I just finished the series on Preparing for Disaster. One thing I should have expanded upon is the importance of tarps in any emergency.

I will never forget standing at the door to my home, watching hail smash all the windows and skylights in my travel trailer. We ran around trying to find something to keep the water from coming into the trailer. Finally, we put opened umbrellas in the skylights and cardboard in the windows. A good tarp would have made the job so much easier and efficient.

I had the same problem when my roof started leaking, I had nothing to put on the roof to keep the rain out. In fact, I tried to put plastic on the inside of the roof and wound up falling through the ceiling into my bedroom. Lesson learned.

I have learned that a good tarp can save your roof, travel trailer, car, motorcycle, and riding lawnmower. You can use tarps for covering pools, lumber stacks, hay bales, open construction sites and even to provide a fire-resistant barrier for your tent when camping.

Roofs Covered Before Hurricane

Think of tarps as problem solvers. I had no idea there were fire-resistant tarps, snow-fence tarps, gym floor-covering tarps, sports field-covering tarps or lightweight backpacking tarps.  If you have always purchased your tarps at your local hardware store, you may want to take a look at what you are missing.

Tarp Surfing

While looking at tarps, I discovered a new sport!  Tarp surfing is the ultimate answer to the “I’m bored”  litany that children always sing when the parents are all set to put their feet up and relax. All you need is the tarp, a level surface, a slight breeze and a skate board. Set it up and prepare to be the most popular parents on the block.

Father’s Day is June 19, this year. As always, I wonder what to give my husband from our sons. If I leave it up to the boys, my husband will be lucky to get a card. Luckily, I discovered a discount coupon site, Savings.com, and they have discount coupons for everything, including travel.

My husband and I love to travel. So, I went out to Savings.com and started researching travel to the areas we frequent. The more I looked, the more I realized that this was not a standard travel site. As I explored the intrepid area of the travel section, I found that intrepid travel is a different type of travel that features group led excursions, from 3 days in San Francisco to a 21 trek through the National Parks. Intrepid group adventures are designed for travelers of all ages and they have excursions all over the world.

The cost of the excursion depends on the traveler’s trip style. With a Basix trip style, you may expect traveling close to the land with few extras. The original trip style is a classic intrepid adventurer. Comfort trip style provides the type of travel with more inclusions, meals and creature comforts.

I plan on spending the next day or so, looking over the intrepid sites and doing research on the excursions. This is going to be the best Father’s Day ever!

Lake Buchanan at the head of the Highland Chain of Lakes.

Central Texas is lucky to have so many lakes and rivers to enjoy the outdoors.  One of the features that make Lake Buchanan so special and enjoyable among the Highland Lakes is that while it is very accessible from several major cities, it hasn’t been spoiled by overcrowding. It’s an excellent lake to enjoy the natural beauty and charm of the Texas outdoors.

Lake Buchanan offers plenty to do, on and off the lake.  For the water lovers, Lake Buchanan’s large size ensures that you’ll have plenty of room to swim, fish, kayak, Jet Ski and boat.  Even on popular holiday weekends, this lake always has plenty of elbow room so you won’t feel crowded out by other visitors.  Lone fisherman seeking solitude will be able to find a quiet fishing spot, and newbie fisherman can find plenty of guided fishing tours to show them the best fishing spots.  Several locations rent boats, jet skis and kayaks, or you can launch your own boat at a local boat launch.

Visitors will also find a number of enjoyable activities and excursions near the Highland Lakes.  For a unique cruising tour offered only on Lake Buchanan, consider Vanishing River Texas Cruise.  Their cruises offer beautiful views along the Colorado River and give passengers an insider’s glimpse into the local wildlife, including viewings of the American Bald Eagle (who nests nearby) and rehabilitated birds.  Their dinner cruise option blends a tasty dinner with gorgeous sunset views over Lake Buchanan.   The tour guide also provides a lot of information about the lake and Buchanan Dam.

Visitors that are interested in the construction and history of Buchanan Dam should check out the Buchanan Dam Museum and Visitor’s Center located on West Highway 29, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609 (SH 29 W of Inks Lake Bridge).  Admission is free and the visitor’s center is open daily from 9-5 (closed holidays).  The museum features displays about the construction of this large dam, completed in 1937, and the observation deck lets guests witness spectacular views of the lake.

Hikers have a number of options within a short drive of Lake Buchanan.  Two locations have particularly special trails.  Canyon of the Eagles is perfect for novices since they have an easier terrain with plenty of wildlife, including a few endangered species like the Bald Eagle, Black-capped Vireos and Golden-cheeked Warblers.  Known for being one of the largest underground rock formations in the country, Enchanted Rock State Park is a popular hiking and picnic destination.  This hike is a little bit further away, but worth the drive.  Those who reach the summit are rewarded with sweeping views of the hill country once they reach the summit of Enchanted Rock.  Get there early to avoid crowds and make sure you get a parking spot.

Longhorn Cavern State Park is home to some absolutely stunning caverns that are definitely worth a visit.  These unique caverns were formed when limestone dissolved while underground streams simultaneously cut underground chambers over time, resulting in meandering, curvy chambers and haunting beauty.   The caverns offer a great chance cool off while seeing and learning about a truly special geographic wonder.

Finally, wine aficionados will enjoy a visit to Fall Creek Vineyards.  This local winery has been the recipient of several awards in the wine industry.  They are open daily for wine tasting and tours, and you’ll want to check their schedule to see when they are hosting their next lunch, complete with wine tasting.  Getting to the vineyard is half the fun.  If you drive, you’ll be able to drive a large span of Lake Buchanan’s perimeter and enjoy the views and landscape.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a kayak and kayak to the vineyard.  The winery isn’t close to restaurants or shopping, so you may want to pack a picnic lunch and just enjoy a lazy afternoon of picnicking and wine tasting.

Happy travels as you explore the natural beauty of Lake Buchanan!

Tracey Louis is a former resident and innkeeper of Burnet, TX and loved the area so much that she still helps promote Burnet County and the Highland Lakes for the Burnet County Tourism Office.

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Great post, Tracey! I just want to add a few RV Parks on Lake Buchanan. Also, the lake is down about 9 feet, which puts some boat ramps out of the water.  However, the granite beach that is exposed is great for swimming.  There is also a fire ban on the lake at this time.

Poppy’s Pointe Resort

On the west shore of Lake Buchanan. Amenities include 9 cabins, 58 RV spaces, swimming pool, recreation hall, boat ramp, laundry room and lots of land and water toys.

Cedar Lodge Waterfront Resort

On the west shore of Lake Buchanan. Stay in a log house or log cabins, or bring your RV to oversized sites near the lake.  Meeting rooms, laundry facilities, horseshoes and fishing pier.

Beachcomber Park

On the west side of Lake Buchanan are cabins. Ten RV sites have a gravel base with grass, fruit trees and large red oak trees in the flat, oval shaped area in middle of park. There are also 50 back-in RV spots in various areas at this waterfront resort. There are 2 boat launches as well as boat docking and storage.

Hi-Line Lake Resort

Located on the shoreline on the west side of Lake Buchanan. There are seven sites on the waterfront with 30 amp electricity and water. There are 46 pull through sites on the hill with 20-30-50 amp electricity, water, and sewer. Stay in 16 waterfront cabins for rent and enjoy waterfront restaurant, boat rentals, swimming pool, 1800 feet of waterfront and enclosed fishing marina.

The Edgewater Resort

On the western shoreline of Lake Buchanan are 37 RV spaces, 14 with four-way hook-ups that may be reserved for daily/weekly customers.  The remaining 23 spaces have 3-way hook-ups. Washateria, shower rooms, recreation room,  boat docks, boat-launch, covered fishing pier, swimming pool and beach. Also available are 8 rental cabins with kitchens, one double-wide home and two mobile homes.

Big Chief RV Resort and Cabin Rentals

On n the east side of Lake Buchanan enjoy boating, skiing, swimming, and excellent fishing.  Beautiful waterfront location on Lake Buchanan with full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, a general store, fitness room, TV/Game room, clubhouse, covered pavilion, planned activities, a boat ramp and more.

Texas Hills RV Haven

Located on the northwest side of Lake Buchanan, close to Tow and Falls Creek Winery. This waterfront resort has two rental cabins and fifteen RV spaces. Family owned and operated. Boat ramp, no showerhouse.

Canyon of the Eagles

This resort is a wonderful spot on the eastern shoreline of the lake. Twenty-three full-hookup sites with picnic table and fire ring. The park can accommodate large rigs on asphalt pads of 40 feet in length (back-in sites only).  Use of swimming pool and recreation room at lodge.