Hike and Bike Trail and Dog Park on Auditorium Shores

I was researching Austin for an article and I found this information on the City of Austin Parks website.  We were at Auditorium Shores last week and there must have been 100 dogs and 100 runners. Everyone was preparing for the Capital 10K on Sunday.

Austin, Texas Dogs Off-Leash Areas (OLA)

Dog Rules

Dogs Must:

• Be on-leash when entering and leaving the OLAs
• Wear a collar or harness at all times
• Display tags showing proof of current & complete cycle of vaccinations
• Not be in heat
• Play well with other dogs at all times
• Respond to voice command by owner
• Stay within OLA boundaries if unleashed

Dog Companion Rules

People Must:

• Remain in the OLA to supervise your dog
• Pick up and dispose your dog’s waste in the appropriate receptacle
• Always be prepared with baggies on hand
• Always carry a leash for each dog(s) in your care
• Have voice control over your dog (s)
• Accept responsibility for any damage or injury caused by your dog
• Immediately remove your dog when behaving badly
• Limit 4 dogs per owner/guardian
• Closely supervise young children
• Be respectful of other visitors
• Comply with all other park rules
• Leash all dogs when park staff are working in OLA

Watch you dog and pick up the poop.  Either that, or face a $500 fine.  Bull Creek Park is currently available for on leash dogs only.  There was a problem with the water quality, so the park is being monitored.

We often take for granted the annual migration of birds, which may cover 1000s of miles. All we know is that one day, the birds wake you and you realize how much you have missed them.  eNature has a Migration Tracker that allows you to track spring birds as they head north to their breeding grounds. eNature.com has extensive birding resources for novices and experts alike. The tracker is easy to use: just click the area of the  US you wish to view.

Once you click on an area, the following screen will appear.  Change the date to view even more birds in your area.

If you click on the picture of a bird, another screen appears that shows the spring migration maps (winter range, migratory path, and dates of migration).  Use the migration tracker to follow spring birds week by week as they head north to their summer breeding grounds.

This is a free tool for birders that you will use again and again.  Bookmark eNature now.

Regatta in Corpus Christi

Riverfest

Freeport Municipal Park, Texas
April 29 – 30

Riverfest is the quintessential festival. They truly have something for everyone:  BBQ Cookoff, Beauty Pageant, Youth Talent Show, Sailboat Regatta, Car and Bike Show, Horseshoe and Washer Tournaments, 1K Kids Run, 5K Adult Run, Beer Garden, 3×3 Basketball, Fitness Competition and Fireworks!  All in two days.

The carnival is open from 6 pm on Thursday. Entertainment begins Friday evening with the Annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament hosted by the Recreation Center.  Fireworks are Saturday night at 9 pm. Check the website for full schedule.

In the Area

Surfside Beach

I grew up in Houston. My friends and I went to Surfside often. Gas was cheap and the beach was just over an hour away. In the face of Hurricane Carla, we drove to the beach so we could ride the waves. The storm surge was recorded at 22 feet near some back bays. Winds blew from 88 mph in Galveston to 115 mph in Matagorda, with gusts of 170 mph at Port Lavaca. If we had misjudged the timing of our trip, we would have died. As it happened, we were able to get back to Houston after driving several hours through serious Texas weather.

When petroleum processing plants and related industries crawled down the coast, we had to drive farther afield to find uncrowded spaces, clean beaches and bigger waves. Quintana Beach was made to order for crazy teenagers learning to surf and to drive. Although I have not been there for years, Quintana still looks clean and uncrowded. Just our luck, there is a RV park with full hookups (see below).

Quintana Beach County Park

This county park is located on the Gulf and offers full RV hookups. Each site has a picnic table and grill.  There are restrooms with shower, laundry facilities and a dump station.  Historic Quintana homes are used as museum, park office and community building. Cabins are available to rent.  Day user facilities include access to the museum, pedestrian beach, fishing pier, outside showers and boardwalk.

Note:  The entire length of the Texas Coast has been hit again and again by hurricanes.  These storms have scoured beaches, flattened sand dunes and devastated coastal communities. All the communities are rebuilding and look to tourism to provide revenue in the wake of a collapsed fishing industry. Help them and enjoy the Texas coast.