SATXBlog Pastimes (Pastimes)
Pastime activities in and around San Antoino and South Texas. Outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, theme parks are among the topics covered.
Green San Antonio
San Antonio was ranked number 33 in the category of "sustainable" cities by the Sustainlane.com website. Down from number 21 in 2006.
Sustain.com rated US Cities using indicators including air quality, public transit, availability of farmer's markets, renewable energy, water quality, local foods, real estate affordability, traffic congestion and development approaches to determine the overal ranking. {mosimage}
The city ranked highly in water useage conservation.
San Antonio's "Green" rating
South Texas on a Tank of Gas Canyon Lake
South Texas on a Tank of Gas: Canyon Lake
{mosimage}Next in our series of places to visit on a tank of gas is Canyon Lake. Located just about an hour north of downtown San Antonio, one of the most scenic and beautiful lakes in the entire state waits to greet visitors. Boasting 80 miles of shore, Canyon Lake is created from the waters from another of the Hill Country’s natural landmarks, the Guadalupe River.
Whatever their preference, visitors to the lake will find almost any outdoor activity available that one could hope for. In addition to the lake itself, eight parks are located on its shores, including:
· Canyon Park & Canyon Beach Swim Area
· Comal Park
· Crane’s Mill Park
· Guadalupe Park
· Jacob’s Creek Park
· North Park
· Overlook Park
· Potter’s Creek Park
South Texas on a Tank of Gas Calaveras and Braunig Lake Parks
South Texas on a Tank of Gas Calaveras and Braunig Lake Parks
With rising gas prices and a weak economy, many people are looking for vacations that are cheaper, closer to home, and yet still provide an exciting outing full of cultural experiences and fun. Luckily for residents of the San Antonio, there are numerous opportunities for all kinds of exciting getaways within a couple hours drive. Over the coming weeks, this satxblog will be taking a look at some of Central South Texas’ best bets for a weekend adventure in many of the best small towns, parks, campgrounds, outdoor sites, and even beaches, that can be reached in roughly two hours’ driving. Just because the economy is a bust these days, doesn’t mean that your summer has to be!
South Texas is loaded with opportunities to get away from the stress of the city life, and two parks that are just on San Antonio’s doorstep are Calaveras Lake Park and Braunig Lake Park. Located just 15 miles southeast of the city, these two parks combine to offer visitors the picturesque beauty of the Hill Country with the excitement of the Texas outdoors. For a minimal charge of just a few dollars, visitors can have access to both parks and all of the great activities that the parks provide.
Between the two parks, visitors have access to fishing, camping, hiking or biking on the nature trails, boating, picnicking, and more. In the area surrounding the park, Texas’ wildlife is on full display with a wide variety of birds, wildflowers, fish, and plenty of furry friends. The main draw for these two lakes, however, are the watersports opportunities that both present visitors. Boats are allowed on both lakes, and boats are available for rental also. Fishermen are well-cared for as well, as both parks feature lighted piers, cleaning areas, tackle shops, and acres of water full of hungry catfish, bass, muskie, and red drum. {mosimage}
Both parks are pet-friendly (with leashes), and offer terrific picnic areas, playgrounds, and plenty of other areas for the whole family to enjoy. Both parks can be reached by taking Highway 37 south.
Braunig Lake is located 15 miles southeast of downtown San Antonio off Interstate Highway 37 south; take Exit 130 (Donop Road) and follow the signs. The park entrance is located at 17500 Donop Road.
Calaveras Lake is located 15 miles southeast of San Antonio. From Loop 410, proceed southeast on U.S. Highway 181 south, then turn left on Loop 1604 and proceed for two miles; turn left on Stuart Road and proceed for 1/2 mile to the park entrance. The park is located at 12991 Bernhardt Road.
The parks are open every day of the year. The American economy may be limping along, and a gallon of gas may soon cost more than a gallon of Dom Perignon, but there’s still no reason not to hop in the car, load up the family, and spend a day or two visiting some of south Texas’ beautiful offerings.
Fiesta Sporting Events
Fiesta Sporting Events
San Antonio is known as one of the best cities in America for eating, and while Fiesta may a time for some to put on weight eating fajitas, oysters, barbeque, and more, there is also a wide variety of sports and physical activities to stay in shape and work off some of the extra calories that Fiesta can result in.
{mosimage}
Saturday, April 19 is the day for most of the sporting events, which start off with the Fiesta Mission 10K and Kids’ Runs. The event starts at 7 AM as the San Antonio Roadrunners sponsor the 34th edition of the race which begins and ends in Mission County Park. The kids’ run gets started at 9:30, and all participants will receive a t-shirt, and prizes are given to winners from different age groups.
At 7:30, Fort Sam Houston is the site of the 10K Caminada de Fiesta Walk. Sponsored by the Texas Wanderers, the Army Medical Department Activities, and the Fort’s Outdoor Recreation Division, this walk is a great opportunity to walk through the grounds of Fort Sam Houston and see some of San Antonio’s history while getting some exercise.
Starting at 8 AM and going all day, the Women’s Soccer Association of San Antonio sponsors its 30th annual co-ed tournament for teams of all ages.
The San Antonio Botanical Society sponsors its yearly Walk Across Texas, which meanders through the 11 acres of the Botanical Gardens and through the Texas Native Trail. Along the hike, participants can visit Texas cabins, lakes, and see all the natural beauty that the Hill Country has to offer. This event goes from 9 AM until noon.
The girls of Zeta Phi Beta sorority host their 24th annual kids’ track meet. Youths from the ages of 6-14 are invited to participate, and winners receive ribbons, and all participants will get a certificate of participation.
Starting at 9 AM, San Antonio’s Lacrosse Association sponsors their 34th annual youth lacrosse tournament, as teams from across the state get together to play in the tournament.
The Alamo City Rugby Football Club gets their Rugby Battle underway at 9 AM, and features teams ranging from youths, to military, men’s and college teams. In addition, teams from across the world come to participate in this event.
The last day of Fiesta, April 26, just before the Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade, the San Antonio Roadrunners sponsor a 2.6-mile Fun Run that goes along the parade route, from Grayson and Broadway to Columbus Park. Crowds will line the route, so participants can expect to be cheered on along their journey. Registration can be done the day of the race at Sunken Gardens, or online at saroadrunner.com.
San Antonio 2nd Annual Bird and Nature Festival
San Antonio’s 2nd Annual Bird and Nature
Festival
When: May 1st - 4th, 2008
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Exact
locations will vary due to schedule.
Visit http://www.wildfestsanantonio.com/
for more details.
{mosimage}The San Antonio Bird & Nature Festival, also known as
WildFest, has a mission. They want to educate visitors and residents of the San
Antonio area to the natural beauty that it holds. They also want to showcase
some of the historical environments in and around San Antonio.
The first Wildfest was a success and therefore there will be
a second one held on May 1st through the 4th. There is
plenty of beauty within the area this time of year. Areas such as Mitchell
Lake, Medina River, Botanical Gardens, and the National Historical Park will
all be showcased during the event. The WildFest staff pride themselves in being
one of only a few cities in America to have an event such as this.
Not only will you be viewing the natural beauty of the area.
There will also be workshops for the attendee’s. Several of the things being
done during the festival are to involve the children in what nature has to
offer them. You will be looking at the animals, including bats, butterflies,
and birds, as well as the plants and even history.
{mosimage}The field trips that are planned for the event will have the
goal of education in social science, general science, and other teachers
interested in the subjects. They are hoping to bring in quite a few of the
local residents for the event this year as well as visitors that are not from
San Antonio but interested in the beauty if offers.
Do not think that this is simply an event where you sit
outside in a lawn chair and wait for the birds to fly by. You will be going out
and actually finding them in their habitat more often than not. In fact, one of
the major and fun events planned is to actually go to a cave to view bats. It
simply can not be more fun than that for any child interested in nature.
Welcome to San
Antonio Bird and Nature Festival where you are encouraged to bring your whole family!
San Antonio New World Wine and Food Festival
The San Antonio
New World Wine and Food Festival
The New World Wine and Food Festival held in San Antonio is
a five day event. Its purpose is to not encourage dieting, but instead,
encourage an over-indulgence in eating and fun. The goal is to help you discover
new favorites and enjoy the old ones all in one weekend. The event is held at
several locations throughout the course of the festival. You will be visiting
an assortment of different locations.
Date: November 5th – 9th, 2008
About the Festival
The New World Wine and Food Festival has been established
since 2000 and is a non-profit organization. It was designed showcase San
Antonio as one of the premiere locations for great wine and food. The wines and
food that are celebrated come from several different regions including Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean and of course Texas. It is meant to be
an educational event to introduce a variety of foods and wines to the residents
and visitors of south Texas.
Purchasing Tickets
for the event
Tickets are made available for purchase at the New World
Wine and Food Festival website, http://www.nwwff.org.
A phone number is also available at their website if you prefer ordering via
phone.
Children at the festival
Since the event is spread through 5 days the only event that
children under the age of 21 are allowed is at the Totally Tejas. At the other
events you must be above the age of 21 and no children will be allowed, even if
they are being accompanied by a parent.
Hotels and Other
Activities
If you are traveling to the event, there are plenty of beautiful hotels in the San Antonio area. As well, there is plenty to do during this time of year. There are lots of attractions and you are encouraged to visit a visitors center website to find other activities even though the NWWFF provides more than enough events to occupy your time.
San Antonio Mud Festival
{mosimage}San Antonio is a city that enjoys two things, and does them both well: keeping itself clean, and throwing a party whenever possible. If the two can be combined, then all the better. Knowing this, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the city, that the Mud Festival does just that.
One of the city's most interesting and bizarre events, the Mud Festival takes place each January for one week, and commemorates the draining and cleaning of the river. Early in San Antonio's history, the river was thought to be dangerous, dirty, and was even declared off-limits to military personnel for a time. Today, these ideas have softened quite a bit, as the River Walk is now a world-class tourist attraction, in and of itself, which, of course, requires maintenance. Each year the City Parks and Recreation Department drains the river and cleans up the debris that litters it. It's hard to know what will be found, with so many restaurants and commercial enterprises nearby, that pulling tables, chairs, and other things from the river is almost a certainty.
The Mud Festival occurs each year after the river has been filled up again, and is put on by a group called the Paseo del Rio Association. The festival features balls, parades, and arts and crafts exhibitions, which normally draw around 15,000 people. Each year a Mud King and Queen are selected from participants, normally made up of local celebrities and business people. The king and queen are chosen by who is able to raise the most money for the organization.
The river is drained from the 2nd of January to the 9th, and the festival will take place from the 10th through the 13th. The arts and crafts show is slated to run from the 11th until the 13th. All events will be held in various locations and businesses along the River Walk, and for more information call 210.227.4262.
Hill Country Dude Ranches
If there is one thing that Texas is known for, certainly the state's cowboy heritage is high on the list. From the way Texans dress, to the food eaten in the state, the cowboy is one of America's most popular icons. Of course, 150 years ago, cowboys and horse riding were as common as cars and driving are today (well, maybe not quite), but sadly, the modern world has fenced in the American outdoors, and replaced the Pony Express with UPS, and much of the wild west with Las Vegas and strip malls.{mosimage}
Texans, however, are proud of this heritage, and are increasingly bent on saving this piece of Americana. In fact, less than an hour outside of San Antonio, in Bandera, TX, the cowboy spirit is alive and well at the many dude ranches located there. Certainly, for anyone who has never been to a real Texas ranch, the experience will remain forever, and kids will especially enjoy the numerous activities offered. Many of these getaways resemble resorts as much as ranches, ensuring that cowgirls as well as cowboys are cared for, and that, although guests may get dirty out on the trails and ranges, they will be well cared for upon returning.
Texas River Country
South Texas' Hill Country is world-famous for its classic vistas and panoramas which rekindle memories of the Old West and cowboys, settlers, and pioneers. But a short drive to the west will bring visitors to another part of Texas, equally as beautiful, yet not quite as well-known: the River Region. {mosimage}
For outdoor opportunists, nature lovers, and fanatics of fishing, festivals, and fun, the region has a number of attractions, parks, and rich cultural sights that should appease all appetites. Any time of the year is a good time for a visit, as the winters are never too cold, the rain is rare, and summer heat can be beaten with a dip in one of the many rivers cutting through the area.
Texas Peach Blossom Trail
{mosimage}Spring and summer are harvest times for delicious peaches to ripen, and taking a tour through Texas peach growing country is always a good way to get out of town and enjoy the Hill Country and the beautiful Texas summers. Fredericksburg and Gillespie county are the one of the major peach growing areas Texas, and account for 40% of all peaches grown in the state. In fact, there is even a name for the area, The Peach Blossom Trail. To get to the trail from Fredericksburg, take Hwy 290 east to Gellerman lane, then turn left at Vogel’s peach stand. Gellerman lane is absolutely full of peaches. Stands line the road for miles, and on either side are rows and rows of ripening orchards. With summer coming to a close, and with it another peach season soon ending, now is the last chance to enjoy this nearby part of the state. Following are some of the best places to spend a day enjoying fresh fruit in a beautiful setting.
Newsfeed display by CaRP 
