Archive for August, 2008

Aug 31 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Fairs and Festivals, Family Fun, Skywatching, Wildlife Watching

Go Batty This Weekend

Bats at Sunset

BatFest! 2008

This year, the 1st Street Bridge between Cesar Chavez and Riverside Drive will be closed to car traffic while thousands of families enjoy the pedestrian freedom of the bridge. Batfest! will feature arts, crafts, music, food, bat watching, children’s activities and educational displays.

Saturday Aug 30 2 PM until Midnight
Sunday Aug 31 1 PM until 10 PM

Tickets just $5 available day of show at the gate. Children 10 and under Free with an adult.

Average estimated attendance is 40,000!  Watch millions of freetail bats leave the Congress Street Bridge and fly up against the skyline of downtown Austin over beautiful Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy over 30 bands on two stages, buy bat related items, learn about Bat Conservation International, and the important part bats play in our world.

Best Parking on South Side of Bridge:
505 Barton Springs One Texas Center (There is a large garage behind the building).

Best Parking on North Side of Bridge:
1) All meters are free on the weekends 2) There is a paid parking garage under City Hall directly across from the North Entrance 3) State garage just a few blocks away at 3rd and San Antonio streets.

Bike Parking:
Bicycle racks on both ends of the bridge to secure your bike.

4 Comments »

Aug 25 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Family Fun, Fish/Hunt, Golf, Hike/Bike/Run, Lakes, RV Parks, RV Travel, Sports, Wildlife Watching

Comanche Warrior Triathlon

Comanche Warrior Triathlon

Comanche Trail Park in Big Spring Texas (432-264-2376)
Saturday, September 6, 2008

Packet Pickup: 430 PM to 830 PM on Friday and 530 AM on Race Day
Pre Race Meeting: 715 AM on Race Day

Are You Tough Enough, Rough Enough?

Triathlon: Begins at 8:00 AM

The Swim: 500 Meters in Comanche Trail Lake
The Ride: 30K of rolling terrain
The Run: 5K of level to rolling terrain inside Comanche Trail park

The park in which this is held is family friendly and includes a Kid Zone, golf course, tennis courts, hike and bike trail and a small camping area.

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RV Parks in Area:

Lake Colorado City State Park - We have stayed in this park and it is nice. Bring your fishing pole! The park has campsites with water hook-ups and campsites with water and electrical hook-ups. 50-amp electric service hook-up for RVs available for an additional fee. In addition, the park has 11 Limited Use Cabins (waterfront) with small refrigerator, microwave, sleep 4 people, A/C, heat, ceiling fan, shutters, picnic table on a covered porch, fire ring and grill.

Moss Lake - RV Park/Campground offers full hook-up (includes water, sewer, and electricity) and half hook-up (water and electricity). A dump station is also provided. Overnight camping by permit is allowed throughout the facility.

There are two privately owned RV parks in the area. Here are the reviews.

4 Comments »

Aug 25 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Charity, Fairs and Festivals, Family Fun, Hike/Bike/Run, RV Travel

September Bike Rides in Texas

Biking in Texas is Fun

Cowtown Classic Bicycle Ride

North Crowley High School, 9100 S. Hulen Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76123 (MAPSCO 103T)
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Estimated Event Size: 1000
20, 40 and 62 mile rides for charity through Tarrant and Johnson Counties. The start/finish line will be at the south-side of

La Vernia Wild West HammerFest Bicycle Ride

City Park, San Antonio Road, LaVernia, Texas
Saturday, September 13, 2008
34, 55, 63 mile rides on pavement. Bring the family for Festival, Arts & Crafts Show, Food & Fun!

Tour De Florence

The Vineyard at Florence, 4 miles east of Florence on FM 487.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
15, 35, 45 and 62 mile rides through the scenic back roads of Florence and Williamson County with rest stops. Families will be treated to face painting, jumping balloon and other activities for the kids, including kids fun ride within the vineyard. Adults will enjoy the wine tasting and music.

OmniSYS Cotton Patch Classic Tour

Greenville, Texas
Saturday , September 20, 2008
Estimated Event Size: 650
20-mile, 30-mile, 40-mile, 55-mile, 65-mile bike tours. While you participate in a first class bicycle tour, the rest of the family can enjoy a variety of music, food, kids activities, a Classic Car Show, a Railfest at the Old Katy Depot. Stay and enjoy a concert from the Kenneth Threadgill Series at the historic Downtown Greenville Municipal auditorium.

OmniSYS Cottonpatch Classic USCF RACE

Greenville, Texas
Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2008
Event Attributes: Criterium, Stage Race
Estimated Event Size: 40
Distance: 65 miles
USCF Ride Start Time: 725 AM

Cyclefest Tour & Hill Climb

Prude Ranch, Fort Davis, Texas
September 20 and September 21, 2008
Tour provides varying distance routes from 10, 25, 55 and 75 miles.
Cyclefest is one of the most scenic Bike Tour in the state of Texas with beautiful vistas, easy novice routes and challenging hills.

Big Thicket Bicycle Ride

Big Thicket Visitors Center, Beaumont, Texas
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Rides of 14, 36, 46, 75 and 101 miles on scenic South East Texas/Big Thicket byways. The natural terrain is challenging. There will be manned rest stops with restrooms, snacks and drinks.

Waco Wild West Century Bicycle Tour

100 University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas
Saturday, September 27, 2008
10-mile family friendly route goes through beautiful Cameron Park and downtown Waco.
26-mile route is also fun for families and recreational riders. This route is quite flat.
50 & 65-mile routes are relatively flat with a few challenging hills.
100-mile Presidential Tour takes riders on scenic roads throughout McLennan County.

Conquer the Coast Bicycle Tour

Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi, Texas
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28, 2008
25 mile cruise along Ocean Drive, 65 mile ride and a 65 mile ride including the “Toughest 18 Miles in Texas” Time Trial on Padre Island.

Cy-Fair Lions 9th Annual Biking for Sight Century

Montgomery,Texas
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Estimated Event Size: 600
Cycle through some of the most beautiful Texas landscape. The 24 mile route takes you past an exotic animal farm, while the 40, 62 and 100 mile routes take you through the Sam Houston National Forest.

NOTE: In addition to providing all the fun, food and fellowship, many of these bike rides support local charities and civic organizations. Your participation is appreciated and bring much needed funds to many worthy causes.

1 Comment »

Aug 17 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Fairs and Festivals, Family Fun, Food & Wine, Historic travel, Monthly, RV Travel, Shopping

Market Days & Farmers’ Markets

There are many Market Days and Farmers’ Markets in Central Texas.

Usually Farmers’ Markets are for best for local grown fruits, vegetables, and homemade jams, jellies and salsas. During Market Days, anything goes! You will find antiques, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, crafts, candles, music CDs, Mexican imports, bird houses, hats, clothing, leather goods, books, plants, wind chimes, sculpture, glass catchers, gazing balls, framed art, drawings, photography, nuts, baked goods, honey butter, homemade preserves and canned fruits. You will also meet the people who grew, made or crafted the items you are buying.


Bastrop Farmers’ Market
1308 Chestnut Street
Bastrop, Texas

Bastrop Farmers’ Market is open year-round on Fridays from 1 to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Bastrop’s Farmer’s Market is part of the River Valley Farmers Market Association, so everything offered for sale is grown and produced by the merchant. Bring your egg cartons, planting pots, canning jars or bags (paper or plastic) to the market for recycling. WIC coupons accepted. After shopping, take a tour of historic Bastrop or relax at one of the many parks in Bastrop.

Blanco Market Day
Historic Courthouse Square
Blanco, Texas

Blanco Market Day is held every third Saturday of the month March through November on the front lawn of the courthouse. Setup time for vendors is 730 AM and Market Day ends around 4 PM. Dogs are welcome! After you shop, grab a periwinkle blue bike (Blanco Blue Bike) for FREE use at one of several locations around Blanco. Grab a bike an pedal out to swim or fish at Blanco State Park.

Boerne Market Dat
Main Square Gazebo
Boerne, Texas

Boerne Market Days are held the second weekend of each month. Items for sale include antiques, arts and crafts, clothing, pottery, jewelry, Texas souvenirs and gourmet food products. Eat lunch on Main Street or enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Cibola Creek. Plan to visit the Cibolo Nature Center.

Elgin Farmers Market
410 North Main (next to Elgin Library)
Elgin, Texas

Elgin Farmer’s Market is part of the River Valley Farmers Market Association. Everything offered for sale is grown and produced by the merchants. Open seasonally on Tuesdays from 1 PM to sellout. Bring your egg cartons, planting pots, canning jars or bags (paper or plastic) to the market for recycling. WIC coupons accepted. While you are in Elgin, stop at Southside Market or Meyer’s Elgin Sausage for some famous Elgin Hot Sausage.

Gruene Market Days
1641 Hunter Road
New Braunfels, Texas

Market Days in Gruene are held on the third full weekend of the month, from February through November, and on the first weekend of December. Market day opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM. Gruene Market Days are special in that all products are made by the vendors themselves. Admission is free. While you are there, eat at the Grist Mill on the Guadalupe River, take a tubing trip, or stick around to hear live music at the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall.

Kyle Market Day and Farmers Market
Front Street (between Kyle City Hall and the Historic Train Depot) under the Water Tower

Kyle Market Day is held the first Saturday of the month, April through November, 9 AM to 2 PM. Enjoy live music by popular local musicians. Stroll along the downtown streets and view the local attractions. Take a swim in the Municipal Swimming Pool, located in Gregg-Clark Park.

San Marcos Farmers Market
204 S. Edward Gary
San Marcos, Texas

This market is a member of the San Marcos/New Braunfels Farmers Market Association, a non-profit organization formed to provide a place where Central Texas farmers may market their fresh, homegrown and homemade products to the local consumer. San Marcos Farmers Market is open every Tuesday, year round, from 3 to 6 PM. This market offers homegrown fruits and vegetables, homemade breads and pastries, fresh eggs, homemade salsa, jams and jellies, flowers and plants. Find lavender in all forms and other natural products. Bring your swimsuits and swim or tube down the crystal clear San Marcos River across the street from the market place. Grab a trolley and go shopping at the Outlet Mall,

Sunset Valley Farmers Market
3200 Jones Road
Sunset Valley, Texas

Open every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 1 PM. The emphasis is on organic, sustainable production of food. This farmers’ market has won awards for being one of the best in the area, state and nation. Enjoy live music and bring your dogs!

Wimberley Farmers’ Market
Lions Field on FM 2325
Wimberley, Texas

The Wimberley Farmers Market is open every Wednesday from 3 to 6 PM. Park directly across the street.

Wimberley Market Days
Lions Field on FM 2325
Wimberley, Texas

Wimberley Market Days are held on the first Saturday of each month from March or April through December, from 7 AM to 3 PM. With approximately 450 vendors, this is the second largest flea market in Texas. No dogs allowed, but there are kennels where you may board Fluffy. The event is free, but you must pay for parking.

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Aug 13 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Hotels, Music, RV Parks, RV Travel

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Well, summer is drawing to an end. Sleepy San Marcos has gone from about 40,000 people to over 70,000 in a matter of days as the Texas State University - San Marcos students move back into town.

Another sign that summer is ending is the Austin City Limits Music Festival has published the tentative line up of musicians to perform September 26-28 at Zilker Park on Lady Bird Lake.

Sampling of Musicians - there are 130 acts featured on eight stages at the 7th annual Austin City Limits Music Festival - Beck. Robert Plant & Allison Krauss. The Foo Fighters. Erykah Badu. The Raconteurs.

Partial Tentative ACL Musician Lineup

Click image to see complete lineup on ACL website.

Austin CVB’s exclusive ACL Festival travel package offers music fans a chance to both save money on their tickets and secure a hotel room in Austin before the entire city sells out.

RV Parks in Austin:

Austin Lonestar RV Park- 5 miles south of downtown on the East side of I-35.

Austin Oak Forest RV Park
- 10 minutes from downtown Austin, the University of Texas and the State Capitol. Located east of IH-35 by Decker Lake.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park - on Lake Austin. Some RV slips available. Camping, swimming. Located off FM 2222.

McKinney Falls State Park
- Southeast of Austin on Onion Creek. Water and electric sites available. These are not pull through sites and an RV with 2 slides may not fit. Call park for information.

Plum Creek RV
- Large sites. Located on IH-35, 12 miles from Austin and 4 miles from San Marcos.

Campground America - in case I missed some!

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