Zilker Park is a vast 351 acre metropolitan park located in Austin, TX. It consists of the Green Belt, Botanical Garden, Sculpture Garden, Natural Spring Pool, and numerous open areas that families can enjoy any day of the week. I encourage anyone visiting this awesome city to take a trip there and enjoy. Trust me its worth it on a nice sunny day.

Visiting Zilker Park Botanical Garden

Located in the center of Austin, the Zilker Park is a good place to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the garden. Admission is $3.00 per person. (So Cheap!) Definitely a good family trip idea for the weekend. Its most notable gardens are the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and Pioneer Village. Bring your camera, there are some really photo-worthy opportunities. All of my photos were taken with my Nikon D60. (I know, I know! Ancient!) Okay enough talking… enjoy!

The Gardens

It was discovered in 1992 that dinosaurs walked around Zilker Park. Paleontologists discovered reptile tracks, even bones of ancient turtle were found. Through out the prehistoric garden you can find plants indigenous to Austin during that era.

The Gardens were a lush green, with sprinkles of colorful flowers through out. Displaying the flowers and plants indigenous to the area and the state of Texas.

Pioneer Village

Pioneer Village sits near the entrance of the Botanical Garden. It consists of the Swedish Pioneer Cabin, Esperanza Schoolhouse, the Wishing Well, and Pioneer Blacksmith shop. They each provided a display of the items needed to live in the 1800’s. Sorry for the lack of photos on the inside, bars and plexiglass made it difficult to snap some photos. It is worth viewing though.

History surrounds this cupola that rests in the Mabel Davis Rose Garden. It topped the first public school built in Austin in 1894. The building has since been demolished and this little piece of history serves as a reminder of Austin’s early history.

Japanese Garden

Japanese Gardens are always so peaceful and tranquil to me. It’s the whole ambiance that I love, from the plants to the ponds filled with beautiful Koi fish that seem to have no care in the world. Swimming around brightly colored. It’s so funny that when I was capturing the Togetsu-kyo Bridge or the “Bridge to Walk Over the Moon”, I met one of Austin’s many notable photographers. After chatting for a bit, he gave me one of his signed photos of the Togetsu-kyo Bridge for free. He provided some pointers and proceeded to watch the many people snapping the same beautiful shot.

Hope you enjoyed,

Nadia

Have you been to any awesome botanical gardens while exploring new destinations?

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Blank walls are a shared canvas and we are all artists. – Karla H. Krueger

I love exploring new places and discovering the artistic capabilities of random strangers. Art only known by his or her unique style. Graffiti, a transient form of art, is one of my favorite forms of artwork. It has progressed from simple “tags” to beautiful works of art, such as murals, drawings, and can incorporate 3-D features.

Visiting Castle Hill

When visiting the Austin area, the Hope Outdoor Gallery (known as Castle Hill or Graffiti Park) is a must see. The Hope Outdoor Gallery is an non-profit organization that was started in 2011. It is a place for muralists, street artists, art education classes and community groups that opportunity to express their creative sides. On any given day, you can find artists creating thier next visual creations. Castle Hill is located in downtown Austin on private property. You will know you are there when you find the street packed with cars.

People make the short trek to the top for great view of downtown Austin. Snapping their favorite pieces of street art, selfies, or leaving their on mark on the Hill. Bring your own spray can or grab one of the many lying around. I can be honest and say that I have never been to the top of the Hill. Getting up there can be a little challenging. Be sure to where comfortable shoes if you do. I have had a few missteps and slips making my way up or down. I guess it is all part of the experience. The under developed condo area is set to be relocated to a six-acre project at Carson Creek Ranch.

Here are some of my favorite snaps… Please excuse the vulgar language.

Until next time…

Nadia

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Austin Trail of Lights, known as the Yuletide Fest, started as a small get-together in 1965.

Trail of Light Festivities

Participate in the Fun Run- A fun way of keeping active and enjoy the spirit of the holidays with a 2.1 mile run.

Enjoy some live music- Local musicians and community perform each night. You can enjoy local headliners, storytellers, and community acts.

Enjoy the night lights- Enjoy the awesome light displays everyone in the family can enjoy, provided by local Austin sponsors.

Take a spin on the ferris wheel- Enjoy views of the Austin city skyline from the top.

Visit Candyland- A candy lovers dream! Watch candy making in action from local Austin confectioners.

Take a selfie under the Zilker Tree- Join many others as they gather under and around the Zilker Tree for perfect photo op moments.

Enjoy the warm of the Yule Log- Join others and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa while keeping warm around the Yule log.

Food at the Trail of Lights

After enjoying the festivities, an appetite may develop. There are several areas to eat offering a variety of local flavor from Austin’s favorite restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. These can be found in Candy Cane Lane, North Pole, Zilker Village, Zilker Tree.

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

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(512) 793-2223

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake

Entrance fees: Adults $6.00/Kids 12 & under free

Located an hour northwest of Austin, Inks Lake is a gem worth visiting in the Hill Country. Whether it is on water or on land, Inks Lake State Park offers family fun for everyone. Visitors can enjoy its sparkling blue water, color rock formations, and beautiful sun sets.

Things to Do at Inks Lake

There are numerous activities that you or your family can enjoy:

• land activities such as backpacking, observing nature, picnicking, or geocaching.
• water activities like swimming, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, fishing, renting paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks.
• For as as low as $55 per day, you can enjoy one of the parks 22 cabins on the lake. Or if you want to rough it, the park has numerous campsites starting around $11 per day.
• hike one of its many trails, such as the Valley Spring Creek Trail, all ranging from easy to hard.

Devils Waterhole is secluded area off of the Valley Creek Spring Trail. Locals swim or take a short hike to Spring Creek.

I’m always looking for unique cacti pieces. This one was perfect-  heart shaped! Always looking for the beauty in things. Nature is beauty.

Inks Lake was such a beautiful park. Filled with families hiking trails, camping at one their many sites, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. During this trip, I visited Devil’s Waterhole and hiked two of the easy trails- Devils Waterhole Nature Trail (.2 mi) and the Valley Spring Creek Trail (.9 mi). Figured that was a good intro to hiking. Hiking has definitely become an interest after visiting this park.  I am always looking for beautiful park. What’s your favorite park? Let me know in the comments.

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Recommendations:

• Bring your camera- The views allow for numerous portraits and opportunities for photo-ops, as you will see many with their cameras or cell phones snapping up the perfect selfie with an awesome view in the background.
• Wear safe, sturdy shoes- Its a steep climb up and down. It is worth nothing that even though the hike is short, it is uneven and filled with rocks, with uneven steps. If your require some degree of assistance when walking, I do not recommend this spot.
• Spend some time up there- The views are amazing! Soak it all in. Take a second to breathe and appreciate all the beauty and nature around you.

Getting there:

If heading downtown from Austin, head North to FM 2222 on Loop-1. Head South on 360 Loop/Capital of Texas Highway. Pass W Courtyard Dr. and before making it to the bridge, you will see parking on the right side of the road along a cliff. Be sure to park where the cars are. The entrance is located in the middle of the parking lot.

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