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.

My girls loved all the funky parts of this trail. Maybe your kids will too!

Find more information about Shoal Creek on Austin Kids Hike, this story is from Trail Head #8, 9 and 10.


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

A Sick-Day-Hike Is Pretty Good Medicine

November 9, 2011

When one of my little girls is sick, there are three options:

  1. She is very uncomfortable and sad.
  2. She is mildly uncomfortable, but she is OK resting and watching a little TV.
  3. She is just fine, but can’t go back to day care yet, because she might be contagious.

As a Work-at-Home Mom, this requires different responses from me:

  1. Option #1 requires a complete shut-down of everything work related so I can focus on helping and comforting her.
  2. Option #2 allows me to get some work done, maybe half-a-day all together.
  3. Option #3 ALSO requires a complete shut-down of everything work related so we can have fun.

My girls get excited when it is a school day and they get to stay home, especially when they feel good. They get excited when they don’t have to share Mom or Dad’s attention. They are SO ready to have fun, it is just too much for me to ask them to play by themselves or watch TV.

The options for fun are limited, though. You can’t exactly show up at the Jumpy Castle place with a kid who is home from day care because she might be contagious.

Hikes are perfect for days like this. Spreading germs is unlikely in the wide open outdoors and fresh air feels especially good to someone who has been sick and stuck at home.

The picture is from a Sick-Day-Hike Sparkles and I took a few weeks ago. I kept the hike short, since she didn’t have a lot of energy. We talked and giggled and held hands. We ate a picnic lunch. She fell asleep on the way home. Then I got some work done.

I think even a medical doctor would say that a Sick-Day-Hike is pretty good medicine.

Find more information about Bull Creek on Austin Kids Hike, this story is from Trail Head #1.


By Carol | Posted in Austin Kids Hike! | Comments (6)

Looking for Bears on Shoal Creek

September 2, 2011

Someone told Buttercup there might be bears in there. At just two-years-old, she is both gullible and brave.

My brother, sister-in-law and their kids were in town and they said “let’s do something Austin-ish” so I started to pack a backpack for St. Edward’s Park on Bull Creek (see the pins in the middle of the creek), then my other brother said, “Hey, they want to head back to Houston in an hour” so I had to re-think. We changed plans and headed to the Lamar and 31st access point on Shoal Creek, right in the middle of town.

The access point at Lamar and 31st drops down from street level quickly, with cliff walls of rock on your left and the creek on your right. Lamar isn’t far away, but it feels like you must have driven for hours to see this beautiful place.

All five girl cousins ages 2-10 ran, climbed and squealed along the trails. It was all the fun they could handle and it didn’t cost money or involve sugar. I can’t wait until more family comes to visit and I can bring them too.

Find more information about Shoal Creek on Austin Kids Hike, this story is from Trail Head #5.


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