Austin Kids Hike! | Growing Up Austin

Not Too Cold, Not Too Hot, It’s Just Right

January 9, 2012

Kids at Mayfield Park in Austin

Blue Eyes, the girls and I have loved Austin’s winter so far, cold-but-not-too-cold mornings for bundling up and warm-but-not-too-warm sunny afternoons for playing outside. The girls and I discovered trails behind Mayfield Park, with an outdoor set of stairs to a small pier overlooking the lake. Mayfield Park wasn’t too bad either, with real live peacocks, ponds with fish and funky old buildings.

Kids at Mayfield Park in Austin

(Someone might expect a picture of one of the real-live peacocks, but they were in the trees when we were there, with their feathers folded down. Who knew that peacocks could fly into the trees? I didn’t know that.)

I’m working on yet another new set of pages for y’all, so I’m going to take a break from posts for a while. I hope you have a nice winter and enjoy the lovely weather. I’ll be back soon.

By Carol | Posted in Austin Kids Hike!, Growing Up Austin | Comments (5)

The Waiting Game

December 8, 2011

After I checked out Shoal Creek running through downtown with my girlfriend, I went back with my girls. I’m glad I checked it out first, because there are some funky parts that need extra care. My girls loved the funky parts, especially the railroad bridge. (Sparkles is doing some kind of dance move here, I’m not sure which one exactly.)

Here is a picture of them when they both threw a fit at the same time. That makes hiking less fun, when they throw a tantrum and you really do need to get home for dinner. But, I figure that this will happen other places too and we always manage to make it back to the car eventually. For this one, I just waited. I win the waiting game on most days.

By Carol | Posted in Austin Kids Hike! | Comments (0)

Austin Kids Hike Update!

December 6, 2011

Growing Up Austin Shoal Creek

Austin Kids Hike‘s Shoal Creek page has new information about the trail between Pease Park and Lady Bird Lake, through the heart of downtown. The description has been updated and there are three new trail heads at the south end of the map. My friend and I walked it the other day and we learned a lot. For one thing, if you find yourself on a mountain bike trail, know that this is a terrible place for hiking and head back West until you find the trail again. And, if you get thirsty and you are with your girlfriend instead of your kids, you can climb the stairs at 5th street and get a single glass(es) of wine at Whole Foods Market.

The funky nature of this part of the trail may change soon, because the City of Austin is considering making upgrades. Upgrades are good, but if you want to check it out while it is still funky, check it out now.

Condos being built along the banks of the creek…

An old bridge and an even older bridge are one and the same…

A concrete easement makes for part of the trail, with a few parts that might get your feet wet. This is part of the trail that the city would replace.

There is an interesting array of pipes that cross Shoal Creek in some kind of exposed way, some with little bridges built just for them.

Growing Up Austin Shoal Creek

This old piece of bridge is still standing, with cut off railroad ties on either end. It is made of just wood and screws. It amazing to imagine it holding up a train.