Mia Johnson, who has participated in the Prairie View trail ride for over fifty years, describes it as 'almost spiritual,' emphasizing the importance of working toward this goal throughout the year.
Located just 24 miles southwest of Austin, Driftwood is a road trip-worthy spot beyond the barbecue. Here, you can sip award-winning wines in the heart of the Texas Hill Country AVA, tour a sotol distillery, and rest up in some of the cutest accommodations around.
The state park is more remote and rugged. We offer a more dispersed and self-guided experience. It's also a more relaxed choice for paddling trips, it's popular among birdwatchers, and it's also one of the best places in Texas to stargaze-after all, West Texas has the darkest skies in the state.
In reality, the Lone Star State is vast-and incredibly diverse-spanning more than 250,000 square miles of major cities, small towns, beach getaways, country roads, and border communities. For travelers arriving in Texas, one thing quickly becomes clear: the Lone Star State isn't just one destination-it's many.
Loving County, in northwest Texas, may have the highest trouble-to-resident ratio in the United States. With sixty-four inhabitants, as of the 2020 census, the county is the least populated in the country. Control of its top elected positions-sheriff, judge, constable, county clerk-can be swung by a handful of votes. Many of those vying for power are related to, and estranged from, their opponents. Election results are regularly challenged by the losing candidate, sometimes repeatedly;
Perched high atop a dappled-colored horse at Alisal Ranch, I stroked the equine's coarse hair in an effort to bond before sauntering off to an authentic cowboy breakfast. I was with a group of like-minded women in search of a wellness weekend but we chose to trade our spa robes for cowgirl hats and forgo mani-pedis for dusty trail rides. This was not a typical dude ranch experience. It seamlessly blended nurturing self-care, enriching workshops, nourishing meals, and fostering friendships.
Stretching roughly 23 miles, Lake LBJ is a constant-level lake fed by the Colorado River, offering a markedly different experience from its flashier neighbor to the east. While Austin's Lake Travis has earned a reputation as a party hub, Lake LBJ feels like its calmer, more refined counterpart-unhurried, scenic, and refreshingly serene. From the water, the views unfold effortlessly: sunlight glinting off the water's surface, shoreline homes tucked among the hills, and quiet coves that invite you to slow down. A boat tour makes it easy to take it all in-no effort required beyond sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view.