Texas Higher Education: Schools in Texas Hill Country

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Living in Belvedere puts you close to a wide range of quality Texas higher education opportunities.    Regardless of your educational needs or goals there is an institution of higher learning nearby that can help you or your children achieve those goals.

The Texas Hill Country is home to numerous colleges and universities, public and private, some with a wide variety of curricula, some with specific specialty courses.  Some are oriented toward associate degrees; while some offer bachelor’s degrees or higher; many also offer

Texas Hill Country

TX Higher Education in the Hill Country

continuing education opportunities.  A great place to start researching the wide variety of higher education opportunities in close proximity is the Hill Country Portal.

Let’s look at a few of the most popular and convenient institutions for Belvedere residents:

University of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most respected research universities in the country, and it is an easy commute from Belvedere to the main campus.  With 17 colleges and schools, UT, as it’s known locally, awards degrees in over 170 fields of study.  Besides, being a “Longhorn” is well respected around here and across the globe.

Austin Community College

If an associate degree, foundation studies (getting ready for transition to a four-year university or college), lifelong learning, or specific courses to prepare for the workplace are your goal, Austin Community College (ACC) might be the best choice.  With eight campuses (and two more coming soon) and 11 centers, ACC offers a broad curriculum at reasonable tuition costs, especially for residents of eight Central Texas counties served by ACC.

St. Edward’s University

Known as one of the most socially responsible schools in the country, St. Edward’s emphasizes liberal arts and preparing undergraduates for lifelong learning.  Their graduate degree programs often involve faculty-led global study trips.

Concordia University

Just a short commute north on Ranch Road 620 sits the 389-acre campus of Concordia University.  Associated with the Lutheran Church, Concordia offers 21 undergraduate degree programs in four colleges.  They also offer master’s degrees in education and business administration.

Southwestern University

Located in Georgetown, less than an hour away is Southwestern University, a nationally-known liberal arts university and the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas.  Relatively small compared to our other local favorites, Southwestern prides itself on a rigorous academic environment where 1,300 students attend small classes taught by a faculty of teacher-scholars.

Texas State University

Texas State University’s main campus is in nearby San Marcos.  Students can attend classes in San Marcos, at least for their first two years and then they can opt to complete their junior and senior years either in San Marcos or at the relatively new Round Rock campus.  In its early days, Texas State was primarily a state teachers college, graduating none other than Lyndon Johnson, who later became President of the United States.  Texas State is a great alternative for those looking for a state-supported university.

Belvedere

All of these represent some of the best of Texas Higher Education while being convenient to Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road.  Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.  Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!

Posted in Texas hill country, texas higher education | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fun Nature Trail Activities for Kids

Posted on May 3, 2012 by admin
Nature Trail Activities

Nature Trail Activities

Nature trail activities can be a great way for kids to have fun while learning and discovering.  The Texas Hill Country offers an abundance of natural beauty year round.  It just makes sense to take advantage of the proximity to nature to get your kids off the couch, off the video games and into the great outdoors.

Turn off the TV and discover the world outside.  Take your children on a walk through nature, whether it is through your own neighborhood, one of the many county and state parks in the area, or a guided excursion along a trail.

There is a wide variety of flora and fauna to explore.  Fun can be had simply finding and identifying the leaves of trees and plants in the area.  Discovering fossils in the layers of limestone that line the canyons might be exciting to older children.  Taking a simple bird guide can make watching the birds—some of which might be endangered, such as the Golden Cheeked Warbler—into a game that is a fun nature trail activity.

Making the nature walk into age-appropriate games is a great way to avoid hearing the “are we there yet?” whine.  Younger kids might enjoy a scavenger hunt.  Give them a list of things to find, perhaps “find three things that are blue,” or have them find insects or butterflies.  The Appalachian Mountain Club has listed some great ideas that translate well to our Hill Country terrain.

Ultimately, the idea is to allow kids to explore their natural environment.  You will want to encourage the “discovery” process.  Lead the kids through the process, but allow them to pursue their own level of awareness of the nature around them.  As outdoor-nature-child.com outlines, games and challenges can lead the kids (and adults) to a better understanding and knowledge.

Nature walk activities can be fun as well as educational…much more so than sitting in front of the TV.

Belvedere

Belvedere has miles of nature trails throughout the 80-acre nature preserve.  Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road is ideal for families with children of all ages. Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites, featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.  Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!

Posted in Texas hill country, Texas hill country life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Summer Getaways: Renting a Boat on Texas Hill Country Lakes

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin
Texas Hill Country

Renting a Boat in Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country lakes, rivers, streams and some beautiful natural springs are prime getaways for people throughout the Hill Country. Whether you want to fish, water ski, swim or just tube down one of one of the many rivers in the area, cooling off in the summer is just around the corner.

Highland Lakes

The crown jewels of the Texas Hill Country lakes are the “Highland Lakes,” a chain that follows the course of the Lower Colorado River starting with Lake Buchanan, through Inks Lake, and five other lakes ending up at Lady Bird Johnson Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) in downtown Austin.

Marinas, boat ramps, restaurants and fuel stations dot the lakes and make getting on the water available to all. If you have your own boat there are plenty of places to put in into the water. If you want to rent a boat for a day or longer, there plenty of options available. You can rent houseboats, ski boats, fishing boats, jet skis, canoes and kayaks. You can even take a ride that tours some of the coves and wildlife along the shores—there’s nothing like enjoying natural beauty while leaving the driving to someone else.

If you do not have your own boat, renting a boat is easy. The Lakes and Hills website lists several of the places you can find just the boat you need along the Highland Lakes.

Tubing

If floating down the river in an inner tube, kayak or raft is more to your liking, that’s available, too. One of the most popular rivers in the area is the Guadalupe River. The river, downstream from Canyon Dam, is usually a great place for tubing during the mid-summer months. In the spring, depending on the water releases from the dam, it might be more appropriate for shooting the rapids. Nonetheless, the Guadalupe and its neighbor, the spring-fed Comal River, are popular rivers for renting some tubes and cooling off for an afternoon. Before you go, read the checklist Lazy River Ride has on its website.

Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road

Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road is located 15 minutes from the 63-mile long Lake Travis, a popular destination summer resort for outdoor enthusiasts from around the state and the country. Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool. This gated, upscale Texas Hill Country community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being. Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!

Posted in Texas hill country, Texas hill country life | Tagged | Leave a comment

Outside Dining: Best Patio Restaurants in the Texas Hill Country

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin
Outside Dining

Outside Dining: Best Patio Restaurants

One of the coolest things about living in the Texas Hill Country is the combination of wonderful weather almost all year round and the wide variety of local restaurants offering outside dining.  Taking advantage of that synergism is one of the appeals of living here.

When we visit other areas of the state and country, it seems chain restaurants have taken over feeding Americans.  Not true when eating around Austin and the Hill Country.  Around here we have some of the best locally owned and operated restaurants in the country.  The food is great and many of them offer patio dining that you just have to experience.  And what an experience it can be.

Let’s look at a few of our favorites.

The Salt Lick BBQ

Let’s start with a Texas Hill Country BBQ legend, The Salt Lick.  Walking in the door of this famous restaurant, you know you have arrived at a barbeque like no other (which happens to be their slogan).  The open smoking pit right inside the door is emanating aromas that tell you right away that you will love this experience.  With sausages hanging over the pit, briskets, ribs and turkey on the grill, this Hill Country institution is as picturesque as it is tasty.

Sitting in the screened porch while eating a home-style combination of barbeque, you will soon realize why people from Wall Street to Hollywood take the short drive out to Driftwood for this authentic Hill Country outdoor dining experience.  Only “warning”…if you want to imbibe some adult beverages, you need to bring them with you, as The Salt Lick is BYOB.

The Oasis

Overlooking Lake Travis, The Oasis has been known for years as the best place to watch the sun setting over the water and hills west of Austin.  Beginning in 1982 as a small hamburger joint, The Oasis is located on a high cliff.  By tradition, as the sun sets over the far-off hills, the patrons join in applauding the last tip of the sun as it dips out of sight.

Food and drink abound now that recent reconstruction (after a fire destroyed the old wooden decks a couple of years ago) is in the final stages of completion. There are new steel decks and three different restaurants, several shops and a new parking garage.  This outdoor dining space has the reputation of being the largest in Texas—and possibly in the country.

Verdes

Just down the road, only a couple of minutes away from Belvedere, is this relative newcomer, which opened in 2008. Almost immediately it became a local favorite.  Verdes Mexican Parrilla specializes in grilled Mexican tastes.  A favorite is the Bacon Wrapped Quail; others seem to like the more traditional Mexican plates, but everyone seems to like the option of dining out on the back patio.

The owners designed the casual covered patio and large grassy area to cater to families.  The kids can safely kick a soccer ball around the back area while mom and dad are sipping margaritas.  When the food arrives, all can sit down and enjoy an excellent meal in a comfortable setting.

County Line on the Hill

There are a couple of County Line locations in town, but the one closest one to Belvedere is the “original” County Line on the Hill. Their patio is another of those great places for viewing the sunset, with vistas ranging up to 20 miles.  Through the years the menu, anchored by some great barbeque, has expanded with some great salads, steaks, and fish.  Truly a Texas original and closest to town, this is the place we take visitors to Austin from all over the country or the world.  They all enjoy it… as will you.

Hudson’s on the Bend

If you want an exceptional outdoor dining experience, you will want to visit Hudson’s on the Bend.  Here you will find a tasty menu of locally produced meats, fish, fruits and vegetables, including some great “game” like wild boar and venison.

Sitting on the covered patio, eating a scrumptious meal with someone special, you can see the herb garden where the proprietors grow their own ingredients.  This truly is a special place that is frequented by many locals and visitors, including a few well-known people.

Those are some of our favorites, but there are many more around the area.  Most of the outdoor dining areas are open year-round.  If the weather gets a little too hot, mist systems help to keep you cool; if the weather gets a little too cool, heaters help keep you warm.

Belvedere

These favorites are convenient to Belvedere, offer great food and unique outdoor dining experiences.  Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road is ideal for families with children of all ages. Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1- 3–acre sites, featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well-being.  Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!

Posted in Texas hill country life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Summer in Texas: Ideas for your Hill Country Barbecue

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin
Hill Country Barbecue

Hill Country Barbecue

In the Texas Hill Country, barbeque might mean smoking meats or grilling over charcoal, wood or even propane.  Whichever method excites you, cooking out is a great way to keep the kitchen and inside of the house cooler during the summer.

Around here barbequing is not limited to a few steaks, burgers or chicken; expand your horizons and try seafood, turkey and some veggies.  It might be interesting to try as many local ingredients as you can find.  A trip to one of the local farmers markets could introduce you to some interesting fresh ingredients while supporting local producers.  In fact, many of the locals might suggest creative meals you can cook on your own patio.

You might try some “theme” meals.  How about a Hawaiian theme with some teriyaki beef with peanutty noodles or some coconut-crusted shrimp right out of the gulf?  A simple grilled ham steak with pineapple might be just the ticket.  Move your menu down to “The Valley” (meaning the Rio Grande Valley) by preparing some beef and chicken fajitas.

Not everything needs to be touched by the flame of your grill.  Grilling doesn’t mean you can’t make some roasts or baked potatoes.  For example, try a rosemary pork roast…and the rosemary grows like weeds around the Texas Hill Country.  Your Hill Country barbeque might include some chicken leg quarters braised in locally made ketchup wrapped in foil over an indirect heat from your grill.

The point is, with a little imagination and perhaps a little online research for ideas from places like Disney Family Fun or from local suppliers, you can create some great family meals in the great outdoors.

Belvedere

Belvedere on Hamilton Pool Road is a great place to have your Hill Country Barbeque. Belvedere is a community of custom homes on 1-3–acre sites featuring an 80-acre nature preserve, fishing pond, and lazy river pool.  This gated, upscale community offers a state of belonging and cheerful well being.  Visit Belvedere’s website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest!

Posted in Texas hill country | Tagged , | Leave a comment