Garner State Park - A Family Tradition

We are preparing for our annual multi-family camping trip — a trek down to Garner State Park near Uvalde on the Frio River. This year marks our 11th journey. The trip includes anywhere from 5 - 10 families, depending on the year, and it has become a honored family tradition, deeply ingrained in all who go.

On our group hike, we hike up to the top of the “summit” and stop for the breathtaking view, which with this group, is usually not reached in silence, but celebrated with enthusiasm. With the beauty of nature around us, we all find a new rock to place on the growing rock pile and prick a cactus to get the red dye to mark their rock with initials. Families clamor up on rock piles to pose for that potential Christmas card shot.

As we prepare for another year of fun, hiking, talent shows and family and friends catching up, we eagerly respond to each other with lots of emails of what we will eat, drink and bring for our traditional blind taste test and our traditional cook-off.

To hear the children comment on how they too will bring their children to enjoy and create their own "family tradition" makes this trip the best memory maker of any of our traditions!

Wineries Make the grade in Texas

Who would ever have thought that Texas Hill Country Wineries would ever make the top 5 ranking much less number 2 in the ranking for growth in wine tourism!

Orbitz just released their Top 10 Wine Travel destinations:

1. Napa Valley, Calif.
2. Texas Hill Country
3. Arkansas Wine Country
4. Puget Sound, WA
5. Columbia Cascades &
North Central Washington
6. Grand RIver Valley, Ohio
7. Nashville, Tenn./Bloomington, Ind.
8. Applegate/Rogue Valley, Oregon
9. Lake Erie Region, Ohio
10. Kalamazoo, Mich

For Sale in Austin, Texas Avery Ranch

10600 Royal Tara Cv* List Price $209,000
Austin, Texas 78717

School Leander ISD*
Elem: A Rutledge Middle: Artie L Henry High: Vista Ridge

2 story home with 3 living, 2 dining, 3 beds, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage
Sqft 2129* / Tax Record
YrBlt 2004 / Resale
Roof Composition Shingle
Backs To Greenbelt, Cul-De-Sac, Wooded

Dir North on Parmer, 2 miles past Hwy 620, Left on Avery Ranch Rd. Left on Royal Tara, house in center of cul-de-sac

Round Rock - Austin area continues to grow

Last week an article in the Austin American Statesman caught us up on La Frontera. La Frontera is a 330 acre site in a great location: Interstate 35, Texas 45 North Toll Road, and the Loop 1 extension. The project began in June of 1998 and the first retail stores began opening in July of 2000. In the works today are plans for office condos, a rehabilitation hospital, a new hotel, restaurants, shops and a 43 acre mixed-use and office site.

Hurricane Dean

I read an article this morning about school buses heading from Dallas and passed through Austin on Saturday on their way to San Antonio's Alamodome to prepare just in case Dean hits the States.

After Katrina and Rita this is a much needed effort even if Dean doesn't hit the Texas coast. I hope we have all learned lessons about needing to be prepared and am glad to see a pre-emptive strike being taken by our government.

We can't prevent a natural disaster but we can be prepared to help people in a time of need.

Ice Cream Festival

Looking to entertain the kids this Saturday? The 1st annual Austin Ice Cream Festival will be held at Waterloo Park from 10:00 to 7:00 on August 18th.

Sounds like a good time to me! Free samplers of ice cream, an ice cream eating contest just $10 to enter and the best homemade ice cream contest only $20 to enter. Also, there will be a best creation using popsicle sticks contest.

Sounds like a fun day for kids of all ages...

Real Estate: A Rewarding Career

I have worked many different jobs while living in Austin, Texas. Banking, office furniture sales, computer sales and the travel industry. I decided to take a friends advice and get my real estate license. I worked as an assistant to my Broker and decided I would enjoy helping people buy or sell their home. This is a challenging but rewarding career. I am proud of what I do and excited to help people with their decision in maybe the most expensive investment they make in their life.