of a country crooner’s girl disrobing, the tequila itself has respectable roots in quality and tradition … and it so happens that the most popular tequila in the U.S. has strong Texas ties.

In 2004, the company built the Patrón Hacienda in the Highlands of Jalisco, complete with a distillery that allows them to own every step of the process to their exacting standards. Yet the owner, John Paul DeJoria, calls Austin home, while the marketing and mixology teams mix things up out of their Southlake office and cocktail lab.

Here's an overview of the Patron's core line, showcased in inventive tequila creations from mixmeisters across Texas.

PATRONTEQUILA.COM

Patrón Silver

Patrón Añejo

Patrón Reposado

The quintessential bottle seen behind most bars is the Silver, a clean blanco tequila with notes of fruit and citrus on the nose, a light sweetness on the tongue and a slight peppery finish. The spirit, being the most versatile, can be found on menus from your neighborhood Tex-Mex restaurant to upscale steakhouses.

The longest aged of the core line, the aging process of the Añejo is extended to at least 12 months allowing the spirit to take on more oaky notes from the barrels and gain smoothness, making it a perfect sipping tequila. Look for vanilla and raisins on the nose and on the tongue with a smoky finish.

To create Patrón Reposado, the silver spirit is aged for at least two months in oak barrels. After aging, the spirit takes on a light amber color and wafts slight oaky aromas. The taste is flavorful and complex with slight honey flavors and a vanilla finish.

Rosa Picante Margarita

Agave Fields Forever

Patrón Reposado Old Fashioned

Created by Jordan Corney, Bohanan’s, San Antonio

Created by Jen Keyser, Geraldine’s, Austin

Created by Tony Martinez, Stirr, Dallas

• 2 oz. Patrón Silver

• 2 oz. Patrón Anejo Barrel Select

• 1/2 oz. Patrón citrónge lime

• 3/4 oz. Liber & Co pineapple Gomme

• 2 oz. Patrón Reposado

• 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

• 3/4 oz. Cointreau

• 1/2 oz. Crème de Cacoa

• 1/2 oz. ginger syrup

• 3/4 oz. agave nectar

• 1/2 oz. brown sugar syrup

• Bar spoon jalapeño oil

• Pinch of citric acid

• 3 dashes orange bitters

• Dash of rosewater

• Slice of Serrano pepper

• 1 dash cinnamon bitters

• Rose petal sea salt • Rose petal Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe that has been halfrimmed with rose sea salt. Top with a dash of rosewater. Garnish with a rose petal.

42 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake well and strain into a rocks glass over fresh, crushed ice.

• 1 dash black walnut bitters • Orange peel Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, then shake well. Strain over fresh ice ball in a rocks glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Photo by Courtney Pierce

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

The Growth of Lamb in Texas Something to ruminate about.

Is it possible to ponder a story about lamb ranching in Texas without a little voice in your head chanting childhood favorites about Mary’s little lamb and Baa Baa Black Sheep’s wool? However, shove nostalgia aside because the lamb industry in Texas is in the midst of a renaissance. The days of serving lamb only on the Easter dinner table with a big side of mint jelly are out of date. Lamb is getting a makeover and Texas tops the list as the biggest lamb producer in the United States.

Consider a recent event in Austin where innovative chefs offered saliva-inducing lamb dishes. Everything from chops to hummus.

Evan LeRoy from Evan and Lewis Barbecue offered a Honey Jalapeño Smokey Lamb Chop. “Lamb is not harder to cook,” LeRoy said, “It’s harder to sell.” It’s not the first protein people choose, in part because, “it’s a slightly acquired taste” and yet, as LeRoy quickly added, “so are coffee and beer!”

There is a simple fix to getting more diners to acquire that taste, says David Quam, lamb rancher, broker and member of the American Lamb Board. “You need to try some!” Quam grew up in Colorado, where his father harvested lamb. He now calls San Angelo, Texas home and says he knew he’d follow his father’s path after joining him at feedlots and auction barns as a boy.

Quam says lamb, while a very nutritious protein, is mired in misconception. Consider generations of Americans with loved ones who served in World War II. Quam says soldiers in the field suffered through meals

Braised Lamb Neck by Chef Jason Stude of Boiler Nine Bar + Grill of Austin.

By Nancy Miller Barton

of “mutton in a can.” When they came home, “the last thing they wanted was a leg of lamb.” Lamb, it seems, has a marketing problem.

Nationwide there are around 80,000 lamb operations. According to the Texas Farm Bureau, 7,000 are in Texas. While protecting livestock from predators can be an expensive task that requires vigilance, the wooly chewers are good for the environment.

Grazing keeps grasses at bay, reducing fire hazard and improving pastures. Most lamb raised in Texas today is sold, often at auction, as a food source rather than for wool.

As to the marketing issue, The American Lamb Board has seen growth in new markets. “Millennials are very food conscious,” says Quam. Also, while lamb, which is considered a red meat, isn’t always the most inexpensive option, it is highly nutritious. Quam says, while sales of red meats are down overall, lamb is experiencing sales growth. Additionally, Quam reports growth in what he calls “ethnic markets,” specifically among American Muslims.

Ranchers now pay added attention to the way lambs are raised, and later slaughtered, to abide by halal cooking standards.

The American Lamb Board does offer recipes on its website. And, if you’re still feeling nostalgic, consider another recipe from that Austin taste test: Rolled Lamb Belly with Mint Chimichurri. Yes, you read right. Lamb and mint.

AMERICANLAMB.COM

Rolled Lamb Belly & Mint Chimichurri Recipe by Chef Evan LeRoy, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

1 lamb belly (½ lb.), ¼ lb. ground lamb, 2 tbsp. garam masala, 1 tsp. minced garlic, ½ cup olive oil, 1 bunch mint, 1 bunch parsley, 1 garlic clove, 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar, ¼ cup goat feta cheese, ¼ cup shaved red onion, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. pepper [1.] Mix the ground lamb fully with the garam masala, diced onion, minced garlic, salt and pepper.

[2.] Form the mixture into a log shape and place in the middle of the lamb belly. Roll and tie with twine to secure.

[3.] Season the rolled belly with salt and pepper; smoke until internal temperature is 150 F. [4.] Wrap tightly in foil and continue to smoke until internal temperature is 180 F. [5.] Remove from smoker and let rest.

[6.] In a food processor, combine the olive oil, mint, parsley, garlic and red wine vinegar (add red chili flakes for optional heat). Pulse to combine ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

[7.] Slice the lamb roll (about ½ inch thick) and shingle three slices on a plate. Top with the chimichurri, shaved onion and goat feta cheese and serve.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 43

Grilling 101 TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

7 Steps to Steak Heaven

By Melissa Gaskill

Never fear, follow these tips from our grilling experts and make your cookouts sizzle.

1. Essential Equipment Every adventure requires the right equipment—in this case, a grill, fuel, lighter and grill brush.

And tongs. “Never, ever flip your steak with a fork!” stresses R.G. “Bodey” Langford, owner of Langford Cattle Company in Lockhart. “Poking makes a steak lose all those delicious juices.”

2. Choose the Right Meat “Steaks are an obvious choice,” says Jerry McPherson, grill master for the Texas Beef Council. “Ribeye, strip steak and tenderloin are best for grilling. Leaner options are tenderloin, strip steak, and sirloin.”

Use skirt steak or marinated flank steak for fajitas. An 80/20 ground beef makes a more flavorful burger, he adds, but 90/10 is leaner. Flat iron steaks offer flavor and tenderness second only to tenderloin, at a fraction of the price. Other grilling favorites include chicken breasts, firmfleshed fish fillets, and ribs.

44 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

3. How Much Meat?

Typical servings, cooked and trimmed, are 4 per pound for flat iron, sirloin, and strip steaks; 3 for boneless ribeye; and 2 ½ for bone-in ribeye. A pound of ground beef yields about four servings. For fajitas, skirt steak stretches farther than individual steak portions. Leftovers? No problem, put steak on salads, in omelets, and on sandwiches.

4. Seasoning “Don’t overthink seasoning,” McPherson advises. “Salt and pepper are perfect.

Experiment with what you already have to make your own blend of herbs and spices.” Langford says keep it simple – salt, pepper, garlic. “Rub your steak lightly with olive oil before adding spice.”

Marinate less-tender cuts, such as flank steak, for anything from two hours to overnight. “Purchase marinades, or have some fun making your own,” McPherson says. “Simply blend an oil with an acidic ingredient like citrus juice. Always marinate in, and grill directly from, the refrigerator, and discard your marinade immediately.”

5. Lighting the Fire Clean the grill before lighting. No brush?

Use wadded up aluminum foil.

For gas grills, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For charcoal, McPherson recommends a single-layered grid pattern covering the entire cooking area. “This

prevents hot and cold spots, so your meat cooks on consistent heat.”

Cook at 400 degrees, he advises. “Place your hand four inches above the heat source for four seconds before the heat requires you to remove your hand. That’s when you’ve reached 400 degrees.”

6. When Is It Done?

Use an inexpensive, instant-read meat thermometer. Ideal after-resting temperature for medium rare is 145 degrees; medium, 160 degrees; and well done, 170 degrees. Overcooking steak, a common goof, is easily prevented, McPherson says; remove from the grill about five degrees before the ideal temperature and allow it to rest for three to five minutes.

“To me, the only degree of doneness is medium rare,” says Langford.

7. What Else to Serve “You’re already at the grill, so cook your whole meal there,” McPherson suggests.

Most vegetables work well; slice in half (squash, peppers, tomatoes), whole (corn), or kebabs (just about anything).

“You can even do dessert on the grill,” he adds. Try grilled angel food cake: cut into wedges and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, lightly toasting both sides.

Serve with strawberries or peaches and whipped cream.

BEEFLOVINGTEXANS.COM

Photography courtesy Texas Beef Council

Ah, those long summer days, when a Texan’s thoughts turn to firing up the grill. To that tantalizing and mouthwatering smoke. Or, struggling to light the fire, overcooked meat and burger patties landing on the ground.

actual patient

Shake it to the left Shake it to the Right Summer Cocktails Mix it Up

By Cody Neathery

Summers in Texas are brutal, relentless and unforgiving. It’s a season that we Texans find ourselves in a bittersweet relationship with. We simultaneously flirt with the sun that kisses our skin while cursing the drought-inducing blistering heat.

When I think of summery cocktails, breezy, light, and fruity, come to mind. And men, don’t immediately dismiss these drinks as being for the estrogen-laden crowd because we all know, you really do enjoy a good pina colada now and then.

But, not to worry—there are cures for the summertime blues. Two things come to mind, one being any water source available for us to dunk our over-heated bodies into, and the other, cool adult beverages to ensure we forget to apply that oh-so-important second layer of sunscreen.

For insight on the perfect summer cocktails, I turned to Ravi Singh, bar manager of Dallas’ Rapscallion restaurant, which was named a 2016 best new restaurant by Southern Living and 2016 best bar by Playboy.

SL Coupe

Spring Fling

• 1 1/2 oz. light rum

• 1 oz. vodka

• 2 oz. gin

• 1/2 oz. blue Curacao

• 1/2 oz. strawberry honey *

• 1 oz. fresh lime juice

• 3/4 oz. fresh pineapple juice

• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 oz. ginger syrup **

• 3/4 oz. Coco Lopez

• 1 dash Scrappy's lavender bitters

• 2-3 large chunks cucumber

• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice Add all to a shaker with crushed ice and shake until well chilled (8-10 seconds). Pour into a hurricane glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge, lemon wheel, cherry and umbrella.

Add to an ice-filled shaker and shake until chilled (8-10 seconds). Add 2 oz. Champagne and strain into a cocktail coupe. Garnish with lemon wheel and strawberry. *Strawberry honey • 8 oz. strawberries (by weight) • 8 oz. honey (by weight) Hull and wash the strawberries; let them completely air dry. Add to blender with the honey and puree for about 1 minute or until completely smooth. Bottle and keep refrigerated.

Blue Curacao and light rum make for a refreshing Blue Hawaiian

46 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

The fruity SL Coupe

Muddle cucumber in a shaker before adding gin, lime, ginger syrup and ice. Shake until well chilled (8-10 seconds). Add 1 oz. Topo Chico. Fine strain into an ice-filled collins glass.

Garnish with lime wheel and candied ginger. **Ginger syrup Mix equal parts fresh ginger juice and sugar.

Blend until smooth.

Spring Flings are perfect for summer!

All photos by Cody Neathery

Blue Hawaiian

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

rocky

mOuntaiNeeR AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY THROUGH CANADA

CANADA CELEBRATES

150 YEARS

By Marika Flatt

48 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

A

ll aboard those who want to explore our neighbor to the north, which officially celebrates its 150th birthday on July 1. You'll encounter some of the most beautiful scenery known to man, see four towns in a week, and disconnect at the same time.

Rocky Mountaineer has treated their luxury train travelers to breathtaking views amid über-comfort and fine dining since 1990. Journey Through the Clouds/ Western Explorer is an

8-day/7-night treat that takes you from Vancouver to Jasper and on to Banff.

Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, president of the of the Canadian Pacific Railway who oversaw construction of the first Canadian transcontinental railway, is quoted as saying, “If we can’t export the scenery, we will import the tourists.”

It’s safe to say that Rocky Mountaineer exists to import tourists to the scenery of the Canadian Rockies.

THE BIG CITY: VANCOUVER

SEA & DO

British Columbia’s hippest city has a myriad of things to do and places to explore before you jump on the Rocky Mountaineer train in Vancouver. And, it’s an easy direct flight from DFW airport.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Head over to the North Shore area of Vancouver and experience the wobbly bridge (450 feet across and 230 high), made of distressed steel cables and able to hold 96 elephants or 2 Boeing airplanes.

Cross the bridge to the Treetop Adventure, a series of walkways amid towering firs, and the single-file Cliff Walk. Vancouver’s oldest attraction, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is now 27 acres and receives over a million visitors per year.

STANLEY PARK

Larger than New York’s Central Park, at 1,000 acres, the green swathe is the largest downtown park in North America. Stroll along pathways and visit one of its three beaches.

GROUSE MOUNTAIN

Take a charming gondola ride to the summit of Grouse Mountain (3,700 feet above sea level), where you can take a walk to see two grizzly bears, view a lumberjack show and experience exceptional birding. Time it to eat lunch in their restaurant with a great view while enjoying Pacific halibut paired with a glass of chardonnay. Feeling active? Skip the

gondola and hike to the summit up the appropriately named lung-busting Grouse Grind, dubbed by many "nature's stairclimber."

SEA VANCOUVER BOAT HARBOR CRUISE

Suit up in a Mars-roving-like suit and hop aboard a zodiac speedboat to sightsee on the water. You’ll boat by notable neighborhoods, but the highlight is passing through the False Creek area with a view of the seawall and Granville Island market.

CINCIN ITALIAN RISTORANTE

Plan dinner around a walk to this delicious Italian bistro with its wood-fired stove. Make sure and enjoy the ravioli of fire-cooked squash or wild BC salmon, paired with either a bold cabernet or light pinot grigio, depending on your selection.

OVERNIGHT AT THE BEAUTIFUL FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER

You’ll love its downtown location, walking distance to a multitude of sights. With a great lobby bar, Notch 8, you’ll want to soak up this teal-topped hotel with fascinating architecture of its own.

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 49

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

TRAIN TRAVEL

»» Choose from Gold Leaf or Silver Leaf travel. In Gold Leaf carriages, you sit on the upper deck with glass dome viewing and walk downstairs to dine elegantly; Silver Leaf passengers dine at their seats (much like on an airline.) I found walking back and forth on Gold Leaf provided an opportunity to stretch my legs and a change of scenery during an up to12-hour train day. »» Because you’re traveling through remote areas of farmland and the Canadian Rockies, there’s very little connectivity for phones and other electronic devices. I found this gave me the chance to fully relax and absorb all the Rocky Mountaineer has to offer. »» The culinary experience is top-notch, with Michelintrained chefs bringing the best of local flavors. Forget boxed airline meals; passengers order off a menu (their tagline is “Eat Well & Travel Often") of choices including spinach

The Northern Lights can be seen in Alberta.

50 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

and feta cheese soufflé or egg crisp for breakfast, and lunch choices such as BC steelhead salmon or beef short ribs. And, in between meals, there are offerings of muffins and coffee in the morning and cheese and crackers in the afternoon. All baking is done on board (there were 90 chefs on board our train) and there’s an open bar at all times (pair the beautiful scenery with an Okanagan Valley wine from BC or a Whistler ale for an exceptional afternoon.) »» Ready to breathe in some cool, crisp mountain air? Head to the vestibule at the back of the carriage for a front row seat to the Rockies and simply inhale. Photo opps abound and the hosts will even tell you to get ready for popular views, such as crossing rivers, snow-capped mountains and wildlife haunts. »» Overnight like the days of old. Stay in the little mining town of Kamloops (which means, the meeting of the waters), known for its outdoor adventures. Stay at the modern Sandman Signature hotel, directly across from a park along the Thompson River and dine at Terra Restaurant, walkable from the hotel. Kamloops is also home to several vineyards so the restaurant can provide a delightful paired dinner, combining a hearty bison meal with a pinot noir from a Kamloops Wine Trail winery, such as Harper’s Trail, Privato or Monte Creek Ranch.

Photo courtesy Fairmont/Paul Zizka

After listening to old standards played on a grand piano in the Vancouver train station, you're ready to board the Rocky Mountaineer luxury coach. We had over 500 travelers on our 23-coach train. This vacation is extremely popular in other countries; it’s nearly a right-of-passage for Australian retirees.

It’s time Texans got on board! A few important items to note before your Journey Through the Clouds:

WILDLIFE WONDERLAND: JASPER After a few days on the train, you’ll arrive at my favorite location, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in the heart of the Rockies, where rustically elegant cabins are sprinkled on 700 acres, and Lac Beauvert (which means “beautiful green”) is a striking centerpiece. Wake up to find elk grazing right off your patio after a contented night’s sleep on the best bed known to cabin dwelling. The Lodge celebrated 100 years in 2015 and has recently renovated its 446 guest rooms.

Kamloops Lake

Photo courtesy Tourism Kamloops/ Kelly Funk

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

Rocky Mountaineer's dining slogan is "Eat Well and Travel Often."

»» Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) sits at the center of Jasper National Park.

There’s a walking/jogging trail around the lake that provides a serene, yet energizing start to the day.

»» Maximize your time at JPL with some time on the lake in a kayak, sitting around the lakeside pool (order a cocktail or a lager from Jasper Brewing Company), or visiting the Fairmont Spa.

»» If you time your visit right, you can even view the famous Northern Lights from JPL!

Jasper Park Lodge boasts eight restaurants and lounges.

Kamloops has many festivals throughout the year.

Jasper Park Lodge sits gloriously on a lake in Jasper National Park.

Photo courtesy Jasper Park Lodge

»» At Maligne Lake, take a 90-minute boat ride to Spirit Island. The Queen Elizabeth range surrounds the lake and the breathtaking views of the blue/green lake water amid the mountains will be a memory captured forever. (Water in the lakes around the Canadian Rockies really is an emerald/ teal color due to the silt sediment that comes off the mountains.)

Photo courtesy Fairmont/Paul Zizka

Photo courtesy Tourism Kamloops/Tyler Meade

»» JPL boasts eight restaurants and lounges that rely on seasonal, local, organic sourcing to provide their own fresh twist on mountain cuisine. Enjoy a breakfast buffet with Pyramid and Whistler mountains as your eye candy.

And, for dinner, enjoy a hearty housemade pasta dish at Orso Trattoria.

Spring 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 51

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

CANADIAN ROCKIES, UP CLOSE & PERSONAL The Icefields Parkway, known as the world’s most spectacular journey, lies between Jasper and Banff, in Alberta. This is full day’s drive via charter bus (144 miles), but will be one of the highlights of your visit. The natural beauty is hard to put into words (which is why we’re sharing so many personal photos on our social media).The Icefields Parkway travels through two national parks, past snow-capped mountains and along zen-like lakes. Take time to make plenty of stops—this is definitely about the journey, not just the destination.

Fairmont's "Castle in the Rockies" in Banff.

»» You’ll stop to see rushing water at Athabasca Falls, multitiered roadside waterfalls, view emerald water at Peyto Lake (“the bluest lake in the Rockies”) at Bow Summit, Bow Lake, and, of course, the glorious Lake Louise at the base of a range you’ll never forget. »» Crowfoot Glacier is a frosty sight you’ll pass on the Icefields Parkway. Brewster Snocoach Tours offers a ride like no other over the icy Athabasca Glacier, where you’re dropped off to carefully walk around on the glacier. It’s fascinating to see the blue tone come through and to slide your foot across the slippery plane of glacial ice. »» Overnight in Banff at the epicenter of Banff National Park at Fairmont Banff Springs, the “Castle in the Rockies,” defining mountain luxury. Fairmont Banff Springs opened in 1888 as a 250-room wooden structure that charged $3.50 per night. The current structure was completed in 1928 to resemble a Scottish baronial castle. Enjoy the second floor bar, a breakfast buffet at Bow Valley Grill and a Germaninspired dinner at Waldhaus on property. »» Absorb the crisp mountain air on one of many hikes you can find around Banff. The 10K (6.2 miles) Tunnel Mountain hike will take you to a heart-pounding vantage point overlooking Banff. »» Spend some time in the beautiful mountain town of Banff for some shopping or dinner at one of its many steakhouses, such as Chuck’s Steak House where you can enjoy a substantial wedge salad followed by their Alberta Prime New York steak or wood-fired salmon.

Call it a bucket list item, a trip of a lifetime, or whatever label you choose, but a Rocky Mountaineer trip that takes you from the bustling city of Vancouver through vintage Kamloops, on to the quiet solitude of Jasper Park Lodge, down the Icefields Parkway to Banff is a gift to yourself or someone you love.

I left part of my heart in the Canadian Rockies and plan to return to retrieve it as soon as possible.

ROCKYMOUNTAINEER.COM

52 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

The views along the route are spectacular.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Summer at the Spa Get Ready to

By Marika Flatt

Back-to-back appointments never felt so relaxing

54 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Photo courtesy Lake Austin Spa

W

hether you’re stressing out from the dog days of summer at work, or having your kids home for summer break is getting to you, there’s no better way to relax than getting pampered at the spa. We’re lucky to have several world-class destination spas in Texas. Take your spouse, daughter, a friend; or escape by yourself ! We’re going to introduce you to three very different spa styles so explore the one that suits your R&R needs.

Lake Austin Spa Get busy but restore at this lakeside retreat

Nestled in the corner of Mary Quinlan Park, just off the Colorado River in Steiner Ranch on the west side of Austin, sits this upscale resort, perfect for the spa-goer who may want more than a treatment.

Seemingly infinite options are available. Learn to pedalboard (it’s like a stand-up paddle board with a stairmaster and LAS is one of the first locations to get these fun rides), or take a fitness hoop dance class; take a sunset wine cruise or a private culinary lesson; learn Tai Chi on the lake or take an aromatherapy workshop.

Photo courtesy Lake Austin Spa

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

There’s nothing not to love about this place, although it is a bit pricey.

The nightly rate does include uber-comfy accommodations (we love the lakefront rooms) and all-inclusive meals. The classes are included but you pay for any spa treatments on top of that, at the lux Lake House Spa up the hill. But you must treat yourself to a service. The Weekend Warrior Massage (80 minutes) is ideal because you’ll be moving your muscles while you’re there so this treatment combines stretching with deep tissue massage for the ultimate prescription.

The Tour of Texas spa treatment takes no shortcuts, with 110 minutes of total relaxation. My therapist began with the prickly pear exfoliating scrub, which made my skin feel super smooth. The pleasant aroma, along with her professional approach, really set the tone for the rest of this experience.

After rinsing off the prickly pear scrub in a private shower, the second leg of this delightful tour included a luxurious agave nectar wrap. She first gently applied fragrant nectar from head to toe, then wrapped me in soft sheets, to allow this treatment time to permeate my skin and send me into an even deeper state of relaxation. The scalp massage was divine, and the perfect segue to the final phase. For 50 minutes, she performed a full body massage, using the perfect amount of pressure for all those sore and aching muscles. Warm essential oils soothed my skin from head to toe, as the tension slowly melted away.

After this treatment, I felt fully rejuvenated, as though I had just taken the scenic route to mind and body bliss!

Make sure you take time to relax in the blue room at the spa and spend time in the amenities: hot tub, sauna, steam room and outdoor patio.

You’ll want a half-day just in the spa.

The food is delicious and the portion sizes remind you that you’re at a wellness spa. You’re welcome to order alcoholic beverages, but those aren’t included in the all-inclusive price.

Here’s a few of the many classes: morning yoga on the dock, restorative yoga, guided meditation, yoga nidra, foam rolling, pilates, PiYo (pilates & yoga), cardio blast, HIIT, Bollywood dance class, Core, and full body cardio circuit. My personal favorites included the morning hike on the greenbelt, Barre None (a dancer’s class without the barre), and the spin class in the studio overlooking the lake. But, one of my favorite activities was the lunchtime boat cruise along Lake Austin.

–Dana Hogan, Round Rock resident

JW Marriott Austin A day spa option

If you're in Central Texas and looking for a day spa option, we recommend JW Marriott Austin. Start at their restaurant, Corner, for brunch/ lunch to enjoy the house-made zucchini cornbread, chilaquiles or 7-layer salad. All the food is locally and sustainably sourced.

Photo courtesy JW Marriott Austin

LAKEAUSTIN.COM

Then, head to the sixth floor to enjoy a manicure, facial or massage at the spa. The spa staff is ultra attentive and knows how to pamper.

If you’re in a crunch for time, they even offer express treatments, lasting only 12 to 25 minutes.

You’ll love this bustling downtown location where you can spend as little or as much time on your R&R as you like.

JWMARRIOTTAUSTIN.COM/SPA

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 55

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Photo courtesy Loma de Vida at La Cantera

Loma de Vida at La Cantera in S.A. All-exclusive pampering Loma de Vida spa at La Cantera Resort in San Antonio opened its doors last October after a few years of intense planning and development to create a destination spa fit for a Texas queen.

Loma de Vida means “hill of life,” where the city is in view, but peacefulness takes center stage.

You’ll notice an emphasis on Himalayan pink salt at this spa (which you can see in our Facebook video). It's used in their Clearing Himalayan Salt Stone Mineral Massage™ -- an energizing digital detox, with smooth stones that knead away your sore muscles.

This perfect retreat for couples can include a personal cabana or a private Sky Loft, so you can be scrubbed and massaged under the endless Texas sky. There’s also a Grotto that can be privately booked for a small group.

But the real shining star at Loma de Vida is their Solarium (womenonly and men-only). You’ll find an “Experience Shower,” using the Himalayan salt scrub with water jets coming at you from all directions; then you can sit in the perfectly-heated “Vitality Pool,” just warm enough to relax; and you can also detox in the dry sauna with a Himalayan salt wall at one end and a window to the hills on the other. Also, spend some time at the outdoor infinity pool with smooth rocks on the bottom to heal your tired feet.

Add a hand-crafted, cold-pressed juice from their café, Quenche.

Or a light lunch.

You can even get access to all that Loma de Vida has to offer without a spa treatment for a daily rate of $40 for hotel guests and $60 for locals.

No visit to Loma de Vida at La Cantera is complete without treating yourself to a delicious dinner at Signature, a Chef Andrew Weissman restaurant. It sits just down the road from the resort and opened in November 2016 to anticipating locals. The menu is impressive but it’s the little things that impressed me the most. I’ve never before seen a “citrus bar” brought around with water glasses to “make the water come alive.” You can choose from a beautiful display of produce, such as grapefruit, cucumber, lemon and lime. And, there’s an equally impressive display of sweeteners and add-ons for your post-dinner coffee.

Chef Weissman calls Signature “a culinary love letter to my hometown.” You’ll see why when you experience his seasonal menu. Start with an appetizer of gold leaf risotto, seared foie gras, or a charcuterie plate made in-house. Don’t skip the Bibb lettuce salad with grilled shrimp, avocado, mushroom, micro herbs and green goddess dressing. Follow that with an entrée of Arctic char, perfectly crispy and combined with pork belly, or seafood gnocchi featuring butter poached lobster, clams and merguez sausage. End your feast with a seasonal sorbet or Paris-Brest with praline cream, crushed chocolate flakes and sugar nails.

DESTINATIONHOTELS.COM/LOMA-DE-VIDA

New to spa-ahhhhing?

Photo courtesy Loma de Vida at La Cantera

Here’s a few tips to get the most out of your experience:

56 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

• This is a great time to try new things, whether you’ve never had a craniosacral (scalp) massage or you’ve never danced in front of others in a fitness class or never tried a juice cleanse, this is your chance to get outside your comfort zone.

• Use the time to recharge your batteries but go into it expecting to move your body, too. Your body, mind and spirit will feel much better after a workout, even if you’re not used to exercising.

• Don’t arrive without a few necessities: a swimsuit (no matter the season), clothes and shoes for fitness, a good book, sunscreen and a good pair of UV-protection sunglasses.

facebook.com/funatsons/

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Explore Santa Fe The City Different S

anta Fe, New Mexico, Texas’ closest neighbor to the west, is a hub of history, culture, art, food and breathtaking scenic views. The city embraces its history and has found a way to pair its historical roots with a modern lifestyle allowing visitors to explore both.

Just as it was hundreds of years ago, Santa Fe’s downtown plaza is the heart of the city. Anchored on one side by a large church and on another by the Plaza of the Governors, visitors can buy handmade items from Native American artisans, visit museums and explore historic sites. Shopping is also a big part of the plaza experience where everything from high-end art and jewelry, to five and dime trinkets are available. Plan your visit around one of the many festivals that take place in a city where each season has a highlight; the International Folk Art Festival, Santa Fe Indian Market and ART Santa Fe to name a few.

You might have caught a glimpse of the large and flourishing art scene in the plaza, but Santa Fe has art in every nook and cranny of the city. Canyon Road, the third largest art market in the U.S., behind New York and Los Angeles, is a half-mile stretch of road located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Fine art galleries, sculpture gardens, boutiques, and restaurants are a

58 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

By Gabi De la Rosa

small part of what there is to explore on this beautiful stretch of road.

Santa Fe is a foodie’s paradise, especially if you have an affinity for red and green chilies. The peppers have historical and cultural significance in New Mexico and will pop up on every menu in every restaurant. If you don’t want it for every meal, you will still eat well and often at many of the award-winning restaurants all over town.

Although Santa Fe is famous for its art and history, its scenic landscape might be its greatest treasure. No matter the season, there is always something to enjoy outdoors; snow skiing at Ski Santa Fe, hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, fishing, golf and mountain biking, are just a sampling of what the outdoor enthusiast has to look forward to around the area.

The state boasts over 320 days of sunshine each year and, because of its high altitude, both the evenings and mornings are crisp and comfortable.

Santa Fe is a destination that caters to the sensibilities of different travelers and special interests: food, art, culture, history and more. As Texans, we are lucky that we are a road trip (or short plane ride) away from this cultural adventure.

All photography courtesy TOURISM Santa Fe

Outdoor markets and festivals are one of Santa Fe’s specialties.

Plan to spend a few hours at Santa Fe’s #1 visitor attraction, Meow Wolf.

No matter the season, there is always something to do outdoors in Santa Fe.

The number one visitor attraction in Santa Fe is Meow Wolf. The 33,000 square-foot immersive art exhibit has a permanent installation called “The House of Eternal Return” which features labyrinths, secret passages, interactive exhibits and even a magical cave system. Largely funded

by George R. R. Martin of “Game of Thrones” fame, this one-of-a-kind art experience can’t be missed.

Treat yourself to shopping in Santa Fe’s downtown plaza.

SANTAFE.ORG

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 59

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

The Champions’ Game How one teacher taught some of the country’s poorest students about chess and life,

By Samantha Strom and turned them into national champions.

Photo by Barry Link

A

ll Saul Ramirez needed was one shot. One opportunity, and he was willing to do the work. He was a chess player. He played to win.

In The Champions’ Game by Saul Ramirez and John Seidlitz (Canter Press, 2017), Ramirez shows how hard work makes champions--no matter where they come from and what their circumstances are.

Through his unique chess coaching, his students learn how to navigate life and grow as strategically-thinking individuals.

When he interviewed at Henderson Middle School for the open art teacher position, he made a promise. “I will make state champions out of the Henderson chess team. I did it before. I can do it here.” It was going to be his move, his checkmate. Only a few short years later, he was able to fulfill his promise.

Many students at Henderson are fronterizos, border crossers. They live in El Paso and visit their families across the border on the weekends. Every student at Henderson qualifies for the free lunch program. They have bigger things to worry about than chess. How could they possibly become state, and eventually national, champions?

The Champions’ Game covers the last few years of Henderson’s chess team, but the streak still lives. This March, they placed first in both the Novice and JV divisions, and 4th in Advanced.

In the introduction to The Champions’ Game, Seidlitz explains, “Ramirez intertwines life principles with rules from the game of chess to produce winners. And winning is something these kids want.”

Ramirez’ Rules of Chess & Life: 1. Go Big or Go Home This rule is about commitment. In chess, as in life, if you’re going to do something, really do it. Don’t just phone it in.

2. No Such Thing as Losing Even if you lose a game of chess, if you learn from it, you have gained, not lost.

Learn from your mistakes in life.

3. You Have to Really Want It You’re not always going to win every game, and in life, not everything will go your way. It’s only going to be worth it if you want it enough to fight for it.

Saul Ramirez made chess champions of a middle school team few others believed in.

4. Develop Your Pieces In chess, each piece is important. You have to know how to use it effectively.

On a team, each player is important.

You don’t want just one awesome player.

5. Protect Your King In chess, if you lose your king, you lose the game. In life, you are the king.

There is no “we” if there is no “me.”

Take care of yourself first.

6. Cherish Your Queen The queen is the most powerful player on the board. Cherish her. This lesson was used to teach chivalry. Lirio, the only girl on the team, was to be treated like a queen. This meant simple chivalrous gestures such as carrying her bag and opening doors for her.

THECHAMPIONSGAME.COM

“Ramirez intertwines life principles with rules from the game of chess to produce winners. And winning is something these kids want.”

60 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS TEXAS

Explore a Hill Country Crown Jewel Westcave Preserve offers an unforgettable walk with nature

By Terri Schexnayder

Visitors to this magical place, with its astonishing 40-foot waterfall, soon learn of an incredible history of preservation.

Located just 30 miles west of downtown Austin, Westcave Preserve’s story began long ago as a favorite picnic spot and swimming hole for campers. Steady wear-and-tear and growing graffiti motivated landowner John Covert Watson to establish a full-time manager to protect it.

Davenport, a Westcave docent, appreciates the reactions of those she welcomes. “It’s the whole amphitheater—the waterfall, emerald plunge pool and cave—that makes them go, ‘Ooh’ and ‘Ahh,’” said Davenport. “This fern-covered grotto could be in a rain forest.”

In addition to guided tours into the canyon, where you will discover a fast-flowing stream, there are many nature trails through the drier upland plateau on which to connect with the nine-banded armadillo or Greater Roadrunner.

24814 HAMILTON POOL RD I ROUND MOUNTAIN WESTCAVE.ORG

Photo courtesy Texas A&M University Press

Authors S. Christopher Caran and Elaine Davenport share the tale of survival, and now-flourishing flora and fauna in Discovering Westcave: The Natural & Human History of a Hill Country Nature Preserve (Texas A&M University Press, 2016).

Westcave Preserve’s “Must See & Do” Look up at the limestone ceiling of the cavity, for which Westcave was named. You’ll see shells of fossil oysters from a time when part of this central Texas area was an ocean.

Visit Ahrns Grove, named after former Preserve Director John Ahrns. Among the variety of trees, be sure and sniff the Mexican Plum, which reportedly smells like a tortilla.

The Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center houses the Solar Observatory. Here, wrote Davenport, “a spot of sunlight crossing the meridian line has been rigged” to play a few bars of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.”

Summer Spring 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 61

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Honky Tonk Confessional How a track that was never supposed to see the light of day solidified Sunny Sweeney’s place in female songwriting history

“Bartender, don’t shake your head at me. I know exactly what I’m doing , and I need another drink.”

Photo by Christina Feddersen

By Khrysi Briggs

Texas native Sunny Sweeney bares her soul on her latest album, Trophy.

So begins the journey of Trophy, the newest album from Texasbased songwriter Sunny Sweeney. A devout storyteller who describes Loretta Lynn as her “spirit animal,” Sweeney’s honeycoated southern drawl has as much impact on the tone of her new album as her confessional songwriting style.

expertly placed interludes and brief intermissions. The title song, “Trophy,” turns the term ‘trophy wife’ on its head in a not-so-subtle mockery of the woman that came before her, her husband’s ex-wife.

“Grow Old With Me” shows Sweeney tackling all-new territory for her, as she pens a love song to her husband, Jeff.

The opening track, “Pass the Pain,” was actually inspired by a time when she sat in a bar all day, trying to drink her problems away while going through a divorce. She knows it’s not helping, she knows it’s not working; but drowning the pain is as much an escape from it as it is her self-imposed penance.

On the album’s standout track, “Bottle By My Bed,” Sweeney touches on a whole other level of pain — her unfulfilled desire to have a child. The song was never supposed to be performed live, let alone recorded; it was too personal. But she played it at a songwriters’ night and saw the impact it had on other women (and men, for that matter) sharing the same struggle. “I want people to know it’s OK to talk about it,” she told NPR Music.

Much of the record plays out this way; Trophy is the most raw and honest collection of songs Sweeney has ever allowed herself to make. Her rebellious spirit still makes itself known, demanding that she be allowed to sink her own ship if she so chooses. There are toetapping country staples to drown your sorrows to, but she also tackles subjects as deeply personal as the yearning to be a mother when the universe doesn’t see fit to make those dreams come true just yet.

The whiskey-soaked reflection of “Pass the Pain” flows effortlessly into “Better Bad Idea,” which could easily have been written mid-hangover the morning after. If “Pass the Pain" saw Sweeney drowning her sorrows, “Better Bad Idea” is homage to turning pain on its head. The lyrics and driving melody showcase the recklessness of someone mourning a lost relationship, but also serve as an anthemic reminder that pain and heartache only have as much power as you give them.

Sweeney’s honesty and emotion vacillates in this way throughout the album, which avoids feeling disjointed by the inclusion of

62 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

She started to find that people really related to the message and heartbreak, and decided to include it in the album. By the time she recorded the scratch vocals, she was miraculously pregnant; it seemed as if Sweeney might get her fairy tale ending. But before recording had even finished on the track, she suffered a miscarriage.

“As an adult, the hardest thing that I've ever had to go through was singing that song that close to [the miscarriage],” says Sweeney.

For better or worse, these experiences are the foundation of an album that is as enchanting as it is eclectic. It may be a roller coaster ride, but it’s one you’ll be happy to strap in for. And if the best songs truly are those that reach in and touch something inside of us, then Trophy is already a masterpiece in its own right.

SUNNYSWEENEY.COM

Find these stories and more at: TEXASLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

#FoodieFriday

Cars, Not Snacks, From This Vending Machine

Thanks to online auto retailer Carvana, buyers now have easy access to a unique way of picking up their new ride. Simply insert an oversized Carvana coin into one of their vending machines in Austin, Houston or San Antonio and watch as automated lifts and ramps deliver your vehicle to you.

Photo by Kathy Tran

The same team that brought STIRR and Citizen to Dallas has another hit-maker with Nikkei.

Chefs Nick Harrison and Ross Demers are the culinary team at the helm of this intriguing concept, serving a cuisine steeped in history that blends Japanese and Peruvian fare.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | WEB EXTRAS

#TravelTuesday

Bastrop’s Art Bazaar

Summer Tips for Happy Pets

Family Camping the Convenient Way

As temperatures climb in Texas, it’s time to think about supporting a healthy lifestyle for fur babies during the summer months.

Austin-based Firehouse Animal Health Center has some mustread tips for keeping your pets safe and secure while enjoying all of the summer fun Texas has to offer.

A lifelong passion for art and travel as intricate as a Persian rug is woven into the Khonsari family—and it’s the foundation of the Lost Pines Art Bazaar, located in the heart of historic Bastrop and owned by the Khonsari sisters, Saba and Naseem. Explore with us their eclectic trove, which includes the nation’s largest collection of hand-knotted Persian rugs.

Learn how to camp with the Texas Outdoor Family program from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. With workshops at state parks all over Texas, camping is now a breeze. Set up a tent, cook outdoors, build a campfire, and play outside. TPWD provides all the equipment, too.

Photo by Earl Nottingham/Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Follow our #CanadaTurns150 series in July as our Travel Editor shows us the many reasons to love our neighbors to the north.

On Canada Day, July 1st, Canada celebrates their 150th birthday. What better reason to tour around British Columbia and Alberta? Come along for the ride in July, eh?

Summer 2017 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 63

athryn Scoblick: K TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

Who I Am

Kathryn Scoblick wants to help you change your life. Her passion is healthy living, and giving people the knowledge they need to create an environment where they feel fulfilled and satisfied. Here, the author of Health Inspires: It’s Not All About the Food shares her hopes, her motivations, and her successes.

As told to Leeza Dennis

I have spent a lifetime studying nutrition, health habits and behaviors to help people master well-being and reach their full potential. I help people accomplish what they imagine for their lives, whether it’s sustainable weight loss or healthy relationships.

The solutions to better health are simple, but it takes great effort and willingness to change. Once people realize the solutions are inside of them, the possibilities are endless. I tell people not to buy what somebody else believes is right for them. Instead, do your research, consult with experts as well as with people who know you, and then create your own path. The fundamentals of well-being are the same for all of us, but our approaches and motivators will be different.

The first time a young man told me I changed his life was one of the most meaningful moments in my career.

We have all experienced a life moment—an epiphany— when somebody says something just the right way at just the right time. It feels equally amazing to be on the giving side of this equation.

The current state of Americans’ health and wellness stirs my passion to help adults realize healthy habits, and to model that behavior for their children.

We must rethink our approach to meals and snacks. It is just as easy to offer children milk or water with dinner rather than a sugar-sweetened beverage, to pack an apple instead of a processed snack with lunch, and to prepare a homemade sandwich loaded with veggies instead of hitting a fast food drive-through.

“All or nothing” approaches and prescribed plans do not work, but getting people started on their own plan and creating momentum is magical. Our successes are determined by our beliefs in our own capabilities. I tell people they can lose weight and keep it off; they simply must decide they want it badly enough, and realize it takes time and consistent effort, like everything else in life that is worthwhile.

HEALTHINSPIRES.COM

64 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2017

Photo courtesy Kathryn Scoblick

I am a proud Texan and third-generation Houstonian. My husband and I moved to Austin 10 years ago to raise our twin boys, who are now 16 years old. How do they grow up so fast?

OUTSOURCE.

The quiet pool of spring-fed Panther Creek.

Concerns are left behind.

Only the moment matters now.

Get out and go within to find what really matters.

Out here, when your energy runs low, you just plug into

GUADALUPE RIVER

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