Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Best Walk in Austin

I do believe I live in one of the prettiest parts of Texas. For just a street away from ours is a greenbelt that extends for miles and miles into the center of Austin. This greenbelt was the main attraction that convinced us that we were choosing the correct house to live in. And it has certainly not disappointed.

A short walk from home brings us to a little stream that often completely dries up during hot summer months. So most of the time we can skip over the rocks and cross over into the greenbelt and start our hike. It has been raining heavily in Austin this winter though, and so the little stream is now a swelling river! We could still have waded across, but we took a longer, drier route into the greenbelt some days ago.



A short distance down the trail there is a "waterfall". There is never much water here, and though the pool below the fall has always had at least a little water, it's usually dry enough to sit on the rocks above and watch the pool. So imagine our surprise when we saw this pretty waterfall that completely stopped us from crossing!



This beautiful greenbelt has a network of trails where one can easily get lost. So there is always another route that we can take if there's a problem with one of them. Instead of crossing over the fall as we usually do, we continued on this side of the stream and followed the trail further.

We were in the shade, but the setting sun lit up the trees across the stream from us, and their reflection in the still water was breathtaking.



We soon came to a second, more shallow waterfall where the water going over the smooth rock sheets was transparent as glass, then exploded like crystal as it fell on the rocks below.



We continued on the trail, and followed the sound of the water falling as it tripped over gnarled tree roots exposed by the force of the stream.



Further along, the setting sun lit up the foliage and its reflection marked the water like liquid gold.


We had by then walked for an hour and a half, following the stream, and the sound of the water falling.


It was getting dark, and so we stopped at this point where there was a deep, clear pool of water beneath us, and flat rocks along the stream. A perfect campsite ... and so close to home! Much as we wanted to continue along this endless trail, we decided to stop since it was rapidly getting dark. As we headed back home, we decided we would be back here to camp.

Three hours of walking in the crisp, cool air, listening to the gurgling sounds of water ... could there be anything more serene?



As this year ends and a new one begins, I wish for you (and for me) a world filled with peace, and serene, quiet moments of delightful contemplation. Happy New Year!

29 comments:

Mridula said...

I can imagine how it would be to find a dry place turn into one full of beautiful water bodies!

Was it cold on the walk?

Blu said...

Beautiful words, and photographs, I enjoyed my walk with you alongside the water. Wishing you all the very best for the New Year. Blu x

Jude said...

Oh, what gorgeous scenery!! i love the reflection of the tree and the golden water.. I'd love to come camping with you there!
Peace love and happiness to you and your family in the coming year
Take care
x

Vamsee Modugula said...

Austin is definitely the prettiest of all Texan towns.
Enjoyed walking with you through your photographs. Loved the interplay of light on the water in some pictures.

Neelima Vallangi said...

Wow! A short walk from your place leads to this stream? And i have to travel 250 kms and hike in some forest and climb some mountain to see a place like this! :(

Seems like a perfect place to camp overnight and enjoy the sound of flowing water. Beautiful pictures.

French Fancy... said...

I felt like I was with you Bindu, hearing the water and enjoying these breathtaking views. You do live in a lovely spot - I always think of Texas as dry and not very verdant but I can see how wrong I am

I wish you all the very best as another year goes and we welcome a new one.

ArtSparker said...

How wonderful to camp so near your home. What a beautiful, vital core of your city at this time of year. Happy new Year.

Rajesh said...

Fantastic views of lovely flowing stream of water.
Wish you Happy & Prosperous New Year.

Unknown said...

Hi Bindu! What beautiful photos. I had fun going for your walk with you. Happy 2010!!!

LadyFi said...

Oh - so beautiful! Really breath-taking shots!

I wish you an abundance of joy, serenity and delight!

Chris Daly said...

Such beautiful photos. It looks like a wonderful place to stroll, relax and reconnect with nature. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Beautiful series of images.

Happy new year to you and your dear ones...Thomas

GMG said...

Hi Bindu! Lovely place, wonderful pictures! Lucky girl to have it just around the corner... ;)

Blogtrotter has reached 500 posts on all blogs with some views of «La Petite France, Strasbourg», truly missing your comments! Enjoy and have a first great week in 2010!!!

Nisha said...

As always awesome pictures, especially with blue & yellow effect. I can imagine the beauty of the place.

Bindu, wish you a very Happy new year 2010. May you travel more and show us more such pictures.

Shayla said...

Nothing like nature to reset body and spirit. Pretty photos.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

The photos quite clearly express that you live in one of the prettiest parts of Texas :)

Rajasthani Turbans

Sydney said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR BINDU!!!

I can't believe all this is right outside your door and that you can enjoy it for miles. A good choice for a home indeed. I don't know if you've mentioned it much in the past...

For a place that often is dry or barely filled these shots of the water were amazing. I would be interested to see it in the summer to contrast. Actually I hope all that water stays.

Anonymous said...

Bindu,
A very happy new year!! This blog brought back some memories...talking this walk with you and Raghav before I moved to NYC.
And Goddess II is beautiful!!!
Nivedita

Abhilash said...

Nice to see a place turn into such a beautiful one.

rocksea said...

great place to live in. i love living surrounded by nature and water bodies :)

Leanne Pizio said...

I loved taking this trip with you through your words and pictures. Thank you for giving me a small vacation from a trying day.

Jude said...

Helloooooo!!
Are you still there...??
I do hope you are well and too busy to post.
Take care
Jude
x

Maya said...

Beautiful pictures on the walk Bindu. One more reason I would like to visit Texas. Wish you happiness and peace and tranquility and all that your heart wants in 2010 and always.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

it must have been absolutely wonderful..the photos speak volumes too

TC
CU

Leslie Rubio said...

Simply beautiful. I have so missed going on your lovely trips with you.
Happy to be back and hope to be better about posting and visiting...
Blessings,
Leslie

~vagabond~ said...

you certainly live in a very scenic neighborhood...that explains why you are so very creative. :)

Sydney said...

HI Bindu.... must be a busy time for you. I have not been able to blog as much except for Adventures. Would love to know what's keeping you busy, even a post with just a paragraph (or an e-mail).

Hope all is well as spring finally seems to be here!

Anil P said...

The fourth picture is wonderful.

Long time. Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful. The reflection picture is awesome - though remove your signature from that. You can possibly send this to some magazine.
Take Care
Uj